"So the intel was right… they really are here!"
Staring at the Oro Jackson docked by the shore, the young man in a military uniform grinned. His blond hair fluttered in the wind, and his eyes burned with battle intent so intense it was almost tangible.
Without the slightest hesitation, he stomped down on the small boat that had carried him for more than ten days. The force shattered it instantly. Using the recoil, he launched himself like a cannonball toward the distant island.
At that very mont, the Roger Pirates were gathered in the forest.
Around a campfire, they sat in small groups. Supplies had been replenished, and they were enjoying a rare mont of relaxation. Rum bottles in hand, at roasting over the flas, they had cast aside the pain in their bodies and the danger surrounding them. That was just the kind of crew they were—always able to find an excuse to throw a banquet, no matter the situation.
They seed to have forgotten this was Golden Lion Shiki's territory. They seed to have forgotten they were being hunted by the Golden Lion Pirates.
Granted, part of it was their belief that the Marines couldn't possibly be so incompetent as to collapse instantly. But more than that, they believed that even if the Golden Lion Pirates defeated the Marines, they would suffer heavy losses. Sengoku and Garp were no pushovers. If either Shiki or Roldy were seriously injured, then the Roger Pirates would have nothing to fear.
Replenishing supplies—and resting briefly—was absolutely necessary.
What no one expected, however, was that this hard-earned respite would be interrupted by a stranger.
A beast-like aura suddenly descended.
Roger and Rayleigh, who had been arguing over the last piece of roasted at, froze mid-motion. Nearby, Scopper Gaban—who had been snoring loudly—suddenly had the bubble at his nose pop as he sprang upright like a coiled spring.
The three strongest fighters of the Roger Pirates simultaneously looked up toward the sky.
There hovered a young man. Though his physique was massive and powerful, his face was still youthful. But the fanatic expression and surging battle intent radiating from him made one thing clear—
He had co to fight.
"The aura of a beast, huh? What kind of day is this? It's getting lively!" Roger stepped forward.
This ti, Rayleigh and Gaban didn't compete with him. Among the trio, only Captain Roger was in peak condition. Gaban had suffered heavily at Roldy's hands—several of his bones had been broken. Rayleigh was in better shape, but even he was wrapped in nurous bandages.
(Strangely enough, in this world, no matter how bizarre the injury, as long as you wrapped it in bandages, it seed to heal quickly…)
Within seconds, they clearly saw the newcor's face. One mber of the Roger Pirates frowned—it looked familiar.
After a few seconds of thought, he suddenly cried out:
"That uniform… If I'm not mistaken, he's the super rookie who's been making waves lately! 'The Demon Heir'—Douglas Bullet! His bounty's over 200 million Berries! He's been challenging strong fighters all across the Grand Line these past months—a complete battle maniac!"
Douglas Bullet's reputation wasn't small.
Rayleigh quickly recalled the information he had heard about the young man. He had to admit—Bullet was a promising talent. Even at his age, his strength would likely rank in the mid-tier among the Roger Pirates. After all, anyone who had clawed their way out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood was no easy opponent.
But in front of Roger?
He was still too green.
"Hello there, soldier!"
Excitent glead in Roger's eyes. He raised Ace, and Conqueror's Haki surged violently around the blade. Black lightning crackled outward in streaks of red and black.
That familiar stance—
One of his signature techniques.
"Divine Departure!"
"Roger!"
That terrifying aura didn't make Douglas Bullet hesitate in the slightest.
On the contrary—he was so excited he nearly fainted.
"What overwhelming presence! As expected of Gold Roger! As long as I defeat you, I'll earn the right to challenge even stronger opponents! Then I'll step on the heads of Golden Lion and Whitebeard and beco the strongest in the world!"
Bullet roared those words with absolute confidence.
Roger's face instantly darkened.
What the hell did that an?
"Defeat
to gain the right to challenge stronger opponents?"
Was he implying Roger wasn't the strongest? That above him stood Whitebeard and Golden Lion?
Did this brat seriously think those two bastards were stronger than him?!
Fueled by irritation, Roger unconsciously poured more power into his swing. The black-and-red lightning of Advanced Conqueror's Haki Coating crackled violently as the massive slash roared forward.
Bullet threw a punch to et it head-on. His Armant Haki surged thick and dense, veins bulging across his forehead—he was absolutely serious.
But the instant his fist collided with the slash, he realized—
He had been far too na??ve.
He couldn't even hold out for two seconds.
Under the overwhelming force of the attack, his arm twisted unnaturally. Even with Armant Haki protecting it, it was useless. His entire right arm fractured. His strength collapsed in an instant.
Then the slash struck his body.
The sheer, irresistible force blasted him backward. He coughed up a mouthful of blood, his vision went white—
And he lost consciousness.
"…Huh? He's still alive?"
Roger blinked in mild surprise.
That strike was powerful enough to instantly kill pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million Berries.
Yet on Bullet, it had only resulted in severe injuries?
Roger couldn't help but feel a bit intrigued by the young rookie.
…
Darkness swallowed Bullet.
When he opened his eyes again, the glaring sunlight made him squint in discomfort. Pain surged through his body as he slowly forced himself upright.
His gaze landed on the Roger Pirates in the distance.
"Why didn't you kill ?"
Bullet frowned, clearly confused.
To him, defeat was humiliation—unacceptable. But if it happened, then one should accept it without complaint.
"Hey, hey, you're still young. Don't go talking about death so casually."
Roger swallowed the food in his mouth and took a swig of rum. Then he turned toward Bullet and broke into a wide grin.
"Hungry?"
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