The Roger Pirates were strong, but strength did not mean numbers.
In fact, the entire Roger Pirates had only a few dozen members. They could not compare to great pirate crews like Whitebeard's or the Golden Lion Pirates, which could be called armies.
Even lesser mid-sized pirate crews had more people than they did.
Therefore, even though the Golden Lion Pirates had sent only one ship, it carried more members than Roger's crew.
That was precisely why Rayleigh had to hold back more people. It was so that everyone else aboard their ship could be safer.
Of course, having fewer people also proved that every one of Roger's crewmates was an elite. Any one of them could hold their own.
Except Buggy!
"Help! Help!" Amid the chaotic battlefield, Buggy fled frantically, pushing the Chop-Chop Fruit's power to its limits. At the very least, he dodged every slash sent his way in unbelievable fashion.
Clang!
A straw hat appeared in Buggy's sight. His eyes immediately welled up with tears as he looked at its owner. "Shanks, I knew it. We really are the best of friends."
"Get lost!" Shanks expressed his feelings with simple clarity in response to Buggy's attempted embrace.
At the same time, a faint tremor ran through the two clashing swords, and Shanks and his opponent both stepped back.
"Hm!" The figure forced back narrowed his eyes. He had not expected to be pushed back by a child of around fifteen.
"Not bad, kid. What's your name?" he asked in a low voice. He was a middle-aged man with a scar across his face. He was not particularly tall, but he was still twice Shanks's height.
His name was Xier, and he had quite a reputation throughout the Golden Lion Pirates. Before becoming a pirate, he had been