"You've truly become a demon," Roger said coldly.
At this moment, he was in the midst of a high-speed battle with Mitsuda Mitsuda.
Their bodies had almost become phantoms, and their battle wasn't confined to just the Flower Capital.
Roger swung his sword, Mitsuda Mitsuda blocked with his twin blades, but the immense force still pushed him back for several kilometers. Facing Roger's ferocious attacks, Mitsuda Mitsuda chose to focus on defense.
Not long into the battle, Roger had already sensed Mitsuda Mitsuda's overwhelming malice, the evil aura emanating from him was overwhelming. Except for when facing Atrox, Roger had never felt such a monstrous aura before.
That's because...
He was facing a demon!
Although not as powerful as Atrox, Roger sensed the hidden potential in Mitsuda Mitsuda. If not dealt with in time, this guy might grow into a new disaster!
"The way you are now, you're not qualified to speak of me."
But upon hearing this, Mitsuda Mitsuda only revealed an evil smile and said, "Seeing your demonic appearance makes me sick!"
He spoke the truth.
Externally, Roger looked more like a demon than Mitsuda Mitsuda.
Mitsuda Mitsuda intentionally tore Roger's upper garment with his blade, revealing a large gap.
On his chest, there was a pitch-black hole, and his skin was black, a color akin to despair.
His hand and the sword were tightly fused together, the handle of 'Ace' seemed to have turned into a skeleton locked in Roger's hand. This version of Roger definitely looked more like a demon than Mitsuda Mitsuda in his human form.
After all, Mitsuda still looked the same on the outside, except his skin had darkened slightly, and his eyes were purely pitch black without pupils.
"The body of a demon or the heart of a demon, which is superior?"
Mitsuda grinned.
Indeed, this was a showdown between demons. The difference was that Roger had a human heart in a demon's body, while Mitsuda had a human body and a demon's heart.
"If we combine forces, we'll surely become the most powerful demon lords, won't we?!" Mitsuda laughed heartily.
He swung his swords again, repelling Roger's attack.
Hearing his words, Roger couldn't help but sneer. "This is the difference between controlling power and being controlled by it, Mitsuda Mitsuda. You're not worthy to speak of a demon's heart. I've seen a true demon lord. That being, both in body and soul, is far superior to you!"
The image of Atrox faintly appeared in Roger's mind. That demon could be considered the embodiment of perfection, whether in body or mind, he was the most powerful being.
Upon hearing Roger's words, a shade of gloom appeared on Mitsuda's face. He coldly said, "Ridiculous. You should realize by now that my power is still growing!"
After forcing Roger back, he swung his twin blades again, and the momentum of attack and defense began to change.
Initially, Roger had launched an all-out attack, while Mitsuda had chosen to defend.
Now, Mitsuda had begun to counter-attack Roger!
Roger was about to say something, but his right arm was suddenly struck by Mitsuda's blade, and the wound was enveloped in a black magic, seemingly hindering the healing effect of the Shikon Jewel fragment.
Mitsuda was about to strike again, but behind Roger, three figures appeared: Rayleigh, Jaba, and Nameless.
Nameless had brought them here using instantaneous movement.
"Sorry, Roger, but we have to interrupt your fight," Rayleigh said, holding a sword, while Jaba wielded two axes.
Roger glanced at them and didn't have time to speak before facing Mitsuda once again.
At this moment, Rayleigh and Jaba also rushed forward. Although they were not as powerful as Roger and Mitsuda, they were not easily defeated either.
After all, Roger and Mitsuda had not yet reached the level of demon lords. Only a demon lord who completely surpassed the strength of the sea could easily defeat them.
And the remaining members of Roger's pirate crew were already participating in the task of destroying the barrier at the outskirts of the Flower Capital.
Although Roger enjoyed fighting, he also knew his priorities. He understood that facing a demon like Mitsuda, showing off individual prowess was futile.
This wasn't a battle between humans but a war between humans and demons!
So when Rayleigh and Jaba came to help, he didn't refuse.
For a moment, he acted as the main attacker while Rayleigh and Jaba acted as his support, once again severely suppressing Mitsuda.
Mitsuda's face turned ashen. Even though he was strong, he couldn't fight Roger and engage with others at the same time, especially when Rayleigh and Jaba were also formidable. Thus, he could only use his advantage in speed to engage in a protracted battle.
Only Roger could keep up with his speed; for Rayleigh and Jaba to catch up, they had to use Nameless's instantaneous movement!
But fighting like this made him extremely embarrassed, yet his body was rapidly adapting to this kind of battle, despite sustaining several wounds...
Just as he was contemplating whether to proceed with the second phase of his plan, he suddenly found himself back at the outskirts of the Flower Capital.
Suddenly...
He shrank back!
At the same time, Roger's brow furrowed.
Because the moment they arrived here, they both spotted a woman sitting on a large rock, as if waiting for them.
"Macha..."
Both Mitsuda and Roger called out her name cautiously!
Indeed...
This woman was none other than Macha!
Roger's wariness towards Macha went without saying. Even Mitsuda had heard her name and story from Toguro, and after learning that she had been the mastermind behind sealing Atrox, he became wary of her.
Even a demon lord like Atrox had suffered at her hands, so Mitsuda naturally had to be cautious.
And now, she suddenly appeared before them...
This even made Mitsuda feel a chill!
And just as he had thought, Macha's lips curled slightly, and she said calmly, "So that's what's going on. I understand your desire to descend, but isn't it a bit too hasty?"
She didn't know who she was talking to, but she was certainly not speaking to Roger and Mitsuda.
Her words...
What did they mean?!
"Macha..."
Mitsuda and Roger ceased their battle, and the former asked in a deep voice, "What is your purpose in coming here?!"
Macha looked at Mitsuda and slowly stood up. She brushed off her clothes, removing some dust.
"I'm here to end this battle, or rather..."
Macha's gaze was profound as she whispered,
"Postpone it for the future."