God Valley Incident · Fourteen

The crying inside had yet to cease, but the battlefield outside had long since been completely swallowed by blood and flames.

When Rayleigh rushed out of the shattered building with Shakuyaku in his arms, the first thing he saw was a figure almost completely stained red with blood.

Roger stood at the very front.

His clothes were torn, blood dripping down his arms, yet his back remained straight. The Haki surging along his blade blasted back the enemies rushing at him again and again.

Gaban held the flank. Both his axes had long since chipped, and his palms were split open, yet he did not take a single step back, forcibly holding the line in place.

Amid the chaos, both men saw them at the same time—

Rayleigh, carrying Shakuyaku.

Roger's movements visibly slowed by half a beat, while Gaban's throat suddenly tightened.

Their eyes reddened almost at the same moment, tears pouring out.

"Hey, hey, hey!!!"

As Roger cleaved away an enemy charging at him, he threw back his head and roared, his voice exploding through the smoke.

"Save that for later, you bastard!!!"

Gaban also shouted until his voice nearly cracked. There was a tremble beneath his laughing curse. "This is a battlefield right now!!!"

Just as their emotions were about to spiral out of control, Roger took a deep breath and swung his blade. His Haki roared, forcibly driving back the enemy formation ahead.

"Guys—!!!"

His voice drowned out the explosions, gunfire, and screams.

"Shakuyaku has been rescued! Grab the treasure, and we're getting out of here!!!"

"Ohhhhh—!!!"

"You hear that?! We're leaving!!!"

At the same time, the Marines' communications Den Den Mushi suddenly blared, its voice urgent and distorted.

"Emergency report!"

"To the island's northwest, Saint Green is engaged in fierce battle with Rocks!!!"

"Reinforcements are