One Piece: I'm not Roger

The clouds above churned violently until a massive void split the sky apart, as if the heavens themselves were being swallowed whole. Moonlight poured through the opening, casting a pale glow over the battlefield below.

As Aether's Conqueror's Haki reached its peak, a terrifying pressure descended upon everything in the area. The overwhelming force crashed directly into Kizaru, making the Marine Admiral's body sway slightly.

Ever since reaching level 96, Aether's already monstrous Conqueror's Haki had evolved even further. The increase was small, yet the difference in battle was undeniable.

Kizaru narrowed his eyes as he felt an invisible mountain pressing down on him.

"This is going to be troublesome."

The suffocating pressure made Kizaru realize something immediately. There was no opportunity for tricks or distractions. Aether's killing intent remained completely locked onto him every second.

Without hesitation, Kizaru lowered Tokikake onto the ground. Saving Momousagi through clever tactics was impossible now. The Marines could not afford to lose another Admiral candidate.

Dark clouds covered the moon once again, becoming the signal that ignited the battle.

"Yasakani no Magatama!"

Kizaru crossed his arms as countless beams of light burst from his fingertips, raining down like a storm.

Unfortunately for him, Aether knew Kizaru's fighting style too well.

"Ikki."

Aether swung Ace with one hand, releasing a devastating shockwave that swallowed the barrage of light whole before surging toward Kizaru with unstoppable force.

The streets behind him exploded apart.

When the shockwave finally passed, Kizaru had already vanished.

Instead, the central district of Gran Tesoro looked as though a giant beast had torn through it. Buildings collapsed into ruins while entire sections of the streets disappeared completely.

Tesoro's eyes nearly burst from rage.

Everything in the city was his life's work. Every building, every street, every source of wealth belonged to him alone.

Aether calmly sheathed Ace.

At that moment, particles of light gathered behind him.

Kizaru instantly materialized with an Ama no Murakumo sword formed in each hand, slashing directly toward Aether's neck.

Clang!

Ace blocked both blades effortlessly.

The two stood locked against each other, one high and one low.

Aether smiled casually.

Kizaru's expression, however, had completely lost its usual laziness.

With Future Sight, sneak attacks against Aether were almost meaningless. Unless someone possessed Observation Killing like Shanks, they could not bypass his foresight.

Kizaru did not possess that ability.

Nor did he possess Conqueror's Haki.

The moment his speed advantage disappeared, the balance of the battle shifted completely.

Aether pushed forward slightly.

Boom!

A terrifying force erupted through Ace, sending Kizaru skidding backward across the ruined streets.

Shock appeared in Kizaru's eyes.

"How is this possible? Roger, since when did your strength become this absurd?"

Kizaru had fought Aether multiple times before. Although Aether always seemed stronger after every encounter, the difference now was overwhelming.

At this moment, Aether's strength had surpassed everyone Kizaru knew.

Whether it was Garp, Sengoku, the Admirals, or even the Yonko, none of them possessed this level of oppressive power.

Aether continued attacking without pause.

"Kizaru, do you really think I'd explain that to you?"

His smile widened slightly.

"I planned to leave you here today. Sengoku should feel devastated after losing two Admiral candidates and an Admiral."

Whether Aether truly intended to kill him or was simply applying pressure, Kizaru no longer dared to fight him head-on.

After only several exchanges, the webbing between his fingers already throbbed painfully.

Even as an Admiral, he was completely outmatched in physical strength and Haki.

The two figures shot across the city at terrifying speeds.

Sword slashes and beams of light scattered everywhere, destroying everything in their path. Gran Tesoro's central district rapidly turned into ruins.

Then, during another collision, Kizaru used a light-speed kick to block Ace before getting blasted backward through the air by Aether's monstrous strength.

While regaining his balance, Kizaru suddenly noticed something in the distance.

A fleet had arrived.

The flag of the Aether Pirates fluttered proudly above the ships.

Tesoro's forces stationed at the port were instantly crushed upon contact, unable to stop the Yonko crew even slightly.

Kizaru's expression darkened.

Things had become far worse.

If he delayed any longer, escaping with Tokikake would become impossible.

After sensing Aether's current power, Kizaru already understood the truth.

He could no longer defeat the so-called Pirate King.

Not anymore.

In less than ten minutes, he had already fallen into a complete disadvantage. Saving Momousagi from Aether's hands was impossible.

Kizaru finally made his decision.

Retreat.

But just as he prepared to escape, a chain suddenly burst from the void and wrapped tightly around Tokikake before dragging him away.

Aether had no intention of letting either man leave.

"This is bad."

Kizaru instantly transformed into light and chased after the chain.

Unfortunately, Aether had already predicted the move.

Ace swung once more.

A slash infused with terrifying Haki cut across the battlefield, forcing Kizaru out of his elemental state and back into his physical body.

His escape failed immediately.

Seeing Tokikake being dragged farther away caused Kizaru's face to grow uglier by the second.

Without outside interference, there was no way for him to break past Aether.

Aether pressed forward relentlessly.

Then suddenly, a golden spear pierced toward his heart.

Aether caught the weapon effortlessly.

That single moment gave Kizaru the opening he needed.

His body exploded into particles of light before disappearing from the battlefield entirely.

The only one left charging toward Aether was Tesoro himself, clad in golden armor.

His face twisted with fury.

"Don't think you can take away my freedom and my wealth!"

Aether frowned slightly.

Truthfully, his original impression of Tesoro had not been entirely negative.

Tesoro's childhood had been miserable.

His dream of becoming a musician was destroyed because of his father's gambling addiction. After losing everything, he was abandoned by his mother and forced to survive on the streets alone.

He eventually joined a gang, only to be betrayed and discarded by his companions.

Then he met Stella.

Two wounded souls found comfort in each other.

Tesoro finally wanted to change his life. He wanted to earn enough money to free the woman he loved.

But before he could succeed, a Celestial Dragon intervened.

The Saint purchased Stella as a slave.

Tesoro resisted and was enslaved as well.

For two years, he suffered within Mary Geoise until learning Stella had already died.

The boy who once dreamed of music disappeared forever after that.

Only obsession and hatred remained.

Later, during Fisher Tiger's attack on Mary Geoise, Tesoro escaped and regained his freedom.

Afterward, he stole the Gold-Gold Fruit from Donquixote Doflamingo and eventually rose to become the richest man in the world.

But somewhere along the way, Tesoro became the very thing he once hated.

He served the Celestial Dragons.

He enslaved innocent people.

He turned into another monster intoxicated by power and wealth.

Even so, Aether originally intended to keep him alive. The Gold-Gold Fruit was simply too valuable.

But now, even while heavily injured, Tesoro still refused to surrender.

The only thing that never changed about him was his obsession with freedom.

A cold killing intent flashed through Aether's eyes.

"Divine Departure."