He Still Has to Thank Us!

(I revised yesterday's two chapters. After comments pointed out that the protagonist shouldn't be indifferent to Golden Lion's life or death at this stage, I changed it so that the protagonist asks Roger to spare Golden Lion's life beforehand.)

"That idiot Shiki, he's already been defeated?"

Charlotte Linlin looked down in surprise, but the Golden Lion was nowhere to be seen on the sea; all that could be seen were scattered waves.

"What the hell is this idiot doing! It hasn't been that long! Without him, do you think we can still take down the Roger Pirates?"

No, Aunt Linlin.

It hasn't been that long.

But what's surprising is that it's been dragged on for so long!

Honestly, I underestimated you, Uncle Shiki.

I thought you'd been captured long ago.

Roa suppressed the urge to smile and, as he took a step forward, tried his best to put on an indignant expression.

"Damn Roger! What did you do to my most respected Uncle Shiki?!"

As he roared, black fur instantly grew out of his body, and in the blink of an eye he transformed into a majestic winged tiger!

The air was pierced in an instant, and Roa created a ring of sonic boom clouds. Before the sound could even spread, his figure had already disappeared into the distance.

"What's gotten into this kid now?"

Kaido, who had dragged several ships and a few Giant Snail like an old ox, looked up at Roa's retreating figure and snorted coldly, half puzzled and half annoyed, "Suddenly so concerned about Shiki's life or death?"

Suddenly, a thought flashed through his mind, "So that's it! Roa, you're so eager to fight Roger, aren't you!"

Don't even think about it!

As he spoke, Kaido, who had always claimed to be the fastest, roared and actually sped up by two points.

Charlotte Linlin on his head rolled her eyes.

They're all idiots!

Could it be that this idiot Shiki got defeated because he couldn't resist wanting to fight Roger?

However, Roa's flying speed was indeed much faster than Kaido's. In just a few seconds, he had already crossed the sky, and the crimson sword Tiger Soul at his waist was already unsheathed. The red-glowing blade was shining like a shooting star!

"Hahaha! Come on, kid!"

Roger also had the brightest smile on his face.

The inspection is here, right?

So, he suddenly stepped on the air, shooting forward at a speed not much slower than Roa's, his figure blurring instantly, leaving a long trail of afterimages in the air.

Geppo alone is definitely not enough for long-distance raids, but it is quite useful for short-range bursts of speed.

Almost immediately, the two figures collided with a loud crash.

The same loud laughter, the same swing of the knife, the same unstoppable force!

Black and crimson, two blades clashed in mid-air!

Amidst the earth-shattering roar, the Air Shock, the sea churned, and everything in the world seemed incredibly fragile!

However, amidst this breathtaking exchange of blows, both fighters wore smiles on their faces.

"Shiki is still alive and well, you just need to get him out of the water as soon as possible," Roger said.

Roa said with a look of relief, "Uncle Shiki would be very touched if he knew how much I cared about him, wouldn't he?"

Even a seasoned veteran like Roger couldn't help but twitch his lips at this moment.

That's really bold of them.

That brat is a real piece of work. Judging from our encounter two years ago, Golden Lion treated him quite well.

So, Roger said somewhat sheepishly, "Then, should I tell him later?"

"Alas! What are you saying! I, Luo, never seek recognition for my good deeds!"

Roa sternly refused with an upright expression, "I don't do things that involve taking advantage of someone's kindness!"

"I will come to you later and fulfill my promise."

"Good."

Roger nodded.

He believed that Roa wouldn't lie to him.

It wasn't a misperception; Roa seemed eagerly anticipating their arrival at the Laugh Tale!

After a brief exchange, the two, who had been colliding for about half a minute, were finally separated by the force of their respective impacts.

As Roa rapidly retreated, he raised his hand.

Instantly, huge waves surged on the sea below, and amidst the surging waves, a somewhat slender figure was forcefully lifted up from the seabed.

Then, the seawater beneath him froze, forming a platform that supported him as he floated on the surface.

Look, Uncle Shiki, all your care and guidance back then really paid off, didn't it?

First, well, we pulled you out of the water the very first two times!

