Above the seas near Hachinosu Island.
A massive azure dragon writhed forward at a high speed. From its four claws, rings of Flame Clouds extended, a fiery vapor that dragged two colossal ships, carrying them swiftly through the sky.
On the dragon's head, Charlotte Linlin slapped Kaido's scalp hard, looking annoyed. "Kaido! You bastard, can't you fly any faster?!"
"Shut it, you old hag!" Kaido roared back, even more frustrated. "This is full speed! If you think it's too slow, fly yourself!"
"You lazy brat!" Charlotte Linlin said, disappointed.
"You think I'm not in a hurry?! I want to fight Roger more than anyone!" Kaido scoffed. "Damn that Shiki! I hope that guy doesn't get to him first!"
At this, Charlotte Linlin gave a mocking smile. "Don't worry. That guy isn't an idiot. He knows what happens if you try to fight Roger alone!"
As much as she hated to admit it, the Roger Pirates were currently the most powerful pirate crew in the world! Only when all of them were present could they be sure of a victory. If it came down to a one-on-one fight, whether it was Roa or Shiki, they would both unfortunately lose to the Roger Pirates.
In Charlotte Linlin's mind, even Shiki, with his intense obsession with Roger, would be hanging back, waiting for them to arrive.
"He better be! Roger, just you wait for me!" He couldn't wait.
At the same time, in another part of the same sea, a fleet of gigantic snails was rumbling forward at a high speed.
"Oh! Has it started?" Roa held up a Transponder Snail, smiling as he talked to the person on the other end.
"Yes," the voice of Tiger came from the receiver, with a hint of excitement. "Roger and his crew have taken to the sky and have begun an intense fight with the Golden Lion."
"They took to the sky? Excellent!" Roa happily snapped his fingers. "It seems the Moonwalk I specially taught them has played a crucial role."
Uncle Shiki wasn't an idiot. If he knew he couldn't win, he wouldn't force a fight. That's where Moonwalk became a key factor. Roa hoped Uncle Shiki would like this gift.
"Keep me updated." Roa said.
I'm not your personal paparazzi! Tiger wanted to say. But in the end, Roa just heard, "Alright."
Putting away the Transponder Snail, Roa chuckled to himself. "Don't worry, Uncle Shiki. I made sure Roger and his crew would spare your life. There's nothing to worry about. Fight with everything you've got!"
He wasn't an ungrateful person. He still remembered all the favors from the past!
Roger's Supreme Grade Blade, Ace, and Shiki's Meito swords, Sakura and Kogarashi, clashed together. Two incredibly powerful surges of Haki collided, sending thick black lightning in all directions and tearing apart the clouds.
In their first clash, the Golden Lion and Roger were evenly matched. But Shiki's expression was incredibly grim because two other figures, equally deserving of the title "monsters," were approaching from his sides!
"Hah!" In a synchronized roar, Rayleigh swung his sword and Gaban brought down his two axes! Faced with three weapons all imbued with two-colored Haki, Shiki parried with his swords, only to be sent flying.
He shot through the air like a cannonball, slamming heavily into the rock face beneath a floating island. The hard rock shattered on impact, and thick cracks began to spread. But Shiki didn't even have a moment to catch his breath before the three figures closed in like leeches.
"Damn you all!" Shiki roared. There was no point in talking now!
"Lion's Threat: Earth Roll!" The rock face beneath the island instantly contorted into a massive lion's head, opening its maw to bite at the three approaching figures.
BOOM!
In the next moment, the massive stone lion was utterly pulverized.
"Kamusari!" The gigantic slash that shattered the stone lion also left a bottomless, deep crevice in the underside of the island.
Meanwhile, Shiki had already opened up an emergency tunnel inside the island and flew upwards, reaching the top of the floating landmass.
"Prepare for battle!" he roared. Although... now was the only time to fight! There was no other path to take!
"Admiral!" Behind him, his three most capable subordinates quickly moved closer.
Head-Crusher Hyde!
Heart-Piercer Berg!
Trickster Max!
The three men, who had already been preparing for battle, rallied the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet like a tidal wave.
Then...
BOOM! The forefront of the island's shore exploded, and three figures shot up.
"Leave Shiki to me!" Roger said without hesitation, lunging at the Golden Lion. "Rayleigh, Gaban! Don't hold back! End this quickly!"
