"..."
Roger and Rayleigh were momentarily speechless after hearing Ron's words.
"Hey, Ron."
Roger still tried to ease the tension. "Can't we settle our grievances after Amazon Lily gets through this crisis?"
Roger did not want to waste time here.
He could afford to wait, but Shakky could not, and Amazon Lily could afford it even less.
He did not want to have the power to avert a tragedy, only to end up delayed by a battle that should never have happened.
Ron tilted his head slightly and looked at them expressionlessly, his voice low. "What are you talking about?"
The instant his words fell, golden chakra surged from his body, and Nine-Tails Mode instantly covered him from head to toe.
Roger and Rayleigh both stiffened, their gazes sharpening. Neither said another word.
They knew there was no room left for negotiation now.
There was only battle.
"Rayleigh, the speedboat's yours! I'll handle Ron!"
Roger shouted and leaped up, gripping his long sword.
Then he twisted halfway around in midair. Conqueror's Haki poured furiously into his blade, dark red arcs of electricity leaping and spreading along its edge.
Once he was close enough, he slashed fiercely.
"Divine Departure!"
Rip!
A dark red, crescent-shaped sword wave tore through the air, bearing down on Ron head-on with the oppressive force of Conqueror's Haki.
Ron had not brought a sword, but he did not dodge either.
He clenched his right fist, coated it in Conqueror's Haki, then hurled it at the approaching sword wave.
Boom!
A tremendous, muffled crash erupted over the sea.
Two entirely different forces of Conqueror's Haki collided, unleashing terrifying shock waves.
The Marine warship shuddered violently. The waves were forced up to either side, and the impact nearly pressed the hull beneath the sea.
Dark red arcs danced through