The air grew heavy with tension as the figure rushing toward the Roger Pirates revealed himself, Kozuki Oden, samurai of Wano, with his swords drawn, his fierce aura radiating out like a wild boar running towards them. Roger, Scopper, and Rayleigh instinctively dropped into fighting stances, muscles taut and ready to act.
Rayleigh narrowed his eyes. "Is that the samurai? He's fast," he muttered, scanning Oden's approach.
Scopper Gaban cracked his knuckles, grinning. "Do we fight him now, Captain?"
But before they could make a move, Roger raised his hand, halting his commanders.
"No need," Roger said with a wide grin, his excitement almost childish. "You two stay back. I don't want you getting hurt!"
With that, Roger broke into a sprint, laughing as he charged headlong toward Oden. The swordsman skidded to a halt, confused by Roger's approach. But he quickly shifted back into a defensive stance, ready to swing his twin swords—Ame no Habakiri and Enma—to meet the Pirate King head-on.
"Who are you!?" Oden demanded, his grip tightening on his weapons.
In response, Roger's grin widened. With the speed and precision of lightning, he unsheathed his sword, Ace, and swung it with both hands.
{DIVINE DEPARTURE}
Roger bellowed, his voice booming across the forest.
A massive wave of Haki-infused force exploded outward as the strike landed on Oden. The samurai's eyes widened in shock, blood spraying from his mouth as he was blasted backward, crashing through the trees in a thunderous impact, splitting the giant trees like twigs.
The dust hadn't even settled when Roger sensed another presence, an even more formidable one. His grin stretched impossibly wider.
"Whitebeard!" Roger roared, his heart pounding with excitement.
From the treetops, Edward Newgate—the infamous Whitebeard—descended with monstrous agility, leaping between branches and hurling himself into the air. The massive bisento, Murakumogiri, was clutched firmly in his hands.
"Roger!" Whitebeard bellowed, grinning as he swung the bisento down with overwhelming force.
Roger met his attack head-on, both hands gripping Ace, and the two giants collided with an earth-shattering impact.
Someone yelled from afar, "There swords aren't even touching!",
The very sky split apart from the sheer force of their clash, ripples of Conqueror's Haki blasting outward like waves. The ground beneath them cracked and splintered; trees toppled and the weather itself shifted, dark clouds forming overhead as thunder rumbled. Animals fled in terror from the titanic display of strength.
[Three Days Later]
For three days, the Roger Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates clashed relentlessly, blades, fists, and wills colliding in a storm of chaos. It was a battle of legends, a trial by fire where every member fought as if their lives depended on it.
When the third day came to an end, exhaustion overtook them all. With bloodied hands and bruised bodies, the two pirate crews shared drinks, exchanged gifts, and laughed as if they hadn't just tried to kill each other.
Up on a giant mushroom overlooking the scene, Rayleigh smiled at the bizarre sight below. He watched the pirates from both crews drink together, old grudges forgotten in the warmth of camaraderie.
The most surprising of all was Buggy—usually timid and fearful in battle—who had fought with uncharacteristic courage. Against all expectations, Buggy squared off against Marshall D. Teach—a young man whose ambitions would one day change the world.
During their second day of battle, Teach and Buggy clashed fiercely, both exhausted by the brutal fights. Teach, misjudging Buggy, left himself vulnerable with both arms raised defensively. In that fleeting moment, Buggy saw his chance.
With a swift motion, Buggy slashed Teach across the stomach, the knife leaving a deep but non-lethal wound. Blood gushed from the cut, a scar Teach would carry for the rest of his life. The two locked eyes—Teach in disbelief, Buggy grinning with newfound confidence.
Now, back at the camp, Buggy stood beside Shanks, looking across the clearing where Teach sat in silence, arms crossed, a scowl etched on his face. Marco, the user of, Mythical Zoan Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix, stood behind Teach, watching quietly.
Buggy gave a smug smile, nudging Shanks. "That guy never sleeps, I swear."
Shanks tilted his head, curious. "How does he do it? He's always awake."
Buggy crossed his arms, puffing out his chest. "Who cares? The important thing is I made him bleed. Not bad, huh?"
Shanks chuckled. "You've gotten braver, Buggy."
With a proud grin, Buggy pointed a thumb at his chest. "It's thanks to Draco! He's been training me, and I plan to get even stronger!"
Shanks frowned in mock irritation. "That's unfair! I want to get stronger too."
Buggy snorted. "You're already training with Roger. Stop whining."
Without warning, the two started bickering—playfully shoving and throwing insults at each other. Teach watched them from across the camp, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. Something about those two unsettled him—he could feel it, deep in his bones.
[The Meeting Deeper Inland]
Deeper in the uncharted island, a small group gathered around a campfire: Roger, Whitebeard, Oden, and Draco. They sat in relative peace, sharing drinks and stories, but their conversation soon turned to matters of great importance—the Poneglyphs.
Draco's eyes gleamed with amusement as he stared at the large piece of the Poneglyph lying on the ground, the one Roger had brought aboard the Oro Jackson.
"This piece," Roger explained, tapping it with the hilt of his sword, "is from the Poneglyph we found on Yukiryu Island."
Draco chuckled quietly to himself. He remembered how he had shattered the ancient stone, a feat thought impossible. Now, that very fragment sat before them, the key to unraveling the mysteries of the world.
Oden, who had been analyzing the piece, suddenly looked up, his face filled with shock. "Wait a minute… What?! You broke a Poneglyph?!"
Whitebeard's eyes widened in disbelief. "WHAT?!" he roared, nearly spilling his drink. "You shattered a Poneglyph? I thought this was some kind of replica!"
Roger grinned. "Nope. It's the real deal. And this kid here"—he gestured toward Draco—"is the one who broke it."
Oden stared at Draco, mouth agape. "That's… impossible."
Whitebeard, still processing the revelation, gave Draco a long, scrutinizing look. "And this kid's on your ship, huh?"
Roger denied. "Found him on an uncharted island. He's an ally, he's been with us ever since."
Whitebeard frowned. "Why bring him to a meeting like this?"
Roger's grin didn't waver. "Because without him, we wouldn't have this Poneglyph. And I get the feeling he'll change the world one day!"
Oden, still stunned, shook his head in disbelief. "Unbelievable."
After a long silence, Roger stood, grinning again. "So, Whitebeard… I have a favor to ask."
Whitebeard scowled. "What now?"
"I need Oden to come with me," Roger said. "Just for one year. He's the only one who can read these stones, and I need him to find the last island."
Whitebeard's face darkened. "You mean Lodestar?"
Roger shook his head. "No. There's one more island beyond that."
Oden perked up with excitement. "I'll go!" he said eagerly.
Whitebeard grumbled, but he knew Oden's mind was made up. With a reluctant sigh, he nodded.
Oden smiled and reached out to shake Roger's hand. "I'll join you."
Then, turning to Draco, Oden extended his hand again, a glint of mischief in his eyes.
Draco grasped Oden's hand firmly. The samurai grinned and tightened his grip, testing Draco's strength.
Draco's raised an eyebrow, confused. He noticed Oden was putting strength into his squeeze, certainly to test him. Oden's strength barely fazed him, but he decided to play along. With a grin, He squeezed back.