Whitebeard vs Roger

In their perception, that slash clearly radiated the unique "sword intent" of Shiki, as distinct as a personal signature.

If it were not Shiki himself, who could possibly execute his signature technique to such a terrifying degree?

Roger continued in a low, steady voice: "There is a third person on the island, a young man, and the slash from just now originated from him."

"It seems... the Rocks Pirates have produced another monstrous talent."

Rayleigh and Gaban felt their shock deepen even further.

A young man, capable of unleashing Shiki's trump card technique?

They did not doubt their captain's judgment for a second.

Roger's Observation Haki, which allowed him to listen to the "Voice of All Things," had reached the pinnacle of perfection; there was no room for error in his identification of an aura.

"Watch out! Here it comes again!" Roger suddenly spoke up once more: "Rayleigh, Gaban, prepare to intercept!"

The two men instantly dashed to the bow, standing ready for battle.

In the distance, the sea surface suddenly surged with violent waves!

Dozens of smaller, yet equally sharp and fierce golden slashes came sweeping over like a tidal wave!

"It's the Thousand-Slice Valley!"

Rayleigh drew his long sword once again, transforming into a curtain of silver light, precisely shattering the slashes attacking from the left.

Gaban let out a low shout, swinging his heavy battle axe with both hands, and hacked down fiercely against the group of slashes on the right!

The Armament Haki on the edge of his axe burned like a raging flame!

"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM—!!!"

Under Rayleigh's exquisite swordsmanship and Gaban's mountain-splitting, rock-shattering strength, all the golden slashes were intercepted and crushed!

The violent impact kicked up a sky full of spray, and while the ship pitched as if in a storm, it remained as steady as a rock.

"Crisis averted." Rayleigh flicked the water droplets off his blade.

The excitement in Roger's eyes grew even more intense: "Interesting! This is too interesting! Change course, target—the island ahead!"

"Since they greeted us in such a 'passionate' manner, wouldn't it be rude if we didn't return the favor?"

"Let's go meet our old friends Shiki and Newgate, as well as that... mysterious young man who can perfectly execute Shiki's swordsmanship!"

His fighting spirit was completely ignited.

A young man capable of executing Shiki's signature swordsmanship so perfectly was definitely no ordinary person!

This piqued his intense curiosity and competitive spirit.

Moreover, being able to stand side-by-side with Newgate and Shiki, he must be a figure of significant status within the Rocks Pirates, likely a newly promoted commander.

But when did the Rocks Pirates gain such a shocking young commander? Why had there been no mention of him before?

Rayleigh and Gaban exchanged a glance, their hearts filled with the same intense curiosity and solemnity.

They were also stunned by the strength displayed by that "young man."

Although the Roger Pirates were slightly inferior in terms of the sheer number of top-tier combatants and generally avoided meaningless all-out attrition, this did not mean they were afraid.

The quality of their peak combat power was enough to go head-to-head with the core commanders of the Rocks Pirates.

True battles were always decided by those few at the very peak.

On the shore of the uninhabited island.

The three of them sat around the embers of the campfire, drinking strong liquor and chatting, the atmosphere rarely harmonious.

However, deep in the eyes of Whitebeard and Shiki as they occasionally looked at Luo Tian, there still flickered a trace of undisguised heat and calculation.

It was a desire for "future power" and an intent to recruit.

They both firmly believed that they would eventually break away from under the command of Rocks to form their own pirate crews.

With their inner pride and ambition, how could they be content to remain under someone else for long?

The internal division within the upper echelons of the Rocks Pirates had grown increasingly heavy, causing them to drift apart as they championed different ideologies.

But this was merely a calculation hidden deep in their hearts.

The unfathomable strength and ambition of Rocks still hung over everyone like the Sword of Damocles.

Until they had absolute certainty, no one dared to act rashly.

Suddenly—

Whitebeard, who was holding a wine bowl, and Shiki, who was also chugging liquor, stood up abruptly at almost the same instant!

The relaxed look on their faces was swept away, replaced by a gravity as if facing a formidable enemy.

Their gazes shot toward the distant sea like lightning.

Luo Tian also sensed the drastic change in the atmosphere and stood up without hesitation, casting his gaze toward the horizon where the sea met the sky.

On the distant horizon, a ship-shaped black dot was rapidly expanding!

Luo Tian immediately activated Spatial Perception, spreading it forward like a radar.

Instantly, he "saw" several powerful auras emanating from that ship!

"Ding! Special high-energy reaction detected approaching! Temporary challenge mission triggered!"

"Mission Content: Face the future 'Pirate King' Gol D. Roger and the legendary powerhouses under his command!"

"Mission Requirements: Use the Roger Pirates as a whetstone to demonstrate the results of your training! This battle is for sparring and making a name for yourself, regardless of victory or defeat."

"Mission Reward: Advanced Conqueror's Haki!"

Luo Tian's body trembled slightly, his eyes instantly sharpening like blades as he looked once more at the now clearly visible ship.

The Roger Pirates?! No wonder even Whitebeard and Shiki were acting as if they were facing a formidable enemy!

Upon learning the identity of the newcomers, the unyielding fighting spirit within Luo Tian surged violently!

This was not just a clash with legendary powerhouses, but an excellent touchstone to test his own training results and carve his name into the history of the sea!

At this moment, the Roger Pirates' ship had rapidly approached the coast.

The figures on the ship gradually became clear.

Roger, wearing a captain's hat with his red coat fluttering in the wind.

Rayleigh, with his blonde hair, glasses, and sharp expression.

Gaban, holding a battle axe and eager for a fight...

"Hahahaha! Long time no see, Newgate! And you too, Shiki!"

Roger stood at the bow of the ship, with his first mate Rayleigh and combatant Gaban standing by his side.

"Don't try to get chummy with me, Roger!" Whitebeard's voice was deep and resonant:

"Since we've met on this deserted island today, let's decide who is superior! I will definitely defeat you once!"

Before his words had even faded, he had already moved!

He slammed the supreme grade sword Murakumogiri down heavily, then lowered his waist to gather strength.

On the crescent-shaped, wide blade, a layer of translucent, light-distorting shockwaves instantly appeared.

The next moment, he didn't hesitate to slash fiercely toward the vast sea surface in front of him!

"BOOM--!!!!!"

A shockwave carrying terrifying vibrational power erupted suddenly!

Starting from the tip of Murakumogiri, the space in front of him shattered like fragile glass, with countless spiderweb-like cracks spreading wildly, emitting a crisp cracking sound!

The originally calm sea surface, under the influence of this immense power, instantly stirred up a gargantuan tsunami that blotted out the sky!

Waves dozens of meters high lunged violently toward Roger's pirate ship!

Before the tsunami even arrived, the suffocating wind pressure already made the sails snap loudly and the hull shake violently!

Some of the younger crew members on the ship witnessed this scene, fear flashing in their eyes.

Such a disaster-like attack had already exceeded the scope of ordinary human understanding.