It was an intensity that could make anyone despair...
Just a light swing split the entire island in two, and the force that followed parted the sea all the way to the horizon.
This island was no ordinary small one. There were four nations like Dressrosa on this island, and those four had been at war with each other for a long time.
While it didn't match the scale of a super nation like the one on Alabasta's island, it was still one of the larger areas in the world. Yet Aatrox had split it with just one sword strike.
Even the clouds in the sky and the endless ocean currents in the distance.
After that force passed, the sea still didn't calm down. It was as if it was scared.
So strong...
Unbelievably strong!
Roger had been sailing for years and had never felt such suffocation before. He had faced stronger opponents countless times, overcoming them step by step to reach where he was now.
But Aatrox's strength was beyond that level. Even a man like Roger couldn't imagine how to beat this monster on his own!
This wasn't an enemy they could fight alone. To deal with something this powerful, they had to team up! The more strong fighters they could gather, the better—and the stronger, the better!
Even if they gathered all the power in the world to face this monster, it wouldn't be too much, because this was an enemy with that kind of overwhelming power.
"Alright, now that you've felt despair, fall into the pitch-black hell."
After swinging his huge blade, Aatrox spread his two wings and soared into the sky.
High in the air, Aatrox let out a light shout, as if declaring it to the world.
"Watch out!"
Sengoku's face changed. He and Garp had fought Aatrox the longest, so he shouted right away.
Sakaki, pulled back by Aatrox, realized there was no escape and had no choice but to join them. He said, "If we want to survive, we team up. With all of us here, we still have a slim chance!"
With that, he swung his twin swords first.
Ice and snow formed a white snow dragon from his blades. As soon as the snow dragon took shape, Setsuna let out a huge roar and charged at Aatrox.
Sakaki attacked first, followed closely by Sengoku. Roger swung with all his might too, and his crewmates arriving from behind joined in. Almost at the same time, they all launched attacks at the demon lord leaping into the sky.
Garp wanted to join, but his injuries were the worst. Instead of fighting with his weak one-armed body, it was better to rest first.
Most importantly, he remembered Ah Xing was still fighting Tunfo in the distance!
He couldn't let Ah Xing get hurt, so once his body recovered a bit, he headed toward Tunfo. In his current state, he'd just hold them back against Aatrox. Better to protect the future of the Marines.
Even if they died here, as long as Ah Xing was safe, he could still become the strongest swordsman in the Marines' future.
With so many experts here, it should...
Be fine!
But was it really fine?
Aatrox hovered in the sky, looking down at the tiny lives like ants below, and shouted.
"The end of the world is here!"
Boom!
A massive force burst from his blade, turning into deep red chains—like fiery bonds from the depths of hell—that instantly filled the sky, turning the dark, hopeless world red and even more oppressive.
It was as if the chains were sealing off the whole world, dragging it into hell. Layer after layer, they locked the heavens.
Just as he said, no one could escape. The only outcome here was...
Death!
Countless chains rained down, sweeping away the Haki attacks coming at him, leaving the sky and earth empty.
Flames seemed to burn hot on his huge magic sword. Roger sensed the energy in it—it was beyond measure!
"Spread out!"
Roger and Sakaki said it almost at the same time, but it was too late.
Because now the heavenly fire descended with the chains, and the sword energy Aatrox flung down brought the most brutal deaths!
A red blaze, several times stronger than the one that split the island and sea, fell from the sky, carrying an unstoppable will and power. In an instant, it swallowed the figures of everyone below.
Roger felt a warm flow enter his right hand. The Shikon Jewel fragment seemed to sense the danger and gave him power. He instantly returned to his crew's side and swung hard at the sky.
It was as if he wanted to split the heavens and the falling flaming sky.
But one person's strength wasn't enough. Everyone else also put up defenses at that moment.
With a boom, the red sky crashed to the ground. Demonic fire spread wildly outward, devouring everything in its path—mountains, villages, everything burned to ashes in Aatrox's rage!
Nature's grand works, human efforts, all turned fragile like dried bones in that instant.
Roger felt like he was in volcanic lava. The burning pain attacked his body and soul, and the massive force destroyed everything about him.
His swing wasn't ordinary, but it only carved out a tiny safe space in the demonic fire.
"Ah!!"
Even so, part of his crew was still swallowed by the flames. Roger gritted his teeth, gripping his sword with both hands and pushing his body's limits.
Death at sea was common, but his pirate crew was different. They were elites he recognized, and losses were rare. Even in the big battle at God's Valley before, few of his crew had died.
But now, they were being consumed by the flames without mercy. Sailors accepted death as fate once they set out to sea—no one feared it. But Roger was their captain!
If he took them to sea, he had to carry their wishes!
He had also promised No. 1 to eliminate the demon threat, so he had to do it!
On top of that, this demon had hurt his crew...
But the truth was, he wasn't a match for Aatrox.
He needed power—greater power. It had been a long time since he craved getting stronger like this. Since reaching this level, he hadn't met anyone who could surpass him.
But now, this enemy had arrived. This powerful demon lord had awakened the deepest longing in Roger's heart!
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