The first half of the Grand Line.
The Roger Pirates did not hurry to enter the New World after setting sail again. Having chosen a different route, they seemed more like a "tourist group," leisurely sailing across the sea.
They often stayed on a single island for half a month or even a month.
As if they were searching for something.
Of course...
They still could not shake off that "sticky plaster" that clung to them no matter what they did!
That damned plaster was Marine Vice Admiral Garp. He bared his teeth in an excited grin. "Bring me some cannonballs!"
"I want to let those Roger Pirates taste my welcoming gift!"
The Marines behind him followed his order, carrying one heavy cannonball after another to Garp, who snatched them up in one hand.
As if he were throwing stones.
Whoosh!
The cannonball shot out at lightning speed. It did not follow the arc of artillery fire, but flew straight toward the Roger Pirates' ship.
However, halfway there, it was split in two by a dazzling streak of sword light, then exploded in midair.
The explosion unleashed tremendous force, raising a fierce wave that crashed into the Roger Pirates' ship.
On the pirate ship.
The scene was bustling with activity. Some crew members used ropes to control the sails and harness the wind to increase the ship's speed. Others had already prepared to operate the cannons, while still others steered the ship and controlled its course...
Roger stood beside the railing in a commanding stance and shouted toward Garp, "Hey, old rival! Can you tell me what's going on with that incident that's been causing such a stir across the seas lately—the matter of Ares's bounty?"
That fellow had vanished without a trace after their clash a year ago.
Now.