"Right!" Rayleigh and Gaban both gave a firm nod, not hesitating for a moment. They pushed off the air, their bodies changing direction as they made a beeline for the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet's executives. Since Roa wanted them to use this opportunity to weaken Shiki's crew, and even take out everyone but Shiki himself, they would fulfill his request!
"Hah!" With a mighty roar, Rayleigh's sword strike sent Head-Crusher Hyde, the strongest of Shiki's subordinates, flying. The difference in their Haki was too vast!
Even more miserable was the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet's third-in-command, the sniper Berg. He transformed into a Pteranodon to create distance, but an ax was faster!
"You're not getting away!" The onrushing Gaban's ax struck and shattered the sniper rifle in Berg's hands.
"You bastard!" The enraged Berg extended his jaw. His Pteranodon beak, imbued with Haki, lunged at Gaban like a spear.
But... "Axe Sky Fall!"
A flash of black light streaked across the sky.
"Waaah!" Berg only managed a single shriek before his beak was severed, and a huge gash appeared on his chest. Gaban, who had sent Berg flying with a single strike, hadn't even landed yet. He swung his two axes again with all his might.
"Eighty Owls' Rule!"
A series of giant slashes rained down like a storm, instantly tearing through the gathered Golden Lion Pirates, sending bodies flying. This move could cut down every tree on a mountain in an instant, making it perfect for clearing out a crowd.
"Bastard! Don't get cocky!" Hyde roared, a deep sword cut across his stomach. His Heal-Heal Fruit allowed him to recover quickly, and he was back in the fight within moments.
But... "Let's finish you first." Rayleigh shot forward.
All Hyde could see in his eyes was the towering black Haki.
"Roger!" Shiki's eyes were filled with fury.
"I told you before, don't get in my way, Shiki!" Roger said without a hint of guilt. A pirate battle wasn't a game. If they didn't defeat the Golden Lion Pirate Fleet now, they might be the ones getting wiped out!
"Lion's Thousand Slices!" Shiki crazily swung his two swords. A storm of giant slashes formed, instantly swallowing Roger.
But he was Gol D. Roger!
Within the storm was an unstoppable meteor! Roger swung his sword continuously, and with each swing, a Haki shockwave spread out, easily destroying every slash that came at him.
In the next moment, the two clashed again with a deafening crash. The collision of the three blades created a massive shockwave that shook the floating island below, causing it to begin to fall.
"Then don't blame me for getting serious!" Shiki roared. With a wave of his right hand, the floating island below suddenly began to move, tilting and heading straight for the Roger Pirates' ship on the sea.
He was going to use this island to smash Roger's ship to smithereens!
"Shiki, you won't get away with this!" Roger yelled, swinging his sword at the island below. "Rayleigh! Gaban! Let's go!"
A huge Haki shockwave roared out, not a slash, but a pure blast of Haki! The shockwave slammed into the side of the island, instantly obliterating that portion of the shore. The powerful force even forced the island to tilt, sending a large number of pirates flying into the sky.
On the island, Rayleigh and Gaban both leaped up, swinging their weapons with all their might at the center. Two more massive shockwaves slammed into the middle of the island. The immense power blasted a huge hole straight through it, and the thick cracks that spread everywhere caused the entire island to begin to crumble. At the same time, the powerful force slammed it down!
Before it could even reach the Roger Pirates' ship, the entire island was forced into the sea.
The ocean heaved, and one gigantic wave after another spread out. The Roger Pirates' ship looked tiny in front of these waves, getting pushed farther and farther away.
"Roger!"
"Shiki!"
In the sky, the two figures continued to clash, each clash a world-shaking event. Meanwhile, the slaughter continued on the crumbling island, which was already half-submerged. No one could stop Rayleigh and Gaban. Shiki's three executives had all been defeated. The remaining cannon fodder were being harvested like straw, falling in swathes with every swing.
"Bastard!" In the sky, Shiki was beyond furious. His entire life's work was going to be lost here today! "Roger! I'll never forgive you!"
"Then stop running!" Roger said, not holding back as he continued his pursuit.
No!
If this keeps up, I have no chance of winning! I have to hold out until Roa and his crew arrive! Only then can I make these guys pay!
Shiki suddenly dove down, skimming the surface of the sea.
"Hah!" Roger followed close behind, his black blade tearing through the sky.
CLANG!
Another earth-shattering collision! Roger was sent flying high into the air, while Shiki was slammed into the sea! But just as he was about to hit the water, the sea split apart, creating a chasm!
