The Celestial Dragon's blood burst outward under overwhelming force.
A fine crimson rain fell from the sky.
It dyed Roldy 's once-pristine white suit into something violently beautiful.
The six-meter-tall figure stood there—
Silent.
Numb.
"…It's over."
Dragon collapsed onto the deck.
He understood the authority of the Celestial Dragons within the World Government.
There would be no negotiation.
No appeal.
No reversal.
This was final.
"Heh… hehehe… HAHAHAHA!"
Roldy 's low laughter rose, twisted, and exploded into manic hysteria.
A terrifying surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him like a shockwave.
Every strong fighter present felt it.
His Conqueror's Haki—
Had at least doubled in intensity.
Even Dragon felt pressure beneath it. His coat snapped violently in the air.
And then—
Roldy removed his Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral coat.
The coat with the word Justice emblazoned across its back.
It fell from his shoulders.
"It's all garbage."
"The World Government… the Celestial Dragons…"
"They all deserve to die."
The surviving CP agents trembled in terror, some already soiling themselves.
Roldy glanced at them in disgust.
He pulled a handful of hard candy from his pocket.
Armament Haki coated them instantly.
With a casual flick—
The candies pierced skulls like bullets.
He walked forward.
Step by step.
Killing as he went.
Toward the Celestial Dragon's burning vessel.
"What now, old man?"
Dragon looked up—
And saw a face that seemed ten years older.
"Go back, Dragon."
"It's done. Let the boy vent."
"As for the Celestial Dragon's death…"
"I'll take responsibility."
If the World Government demanded blood, they would turn their anger toward the Marines.
High-ranking officers like Garp might survive politically—
But ordinary soldiers would suffer.
So Garp chose to shoulder it.
Demotion?
Salary cut?
So be it.
Perhaps it was time he rested anyway.
"You satisfied now, Golden Lion?"
Shiki looked younger than ever.
Radiant.
Victorious.
Satisfied didn't even begin to describe it.
Roldy had killed a Celestial Dragon.
The World Government would hunt him.
With his current strength, he could not yet withstand that machine alone.
He would need protection.
A banner.
A force capable of striking back in the future.
Preferably someone who had once helped him.
Who could that possibly be?
"Jihahaha! Don't say it was my scheme, Garp!"
"The boy simply saw clearly."
"This would've happened sooner or later."
"And didn't you notice?"
"His Conqueror's Haki."
"Now that he's severed from the World Government… the heights he may reach might even surpass our expectations."
BOOM!
An explosion erupted from the Celestial Dragon's ship.
Flames engulfed the vessel.
A lone silhouette walked out from the inferno.
The fire washed over him.
Each step forward—
Like applause from the exploding wreckage behind him.
His gaze flickered.
He noticed his fallen Vice Admiral coat.
Half-burned.
He paused.
Walked over.
Picked it up.
Folded it carefully.
Just like Zephyr had once taught him.
A simple coat—
Folded with immaculate precision.
His left hand gently smoothed it once.
Then he looked up.
Met Garp's eyes.
"Vice Admiral Garp…"
"I'm no longer a Marine."
"…What a shame."
Garp descended from the sky.
The shattered deck groaned beneath them.
The boy once hailed as Marine Headquarters' brightest star—
Returned his Vice Admiral coat.
To the Vice Admiral who had trained him.
"If you've chosen this path…"
"Then walk it bravely."
Garp accepted the coat.
Patted his shoulder.
Then—
He did something Roldy had never seen before.
Garp stood perfectly straight.
His right hand rose like a weathered but gleaming blade.
A flawless Marine salute.
"From tomorrow onward…"
"You are no longer my disciple."
The expulsion was dated tomorrow.
Which meant—
"For today—"
"You graduate."
"You've learned everything I had to teach."
Garp's voice trembled only slightly.
"This damn world…"
He was furious at it.
Powerless before parts of it.
He had his justice.
His reasons.
But he would not break his disciple's wings.
It was simply another path.
Not his own.
"Go."
"Do what you must."
"The next time we meet…"
"I will treat you as a true enemy."
Shadow covered Garp's eyes.
Roldy returned the salute.
Turned.
Walked past him.
His face showed no sorrow.
But tears slipped from the corners of his eyes.
Behind him—
Garp's broad back seemed bent.
His hands trembled.
"Jihahaha!"
"It's time to decide, boy."
Golden Lion Shiki landed before him.
For once—
He did not stand above.
He extended his hand.
"Pirates will be your greatest weapon."
"We despise the World Government."
"Come."
"Roam this sea freely."
"Let your name become their nightmare."
Roldy stared at the offered hand.
Memories flashed.
Zephyr.
Marine Headquarters.
Laughter.
Battles.
Comrades.
All of it—
Consumed by a rising inferno of fury.
He grabbed Shiki's hand.
"Jihahahaha!"
"Roldy —"
"Welcome to piracy!"
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