Buggy was desperately hoping Aus would come save the day, but unfortunately Aus had his own shit to handle.
"Sorry Buggy, got business to take care of. You and Shanks hold out a bit longer."
Aus patted Buggy's shoulder, then flash-stepped right back into the slaughter.
"Wait... wait up... Damn it!!!"
Buggy was about to cry, could only fight and retreat with Shanks, looking miserable.
They weren't freakish monsters like Aus. The two twelve-year-olds had decent combat skills, but facing this massive swarm of elite pirates was still overwhelming.
Shanks seemed way more chill. After saying bye to Aus, he threw himself back into battle with the charging pirates.
"Don't slack off, Buggy! More enemies incoming!"
"Damn it!!!"
...
Meanwhile, at the main Ed War battlefield—
Roger and Shiki were going all-out with their Conqueror's Haki. Black-red lightning spread across the entire battlefield like it was gonna rip the sky apart!
Weaker pirates didn't even dare get close—the pile of unconscious bodies on the ground served as a perfect warning.
Their clash was absolutely brutal.
"Divine Departure!!!"
"Lion: Thousand Slice Valley!!!"
Their sword techniques collided. Aus, who'd come to watch, didn't dare blink, staring hard at those two blades that weren't even touching.
"No matter how many times I see this, this power still blows my mind!"
Conqueror's Haki Coating!!!
Aus had lost his damn mind. Tanking the aftershocks of two world-class Haki, he watched from the sidelines, using his Observation Haki to soak up every bit of this natural-born talent.
Facing this world-ending power directly, Aus admitted—this was his first time feeling real fear.
Not weakness of spirit or will, but a living thing's instinct when staring death in the face.
He knew if he dared step any closer, no matter how strong his body and two-color Haki were, this power would grind him to dust.
But Aus didn't back down. He admitted he was gambling.
Obviously, he'd bet right.
When facing the ultimate terror between life and death, people can break through certain barriers.
Maybe because he was too close, dense wounds started appearing on Aus's body. Even Armament Haki couldn't defend properly. Blood trickled from his eyes, nose, and mouth.
But Aus didn't dare retreat.
Because one step back would be forever!
Backing down from someone else's Conqueror's Haki—based on what Aus knew about Conqueror's as a power of will, awakening it again would be nearly impossible. He'd max out at Yonko Commander level for life.
How could he show off then? How could he have fun?
He refused to become the type who'd get one-shot by Conqueror's coating, not even reaching Admiral level. In the future, even facing Shanks, he'd get knocked flat by Conqueror's Haki!
Past life—bottom-tier with no way up.
This life—finally had talent, a chance to get stronger.
He wanted to become the world's strongest man!
The most badass person alive!
The freest person in existence!
He wanted everyone to break into cold sweats just hearing his name!
These simple thoughts flooding his heart let Aus face the baptism of two world-class Conqueror's Haki head-on!
BOOM CRACK CRACK CRACK!!!
Just as Shiki and Roger were having the time of their lives fighting, a young but domineering will crashed into the battlefield. The black-red lightning suddenly grabbed their attention!
Shiki and Roger's eyes went wide, then both burst out laughing.
"Kid, looks like you've got some serious ambition! Join me—I'll let that earlier shot slide!"
"No dice, Shiki! This kid's one of the new era's hopes!!!"
Rayleigh and the others fighting various officers in the distance also felt this incredibly pure Conqueror's will, all breaking into grins.
Most shocked was still Buggy. Getting blown around by this storm of presence, hair whipping around, eyes full of disbelief.
"What!!! Aus actually awakened Conqueror's Haki?!?!"
"That's our Aus alright!"
Shanks was way calmer, genuinely happy for his friend's growth.
But none of them noticed—
Among the Flying Pirates' many grunts in the distance, one unremarkable pirate was holding up a visual Den Den Mushi.
On the other end—
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
"Awakening Conqueror's Haki this young—this Roger Pirates brat probably has potential matching current Roger!"
"I know this bastard."
From behind Vice Admiral Garp, a voice rang out that scared Garp's snot bubble into popping.
"Huh? Meeting over already?"
"Garp!!!"
Seeing Garp had dozed off again, current Admiral Sengoku gritted his teeth. Just as he was about to explode, Fleet Admiral Kong stopped him.
"Marine from Garp's ship, give us details."
Kuzan, sitting behind Garp, stood up. Glaring at the military-uniformed kid radiating black-red lightning in the visual Den Den Mushi, he slowly pulled out a wanted poster.
"Target named Doctor Aus, 12 years old, proficient in two... three-color Haki, marksmanship, hand-to-hand combat. His Observation Haki's suspected to have extremely high mastery. Can't rule out him being one of great pirate Roger's successors!"
If the earlier info was intelligence Marines had gathered through battles and resources over the years, that last line was pure personal grudge.
He was a Logia user, and the scar on his thigh still wouldn't heal.
He'd almost gone from future Marine Admiral to future Marine... something else entirely!
"Such a young monster... we have to crush him while he's still growing!!!"
Hearing Kuzan's words, Fleet Admiral Kong's face darkened.
More and more genius monsters among pirates was a huge challenge for the Marines, especially crew members of great pirates like Roger.
Now confirmed to have Conqueror's Haki. If they let him grow up and learn Conqueror's coating...
Just thinking about another Roger-level great pirate in the future made Kong feel the pressure on the Marines' future.
"That gun-carrying brat on Roger's ship has grown this strong already?" Marine Hero Garp munched rice crackers while sighing.
(￣～￣) crunch
"My rice crackers!!! Garp!!!"
Sengoku let out a Buddha's roar.
...
"One after another, none of you will serve me!"
"Then die!"
"Don't talk big, Shiki!"
Bang—
Even awakening Conqueror's Haki couldn't change the fact Aus was still a kid. Roger had to shield him from behind.
Just the aftershock from one sword clash sent Aus flying again.
Aus got his bearings. Instead of stubbornly charging back to the battlefield center, he used Moon Walk to reach Shanks and Buggy.
Seeing him, Buggy was obviously thrilled.
"Aus! Too many enemies—what do we do?"
"Chill, Buggy!"
Aus shook rainwater off his blade, looking at the storm clouds brewing overhead.
"You're the owner of Conqueror's Luck that's no less than mine and Shanks's!"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
The story isn't over...
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