Chapter 140
"Long time no see. But I didn't expect the Roger Pirates to be bold enough to trespass into my territory."
Shiki stood suspended in midair, his left hand raised as if grasping the sky itself—then clenched it tight.
Behind his two lead ships, fifteen massive pirate vessels broke through the clouds in formation.
His Conqueror's Haki intensified, condensing into crackling dark-red lightning that shot straight toward Roger.
Shiki's Conqueror's Haki had clearly reached an advanced level of application. His sheer presence alone could paralyze ordinary strong fighters.
But Roger was no ordinary man.
Using the same method, Roger unleashed his own Advanced Conqueror's Haki Coating—even heavier, even more overwhelming.
What kind of will could surpass the ambition to become ruler of the world?
The clash erupted violently.
Dark-red shockwaves radiated outward from the epicenter of their opposing wills. The island was swept by hurricane-force winds. Even Shiki's enormous fleet was pushed back half a meter midair by the pressure.
Below, countless fish floated belly-up upon the sea's surface.
This was the collision of the world's apex conquerors.
Terrifying.
"We're free men, you know," Roger laughed, exhilarated rather than intimidated. "Just passing through. No need to mobilize like this, Shiki."
That nonchalance only fueled Shiki's anger.
When two equally powerful figures entered one another's domain without notice—
It was provocation.
Shiki knew Roger had no intention of seizing territory. He knew Roger's character well enough.
But it didn't matter.
"That won't do. I have to kill every last one of you! The New World only needs one voice!"
His Conqueror's Haki surged even fiercer—beginning to overwhelm Roger's.
At Roger's side, Rayleigh's eyes sharpened.
A third wave of Conqueror's Haki burst forth.
Though not quite at Roger or Shiki's level, Rayleigh's Haki was undoubtedly among the highest tiers. With his intervention, the deadlock stabilized.
"Arrogant!"
Roldy roared from Shiki's side, his expression darkening.
Rayleigh stepping in was tantamount to rubbing the Golden Lion Pirates' vice captain's face in the dirt.
But in a clash of Conqueror's Haki at this level—
Could he truly intervene?
Yes.
"What?!"
Roldy's Conqueror's Haki erupted.
It had already reached advanced levels—slightly surpassing Rayleigh's, yet still inferior to Roger and Shiki.
Which was reasonable.
After all, reaching Roger's level so quickly would be outright absurd—
Rayleigh: And this isn't already absurd?!
Rayleigh's eyes widened.
He had spent countless days and nights refining his Haki.
And now—
A not-yet-fully-grown brat had caught up to him?
Was this a cartoon?
With Roldy's addition, the balance shattered.
Roger sensed it immediately. His Haki exploded outward violently, forcibly dispersing the three-way clash. A colossal energy wave swept across dozens of nautical miles. Observers felt a violent gust nearly tear the hair from their scalps.
"T-This is the current ruler of the New World… Shiki the Golden Lion!"
Buggy swallowed hard. His hands trembled around his blades.
Fearlessness had limits.
Against monsters like this, courage meant nothing.
"Pull yourself together, Buggy! Don't embarrass us!" Shanks urged beside him.
"Are you blind?! That monster over there isn't much older than us! He's probably stronger than Rayleigh! Forget the massive fleet—he alone could wipe us out! You believe that or not?!"
As unpleasant as it sounded—
Buggy wasn't wrong.
The Roger Pirates' expressions darkened.
Cold sweat trickled down Rayleigh's forehead.
At God Valley, Roldy had already surpassed him.
Now—
The gap had widened beyond comparison.
Perhaps only he and Gaban together could hold him off.
"Enough talk! Roger—pay for your stupidity!"
Unlike in the original timeline, this meeting between Shiki and Roger was pure hostility.
Shiki gave a sharp gesture.
Seventeen pirate ships rotated in formation.
Countless cannon ports aimed downward at the island.
Then—
Fire.
An overwhelming barrage erupted. Thanks to immense wealth and resources, the Golden Lion fleet had achieved overwhelming superiority among pirate forces. Each ship's construction cost exceeded even Marine Headquarters warships.
They didn't even bother aiming precisely.
They intended to sink the entire island.
"We can't let that happen! Gaban! Rayleigh! Move!"
Roger led the charge.
His left foot smashed into the ground, fracturing the earth as he launched skyward like a cannonball—not through Geppo, but through pure physical strength.
His sword, Ace, radiated lethal energy.
If Shiki was the world's strongest Dual Sword Style Great Swordsman—
Then Roger was the strongest Single Sword Style Great Swordsman alive.
"Jihahahaha! Good!"
Shiki showed no fear.
With the Float-Float Fruit, he was invincible in the sky.
Drawing Oto and Kogarashi, his twin blades, he surged forward at twice Roger's speed. The famed swords granted him immense power.
All three blades blazed with Advanced Conqueror's Haki Coating.
Their first collision—
Shook heaven and earth.
"Roger, you bastard! I'll slaughter your crew first—then tear you apart!"
Roldy did not steal his captain's opponent.
That was respect.
Instead, his massive frame leapt from the warship and slammed into the ground below.
Rayleigh and Gaban halted mid-charge, standing shoulder to shoulder, expressions grave.
"Long time no see… gentlemen."
Through settling dust, Roldy straightened to his full height.
"Let's make this a proper slaughter."
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → /Sagamaster789