Sengoku unveiled the third stage of his Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu.
Giant Buddha Form.
His whole body swelled into a towering golden idol. Attack and defense spiked again. This was as strong as Sengoku got.
"Sounds like you're not paying the ransom," Rakuya said, shaking his head at the full-on battle posture.
"The Marines stand for justice. We will never bow to evil." Sengoku's voice rumbled from the Buddha's mouth, fury burning beneath the calm.
"Shockwave."
The ten-meter Buddha flashed, a mountain-sized palm crashing forward.
"Repulsion: Impact Pillar."
Rakuya lifted his hand. A one-meter-thick column of condensed force roared to life.
Boom.
Pillar met palm. The island shuddered. Rock exploded in sprays.
"Urgh."
The Buddha's arm snapped back. The pillar drilled into its chest, force spilling across the massive frame.
Crash.
The giant staggered a dozen steps.
"Sengoku, make this easy. Five billion Berries and I release them. Otherwise, I start killing."
Rakuya's eyes were flat as he stared up at the golden face.
"Admiral Sengoku!"
"Admiral!"
Seeing him driven back, Marines shouted and surged.
"All units, hear me." The Buddha's mouth opened and Sengoku's own voice carried over the din. "He cannot escape. Hold at all costs. Vice admirals from HQ are en route. Buy time. When the main force arrives, we take him."
He panted, eyes never leaving Rakuya.
One exchange had told Sengoku the truth. He could not win a straight fight. Pinning the man down with a single decisive strike had been childish. Stalling was all he had left.
"Brothers, forward. Buy time."
"Get Rakuya and rescue our teacher."
"Hold the line together. Buy time."
The order lit a spark. Morale that had been crumbling flared back to life. Even Rakuya had to admit it. Sengoku really was a tactician. One sentence and the Marines rallied.
"Admiral Sengoku, bad news. A pirate crew on the right is rushing this way."
"Pirates?" Sengoku shot the runner a look. "Which crew?"
"Gol D. Roger's crew."
"Roger."
Sengoku's face darkened. One Rakuya was already too much. Now the most troublesome pirate of them all was walking in.
"Hold them."
He barked the command through gritted teeth. Wolves in front, tigers behind. When had the Marines last been this cornered?
"Long time no see, Sengoku. Your men can't hold this."
A shadow cut across the battlefield, landing with effortless speed. A man with a bold eight-shaped mustache stood with arms folded, smiling as if he had stepped into a tavern.
Gol D. Roger.
"Ro... Roger." Sengoku's pupils tightened. He had not expected him to appear right in front of him.
"Old friend. We meet again." Roger tipped his chin, then glanced toward the calm young man in the ring of wreckage.
"You're the kid who beat up a Celestial Dragon?"
"That's me," Rakuya said.
"Hahaha. Didn't think the one to deck a Dragon would be a youngster. The new generation is terrifying."
"Ro... Roger?"
"Captain!"
A tide of pirates poured in behind him, sprinting for the melee.
Rakuya looked up and couldn't help but smile.
Crocus in his whale-embroidered coat and peculiar hair. Scopper Gaban with his ponytail and shades. A red-haired cabin boy in a straw hat named Shanks. A blue-nosed clown named Buggy. And at Roger's side, the first mate with a scar at his right eye.
Silvers Rayleigh.
"All of them. So we really get to see the Roger Pirates here."
"It's Roger."
"Yeah. The Roger Pirates."
"No way. Why are they here."
"The papers were right. They really came to the Archipelago."
"This is bad. He's Vice Admiral Garp's nemesis. With Garp gone, who in the Corps can face him? Sengoku is already tied up."
The moment name and faces clicked, the Marines buzzed with panic. Calm dissolved into noise.
"Damn it, why the Roger Pirates, and why now?"
Vice Admiral Brown Fox blanched, shoulders tightening.
"Roger, let's see you dodge this time. Fist Bone: Meteor!"
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