After a brief exchange with Rayleigh, Roger wasted no time. Garp was already closing in, and any delay would allow the Marine Hero to board their ship—a risk they couldn't afford.
"Swish!"
Roger launched himself into the air, intercepting Garp's cannonball-like approach. As he ascended, his blade gleamed as Armament Haki enveloped it, making the already dark sword shine ominously. With calculated precision, Roger swung his blade, aiming for the moment Garp entered his range.
However, Garp was no ordinary opponent. His right fist, already coated in an intense layer of Armament Haki, shot forward to meet Roger's strike head-on.
"Clang!"
Crack… BOOM!
The collision of blade and fist was monumental. At the point of impact, the sky darkened, clouds gathered, and the sea itself seemed to tremble.
"BOOM—RUMBLE!!!"
"CRACK—CRASH!!!"
A shockwave radiated outward, accompanied by arcs of black lightning, as if the world itself recoiled from their clash. The immense force sent waves crashing against the surrounding ships, causing them to rock violently.
After a brief stalemate, both combatants were forced backward by the sheer recoil of their clash.
"Thud… thud… thud…"
They halted their retreat mid-air, their feet seemingly planted on invisible ground. It was clear they were utilizing Moonwalk, a technique from the Navy's Rokushiki. That Roger could perform it as well was a testament to his unparalleled mastery over his body, making it effortless for someone of his caliber to replicate such techniques.
Roger steadied himself and glanced at Garp, who hovered ten meters away. "Damn it, Garp! Your fists are still as indestructible as ever!"
Garp laughed heartily, scratching his nose. "Hahaha! Roger, you're not just losing a sword this time. Today, you're staying here for good!"
Hearing this, Roger's forehead darkened with frustration. "You damn iron-fisted maniac! Even if I lose another sword today, I swear I'll split that metal fist of yours in half!"
Roger's words carried the weight of years of shared battles. Over their countless skirmishes, Roger had lost more swords to Garp's punches than he cared to count. Garp's fist, bolstered by an unparalleled mastery of Haki, was infamous for its sheer indomitability.
Though Roger's swordsmanship and Conqueror's Haki were superior, Garp's strength and Armament Haki were virtually unmatched. Their dynamic was less about one overpowering the other and more about their specialties clashing in a perpetual deadlock.
"Hahaha!" Garp laughed, unfazed by Roger's threats. "Come on, Roger. Show me what you've got!"
"You bastard, Garp!"
"You bastard, Roger!"
With a roar, the two charged at each other again, their battle cries echoing across the battlefield.
"Clang! Clang!"
"Boom! Boom!"
Their duel intensified, each clash generating powerful shockwaves that rippled through the air and sea. Their movements were so fast that only the occasional flash of their figures could be seen when they collided.
On the Roger Pirates' ship, Reno crouched in a corner, watching the two titans clash in mid-air. His eyes gleamed with longing.
"When will I be able to fight like that? To feel the thrill of battle, trading blows with absolute confidence…"
Though Reno admired their strength, he wasn't envious. After all, with the system aiding his growth, surpassing them was merely a matter of time.
Meanwhile, Rayleigh observed the Marine warships being tossed about by the battle's shockwaves. Many Marine soldiers had already fainted under the sheer pressure of Conqueror's Haki emanating from Roger and Garp. Recognizing an opportunity, Rayleigh issued a command.
"The Marine fleet's formation is broken! Now's our chance—charge in and rescue them!"
"Aye, Vice-Captain!"
With Roger occupied, command of the crew fell naturally to Rayleigh, whose authority was second only to the captain's.
The fleet had previously blocked the way with a tight formation, forcing Roger to consider carving a path through. Now, the chaotic aftermath of his clash with Garp had opened a clear route to the island.
At Rayleigh's orders, a group of crew members immediately set to maneuvering the ship through the breach.
On a Marine warship, Sengoku's face darkened as he watched the pirate ship slip past their defenses.
"Zephyr! You and the others move in immediately. Don't let them get through so easily!"
"Yes, Admiral Sengoku!"
Initially, Sengoku had intended to wear down the Roger Pirates outside the perimeter before letting them enter the island, setting the stage for an ambush. However, with the pirates breaching the defenses so early—and still in peak condition—it would complicate the battle ahead.
Zephyr and the other Marines moved to intercept the pirate ship. As they neared the edge of the warship, only twenty meters separated them from the enemy vessel.
Kizaru, ever laid-back, spoke first. "I can fly. Let me go ahead and greet them, hmm?"
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T/N:
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