One Piece: I'm not Roger

Hancock looked coldly at the furious Doberman. In her eyes, he was nothing more than an insignificant insect.

Just as she prepared to wipe out the Marine fleet blocking her path, a figure suddenly appeared before her.

An ordinary-looking middle-aged man stepped forward and launched a powerful kick toward her head.

Hancock reacted instantly.

Her long leg rose gracefully and collided directly with his attack.

Bang!

The clash sounded like steel striking steel.

Hancock's sharp eyes narrowed slightly as she recognized the newcomer.

Admiral Candidate Tokikake.

He was the true commander of this escort operation.

However, after Momousagi's capture, the man had suffered a major blow and disappeared to a nearby island to drown himself in alcohol. Only after returning did he realize the situation had spiraled completely out of control.

The two exchanged blows before separating.

Neither gained the advantage.

Hancock carefully examined the man before her. Although Tokikake's leg techniques lacked refinement compared to hers, his raw strength was slightly superior.

Tokikake no longer carried his usual lazy expression. After realizing his kick failed to move Hancock even slightly, his gaze immediately became serious.

Normally, he might have joked around with a beauty like the Pirate Empress.

Today, he had no such mood.

With a grave expression, Tokikake spoke.

"Boa Hancock, I never expected you to betray the World Government. Have you forgotten how much freedom they've allowed you over the years? Withdraw now, tell me who landed on the island, and I can pretend none of this happened."

Hancock sneered without hesitation.

"You think I'd believe that nonsense? My relationship with the World Government was always a transaction. There was never any loyalty involved."

The moment Tokikake mentioned the World Government's "kindness," Hancock's expression turned icy.

A violent wave of Conqueror's Haki burst from her body.

The surrounding sea trembled faintly beneath the pressure.

Among all people in the world, Hancock hated the Celestial Dragons most of all.

Right behind them stood the World Government that protected their cruelty.

Tokikake's narrow eyes slowly sharpened, releasing a dangerous killing intent.

"So persuasion is impossible."

His voice turned cold.

"Then you'll spend the rest of your life in Impel Down. I didn't want to become the kind of man who destroys a beautiful flower with his own hands."

Being underestimated instantly irritated Hancock.

In the past, she might have avoided a direct confrontation with someone at Tokikake's level.

Now, she no longer feared him.

"If you have the ability, then get past me and check the island yourself."

Hancock's lips curved slightly upward.

"But you'd better hurry. Otherwise, you might not see those two admirals alive again."

Tokikake's expression changed immediately.

Her confidence was far too unnatural.

To openly declare that Akainu and Aokiji were in danger could only mean one thing.

The person on that island possessed strength close to a Yonko.

Very few monsters like that existed in the world.

The World Government had carefully monitored Hancock's recent movements through Cipher Pol.

Because of that, Tokikake instantly thought of one person.

Roger.

The memory of that terrifying battle from a month ago resurfaced in his mind.

Even now, the wounds Roger left behind still seemed to ache.

That monster had nearly killed him.

Tokikake immediately realized there was no more time to waste.

His aura exploded outward as he prepared to go all out.

Even if Roger had become a nightmare in his mind, he still had to support the admirals before they collapsed.

Slowly opening his narrowed eyes, Tokikake spoke with chilling intent.

"The World Government originally planned to deal with you after things stabilized. It seems I'll have to handle it personally today."

Hancock stepped forward fearlessly.

"Then try it."

Dark red lightning erupted around her body.

Conqueror's Haki coated her long legs, giving them a dark crimson glow while sparks crackled through the air.

Her crimson qipao fluttered violently in the wind as she launched a devastating kick toward Tokikake's head.

Boom!

The moment their attacks collided, Tokikake's eyes widened in shock.

Advanced Conqueror's Haki.

The Pirate Empress had actually mastered it.

Dark red lightning exploded between them as violent shockwaves tore across the sea.

Massive waves surged outward in every direction.

