Garp's face was the color of stormclouds, every muscle in his body screaming. That punch of his had been ordinary. The crater yawning at his feet came from the repulsion that had flooded into him and had to be vented out.
He stared at the ruined ground, dazed, then swallowed hard. He hurt all over and looked downright bedraggled.
"Shave."
Sengoku flickered into the pit beside him. "Garp, are you alright?"
"Cough, cough." Garp pushed to his feet, eyes solemn. "Sengoku, this brat is strong."
"I warned you. He's strong. He beat me."
"When did you warn me?" Garp tilted his nose to the sky and glared at Sengoku.
"Enough. Enemy at the gates. We deal with the kid first." The square lines of Sengoku's face were carved with tension. It was not only Rakuya they had to worry about. Roger was here too.
Across the field, most of the Roger Pirates gaped at the crater.
"That destructive power is insane. Why'd Garp punch the ground? Some secret technique?" Buggy yelped.
Shanks tugged off his straw hat and glared at him. "We've sailed this long and you still can't see it? All of that came from that young man."
"What are you talking about? How'd he even attack? Garp split the earth with his fist." Buggy hopped, unconvinced.
"Hmph. Not wasting breath on you." Shanks pouted, arms crossed, head turned aside.
Roger chuckled at the bickering, then ruffled Buggy's head. "Shanks is right. That was the youth's doing. Garp just discharged what was forced into his body."
"What?"
Buggy froze, slack-jawed.
"Hear that, brat? Believe me now?" Shanks' small face was smug from brow to chin.
"Hey, did you hear? Roger says it was Rakuya's monstrous power." A sharp-eared Marine shouted from afar.
"Hiss. Then how strong is he?"
"Vice Admiral Garp couldn't handle him. He could probably be fighting for territory with the likes of Roger in the New World."
"Captain, that kid is strong." Silvers Rayleigh stepped to Roger's side, expression grave.
"I see it." Roger nodded. "Garp nearly went all out, but the kid didn't even lift a foot. Not half a step back. His breathing never wavered. Sparring a vice admiral with that kind of power would have me panting. For him to remain steady, his strength must be tremendous."
"Then by that measure, Captain, he might even be above you?" Rayleigh picked up the hint of admiration in Roger's tone.
"I can't deny the possibility. But the more power you have, the heavier the burden. Sometimes I wish I were just a common man, tasting all the flavors of life and growing old in peace. For pirates who pursue their own brand of justice, that's a luxury. I hope he stirs waves in the New World. Perhaps he is the one who bears the mandate." Roger's gaze deepened as it fell on Rakuya. The words came from the heart.
"Captain, you mean he is..." Rayleigh's eyes widened.
"I hope so. It depends whose fate is greater. The New World is crowded with monsters. It is no paradise. To stand firm there and overturn..." Roger's voice lowered, face hardening. The crew around him heard only riddles, but Rayleigh understood.
"So long as I live, I'll stay at your side," Rayleigh said, unusually candid.
"Hahaha. Rayleigh, meeting you was my fortune. Once we shake Sabaody, drinks are on me." Roger laughed and clapped his brother-in-arms on the shoulder.
"Captain, bad news. A large Marine force is closing in from the east by sea." A pirate sprinted up, frantic.
"I feel them." Roger's senses had already touched the incoming warships.
"What do we do, Captain?" Rayleigh's eyes flashed as he bared his blade.
"We're not reaching the New World today. The Oro Jackson is in Grove 58 for coating. Half a month at least. And we're stuck in Area 1. We move before the warships make landfall and set sail elsewhere."
"But Captain, this chance is rare. We just found an opening," Rayleigh pressed.
"If Marine Headquarters arrives in force, we won't leave at all." Roger's eyes cut like lightning. Decision made.
"All hands, listen up."
"Aye."
"Full retreat from Area 1. Make for Grove 58 at top speed. We break out before the Marines land."
"Aye!"
The Roger Pirates snapped to, pulling tight like a single rope.
"Heh, Roger, with me here, you think you're getting away?" Garp vaulted from the pit with a Shave and grinned.
"Garp." Roger clutched at his temples. Headache.
"All hands, Rayleigh and I will pin down Garp and Sengoku. The rest of you break for Grove 58. Once we finish, we rendezvous and leave together."
"Captain, if you don't go, we won't either."
"Captain, let us fight a bloody path here."
"That's an order. Everyone except Rayleigh retreats. Or do you plan to keep your captain here to die because you delayed?"
"Never."
"Captain, you'd better make it."
Eyes stinging, the crew hurled themselves at the Marine cordon.
"Go. Open a road for our captain."
"Forward!"
Hot-blooded shouts rose as they crashed into the Marines.
"Hold the line. Take them all."
"Advance."
"Grab Roger. He's worth billions."
"Kill."
Steel met steel as Marines and the Roger Pirates slammed together.
"Sengoku, what now?" Garp stood there, as carefree as ever, looking from Rakuya to Roger and Rayleigh.
None of the three were easy prey. Each one was a handful.
Until Marine warships arrived from Headquarters, Garp and Sengoku were at a stark disadvantage.
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