Morning sunlight bathed the glistening waves in golden brilliance.

Roger stood at the shore, eyes narrowed slightly as the reflection off the sea made it hard to see. Far in the distance, the silhouette of a Marine warship approached. Spreading out his Observation Haki, Roger immediately sensed several powerful presences aboard.

Among them, one weak and unassuming aura caught his attention, it felt like that of an ordinary civilian. Yet despite nearly a year having passed, Roger recognized it immediately.

"He's here."

A smile bloomed across Roger's face.

Tipping back the last drop of wine in his bottle, he tossed it aside, then slowly drew his longsword from his waist.

"Well then, "

"Time to say hello."

Roger grinned wide. With that, a surge of Conqueror's Haki exploded from him, directed squarely at the distant warship.

In an instant, the world seemed to fall silent. The voices of people along the coast, the whistling wind, even the crashing waves, all fell into eerie stillness.

Roger's Haki had manifested in near-physical form, stirring a colossal wave across the ocean, rushing toward the Marine vessel.

Aboard the Dawn.

Standing at the ship's bow, Yoriichi Tsugikuni looked toward Dressrosa, now visible on the horizon. His own Observation Haki spread swiftly outward.

As the distance closed, Issho, Mihawk, and Kyros stepped onto the deck behind him.

The sea was calm.

Then, Yoriichi's Haki detected it, a fragile presence, flickering like a candle in the wind.

And in the next moment, that flickering candle flared with overwhelming force.

An immense wave of Conqueror's Haki surged across the sea.

"WOMMMM!!!"

There was no sound, yet every Marine aboard heard a deep hum ringing through their skulls. It wasn't sound at all, it vibrated from within their minds, like a war drum slamming against their consciousness.

Within seconds, everyone aboard the Dawn collapsed.

Only three figures remained standing: Yoriichi, Mihawk, and Issho.

Even Kyros dropped to his knees, cold sweat soaking through his uniform.

Roger's Haki… was even stronger than the future Red-Haired Shanks.

Mihawk leaned forward, trying to glimpse who onshore could wield such terrifying force.

"This… is the Pirate King?"

Sweat dripped from his temples, but Mihawk grinned in excitement. His blood was stirred.

Issho gripped Shusui tightly, posture tense, ready to strike. His instincts screamed that the incoming force was worthy of utmost caution.

As for Yoriichi, after a moment of surprise, his expression steadied.

He could clearly sense Roger's weakness, and yet this man could still release such ferocious Haki?

How long could it last?

"WOMMMM!!"

Yoriichi's own Conqueror's Haki erupted in response. This time, the pressure was real, physical, vibrating through the very air.

Mihawk and Issho didn't feel relief, instead, the pressure doubled.

Kyros gritted his teeth, gasping for breath, his arms trembling as he tried to stay conscious.

Waves crashed violently against the hull. The sea turned chaotic as their Conqueror's clash distorted the currents.

Though Roger's Haki was stronger, he couldn't completely suppress Yoriichi's will.

The space within a hundred meters ahead of the warship brimmed with Yoriichi's force. Roger's pressure couldn't push past it.

"This brat… has grown well," Roger muttered with a smile.

"Hahaha… cough cough!"

His laughter turned into a violent fit. As the Haki dissipated, Yoriichi's will swept over him.

Roger stumbled, reached into his coat, and swallowed two pills.

Then, tightening his grip on Ace, the blade at his side, Roger raised his arm and unleashed a black wave of sword energy, ten meters long and two meters wide, racing across the sea.

"Let me see how strong the Marines of the future really are!"

The black slash tore the sea in two, roaring as it rushed forward.

On the warship, Yoriichi watched, but before he could move, both Issho and Mihawk leapt into action.

Their swords, Shusui and Yoru, crossed in front of the bow, halting the slash just meters before impact.

But even combined, the two could barely stop it.

Yoriichi could see it: both of them were straining, hands trembling from the sheer power behind the strike.

Roger's "flickering flame" could still burn the heavens.

