"To be honest, killing those children who lost their fathers might've been more merciful."
The taunting voice of the Marine Commodore drifted through the freezing sea breeze like sharp daggers, stabbing deep into everyone's hearts.
The expressions on the Roger Pirates' faces shifted slightly.
They hadn't taken to the seas out of greed or selfish ambition like most pirates. They had followed Roger because of his charisma and vision, willingly venturing across the ocean in pursuit of freedom and purpose.
Even plundering and looting were rare for the Roger Pirates.
But on this journey of passion, vengeance, and romantic freedom...
In the thrill of swinging a sword and the bloodshed of battle...
How often did they stop to think about the consequences each strike left behind?
"So what are you getting at, Marine brat?"
Rayleigh, sensing the subtle change in his crewmates' expressions, coldly cut Daren off.
Daren shrugged, arms spread.
"What I mean is, once you take up weapons and fly the pirate flag, don't talk to me about compassion."
"That red-haired brat who follows you—his hands are far from clean. As far as I'm concerned..."
He sneered, waving his hand.
"He's no clueless, innocent child!"
The moment his words dropped, all the bullets and cannonballs suspended in midair screamed forward at breakneck speed, raining down on the Oro Jackson, now dead in the water without its sails.
Roger roared, slashing into the wind.
A spiraling wave of sword energy burst forth, sweeping up the incoming shells like a massive tornado.
Explosions lit up the overcast sky one after another, thick black smoke billowing upward.
Scorching winds surged across the sea, rocking both the pirate ship and the Marine warship.
Suddenly, the smoke twisted—
And in the next instant—
Roger's unstoppable form tore through it, his blood-red captain's coat billowing behind him, his eyes glowing crimson.
A bolt of blinding white lightning split the stormy sky, illuminating Roger's fierce, domineering face.
He soared high, streaking toward Daren, who stood on the bow of the warship.
A terrifying aura erupted from his body like a mountain crashing down or an abyss rising up.
The Marines below turned pale under the crushing pressure, their breathing caught in their throats.
Roger's overwhelming presence was monstrous—just facing it was enough to paralyze their limbs.
"He's like a demon god!"
Tokikake gritted his teeth, his chest tight with pressure.
Gion gripped her sword with both hands, her face pale as paper.
Daren, the target of that Conqueror's Haki, felt his pupils contract.
The pressure hit him like a warhammer, choking his throat and rattling his ribs.
Instinctively, Daren tried to release his own Conqueror's Haki to resist—but to his shock, it was completely suppressed.
A suffocating darkness pressed in, squeezing every breath.
Yet Daren still grinned.
"I'm not your opponent."
"Your opponent is me!!"
A deep roar thundered from above.
Through smoke and wind, a flash of white surged into view.
A burly figure in a dog-head Marine cap appeared ghost-like above Roger. A massive fist came crashing down like a meteor, smashing straight into Roger's face!
Roger crashed down like a cannonball, slamming into the pirate ship and smashing a hole into the deck.
The impact was so immense, the entire Oro Jackson sank halfway, waves exploding outward.
"Dammit... Garp, you're such a pain!"
Roger rose from the shattered deck, sword in hand, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth as he looked up at the Marine Vice Admiral standing confidently on the bow, arms folded.
"Hahahaha! Roger, there's no way I'm letting you take that kid out."
Seeing Roger's mouth swell and bruise, Garp felt the fatigue of three days and nights vanish, replaced by sheer satisfaction.
He turned to Daren, slapping him on the shoulder with a hearty laugh.
"So, you're Daren, huh? Not bad!"
"Your methods are shady, and you've got a dirty heart... but I like that! Hahahaha!"
Garp had seen everything—how Daren had taken advantage of the chaos to sabotage the sail.
And honestly, just the fact that he provoked Roger enough to create an opening for Garp to land a punch was worth praise.
Now that the Oro Jackson's sail was destroyed, escape was no longer an option.
With that in mind, Garp's gaze toward Daren grew increasingly satisfied.
This kid's got potential... Maybe once he graduates from the academy, I'll bring him in as my adjutant?
The thought started to take root in Garp's mind.
"What about me, old man!? I almost flipped their ship! I blocked a slash from Gol D. Roger!!"
Nearby, Dragon couldn't help blurting it out as he saw Garp focusing all his attention on Daren. He puffed out his chest proudly, like a kid begging for praise after acing a test.
Garp raised a brow, lazily picking his nose.
"Yeah, you did okay—but you're too reckless."
"When you're fighting, you've gotta use your brain. How many times have I told you? Learn from Daren, would you?"
Dragon froze, utterly stunned.
Even Gion and Tokikake could almost hear his heart shattering.
Unbothered, Garp turned around, cracking his knuckles with a sound like popping beans, and grinned at the Roger Pirates.
"Alright then... time for a real fight!"
Even as the words left his mouth, Garp's dog-head warship rammed into the Oro Jackson from behind.
The Roger Pirates' faces darkened.
Dozens of hook-laced ropes flew from the warship, latching onto the pirate ship's rails and anchoring tightly. ᴛhis chapter is ᴜpdated by NoveIＦire.net
"Connect the ropes!!"
On Garp's ship, a brown-hatted lieutenant drew his sword and roared.
Clang, clang, clang!!
Hundreds of sabers were drawn, gleaming cold under the flickering stormlight.
Elite, well-trained Marines climbed the ropes under cover fire, charging toward the Oro Jackson.
Boarding battle—imminent!
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