The seas trembled as a Marine warship approached. But Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King-to-be, laughed it off.
"A Marine dares, chase me? Garp, huh? That's fine," Roger grinned. "But I'm more interested in him right now."
Roger's wild eyes locked onto Kavi.
"A strong opponent like you—I can't miss the chance to fight!"
With no hesitation, he drew his rapier, his voice booming across the island:
"Kavi! Come fight me!"
Kavi chuckled, stepping forward.
"Fine. Show me what the future Pirate King is made of."
Bullet blinked from his crumpled spot on the ground.
"Wait—so I don't matter now? Am I just gonna die here?"
Buggy, flailing dramatically, shouted, "Hey, Shanks! Shouldn't we help Bullet or something?!"
Shanks crossed his arms and grinned.
"This is a rare chance to watch the captain fight. We'll learn more from watching. Bullet'll lives."
'…A moment of silence for the forgotten man.'
Everyone cleared the area, not wanting to be caught in the crossfire.
Roger, a man who walked the path of pure Haki, had never touched a Devil Fruit in his life. He forged his power with nothing but will and spirit. And now, with Ace in hand, his blade crackled with black and red arcs of Conqueror's Haki.
"Divine Departure!"
A slash so powerful it felt like the heavens themselves reeled.
He launched forward, blade glowing with ominous power, unleashing his fiercest strike.
Kavi raised the Seven Star Sword, its edge swirling with an overwhelming aura. Haki erupted from him like a tidal wave.
"The Immortals Fall!"
If Divine Departure, then let all immortals fall too!
"BOOM!!!"
"RIP!!!"
The collision shook the earth.
Haki tore through the air in violent arcs of red and black, distorting space and rattling the very bones of the spectators.
"Th-this is crazy…" Buggy muttered eyes wide. "Is this what the Captain and Uncle Kavi are capable of? It's unreal…"
Even Shanks was awestruck, watching silently.
Roger bellowed with laughter.
"What an incredible blade! Even immortals can't withstand it, huh? Then I'll block it! BACK YOU GO!"
He poured more force into his strike, determined to overpower Kavi.
Kavi smirked under the pressure.
"You really don't hold back. But you'll need more than that!"
Suddenly—Pangu's Pressure!
Scarlet energy cloaked the Seven Star Sword. The divine and demonic merged in a terrifying aura, pressing down with overwhelming force.
"BANG!!!"
Roger was blasted back, dragged across the ground and carving trenches in the dirt.
"What the hell was that!?"
He leapt back up, eyes wild. The pressure had spiked so suddenly—he'd felt as though a monster had just stared into his soul.
"Hahaha, just a little trick," Kavi said humbly.
He'd just pushed back the future Pirate King—but hey, no big deal.
"Did… did the captain just get knocked back?" Buggy stammered. "Uncle Kavi is incredible! And still so modest! If I beat the Captain, I'd brag about it for a year!"
Roger grinned through the dust and shouted,
"You win this time, Kavi—but next time, I will beat you!"
There was no bitterness, only respect. Their duel had lasted a single blow, but at their level, that was enough to speak volumes.
"Alright, back to the party!"
Suddenly someone remembered—
"Wait, why is Bullet still lying on the ground?"
Roger gestured lazily.
"Buggy, Shanks—carry him to bed. He'll live."
Bullet whimpered, "At least you remembered me..."
The Next Morning
"BOOM!!!"
A cannon blast shattered the morning calm.
"Captain! The Navy's here!" someone shouted. "Time to run!"
Roger yawned and stretched.
"Garp again? That guy really doesn't give up."
He turned to Kavi, flashing a grin.
"Next time, Kavi—I'm taking that win!"
"Roger!"
Everyone scrambled back to the Oro Jackson, setting sail at full speed.
Kavi rubbed his temples, still dizzy from the celebration.
"Guess I'd better get going too—"
His voice stopped.
"…Where's my ship?"
The ocean was empty—save for a single dog-headed warship.
Roger's crew had escaped the Navy had arrived… and his ship was gone.
"Captain, I think the Navy blew up Kavi's merchant ship by accident…" Rayleigh muttered.
Roger chuckled.
"Really? I didn't notice. Ah well, Kavi's not a pirate. The Navy can't touch him."
He sounded… oddly pleased.
On the beach, Vice Admiral Garp leapt off his warship with his usual grin.
"Hey, brother! Seen Roger's crew around?"
Bogart sighed behind him. 'Who else could've been here?'
Kavi shrugged.
"Nope. Don't think I saw any pirates."
Bogart gave him a deadpan look. 'Sure. Like anyone's buying that.'
"Oh well!" Garp said cheerfully. "Let's go, Bogart!"
But Kavi quickly called out,
"Wait! Vice Admiral Garp, right? It's an honor to meet you. I have a small request."
Garp raised a brow. "Oh? What kind of request?"
"There's a girl joining the Navy soon. Could you look after her?"
Garp grinned.
"A new recruit? That's great! What's her name?"
Bogart groaned quietly.
'He's agreeing without even asking questions again…'
"Kallen Rosa," Kavi said. "That's her name. I'm counting on you, Vice Admiral."
Garp gave a thumbs up.
"Done! Happy to help!"
Of course, Garp didn't think he'd need Kavi's help in return—but fate, as always, had other plans.