Tokikake's expression became increasingly ugly.

His original plan was to end the battle quickly and rush to the island.

Now, that was clearly impossible.

Meanwhile, at the center of the frozen island battlefield, the fight had already continued for several minutes.

A massive dark red sword slash tore through the blizzard and split apart a towering mountain in the distance.

An enormous ice bird shattered instantly beneath the attack before it could even spread its wings.

Aokiji's figure was exposed behind it.

Just as Aether prepared to continue pressing forward, a magma-covered fist blocked Ace midair.

Akainu forcefully intercepted the attack.

Although she managed to stop the blade, the terrifying impact forced her onto one knee.

Crack!

The ground beneath her shattered instantly.

Akainu clenched her teeth as every muscle in her body screamed in agony. Blood dripped from the corner of her lips as she struggled to endure Aether's overwhelming strength.

Even so, her fiery eyes never wavered.

Aether looked down at her with amusement.

At that moment, he suddenly turned.

Two ice spears narrowly brushed past his clothes.

Without hesitation, Aether abandoned Akainu and swung his blade toward Aokiji.

A massive sword beam erupted forward.

Boom!

The earth split apart.

Aokiji's body was sent flying like a broken doll before crashing heavily across the frozen battlefield.

In his current state, there was no possibility of avoiding such an attack.

A terrifying wound stretched across his body, nearly cutting him in half.

The severe injury completely destroyed his ability to continue fighting.

The disciple of Garp collapsed onto the frozen ground as his vision slowly faded.

Seeing Aokiji lose consciousness, Aether turned back toward Akainu.

"You can leave now."

Aether casually rested Ace against his shoulder.

"After all, we used to work together. Taking Aokiji alone is enough for me this time."

Akainu wiped the blood from her lips before ripping away her ruined Marine coat.

Underneath, her toned abdomen remained exposed beneath her damaged vest.

Even now, her expression remained resolute.

"I won't leave."

Magma surged around her fists once again.

"If you want to take Aokiji, then step over my corpse."

Aether paused briefly.

This outcome genuinely surprised him.

The Akainu he knew was ruthless and uncompromising.

Yet now, she was willing to risk her life for Aokiji.

For a moment, Aether almost found it amusing.

Still, surprise did not mean mercy.

His eyes slowly turned cold.

"Then don't die too quickly, Akainu."

The next instant, a massive sword slash tore across the battlefield.

Akainu instantly transformed into magma to reduce the damage, but the attack still blasted through her body and split a hill behind her in half.

One terrifying sword beam after another descended relentlessly.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Akainu desperately resisted the storm of attacks, but her already exhausted body continued weakening.

Eventually, blood burst from her mouth.

The island shook violently from the battle.

Then, everything finally became silent.

Aether slowly sheathed Ace and walked forward.

The fight had ended exactly as he expected.

During the entire battle, none of the reinforcements Akainu hoped for ever arrived.

Kizaru never appeared.

Even Tokikake failed to break through Hancock's blockade.

Akainu now lay on the ruined ground, barely conscious.

Her Marine coat had long since been destroyed, leaving only her damaged vest and undergarments intact.

More than a hundred sword wounds covered her body.

The sight was horrifying.

Aether looked down at the heavily injured admiral.

"Was throwing your life away for Aokiji really worth it?"

Akainu coughed violently, blood spilling from her lips and staining her exposed skin.

Even in such a miserable state, her eyes still remained firm.

"For Marine justice... it was worth it."

After speaking, she looked directly at Aether.

"It seems I've fallen into your hands. Before you kill me, tell me something."

Aether raised an eyebrow.

"Who stopped Tokikake?"

"The Pirate Empress."

Akainu slowly closed her eyes for a brief moment.

"So it was Hancock. No wonder she could hold him back temporarily."

Aether did not continue the conversation.

He could already tell Akainu was deliberately stalling for time.

Without another word, he prepared to collect his spoils of war and leave the island immediately.