There was no hesitation. Yoriichi leapt from the bow, stepping across the air with Moonwalk, heading directly toward the attack.

Beneath the slash, he swung his blade.

The black wave veered off-course, rocketing skyward.

"BOOM!!!"

Thunder cracked overhead, and clouds parted from the force. A massive rift opened in the heavens.

Using Moonwalk again, Yoriichi returned to the ship.

Mihawk caught Issho with a tap of his sword, helping him back aboard. Then he too tapped the sea and vaulted onto the deck.

"You two should really learn Moonwalk," Yoriichi muttered, steadying Kyros.

Kyros was drenched in sweat, face pale, his consciousness nearly gone.

"You've done more than enough," Yoriichi said gently, helping him sit near the railing.

Kyros mumbled an apology before passing out.

"No need for that."

"Leave the rest to us."

Yoriichi patted his arm, then stood.

At the bow again, he saw it.

A black blur streaking across the sea, skimming just above the water. Though it didn't touch the surface, it left a foaming white trail behind.

On the shore, Roger vanished.

The civilians who had been watching the show from land now gasped, pointing at the figure approaching from the sea.

"BOOM!!!"

A great wave exploded upward. Roger burst into the air, then descended directly toward the deck.

Mihawk moved first.

Sword raised, he lunged forward with a sharp thrust.

"Hahahahaha!"

Roger laughed, swinging Ace casually to parry the attack.

Then his blade snapped back, not to slash, but to smash Mihawk's chest.

Gravity Blade , Fierce Tiger!

Before it could land, Issho struck. Gravity pulsed from Shusui, slamming into Roger like an invisible hammer.

"Oh?"

Roger hadn't expected this. He quickly launched a counterattack.

Divine Departure!

A slash of divine force collided with Issho's gravity wave, erupting in a deafening shockwave.

Mihawk landed on the deck, face serious. He cast a brief glance toward Issho, not grateful, but slightly irritated.

He felt… like his pride as a swordsman had just been insulted.

But Issho wasn't the only one trespassing on that pride.

At the exact moment of Issho's attack, Yoriichi vanished from the bow.

In total silence, he reappeared behind Roger, blade already swinging toward the Pirate King's neck.

No hesitation.

Yoriichi knew Roger was stronger. He wasn't about to test him with honor-bound duels.

This was war.

Marines fought with teamwork, not pride.

And when the enemy's intent was unknown, strike first.

In the realm of No-Self, Yoriichi's entire presence was erased. Mihawk could see him, but he couldn't feel him.

His eyes widened slightly in shock.

But Roger, who could hear the Voice of All Things, heard Yoriichi's sword scream as it sliced through the air.

"BOOM!!"

Just before the blade touched his neck, Yoriichi's sword ignited with Conqueror's Haki.

Only then did Mihawk sense his terrifying aura.

"Not the way I'd like to go out…"

"You haven't changed, kid."

Roger's voice whispered into his ear.

The blade nicked his skin, but he blocked it with a vertical parry at the last second.

Two clashing Conqueror's Haki surges exploded outward, creating lightning in the air and waves across the sea.

Yoriichi changed stances instantly, drawing back for a stab aimed at Roger's back.

Issho followed, leaping into the air to slash at Roger's chest.

One in front, one behind, a perfect pincer.

"Interesting!"

"You've found good companions, kid!"

"Hahahaha!"

Roger twisted, parried Yoriichi's thrust, then used his shoulder to brace against him as he caught Issho's attack with his right hand.

Just as Roger blocked the second strike, Issho's Devil Fruit power flared.

A weight like a mountain dropped on Roger's back.

Suddenly, he began falling toward the sea.

Yoriichi didn't miss the opening.

With a flick, he unleashed a thousand slashes.

Black blades wreathed in red lightning roared through the air, raining down like a divine punishment.

"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!"

Roger vanished beneath the crashing waves.

And with him, the Pirate King disappeared from view.

✦✦---------------------------------------------------------------------✦✦

100 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter

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