Chapter 18: Overlord Color Splits the Sky
The dock workers, who were all townspeople, believed Charlotte's warning and ran quickly.
Charlotte didn't bother to remind those who chose to stay at the port.
"I've already warned them, but if they continue to stay here, they're seeking their own death," Charlotte thought.
As the number of people at the port decreased, those who stayed behind began to panic.
Especially Charlotte, who was staring in one direction with a serious expression.
Everyone followed his gaze.
At first, they saw only a small black dot, but as it got closer, the people remaining at the port saw ten large ships.
Each ship carried a pirate skull flag, instantly causing panic among the merchants and onlookers who had chosen to stay.
They all began to retreat, but it was too late.
The ten ships moved swiftly, and those onboard spotted Charlotte standing at the harbor.
"Hahahaha! Is this the swordsman who can execute flying slashes? Let me try him out!"
Shiki the Golden Lion bit his cigar, raised his hand, and swung his sword at Charlotte.
A fifty-meter-long sword energy attack shot toward Charlotte from a distance of one hundred meters.
Charlotte frowned.
"Attack as soon as they arrive?"
Without hesitation, Charlotte countered with a sword energy of the same size.
Two sword energies cut through the sea and collided near the port.
Boom!
The clashing energies created a massive explosion on the sea, both dissipating into nothingness.
The dock workers and merchants, who were still on the dock, were so shocked by the sight that their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
"This... this is impossible!"
Countless pairs of eyes stared in disbelief.
Even the crew members of the Rocks Pirates were surprised.
"No way! Boss Shiki's slash was blocked. Is there a strong man on this island?"
The pirates were astonished to see someone match Shiki's attack.
"Tsk! What ignorant fools. Boss Shiki didn't even use his full strength," sneered a seasoned pirate who had witnessed Shiki's full power before.
"Guhahaha! Shiki, you seem a little embarrassed!" Edward Newgate, the future Whitebeard, teased with a smirk.
The remark irritated Shiki to no end.
"Damn it!" Shiki growled, then swung his sword with all his might.
"Lion's Slash!"
The great swordsman's full strength was on display.
A hundred-meter-high sword energy ripped through the sea, rushing toward Charlotte.
Charlotte's pupils shrank.
"I can't retreat! If I do, the island will be destroyed!"
Gathering all his strength, Charlotte launched dozens of slashes at Shiki's massive attack.
Though each of Charlotte's slashes was weaker than Shiki's, their combined power was enough to cancel out the incoming attack.
Shiki's slash dissipated, leaving even Edward Newgate surprised.
"This kid is pretty strong!" Edward Newgate remarked, sipping his wine.
Acknowledging Charlotte's strength, Shiki sheathed his sword.
As the ships approached closer, Charlotte finally saw the people standing on the hull.
His eyes widened in shock.
"You're the Rocks Pirates!" Charlotte exclaimed.
He hadn't expected to encounter such a formidable group on this island.
The nearby onlookers also heard his exclamation.
"Hahahaha! Seems like we're pretty famous!" Shiki the Golden Lion laughed.
"Who are you, brat?" Shiki demanded, unleashing his Conqueror's Haki.
Feeling the pressure, Charlotte immediately released his own Conqueror's Haki in response.
"My name is Rockefeller Charlotte! This is my hometown!" Charlotte declared without hesitation.
The display of Conqueror's Haki shocked everyone present.
Initially indifferent to Charlotte, even Charlotte Linlin and the young Kaido became serious.
Meanwhile, Rocks D. Xebec stood with a slight smile.
"Rockefeller Charlotte..." Shiki muttered.
"Kid, would you like to join our pirate crew? I can make you a cadre!" Shiki offered.
Charlotte frowned.
"No, I'm not ready to set sail yet, and I won't join your crew. In the future, I'll establish my own pirate group and be its captain!" Charlotte boldly refused.
Shiki's expression darkened.
"Huh? What did you say, brat?"
Shiki intensified his Conqueror's Haki, pressing down on Charlotte.
Charlotte didn't back down, increasing his own pressure to counter Shiki's Haki.
"The sky is about to split!"
The surrounding pirates, struggling under the immense pressure of their clashing Haki, noticed the cracks forming in the sky.
"Guhahahaha! This kid has amazing Haki!" Edward Newgate praised, adding his own overwhelming presence to the mix.
Three powerful auras clashed in the sky.
Unable to hold back, Charlotte Linlin and Kaido joined in, releasing their Haki.
For a moment, five strands of Conqueror's Haki fought fiercely in the sky, creating a terrifying storm of energy.
Pirates who had managed to remain conscious during the clash fainted one after another, with some unlucky ones falling into the sea.
The shockwaves from their clash began to affect the physical environment. Glass shattered, and wood splintered under the immense pressure.
Rocks D. Xebec, observing the scene, burst into laughter.
"Hahahahaha! Enough! Stop!"
A deep red Conqueror's Haki, mixed with lightning, erupted from Rocks' body, instantly suppressing the five other auras.
The five combatants turned their attention to Rocks, their Haki converging to resist his overwhelming dominance.
Seated at the helm, Shakky smoked a cigarette and watched the scene.
"What a bunch of monsters!" she muttered.
The nearby pirates nodded in agreement, their faces pale as they watched the six figures.
Among the six, Kaido's Haki was the weakest. Charlotte Linlin and Charlotte's were equal, while Edward Newgate's was slightly stronger than Shiki's.
At the forefront, Rocks' Haki dominated, suppressing all others.
"As expected of the captain," Shakky muttered, impressed by Rocks' power.
Rocks' expression darkened momentarily when he realized that the combined force of the five could resist his Haki. However, he quickly returned to his usual demeanor.
"Kid, you have two choices: join the Rocks Pirates or die!" Rocks declared coldly.
Charlotte fell silent, contemplating his options for a long time.
Finally, he retracted his Haki.
"Fine. I'll join," Charlotte said, his face devoid of expression.
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