"Hey hey hey! Newgate! You bastard, launching an attack without even saying hello? That's not very honorable! At least wait until we dock and both sides form up properly before fighting! We've known each other for so long, fought countless times - we're practically old acquaintances! Is this any way to treat a friend?! You're breaking my heart!"
Though Roger complained verbally, his movements were swift as lightning. The sword at his waist was already drawn, muscles in his right arm bulging as he executed a seemingly simple slash that erupted with overwhelming Sword Aura capable of splitting seas and skies!
"Divine Departure!"
A blood-crimson, lightning-shaped slash wrapped in black-red Haki tore through the sea! It headed straight for the most violently oscillating part of the giant wave!
Where the slash passed, space distorted and seawater was automatically parted by an invisible sharpness!
"BOOM——!!!"
A world-shaking collision erupted on the sea surface less than a hundred meters from the ship's bow!
The crimson slash clashed fiercely with the white-capped giant wave carrying tremors!
For an instant, blinding light flashed and deafening roars echoed!
Violent energy currents swept madly in all directions!
The wave and tremors struggled against the black-red slash for several seconds, mutually eroding and annihilating each other.
Finally, the tsunami's momentum gradually dissipated.
But now the sea surface churned violently like boiling water.
Though Roger's slash had shattered the core tremors and raging waves, its own power was mostly depleted, the crimson glow significantly dimmed.
Yet its momentum wasn't exhausted, continuing like an injured but still fierce red dragon shooting toward Whitebeard standing on the shore!
Remnant Haki lightning crackled.
Newgate's expression remained unchanged, a flicker of appreciation in his eyes.
He raised Cloud Cutter again and swung down, forcefully meeting this remnant "Divine Departure"!
"BOOM——!!!"
Cloud Cutter's black blade clashed fiercely with the crimson slash!
Whitebeard stood firm as a mountain, not retreating an inch!
Meanwhile, the Roger Pirates took this opportunity to dock and disembark.
Rayleigh, the "Dark King" who had been silently observing Raiver Sky, slowly stepped forward, adjusted his glasses, and spoke calmly:
"You're the young man who released the 'Wave Cut' and 'Thousand Slash Valley' from this island earlier, correct?"
These words made Raiver Sky, who stood beside Shiki also observing the Roger Pirates, slightly startle internally.
Slash? Did he mean the "Lion's Might: Wave Slash" and "Lion's Might: Thousand Rending Valleys" he had mimicked during his spar with Shiki?
Could it be... those slashes that flew toward the distant sea didn't completely miss, but instead hit their ship? Or at least were clearly sensed by them?
So... the Roger Pirates suddenly changing course to approach wasn't a chance encounter, but they were drawn here?
"HAHAHAHA!" Roger laughed heartily nearby, looking at Raiver Sky with teasing eyes:
"It seems Rayleigh has pointed it out. That's right, kid!
Those slashes earlier were quite enthusiastic! Especially that 'Wave Cut' - it nearly shaved off our ship's mast!
If Rayleigh hadn't been quick-handed, we'd be swimming over today!"
Clearly, there was an element of joking in these words.
Hearing this, Newgate and Shiki suddenly understood, turning to look at Raiver Sky with expressions that seemed to say, "So it was you who led the trouble here!"
At that moment, Gaban, who had been carrying his battle-axe all along, spoke with undisguised admiration:
"Hey! Kid, to reach such a level in swordsmanship at such a young age, forcing Rayleigh and me to take action—impressive! You've got great potential!
It seems it won't be long before you truly surpass this guy Shiki and become the new legend of swordsmanship on these seas! Haha!"
However, while Gaban was praising Raiver Sky, he inadvertently offended Golden Lion Shiki standing nearby.
Shiki thought to himself: Damn! I'm catching strays even while lying down!
If you want to praise Raiver Sky, just praise him. Why use me as a stepping stone for comparison? Saying he'll "surpass Shiki"—that's just wrong!
I, Golden Lion Shiki, core officer of the Rocks Pirates, have been dominating the New World for years! Is my title as the Flying Pirate just for show? Do I not deserve respect?!
Within the Rocks Pirates, if Whitebeard or Raiver occasionally tease me, that's "family business."
But you, Gaban, an outsider and a combatant of the Roger Pirates, speaking up in this context—that's entirely different!
This is blatant provocation and humiliation!
If word gets out that Golden Lion Shiki is "about to be surpassed" by a rookie, and it's said by an opponent no less, where would that leave my reputation?!
Shiki's rage instantly peaked! He felt his dignity had been severely challenged!
"Gaban! What kind of joke is this?!"
Shiki roared, swiftly drawing his twin swords "Cherry Ten" and "Withered Tree" from his waist, the blades humming!
Without another word, he activated his Float-Float Fruit ability, lifting off the ground.
Crossing his swords before his chest, he transformed into a golden streak, charging toward Gaban on the shore!
"Whoa! No need for that?! I was just saying!"
Gaban, who had just spoken, was startled to see Shiki charging at him like a lion with its tail stepped on. He hadn't expected such an intense reaction.
But as a combatant of the Roger Pirates, his initial surprise was quickly replaced by fighting spirit.
"Bring it on!" he shouted, hefting his giant axe and meeting the charge head-on without backing down!
Shiki and Gaban—one wielding twin swords descending from the sky, unleashing a flurry of golden slashes.
The other brandishing his massive axe, using brute force to counter finesse, the blade coated in Haki as he swung upward!
"Clang! Boom!!"
Their figures clashed mid-air, swords and axe colliding violently, erupting in dazzling sparks and a deafening crash.
They then used the impact to propel themselves upward, instantly moving the fight to a distant, empty stretch of beach.
This battle, I'd call it—the Shiki-Gaban Skirmish, or perhaps...
The others watching this scene wore subtle expressions, but no one intervened.
Roger and Whitebeard were particularly amused by the spectacle, content to watch from the sidelines.
For powerhouses of their caliber, a spar triggered by "verbal friction"—as long as no lives were lost—was actually a good opportunity to gauge their opponent's current strength and condition.
Just as everyone's attention was slightly diverted by the intense battle between Shiki and Gaban on the beach, another voice rang out, pulling the focus back to Raiver Sky:
"Hahahaha! Interesting, so interesting! Kid, I quite like your style!"
Roger laughed heartily, his eyes blazing as he boldly extended an invitation right in front of Whitebeard, without any hesitation:
"The Rocks Pirates are so gloomy, what's so great about staying there?
Why don't you consider joining our Roger Pirates instead?!
Adventuring with us and seeking the truth of the world—that's what true freedom and happiness are all about!"
Raiver Sky was an Officer
of the Rocks Pirates, making the two factions natural enemies from a faction standpoint.
Yet Roger didn't hesitate at all to poach him, which clearly showed how much he valued Raiver Sky's strength and talent.