The Roger Pirates Retreat!

On the side of the Rocks Pirates, specifically under the command of Whitebeard and Golden Lion, the crew was plunged into the same state of shock.

They knew Luo Tian was strong; how could someone handpicked by Captain Rocks to be an officer be weak?

But they never expected Luo Tian to be strong to this extent!

That was the vice-captain of the Roger Pirates! A top-tier powerhouse of the seas!

Golden Lion: "Hahaha... this is getting interesting. That guy Rayleigh must be going crazy with rage, right?"

Whitebeard let out a booming laugh: "Gurarara! Roger, did you see that?"

Roger's expression turned incredibly serious.

He didn't respond to Whitebeard's provocation, instead staring fixedly at the whirlpool on the sea surface that was gradually calming down.

He unleashed his Observation Haki to its full extent, sensing the aura beneath the waves.

Not only was he still alive, but he had only sustained minor injuries.

Roger felt a moment of relief, but it was immediately followed by an even deeper sense of shock.

He knew Rayleigh's strength better than anyone.

He figured Rayleigh must have been caught off guard because he didn't understand the opponent's Devil Fruit ability.

If that wasn't the case, then this kid was simply too heaven-defying.

Come to think of it, this kid's Devil Fruit ability was indeed bizarre; it seemed related to force and space.

Suddenly, fine bubbles began to rise from a spot on the sea surface.

"Glug... glug..."

The bubbles grew more numerous until, finally, a figure burst out of the water.

It was Rayleigh.

But compared to a moment ago, Rayleigh looked slightly disheveled.

His clothes had long since been shredded by the impact, leaving only his supreme trunks intact.

He looked down at his chest, where a clear indentation remained—the exact spot where Shinra Tensei had struck him head-on.

If he hadn't used Ryuo to defend at the critical moment, he would have been dead or severely injured.

"Rayleigh, I didn't expect you to underestimate an opponent; that was uncalled for." Roger's voice drifted over from a distance, carrying a note of reproach, but also concern.

Rayleigh gave a wry smile and did not refute him.

He had indeed been careless just now, failing to dodge; who could have known the kid had a move like that?

"I can't blame it all on you." Roger's voice continued, "That kid's ability is truly bizarre. If it were me, without knowing the details, I might have suffered too."

That was the truth.

Roger asked himself, if he had been in Rayleigh's position, without any knowledge of Luo Tian's abilities, the result likely wouldn't have been any better.

To be able to probe some characteristics of the opponent's ability within two moves, and to have withstood both hits with Haki—Rayleigh's response was actually textbook-level.

"Gurarara! Roger, do you know now? This kid Luo Tian is a true genius!"

Whitebeard's booming laughter rang out: "Captain Rocks saw his potential long ago! The position of officer isn't given out lightly!"

Roger snorted coldly and didn't take the bait.

He knew, of course, that Whitebeard was just showing off.

Why do geniuses of this caliber always flock to the Rocks side? Roger couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy.

First there was Kaido—that newcomer with a monster-like physique, who was already a captain under Charlotte Linlin.

And now there was Luo Tian, possessing such terrifying strength at such a young age.

However, according to intelligence, the officers of the Rocks Pirates had no real loyalty to speak of.

They gathered together more for the sake of profit and power.

Such a pirate crew was powerful, but it had a fatal weakness.

Perhaps, at some point, they would collapse from within.

On the other side, the battle between Golden Lion and Gaban had temporarily ceased due to the commotion.

"Hey, hey, hey... you've got to be kidding!" Gaban rubbed his eyes, barely able to believe what he was seeing: "That guy Rayleigh... actually got blown away by a newcomer?"

He had crossed swords with Rayleigh countless times and knew his strength better than anyone.

"Hahaha! Gaban, did you see that? That is the newcomer in our crew!"

Golden Lion Shiki was in a great mood, his laughter filled with smugness: "Luo Tian's ability has grown much stronger than the last time I saw it!"

Gaban's expression was grave.

He looked at Rayleigh on the distant sea surface, then back at Luo Tian, who was hovering in mid-air.

If he were the one facing that bizarre ability... what would the outcome be?

Gaban quickly simulated several ways to respond in his mind, but in the end, he had to admit the truth.

Without knowing the full details of the ability, he would likely suffer a major loss himself.

Roger turned to Gaban: "Prepare to set sail."

"We're not fighting anymore?" Gaban asked.

"No need." Roger looked toward Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki in the distance, "We have already achieved our purpose for coming here.

We saw that kid named Luo Tian and tested his strength.

There is no point in continuing the fight."

More importantly, Roger sensed that the commotion caused by the battle just now had begun to attract the attention of other factions.

Through his Observation Haki, he could sense several unidentified ships approaching from that direction.

The flag on one of them... it looked like the Navy's?

"Those annoying hyenas again." Roger frowned.

Gaban nodded: "Understood, I'll go prepare right away."

A few minutes later, Rayleigh walked out of the cabin, dressed neatly.

Roger glanced at him without asking any questions, simply saying: "Ready to go."

Rayleigh nodded and stood at the bow of the ship.

His gaze swept across the sea and landed on Luo Tian in the distance.

The two locked eyes.

Rayleigh's expression was complex—there was anger and unwillingness, but more than that, there was scrutiny and a hint of admiration.

Luo Tian's gaze, however, was much calmer.

No words were exchanged, but both understood what the other meant.

Next time we meet, we fight again.

The ship of the Roger Pirates slowly set sail, leaving the shattered sea area behind.

Whitebeard and Golden Lion Shiki did not stop them, merely standing on the shore to watch them go.

"Gurarara! That bastard Roger, he runs fast." Whitebeard laughed loudly.

"He probably sensed the Navy." Golden Lion Shiki exhaled a puff of smoke, "Those hyenas always have such keen noses."

Luo Tian walked over to the two of them, watching the pirate ship gradually drift away.

"Is it over?" he asked.

"It's over for now." Whitebeard patted Luo Tian on the shoulder: "Well done, kid! You're the first person to ever make Rayleigh suffer such a big loss!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Hahaha! Luo Tian, you've made a name for yourself this time, kid!

It won't be long before the entire New World knows your name!"

Luo Tian smiled and didn't respond.

Just at the moment Rayleigh was blasted away, a system notification rang in his mind:

Ding! Task completed: Demonstrate sufficient strength during the confrontation with the Roger Pirates!

Ding! Reward issued: Congratulations, you have obtained Advanced Conqueror's Haki!

At that moment, Luo Tian felt something deep within his soul being awakened.

A kingly aura surged from within his body—Conqueror's Haki!

And it was Advanced Conqueror's Haki at that!

Above the advanced level, there was the peak level!

Luo Tian could feel that as long as he wished, he could release this power at any time to intimidate or even knock unconscious every living being around him.

"Hey, kid Luo Tian!" Whitebeard's voice pulled Luo Tian back from his thoughts:

"Stop spacing out! Let's head back! We're having a banquet tonight! To celebrate you defeating Rayleigh!"

"That's right!" Golden Lion Shiki also laughed, "This is a huge victory! We must celebrate properly!"

Luo Tian nodded.