Meanwhile, Roger, who had been retreating, had met up with Rayleigh. He whispered, "Roa said he'll come find us later."

Rayleigh nodded. "But aren't you guys overacting a bit? Could that kid really hold his own against you for that long?"

Twenty seconds! Were you glued together?

Roger paused, then a strange smile crept across his lips. "The four billion bounty isn't just because of his madness! Rayleigh, this kid's strength is definitely no less than yours! Perhaps, at full power, he's even stronger than you!"

Rayleigh's pupils contracted slightly.

Roger would never lie.

Has that kid's strength improved that quickly?

"Um?"

Roger suddenly looked up.

"Hehehe! Roger! Long time no see!!"

A dark shadow suddenly plummeted from the sky. Kaido had arrived while Roger and Roa were facing off, descended from the heavens laughing and wielding his iron club.

"Third World Descent -Pulling into Hell!"

Trailing a long, dark lightning Inazuma, the spiked club came crashing down.

"Divine Departure!"

Roger, not one to back down, swung his knife in return.

Boom!

Another violent roar followed as the falling iron bar collided with the upward-flying Haki slash. After a chaotic flurry of Haki Inazuma, Kaido successfully shattered the Haki attack, but he himself was also thrown back by the powerful force.

"Go back, Rayleigh."

Roger didn't care at all.

At twenty-nine years old, Kaido had no authority whatsoever in front of him.

But just as the two were preparing to return to the pirate ship, another voice came from the sky.

"Roger, right? You bastard, you killed Rocks!! I'll never forgive you!"

Another figure leaped down from the sky, roaring and swinging a spiked club at Roger.

What is that guy up to?

Roa stood on the ice floes of the sea, with the Golden Lion lying at his feet.

He looked up at Loki, who had jumped down from the back of the Giant Snail in the sky, with a hint of helplessness in his eyes.

I really don't know whether you think highly of the captain or look down on him.

Since they knew Roger was one of the people who took care of the captain, how could they think they could do anything to him?

"Giant?"

Rayleigh looked up at the figure and raised an eyebrow slightly. "That's one of Roa's men."

"Rocks?"

Roger smirked. "Could he be a fan of Rocks? No wonder he can hang out with Roa."

"Since he's Roa's subordinate, Divine Departure!"

Another slash, another massive Haki shockwave.

"Go to hell!"

Loki, like any other small fry challenging the big boss, shouted the same small fry slogans as he swung his iron rod, crackling with tiny black Inazuma, down at the slashing attack.

But.

"Ah! We've passed through!"

Loki's expression suddenly changed; the slash had pierced right through his iron rod, and then... "Whoa!"

The young giant let out a scream. Even the strong body of the Ancient Giant Tribe could not withstand Roger's attack. Loki instantly spat out blood and flew away.

"You're being too harsh on the children, Roger."

Rayleigh shook his head helplessly.

"Hahaha! Kids, you have to experience setbacks to grow up!"

Roger laughed heartily.

The two descended from the sky, finally landing safely on the deck of the pirate ship.

"How about it?"

Gaban couldn't wait to ask.

Although he wasn't directly involved in the battle with the Golden Lion, he didn't slack off either.

Golden Lion had been trying to attack the ship to distract Roger and Rayleigh. Without him, Golden Lion would have succeeded, and Roger and Rayleigh would not have been able to defeat him.

Roger nodded slightly. "Roa said he'll come and meet us later."

Gaban frowned. "Is it believable?"

"Have you forgotten? During our encounter on Fish-Man Island, Roa said that we would definitely find the Laugh Tale."

Roger smiled as he looked at the boy on the distant sea. "So, he'll help us."

Although one could vaguely sense that behind Roa's help lay immense malice.

But now, I can't worry about that anymore.

Boom!

A colossal object crashed into the sea.

Roa remained motionless, a gust of wind from who-knows-where blocking all the splashes of water aimed at him.

"It hurts!"

The boy giant tumbled in the sea, crying, "Bones! My bones are broken!"

"Roger is no match for you right now, Loki,"

Roa laughed and said, "It's good enough that we didn't end up like Uncle Shiki."

