Rocks Pirates Retreat!

On the Rocks Pirates' side, Whitebeard and Golden Lion's subordinates were just as stunned.

They knew Luo Tian was strong. How could someone Captain Rocks had chosen as an officer be weak?

But they hadn't expected him to be this strong!

That was the Roger Pirates' vice-captain! One of the strongest men on the seas!

Golden Lion laughed. "Hahaha... Now this is getting interesting.

"Rayleigh's probably furious enough to explode, huh?"

Whitebeard burst into laughter. "Gurararara! Roger, did you see that?"

Roger's expression turned utterly serious.

He ignored Whitebeard's taunt and fixed his gaze on the whirlpool gradually settling on the sea.

He pushed his Observation Haki to its limit, sensing the presence beneath the waves.

Rayleigh was alive, and had only suffered minor injuries.

Roger felt a little relieved, but then an even deeper shock welled up inside him.

He knew Rayleigh's strength better than anyone.

He must have underestimated his opponent because he didn't understand the other man's Devil Fruit ability, and that was how he'd fallen into the trap.

If not, then this kid was simply too absurdly powerful.

Come to think of it, the kid's Devil Fruit ability really was bizarre. It seemed to have something to do with force and space.

Suddenly, fine bubbles began rising in one part of the sea.

"Gurgle... gurgle..."

More and more bubbles appeared, until at last a figure burst through the surface.

It was Rayleigh.

But compared to a moment ago, Rayleigh now looked a little worse for wear.

The impact had shredded all his clothes, leaving only his indestructible underwear intact.

He looked down at his chest, where a clear dent marked the spot where Shinra Tensei had struck him head-on.

If he hadn't defended himself with Ryuo Haki at the last possible moment, he would have been seriously injured, if not killed.

"Rayleigh, I didn't think you'd ever let your guard down. You should've known better." Roger's voice carried from a distance, tinged with both reproach and concern.

Rayleigh gave a wry smile and didn't argue.

He really had let his guard down. He hadn't dodged—who could've known the kid had another move like that?

"I can't blame you entirely," Roger continued. "That kid's ability really is bizarre.

"If I'd been in your place, I might have taken a hit too, without knowing what he could do."

He was telling the truth.

Roger had to admit that if he'd been standing where Rayleigh was, with no idea what Luo Tian was capable of, the outcome probably wouldn't have been much better.

Rayleigh had managed to figure out some of his opponent's ability after just two exchanges, and had withstood both attacks with Haki.

His response had been practically a textbook example.

"Gurararara! Roger, now you get it, don't you? Luo Tian's a real genius!"

Whitebeard's laughter rang out. "Captain Rocks had his eye on him from the start! That officer's position isn't handed out just to anyone!"

Roger snorted and said nothing.

Of course he knew Whitebeard was showing off.

Why did geniuses of this caliber always end up on Rocks's side? A twinge of envy stirred in Roger.

First there was Kaido—that monstrous newcomer, who was already a captain under Charlotte Linlin.

And now there was Luo Tian, so young and already possessing such terrifying strength.

Still, from what Roger had heard, the officers of the Rocks Pirates had little loyalty to one another.

They had gathered together mostly for profit and power.

The crew might be strong, but it had a fatal weakness.

Who knew when it might collapse from within?

Meanwhile, Golden Lion and Gaban had also paused their fight at the commotion.

"Hey, hey... Is this for real?" Gaban rubbed his eyes, hardly able to believe what he'd seen.

"Rayleigh... got blasted away by a rookie?"

He'd fought Rayleigh countless times and knew just how strong he was.

"Hahaha! Gaban, did you see that? That's our rookie!"

Golden Lion Shiki was in high spirits, his laughter full of pride. "Luo Tian's ability has gotten even stronger since I last saw it!"

Gaban's expression turned grave.

He looked from Rayleigh out on the sea to Luo Tian, who was standing in midair.

What would happen if he had to face that bizarre ability himself?

Gaban rapidly ran through several possible ways of dealing with it in his mind, then had to admit the truth.

Without knowing the full extent of that ability, he'd probably suffer badly too.

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

"We're done fighting?" Gaban asked.

"There's no need to keep going." Roger looked toward Whitebeard and Golden Lion in the distance. "We've accomplished what we came here to do.

"We've met that kid, Luo Tian, and tested his strength.

"There's no point in fighting any longer."

More importantly, Roger had noticed that the commotion from their battle was already drawing the attention of other forces.

Through his Observation Haki, he sensed several unidentified ships approaching.

One of their flags... looked like it belonged to the Marines.

"Those annoying hyenas again." Roger frowned.

Gaban nodded. "Got it. I'll get things ready."

A few minutes later, Rayleigh emerged from the cabin, fully dressed.

Roger glanced at him but didn't ask any questions. He simply said, "We're leaving."

Rayleigh nodded and took his place at the bow.

His gaze passed over the sea and settled on Luo Tian in the distance.

Their eyes met.

Rayleigh's expression was complicated—anger and resentment, but more than anything, scrutiny and a trace of admiration.

Luo Tian's expression was much calmer.

Neither said a word, but both understood what the other meant.

Next time, they would fight again.

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

Whitebeard and Golden Lion didn't stop them. They simply watched from the shore.

"Gurararara! That bastard Roger sure ran off fast," Whitebeard laughed.

"He probably sensed the Marines," Golden Lion said, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Those hyenas always have such good noses."

Luo Tian walked over to them and watched the pirate ship grow smaller in the distance.

"Is it over?" he asked.

"For now." Whitebeard clapped Luo Tian on the shoulder. "Well done, kid! You're the first person to make Rayleigh take such a beating!"

Golden Lion laughed. "Hahaha! Luo Tian, you're famous now!

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

Luo Tian smiled but didn't reply.

The moment Rayleigh was blasted away, a system notification had sounded in his mind:

"Ding! Mission complete: demonstrate sufficient strength in your clash with the Roger Pirates!"

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

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

A kingly aura surged out of him—Conqueror's Haki!

And not just any Conqueror's Haki, but the advanced level!

Beyond advanced was the supreme level!

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

"Hey, Luo Tian!" Whitebeard's voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Quit daydreaming! We're heading back! We're throwing a banquet tonight to celebrate you beating Rayleigh!"

"Exactly!" Golden Lion chimed in with a laugh. "This is a great victory! We have to celebrate!"

Luo Tian nodded.