One Piece: Lone Monster
Chapter 16
"Buhahaha! Shiki, you bastard, come here. Let's fight!"
Ron's laughter echoed across the training grounds as he strode in, his massive sword resting on his shoulder. His eyes were burning with excitement, already eager for battle.
Shiki glanced at him and smirked.
"Jihahaha! Brat, didn't you get enough yesterday?"
"Do you want me to beat you up again this morning?"
Before Ron could answer, another figure arrived.
Newgate walked into the training ground after hearing Ron's loud voice.
"Gurararara… Shiki, the kid is in high spirits today."
"Don't end up getting your ass kicked."
Ron didn't bother replying.
Instead, he immediately attacked.
Shiki grinned widely and met him head-on. Their swords clashed with a thunderous impact, and the battle instantly intensified.
Grandmaster-level sword slashes began flying in every direction.
"Jihahaha!"
"Kid, you really are a monster."
"To reach Grandmaster swordsmanship in just one month!"
Ron laughed loudly while swinging Surtr.
"Buhahaha! Less talking, more dancing."
Surtr was coated in Ryuo-level Armament Haki, its blade radiating immense power as Ron attacked again.
Shiki's swords were also covered in Ryuo.
Their blades didn't even touch.
Instead, their Haki clashed violently in the air, sending black lightning crackling around them.
Newgate watched with a grin.
"Gurararara… the kid really is a monster."
"Now he's truly Shiki's equal."
"If he awakens Conqueror's Haki, even I'll have a hard time putting him down."
Nearby, Stussy leaned closer to Newgate with a teasing smile.
"Darling, why joke like that?"
"You're the strongest after Captain Rocks, aren't you?"
Newgate completely ignored her.
His attention was fixed entirely on the fight.
Just then, a furious voice echoed across the island.
"Roooon! Shiki! You two bastards stop destroying the damn island!"
Rocks came running toward them, clearly annoyed.
Without hesitation, he jumped straight into the battle.
"Tsk."
"If you wanted to join, why make such a fuss?"
"You damn captain."
Ron sneered while blocking Rocks' incoming slash.
Rocks ignored the insult and drew his sword fully.
Shiki exchanged a glance with Ron.
Ron suddenly grinned.
"Buhahaha! Shiki, let's beat this bastard up."
He immediately attacked Rocks.
Shiki burst out laughing.
"Jihahaha! Captain, no cheating."
"Only swordsmanship!"
Shiki joined Ron and attacked Rocks from the other side.
Rocks scowled.
"You two damn bastards!"
"You have no shame ganging up on your captain!"
Ron snorted.
"Shut up."
"Honor doesn't matter if it means beating you."
He attacked from the right while Shiki struck from the left.
"Jihahaha! The kid is right, Captain."
Shiki laughed while clashing swords again.
Rocks suddenly laughed loudly.
Ever since Ron had joined, the crew had become far more lively.
"Fine then."
"Let's see how much you two have grown."
The three swordsmen collided again.
Soon the temporary alliance collapsed, turning the fight into a three-way free-for-all.
Rocks attacked Ron.
Ron blocked and counterattacked.
Shiki suddenly struck both of them at once.
Ron retaliated against Shiki while Rocks followed up with a massive slash aimed at both fighters.
Ron responded by sending out blazing flame sword slashes.
Newgate laughed loudly while watching the chaotic battle unfold.
---
Meanwhile, in Paradise, the Roger Pirates had finally encountered the Kuja Pirates.
Roger stood at the front of his ship with a wide grin.
"Boys!"
"Attack!"
"We're taking Shakky with us!"
The entire crew erupted with cheers.
"Shakky!"
"Hearts filled their eyes as they shouted her name.
Rayleigh simply sighed in exhaustion.
On the Kuja ship, Gloriosa immediately noticed the approaching pirates.
"Hmph."
"You dare come for my first mate?"
"Kuja! Prepare the arrows!"
Every Kuja warrior drew their bows at once.
"Attack!"
A rain of arrows filled the sky.
Each arrow was infused with Haki.
Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban moved instantly.
Their attacks shattered the incoming arrows before they could reach the ship.
"Boys!"
"Let's go!"
The Roger Pirates leapt onto the Kuja ship.
Gloriosa narrowed her eyes.
"Fine then."
"Perfume Femur!"
Her kick shot toward Roger's face.
Roger casually dodged it and ignored her completely.
Instead, he rushed straight toward the cabin.
Suddenly, the cabin door burst open.
Shakky stepped outside calmly.
A cigarette hung from her lips while her long black hair flowed behind her.
The moment the Roger Pirates saw her, their eyes turned into hearts.
Shakky sighed in annoyance.
Then she moved.
In mere seconds, she dismantled the entire group.
Even Roger ended up lying on the deck with several bumps on his head.
Gloriosa sighed deeply.
Compared to monsters like Roger and his crew, the Kuja warriors felt powerless.
"Well… looks like it's time to call him," she thought.
Just then, another loud voice echoed across the sea.
"ROGERRRR!"
"You bastard!"
"Let me catch you so I can finally go to the New World!"
A Marine warship cut through the ocean at incredible speed.
Garp stood at the front, clearly furious.
Ron was out there enjoying battles with Rocks, Shiki, and Newgate, while he was stuck chasing Roger around the seas.
"Fist Bone: Meteorite Shower!"
Garp began launching cannonballs rapidly.
It looked like a storm of meteors raining down from the sky.
Roger's face instantly turned pale.
"Garp, you lunatic!"
"Stop!"
Every cannonball was aimed directly at his ship.
The Roger Pirates immediately rushed back to their vessel.
Roger and Rayleigh unleashed powerful sword slashes to intercept the cannonballs.
Gaban swung both of his axes, releasing a massive X-shaped slash.
The attacks destroyed many of the cannonballs in mid-air.
Garp didn't stop.
"Fist Bone: Meteorite Shower!"
He launched another barrage.
Then he jumped into the air using Geppo and flew toward the pirates.
The Kuja ship had already moved away from the battlefield.
Garp descended like a falling meteor.
"Galaxy Impact!"
Roger immediately countered.
"Kamusari!"
Their attacks collided violently.
Even so, Roger was pushed slightly backward.
"BUHAHAHAHA!"
"Roger, surrender already!"
"So I can go to the New World!"
"I'm itching to fight Ron!"
Garp laughed loudly.
After all, Ron was the only one who could truly match him in pure hand-to-hand combat.
Roger roared in frustration.
"Damn it!"
"Who's stopping you?!"
"Just go fight him!"
"What does that have to do with me?!"
Garp answered bluntly.
"I can't enter the New World until I catch you!"
"So surrender already!"
He leapt high into the sky again using Geppo.
"Galaxy Impact!"
Roger cursed Garp's entire lineage and clashed with him again using Kamusari.
Rayleigh and Gaban joined the attack to help push Garp back.
The moment they created an opening, the Roger Pirates immediately fled at full speed.
Garp landed back on his warship.
Then he resumed the chase without hesitation.
The pursuit across the seas continued.