Shiki was lying at his feet at that moment.

He had several wounds all over his body, the most serious being a penetrating wound to his right abdomen, and then the last wound Roger left behind, which went from his right shoulder through his chest to his left abdomen. The wound was so deep that bone was visible, and blood was flowing freely.

Roger was really meticulous; he said he'd spare her life, and he really did just barely spare hers.

"What are you waiting for, Boss!"

Loki suddenly flipped over in the sea, angrily shouting, "Aren't you Rocks' disciple? Hurry up and kill that guy!"

Are you ordering me around?

Roa gave Loki a strange look.

Of all his subordinates, this kid was indeed the most extraordinary.

Meeting Roa's probing gaze, Loki instantly felt a chill run down his spine and immediately chuckled dryly, "Haha! No, it was just a suggestion!"

During his time traveling with Roa, he realized one thing: all the bad things he had done in Elbaf seemed as pure as a white flower in front of Roa.

Never make the Boss angry. That's the ironclad rule for survival in Calamity Company that Teach told Loki!

However, Loki wasn't the only one urging Roa on.

"Roa! What are you standing there for!"

In the sky, Charlotte Linlin, arriving late, descended on a cloud, shouting, "Ready for battle!"

Beside her, Kaido, who had just been knocked away, had also flown back, standing shoulder to shoulder with her on a cloud of flames.

Not far away on the sea, on the deck of a large ship bobbing with the waves, Roger, sword in hand, smiled broadly, "If you still want to fight, we're ready to fight to the bitter end!"

Roa is on their side, so Kaido and Charlotte Linlin should be the ones who are afraid!

"Roger! You damned thief!"

Charlotte Linlin gritted her teeth in anger.

"I can only apologize for this, Charlotte Linlin. That's just how pirates are!"

Roger shrugged, seemingly apologizing, but she didn't care. "Besides, that thing is really important to me. I've already gone, it wouldn't be good to turn back empty-handed, would it? Please forgive me."

Roa almost burst out laughing.

"You bastard!"

Charlotte Linlin's anger materialized into a real storm, making her dress flutter wildly.

"Roa! Kaido, what are you waiting for! Take them down!"

But.

"That's about enough, Aunt Linlin,"

Roa stretched leisurely. "The payment you've made is enough to support me to this extent."

"What?"

Charlotte Linlin suddenly lowered her head, looking at Roa in disbelief.

Roa casually sheathed his sword and said, "Without Uncle Shiki and the Flying Pirates' help, it would be too dangerous to even begin fighting the Roger Pirates."

"With our current strength, if we want to fight Roger, we'll have to fight to the death."

"Pfft, risking everything for a few factories, and even risking everything might not lead to victory, it's just not worth it, right?"

"Roa!!"

Charlotte Linlin gritted her teeth, glaring fiercely at Roa, who wore a relaxed smile. "You brat!!"

Roa shrugged. "If anyone's to blame, it's Uncle Shiki, that little glutton, for not following the plan and insisting on starting a war with Roger before we even arrived."

"..."

Charlotte Linlin remained silent for a moment.

That's true.

If Shiki had simply waited patiently for them to arrive, the combined strength of those four groups would have been far superior to even the Roger Pirates!

The battle will be easy, and the result will be very satisfying.

Unlike now, if the three of them were to join forces, it would be extremely dangerous to deal with the Roger Pirates!

Roa wouldn't take that risk.

"Damn Shiki!"

Kaido nearby, also cursed in displeasure.

Charlotte Linlin turned and glanced at him.

She knew that Kaido's words meant he had no intention of taking any risks.

That's right. If Roa isn't going to play along, then the two of them alone have even less chance of winning.

"You bastard!!"

Charlotte Linlin could only grit her teeth and curse angrily, without even knowing who she was cursing at.

Is this all there is to it?

Is this the end of the story now that the precious stone text has been stolen?

Damn Roger!

That bastard Shiki!

Damn Kaido!

That bastard Roa!

Men are all the same!

"Hahaha! Looks like you've already come to a conclusion!"

