One Piece: I'm not Roger

Markas Luke stepped toward the enemy one step at a time. The Conqueror's Haki domain enveloping the surroundings made the remaining Revolutionary Army members look solemn; they hadn't expected their opponent to also be a Conqueror's Haki user.

Seeing his enemies react as though they were facing a great threat, even retreating a few steps, filled Markas Luke with satisfaction. The pleasure twisted his expression, causing him to abandon his "warm guy" facade and reveal his hideous nature once again, his grin stretching nearly to his ears.

The constant shifts in expression made it obvious to many that he was a complete psychopath. Mori even found the situation amusing enough to comment on the opponent.

"Betty, the Celestial Dragon opposite us probably has a very nasty personality. He's definitely not a good guy."

"I know that without you telling me. What this guy has done is just as bad as any other Celestial Dragon."

The flag Betty held turned completely pitch-black under the infusion of Armament Haki.

The atmosphere fell into a tense standoff. Markas Luke walked alone into the Revolutionary Army's encirclement, feeling immensely satisfied as he watched them refrain from acting rashly. As a great figure destined to rule the world in the future, he deserved such treatment. He was a different existence from the trash Celestial Dragons in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise.

To further savor the despair of his enemies, he pointed toward a distant location with a cruel smile.

"Don't even think about reinforcements coming, you ants. Look at the commotion in the distance and you'll know Kizaru has already pinned down your trump card. This time, there's absolutely no escape for you."

Following the direction he indicated, they indeed saw signs of an intense battle. Even from afar, the sound of light beams bombarding the sea could be heard.

The sight made Aether want to complain. Why was it always that lazy fellow Kizaru? It felt as though every time he went out looking for trouble, he ended up running into him.

The scene in the distance caused Betty's heart to sink. The opponent had actually arranged for an Admiral to intercept Dragon. Was the World Government really so certain that the Revolutionary Army would attack the Kingdom on the Bridge again? Weren't they worried about preparing all this for nothing?

Various signs forced Betty to admit that she had underestimated the World Government. In the past, the World Government had stood in the light while they operated from the shadows, which was why many liberation operations had gone so smoothly. If the World Government also began operating in secret, matters would become far more troublesome.

However, thinking of a certain annoying man behind her, she revealed a dazzling smile and spoke cheerfully, repeating the very words her opponent had just used.

"No, it's not us who have no escape now. It's you who have no escape today."

Ashiru, who had remained at Betty's side the entire time, echoed her words.

"That's right, you're dead today."

Their strange confidence left Markas Luke puzzled. According to his calculations, no variables should have appeared. So why did the Revolutionary Army seem so certain of victory?

Although a trace of unease surfaced in his heart, his murderous nature still drove him forward. His body tensed as he prepared to unleash a massacre upon the Revolutionary Army. He had no intention of being intimidated by mere bluffing.

"Stop your futile struggle. Let's see what else you're capable of today."

Just as Markas Luke's arms slowly turned dark red and crackled with lightning, a man's voice suddenly sounded nearby, startling him.

"That's right, their trump card is me. So, you're dead today."

Markas Luke's pupils contracted.

When?

How had the opponent approached him so silently?

Unable to think about anything else, Markas Luke swung a fist infused with Conqueror's Haki while turning to identify the enemy. The moment his gaze shifted, he saw a dark red blade rapidly expanding within his vision.

His overloaded mind instantly realized that if he failed to block it, his head would be severed.

"God's Evasion."

"Void Wing."

A dark red slash deliberately struck Markas Luke's arm. Peak Advanced Conqueror's Haki crushed his amateurish Advanced Conqueror's Haki, sending the arrogant Celestial Dragon flying back toward the CP0 members.

At the same time, several CP0 agents became alarmed. If their Celestial Dragon master suffered any mishap, they would undoubtedly face a terrible fate themselves.

Blood streamed from Markas Luke's crossed arms. Several bone-deep sword wounds made the CP0 agents turn pale with fear. Although he had managed to block the attack with Advanced Conqueror's Haki, the sword energy still left serious injuries across his body.

Clutching his wounds, Markas Luke roared in fury.

"Who dares attack the great Marka..."

The rest of his words died in his throat.

Not far away, a certain man was looking at the five of them with a meaningful smile. His not-so-tall figure resembled a top predator hunting prey, and the undisguised killing intent radiating from him sent chills down their spines.

"Roger... x5"

Five shocked voices rang out simultaneously.

The worst possible scenario had become reality.

The Revolutionary Army's hidden trump card was the man who vaguely held the title of the world's strongest. Even someone as arrogant as Markas Luke would never believe he could defeat Aether, especially now that both of his hands were injured and temporarily incapable of fighting.

Markas Luke cursed under his breath.

"Damn it. The Revolutionary Army's trump card is actually 'Pirate King Roger.' It's very bad news that the head of the Four Emperors has a connection with the Revolutionary Army."

If the two sides joined forces, they would become a genuine threat to the World Government. The Marines alone would no longer be enough to deal with such a force.

One CP0 agent was so terrified by the sudden development that he questioned Aether in a trembling voice.

"Roger, why are you here? The person before you is Markas Luke, a noble scion of the Celestial Dragons and the future Commander of the God's Knights. If you dare harm him, the World Government will never let you go. Also..."

"Too noisy, you trashy lackey."

Without allowing him to continue, Aether knocked the CP0 agent unconscious with a burst of Conqueror's Haki. The overwhelming force stunned the remaining three CP0 agents. He had actually rendered someone with Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral-level strength unconscious instantly.

Aether looked at the remaining four with a gentle smile, mirroring Markas Luke's earlier demeanor.

"Don't blame me. I'm only helping because someone asked me to. If you want to blame someone, blame this woman, Betty."

"You bastard, I didn't ask you to help..."

Ignoring Betty's retort, Aether continued speaking.

"If you have the ability, try to escape from my hands. I really want to see the future hope of the Celestial Dragons."

Aether's gaze sharpened.

A world-dominating Conqueror's Haki instantly descended upon Markas Luke and the others. The unprecedented pressure made breathing difficult and caused their bodies to stiffen considerably. Even a powerhouse like Markas Luke, who also possessed Conqueror's Haki, could not completely resist its effects.

Markas Luke's heart churned violently.

Their lineup was far from weak: himself, who was close to Admiral level; two CP0 agents comparable to ordinary Shichibukai; and another CP0 agent with Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral-level strength.

Together, they possessed enough power to contend with an Admiral.

Yet Aether's ever-intensifying Conqueror's Haki triggered a Death Warning within Markas Luke.

This Death Warning was an ability born from his innate Observation Haki. In twenty-five years, he had only experienced it a handful of times during childhood.

Back then, before he had grown strong, the people who triggered such warnings were either the Gorosei or Commander Saint Figarland Garling.

Now, when facing those elders he once feared, he no longer experienced such warnings.

The reappearance of the Death Warning proved that the man before him was stronger than anyone he knew.

True panic gripped Markas Luke.

He could not continue fighting.

He had to escape immediately, even if it meant sacrificing the four lackeys beside him.

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