The two men looked at each other-not with affection, of course, but with perfect calm.
"You won't get away this time," Rogge said.
"I never ran away before, either," Dragon said.
"True enough. Either way, you're not getting away. I just killed Blackbeard, and I'm still warmed up. Might as well wipe you out while I'm at it." Rogge smiled.
"I heard. The Asura Pirates are nothing like they used to be. When I first heard about you, you were just a pirate from the West Blue who had stolen the heavenly tribute. I thought the World Government would concentrate its forces and destroy you. I never expected you to become one of the Shichibukai in the blink of an eye," Dragon said.
"Pretty fast, right? Hahaha! I didn't expect it, either. But pressure gives you motivation. The world is vast, after all. The World Government wanted me dead back then, but finding me at sea wasn't easy. That gave me time and opportunities. I have this world to thank for that." Rogge laughed.
"I don't think that's all there was to it," Dragon said.
"Of course not. If that were all, I'd have died long ago instead of standing here in front of you." As Rogge finished speaking, he hurled a punch straight at Dragon.
The atmosphere cracked. The shock wave shattered Dragon's body, and he vanished from where he stood. Rogge frowned. Every trace of Dragon's presence had disappeared.
"Here!"
Rogge lashed out with a kick, but his foot struck nothing but air.
Armament Haki wrapped around both of Rogge's fists. He punched rapidly, bombarding everything around him.
Those watching from the airship could only see Rogge attacking empty air. Anyone who didn't know better would have thought he had gone mad. Only the officers knew he was