Not far out at sea, on the deck of a large ship, Roger laughed heartily, "Well then, we'll be off!"

Without any hesitation, the large ship lowered its sails and quickly set sail against the sea breeze.

"Hateful!!"

Charlotte Linlin was trembling with anger.

I've completely lost face this time!

They made such a big fuss, and Roger still managed to escape every day!

"Next time, Aunt Linlin,"

Good boy Roa spoke up to comfort him at the right time, "If it doesn't work this time, there's always next time. The Roger Pirates aren't going to disband in just a few days."

"As long as they are still active on the sea and haven't disbanded and gone home, there will still be a chance."

"We should be more concerned about Uncle Shiki than Roger right now."

He lowered his head and looked at the Golden Lion with its eyes tightly closed.

"Damn Roger! The Flying Pirates are probably finished. Uncle Shiki is also injured like this. He really went all out!"

Um?

Charlotte Linlin, who was still angry, suddenly relaxed when she heard Roa's words.

When I looked over here again, I felt a sense of relief.

Yes!

Although Roger stole my treasure, compared to that guy Golden Lion, I'm still so much better off!

The Golden Lion is now all alone!

Even!

Her eyes suddenly lit up, and then she flew over on her mount, Haiduo.

"Let me see what that bastard Shiki has become!"

She flew above the ice block and looked down to observe it closely.

Seeing the Golden Lion's pale face and weak breathing, she couldn't help but smile.

"Mother, Mother! Good! Roger did do something good after all!"

Kaido flew over riding on a cloud of flames, smirked in displeasure upon hearing her words. "Linlin, are you going to do something boring again?"

"Just starting out?"

Charlotte Linlin sneered, "That bastard's stubbornness caused our operation to fail, he should pay the price!"

She was so humiliated this time, and that bastard Golden Lion deserves the most credit!

How could we let him off so easily!

"Furthermore, isn't it a bit too crowded for a tiny new world to have seven monarchs crammed in?"

"Spray."

Kaido speechless.

"There couldn't be a better opportunity, could there?"

Charlotte Linlin said seductively, "Roa, Kaido, after we take down this guy, we'll divide his territory equally!"

"Even Ochoku, Silver Axe, and John can't stop us! We can take a third of the New World's territory!"

"Snort."

Kaido snorted.

"Wow, that sounds really good!"

Roa touched his chin, looking thoughtful.

Charlotte Linlin's eyes gradually brightened. "Right?"

"But I refuse!"

But the next moment, Roa's answer made Charlotte Linlin's smile freeze on her face.

Roa said seriously, "Uncle Shiki is my dearest friend and family. He gave me so much guidance and care when I was a child. How could I repay kindness with enmity?"

"Aunt Linlin, we're comrades! How can comrades kill each other?"

He stepped forward, blocking the Golden Lion's path. "If you want to mess with Uncle Shiki, you'd better try your hand at fighting me first."

Charlotte Linlin, and even Kaido was already uninterested in the matter, looked completely bewildered.

The two exchanged a glance, both seeing the "what is this guy talking about?" expression on each other's faces.

Is this something that brat Roa should say?

Roa just smiled.

Uncle Shiki can't die yet.

For the authority of the World Government, the mobility of the groups it brings is a very important aspect.

Moreover, he is also able to effectively share the attention of the World Government.

"You brat!"

Charlotte Linlin gritted her teeth, "Don't come begging to me for help when that Shiki kills you!"

How could that be!

Roa said in a serious tone, "I've already said, we're best friends and family! How could Uncle Shiki do such a thing?"

"You'll regret this!"

Charlotte Linlin could only utter one harsh word at the end.

She knew very well that if Roa refused, then the matter could not be done.

That bastard Kaido isn't on her side!

"In that case, everything will be over."

Roa grabbed the Golden Lion and soared into the sky, shouting, "I'll take Uncle Shiki to get treatment first!"

When they were flying in mid-air, the Golden Lion in their hands suddenly moved.

"Roa ---. Thanks."

Puff!

He even thanked us!

And below.

"Hey! Wait! You left me behind!!"

In any case, the naval battle that took place in the waters off Ait Ward has now come to a complete end.