In their perception, that slash clearly carried the distinctive aura of Shiki's swordsmanship, as unique as an individual's handwriting.
Who but Shiki himself could wield his signature technique with such terrifying power?
Roger continued in a low voice. "There's a third person on the island. A young man. That slash just now came from him."
"Looks like... the Rocks Pirates have produced another incredible monster."
Rayleigh and Gaban were even more astonished.
A young man who could use Shiki's ultimate technique?
Roger's judgment was beyond doubt.
His Observation Haki, honed through listening to the Voice of All Things, had reached the pinnacle. He could never mistake one person's presence for another's.
"Careful! Here it comes again!" Roger suddenly called out. "Rayleigh, Gaban, get ready to intercept!"
The two darted to the bow in an instant, bracing themselves.
The distant sea suddenly rose in a violent swell!
Dozens of slightly smaller, yet equally deadly golden slash waves swept toward them from every direction!
"It's Thousand-Slice Valley!"
Rayleigh drew his sword again, creating a curtain of silver light as he precisely shattered the slashes rushing toward the left.
Gaban gave a low shout and swung his heavy battle-axe with both hands, bringing it down fiercely on the cluster of slashes to the right!
The Armament Haki coating the blade burned like black flames!
"Boom! Boom! Boom—!!!"
Thanks to Rayleigh's exquisite swordsmanship and Gaban's mountain-splitting strength, every golden slash was intercepted and destroyed!
The violent impacts sent water spraying everywhere. The ship pitched like it was caught in a storm, but it remained rock-steady.
"Crisis averted." Rayleigh shook the water droplets from his sword.
Excitement burned even brighter in Roger's eyes. "Interesting! This is so interesting! Change course. Our destination is that island ahead!
"Since they've greeted us so 'warmly,' it'd be rude not to return the favor, wouldn't it?
"Let's pay a visit to our old friends Shiki and Newgate—and that mysterious young man who can use Shiki's swordsmanship perfectly!"
His fighting spirit had been thoroughly ignited.
Any young man who could wield Shiki's signature sword techniques so perfectly was no ordinary person!
The thought stirred his curiosity and competitive spirit.
Besides, anyone standing alongside Newgate and Shiki had to hold a high position in the Rocks Pirates—quite possibly a newly promoted officer.
But when had the Rocks Pirates gained such an astonishingly powerful young officer? Why had no one mentioned him before?
Rayleigh and Gaban exchanged a glance, their own curiosity and wariness rising.
They, too, had been stunned by the strength that "young man" had displayed.
Although the Roger Pirates had fewer top-tier fighters than the Rocks Pirates and generally avoided pointless, all-out conflicts, that didn't mean they were afraid.
The quality of their strongest fighters was enough to stand against the Rocks Pirates' core officers.
The true contest always came down to the handful of fighters at the very top.
On the shore of an uninhabited island.
The three sat around the dying campfire, drinking liquor and chatting. For once, the atmosphere was unusually congenial.
Yet whenever Whitebeard and Shiki looked at Luo Tian, a barely concealed eagerness and calculation still flickered deep in their eyes.
It was a desire to recruit him—a hunger for "future strength."
Both firmly believed that they would eventually leave Rocks's command and form their own pirate crews.
How could their pride and ambition ever be content with remaining under someone else for long?
Divisions among the Rocks Pirates' upper ranks had grown increasingly pronounced, and those who upheld different ideals had long since begun to drift apart.
But such plans remained buried deep in their hearts.
Rocks's unfathomable strength and ambition still hung over them all like the Sword of Damocles.
Until they were absolutely certain they could prevail, no one dared make a move.
Suddenly—
Whitebeard, holding a bowl of liquor, and Shiki, who was drinking just as heavily, both sprang to their feet at nearly the same moment!
The ease vanished from their faces, replaced by the grimness of men facing a formidable enemy.
Their gazes shot toward the distant sea.
Luo Tian noticed the sudden change in the atmosphere and stood without hesitation, looking toward the horizon.
A speck shaped like a ship was rapidly growing larger on the distant sea!
Luo Tian immediately activated Spatial Perception, spreading it forward like radar.
At once, he "saw" several powerful presences aboard the ship!
"Ding! A special high-energy reaction is approaching! Temporary challenge mission activated!"
"Mission: Face the future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, and the legendary fighters under his command!"
"Requirements: Use the Roger Pirates as a whetstone and demonstrate the results of your training! This battle is for practice and fame; victory or defeat does not matter."
"Reward: Advanced Conqueror's Haki!"
Luo Tian's body trembled slightly. His eyes sharpened like blades as he looked once more at the now clearly visible ship.
The Roger Pirates?! No wonder Whitebeard and Golden Lion were on guard!
Now that he knew who was approaching, the defiant fighting spirit in Luo Tian's heart surged like a thunderclap!
This wasn't just a chance to cross swords with legendary fighters. It was also the perfect opportunity to test the results of his training and make a name for himself across the seas!
By then, Roger's pirate ship had quickly drawn close to shore.
The figures aboard gradually came into focus.
Roger, wearing a captain's hat, his red coat fluttering in the wind.
Rayleigh, with blond hair and glasses, his expression sharp.
Gaban, gripping a battle-axe and itching for a fight...
"Wahahaha! It's been a long time, Newgate! And you too, Shiki!"
Roger stood at the bow, with his first mate Rayleigh and combatant Gaban at his side.
"Don't act so familiar, Roger!" Whitebeard's voice boomed. "Since we've run into each other on this deserted island, let's see who's stronger! I'll beat you this time for sure!"
Before his words had even faded, he was already in motion!
He planted the Supreme Grade Blade Murakumogiri heavily, then lowered his stance and gathered his strength.
A translucent aura that distorted the light appeared along the broad, crescent-shaped blade.
In the next instant, he swung it down without hesitation toward the vast sea ahead!
"Rumble—!!!!!"
A shockwave packed with terrifying Tremor Force erupted!
Starting at the tip of Murakumogiri, the space ahead splintered like fragile glass. Countless web-like fractures burst forth, spreading wildly with a sharp crack-crack!
The calm sea instantly surged into a colossal tsunami that blotted out the sky!
Tens-of-meters-high waves hurtled toward Roger's pirate ship!
Before the tsunami even reached them, its suffocating wind pressure made the sails snap and the ship rock violently!
Fear flashed in the eyes of some of the younger crewmates as they witnessed the scene.
An attack of this natural-disaster scale had already surpassed the limits of ordinary understanding.
Before you continue