Rayleigh's brows lifted slightly in surprise.
"Garp's son? You mean that Monkey D. Dragon who defected from the Navy?"
At the mention of Garp, Roger broke into a wide grin.
"That's right. Even you are surprised, Rayleigh. I truly do have quite the connection with that stubborn old man."
Rayleigh crossed his arms and spoke in a thoughtful tone.
"I heard Dragon was rescued by Garp when he encountered Admiral Black Dragon back then. You know Black Dragon's methods. He never lets anyone escape once he sets his sights on them. If Ace is with Dragon, then I am afraid..."
"I know."
Roger's pupils suddenly shifted, turning into a strange mixture of pink and black. The corner of his mouth twitched, as if laughter was trying to break free. He clenched his teeth, forcing the strange impulse down, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Killing him is the mission this Devil Fruit has given me. I must remove this obstacle for its true master."
As soon as the words left his mouth, the abnormal aura surrounding Roger vanished. He exhaled slowly, as though shaking off an invisible burden.
"Rayleigh, after I die this Devil Fruit will appear in the world again. Forget about Buggy. You and Shanks must find it."
Rayleigh frowned slightly.
"Didn't you say it would seek out its own master?"
Roger chuckled softly.
"I am just making sure nothing goes wrong."
After a brief pause, Rayleigh nodded.
"Alright. I understand."
Rayleigh turned toward the door and placed his hand on the handle. He paused for a moment before speaking in a quiet voice.
"It has been my honor to sail as a member of the Pirate King's crew."
Bang!
The door closed with a heavy sound.
Roger stared at the now empty room. His gaze drifted toward the distance as he murmured quietly,
"Do not disappoint me..."
---
The news that Pirate King Roger would soon engage in a decisive battle with the Navy spread across the entire world like wildfire.
Most ordinary people, upon hearing the news, prayed for the Navy's victory. For countless civilians living under the constant threat of pirates, Roger's defeat represented hope.
When the public learned that Lloyd would be leading the Navy forces, their worries eased considerably.
Over the years, Lloyd had built an almost mythical reputation among the common people. To them, he was the Navy's God of War. Every pirate crew that had crossed paths with him had suffered a disastrous end.
Newspaper agencies across the seas went into a frenzy.
They dispatched countless news birds carrying image Den Den Mushi across the skies, determined to record every moment of what promised to become a historic battle.
For a time, the skies above the ocean were filled with flapping wings. The number of news birds flying overhead was so great that they resembled a swarm of locusts.
Even if the Navy chose not to broadcast the battle worldwide, the public would still witness it through these independent channels.
Meanwhile, the Navy fleet led by Lloyd had already departed from Marineford. Their destination was the sea region where the Roger Pirates had gathered.
Under Lloyd's instructions, the fleet made no attempt to conceal its route. The intention was obvious. The news birds circling high above would inevitably spread the information across the world.
The Roger Pirates soon received word of the approaching fleet.
Under Roger's command, the Oro Jackson and the allied pirate ships gathered together and sailed out to meet them.
Three days later, the two forces finally encountered each other in a vast stretch of ocean.
This sea held special meaning for both Roger and Lloyd.
It was the place where the two had first crossed paths.
The Ed War Sea Area.
Roger and Lloyd stood at the bows of their respective flagship vessels, staring directly at each other across the restless sea.
The atmosphere between the two fleets could not have been more different.
On the Navy's side, every soldier stood rigid and disciplined. Their white uniforms were spotless, and many officers wore cloaks bearing the bold word Justice on their backs. Their faces were solemn, their posture unwavering.
The killing intent of trained soldiers gathered together like an invisible storm.
Through the image Den Den Mushi hovering high above the battlefield, this overwhelming presence was transmitted to screens all around the world.
Millions of people watched in silence.
On the other side, the pirate fleet appeared far more chaotic.
Aside from the Oro Jackson, the rest of the pirate ships resembled a disorderly mob. Pirates shouted insults and challenges across the water toward the Navy.
However, to outside observers, their shouting lacked true presence. Instead of appearing intimidating, it looked somewhat ridiculous.
This noisy spectacle did not last long.
Because Roger and Lloyd had already released their Haoshoku Haki.
Buzz.
Two immense spiritual pressures erupted simultaneously.
One burned crimson like a raging flame.
The other was pitch black like a devouring abyss.
The two forces surged outward like ferocious beasts breaking free from cages, charging directly toward one another before colliding violently in the middle of the sea.
Instantly, the entire Ed War Sea Area was filled with crackling lightning produced by the clash of their Haoshoku Haki.
The sky, which had been bright and clear moments earlier, darkened in an instant. Massive waves surged across the ocean, rising like towering walls of water.
Countless news birds fainted immediately under the crushing pressure, dropping from the sky like falling feathers.
Fortunately, several major news organizations had anticipated this possibility. They had prepared specially trained birds for the occasion.
Of course, they had no way of using someone with Haoshoku Haki to train them.
Instead, their training methods involved repeatedly exposing the birds to frightening stimuli. Only the strongest breeds that could withstand extreme pressure and fly at higher altitudes were selected.
Because of this harsh training, a few of them managed to remain airborne despite the terrifying aura dominating the battlefield.
At that moment, a collective gulp echoed around the world.
Most ordinary people had never even set foot on the open sea. Naturally, they had no idea what Haoshoku Haki truly was.
All they could see on the screen was that Roger and Lloyd had not moved a single step.
Yet two invisible forces had erupted from their bodies, turning the sky dark and the ocean violent as if the world itself were collapsing.
---
High above the Red Line, within the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, a lavish courtyard within the residence of the Figarland Family was filled with silent spectators.
Several image Den Den Mushi were placed on the ground, projecting the events unfolding in the Ed War Sea Area from multiple angles.
Saint Garling Figarland sat upright upon a gilded chair. His fingers were interlocked and rested calmly upon his knees.
Behind him stood numerous Golden Armored Guards.
In front of them, a group of slaves knelt on the ground.
Among them were the sisters Monet and Sugar.
Their eyes were wide as they stared at the projection in the center of the courtyard.
For the first time, they were witnessing Lloyd's battlefield presence.
Although the actual battle had not yet begun, the aura emanating from the screen alone was enough to make their hearts pound uncontrollably.
Nearby, Robin leaned against her mother, Nico Olvia. Fear flickered faintly in her young eyes as she looked at Lloyd on the screen.
Today, Olvia had been specially permitted by Saint Garling to leave her confinement and watch the battle.
Her gaze remained fixed on Lloyd's figure.
Robin spoke softly.
"Mom... will he win?"
Olvia answered almost instinctively.
"He will win."
The words left her mouth before she even realized it.
Both Robin and Olvia froze.
Olvia quickly turned her eyes away, unable to meet her daughter's gaze. She looked back at the screen, staring at Lloyd's distant figure while a thought echoed quietly in her mind.
How could a man like him possibly lose?
If even Olvia held such unwavering confidence in Lloyd, then Saint Garling's belief in him was even greater.
That was precisely why Garling had gathered the guards and slaves in this courtyard.
He wanted them to witness it with their own eyes.
To see the power and authority possessed by their future master.
---