"Kihahahaha! Long time no see, everyone!"
The Golden Lion's fleet blotted out the sun.
Standing arrogantly in midair, the man embodied the aura of a Sea Emperor. Time had left faint traces upon his face, yet his long golden hair still flowed wildly, and his icy gaze swept across those below.
Only—
When his eyes landed on Roldi—
His expression changed.
The arrogance faded, replaced with bright laughter.
"Yo, Roldi! What a coincidence!"
"This must be fate! I heard there was a big war here, so I came to join the fun!"
"And it turns out it's you! Kihahahaha! What luck!"
"How about it? Since destiny brought us together, why not return to my side? The position of my right-hand man has always been reserved for you!"
Golden Lion Shiki scratched the back of his head and laughed heartily.
Roldi: …
Garp and the Admirals: …
The Holy Knights: …
What a terrible lie. ×3
"Shiki, long time no see," Roldysighed, rubbing his forehead. "But I'll have to decline. I have more important matters to deal with."
Shiki was the same as ever.
Rejection did not surprise him.
He laughed again and turned his gaze toward Garp.
"So the 'important matter' is wiping out these bastards? Count me in!"
"Hey, you old bastard! Don't get carried away!"
If Roldi's history with Garp was a score of ten—
Then Garp's grudge with Shiki was a hundred.
They were old rivals.
Shiki's sudden arrival placed immense pressure on the World Government's side.
This was a true Emperor of the New World.
The wielder of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi—
One of the most troublesome criminals on the seas.
The fighting among the Vice Admirals had already stopped.
This was no longer the World Government besieging Roldi.
It had escalated into a confrontation between the World Government and two Emperors who controlled half the New World.
It was terrifying.
Among the Holy Knights present, one held the rank of Vice Commander.
With Saint Figarland on the brink of death, he now led the group.
He knew well the World Government's grand design.
That Lord's plan could not tolerate error.
Quietly, he retreated and took out a pristine white Den Den Mushi.
The snail's face transformed—
Into that of Saint Warcury.
"What is it?"
The Vice Commander quickly summarized the situation.
To his surprise—
Silence followed.
Long silence.
"You are saying," Warcury finally spoke, voice heavy, "that Roldyalone withstood four Admiral-tier combatants, then erupted with new power and instantly killed Saint Figarland?"
Even the Five Elders struggled to accept it.
Rocks D. Xebec had barely reached that level.
Rocks—
A once-in-centuries monster.
And now—
Another had emerged?
Perhaps even stronger?
"I swear it is true. Furthermore, Golden Lion Shiki has appeared and is supporting Roldi. He is currently engaged with Vice Admiral Garp!"
In the distance, Garp and Shiki clashed violently.
Roldystood calmly, watching Figarland's final moments.
Borsalino and Sakazuki dared not act.
The Holy Knights did not intervene.
"Cancel the plan."
Muffled discussion could be heard on the other end.
Moments later:
"Cancel the operation."
"Return to the Holy Land immediately."
"Sabaody is ceded to Roldi."
Cold.
Utterly cold.
The Vice Commander understood.
They had not mentioned rescuing Figarland.
That was the answer.
The Commander of the Holy Knights—
A man of immense prestige—
Had been abandoned.
There was bitterness in his heart.
But the Den Den Mushi had already hung up.
Roldyseemed to sense everything.
A faint smile curved his lips—eerily similar to Borsalino's.
Under the gaze of such a supreme predator, the Vice Commander felt immense pressure.
Still—
He stepped forward.
Offered apologies.
Formally acknowledged Sabaody Archipelago as Roldi's territory.
Generous concessions followed—without negotiation.
Shock rippled through the battlefield.
The World Government had yielded.
Such a thing was unheard of.
The Holy Knights withdrew immediately.
They did not even glance at Figarland.
The Marines exchanged uncertain looks.
They could not defy the order.
Roldi, magnanimous, granted them one day to evacuate.
Then he simply sat—
And waited.
The writhing mass in the sea grew quieter.
Slower.
Still.
Roldysmiled in satisfaction.
Then began casually chatting with Shiki.
Thus—
The great war ended.
Victory belonged to Roldyand his crew.
The once lawless Sabaody Archipelago now fell under his dominion.
Not one of Roldi's five fell.
The Marines suffered over five thousand casualties—
Including two Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals.
And the Commander of the Holy Knights—
Saint Figarland—
Was defeated.
And dead.
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