"Zehahahaha! Come on, Roger! Fight against the sea itself!" Shiki laughed maniacally.
The waves began to swell! The sea, defying all logic, rose hundreds of meters high, wave after wave smashing down on the distant Roger Pirates' ship.
"Gaban! He's all yours!" Roger said without a care, diving back down to pursue Shiki.
At the same time, from the crumbling island, a dark figure shot out.
"Eighty Owls' Rule!" A series of giant slashes easily shattered the colossal waves!
But it wasn't enough. More gigantic waves were forming, still heading toward the ship.
"Help!" On the deck, Buggy clutched his head, screaming in despair. "We're going to drown!"
"Your crying is so annoying, Buggy!" Gaban, who had used Moonwalk to rush back, descended from the sky and shattered the incoming waves with his two axes.
"Uncle Gaban!" Buggy cried, his face streaming with tears of gratitude. The sense of safety had returned!
It was hard to believe, but at that moment, Roger and Shiki were fighting beneath the surface of the sea! Shiki had used his powers to create a massive air pocket, and the two were passionately clashing inside it. The sea surface constantly exploded from the impacts, and after one particularly violent blast, Shiki shot back into the sky.
But this time... "Shiki! It's two against one now!" Rayleigh arrived, breaking through the air.
"Bastard!" Shiki's eyes were wide with rage. Of all his subordinates, the familiar auras of his executives had almost all disappeared!
Damn them! Even as cold-hearted as the Golden Lion was, his heart ached. The people who died weren't just his subordinates; they were the foundation of his ambitions!
But that wasn't what he should be thinking about! The sea erupted again, and Roger shot up, pursuing him once more! Facing both Roger and Rayleigh at the same time! Even with all his arrogance, Shiki knew there was no way he could win!
Stall! He had to stall for time! He quickly flew upward, trying to create some distance. Moonwalk could allow them to fly, but it was still inferior to his speed!
But... "SHING! SHING! SHING!"
A few giant slashes suddenly tore through the sky, bringing Shiki's upward flight to a halt! It was Rayleigh. He had anticipated Shiki's move and used his sword to block him. Seizing the opportunity, Roger closed in quickly.
"Kamusari!" Shiki's pupils shrank to a pinprick. Rayleigh was blocking his path, and Roger was attacking head-on! With this combination, it would be difficult for him to escape!
Damn you, Roa! Hurry up and get here!
The gigantic snails rumbled forward.
"Achoo!" Roa, standing on the head of a snail, suddenly sneezed.
Who's cursing me?
Rubbing his nose, Roa squinted forward. Wave after wave of gigantic swells were crashing towards them. The furious wind never stopped blowing for a moment. He could also hear a series of faint, booming sounds.
How long had it been? Were they still fighting? Uncle Shiki, you're quite resilient.
It was at that moment...
"Roa! What are you still doing here?!" A surprised roar came from the sky.
Roa turned back and smiled, waving at the azure dragon flying towards them. "Big Brother Kaido! Take us with you!"
Soon, wrapped in flame-like clouds, a few giant snails were being carried along with the two ships.
"You can already hear the sounds from here!" Charlotte Linlin said in astonishment from atop the dragon's head. "They're in a fight?"
"Linlin, didn't you say that Shiki wasn't an idiot?" Kaido grumbled. "Then why did he start a fight?"
Charlotte Linlin shot back, "How would I know he could be such an idiot?"
"But honestly, I have no idea what Uncle Shiki was thinking," Roa shrugged. "Why didn't he wait for us to arrive?"
"But his opponent is Roger!" Kaido said, defending Shiki. "It's only natural that a bastard like Shiki couldn't hold back!"
Big Brother Kaido, what exactly is Roger to you? Is he a fish on a hook?
"Let's speed up, Big Brother Kaido!" Roa said with a serious expression. "I have a bad feeling!"
"I told you already, this is as fast as I can go!" Kaido roared.
However, his speed was already incredible, and he soon arrived over the turbulent waters. It was perfect timing, one might say.
"Be defeated, Shiki!" Along with a roar, a streak of black sword light shot across the sky.
And the figure struck by that slash plummeted like a meteor.
Straight down, into the sea, where it created a massive splash.
"My dear Uncle Shiki!" Roa wailed, his voice filled with grief. "Roger! What have you done! I'll never forgive you!"
A short distance away in the sky, Roger's mouth twitched.
That's enough, already.