You Dare Resist?

At the mention of his opponent, Rayleigh's expression turned serious.

Shanks and Buggy, who had been horsing around nearby, and Bullet, who had kept his head lowered, all suddenly looked up.

"I went all out!"

"But that kid was strange. He was almost impossible to kill."

"And even more terrifying was how incredibly fast he grew."

Rayleigh drew a deep breath, his expression grave.

"When we first fought, his attacks were powerful, but they still had their limits. By the seventh day, though, his overall physical ability, strength, and reaction speed were already on par with mine."

"I've never seen anyone so terrifying."

"In the future, he might become an opponent none of us can afford to ignore."

Everyone fell silent. Buggy wanted to say something, but ultimately lowered his head in dejection. Bullet clenched his fists, his teeth grinding audibly.

"Is that so?"

A moment later, Roger's laughter rang out.

"This world always produces a few brilliant talents who defy understanding."

"Every era has them. Whether they mean to or not, they always end up leading the way in something."

As he spoke, he slowly raised his head and gazed at the blue sky.

"Since he's keeping company with Garp, I doubt he'll become someone who terrifies the world!"

"If I could, I'd really like to live a little longer. What would the world look like once that kid fully came into his own?"

"Hahahaha!"

Amid his laughter, Roger turned back toward Rayleigh.

"Do you think he'll stay obediently in the Marines like Garp?"

"Even after he sees the darkness in this world?"

Rayleigh paused, then smiled and shook his head.

"Who knows what the future holds?"

Laughter rang out aboard the Oro Jackson. Though everyone on board was wrapped in bandages, the atmosphere was lively.

Suddenly, a low voice rang out.

"Roger!"

Roger turned to find Bullet wearing a dark expression. "What's wrong?"

"I've wanted to know the answer to this for a long time."

"Do you still have the strength to conquer the world and stand as the World's Strongest?"

Douglas Bullet enunciated every word.

Roger's smile faded at the question. After considering it carefully, he smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Bullet."

Afflicted with a serious illness, and having fought Garp again himself, he now had a much clearer understanding of his current body and strength.

At that answer, Bullet trembled, his clenched fists cracking.

"I want to challenge you again!"

"Then I'll decide whether to stay on this ship!"

The crew's expressions changed at his words, and they shouted angrily in unison.

"Bullet, are you kidding?"

"Damn you! You're actually thinking of leaving?"

But Roger raised a hand. His smile remained, though a trace of authority entered his eyes.

He stared at Bullet for a long time before finally drawing the blade at his waist and pointing it at him.

"Come on!"

"Living freely and doing what you want—that's always been the ideal you've followed!"

Bullet trembled at those words, spoken with a laugh, then abruptly raised his head.

"No matter how this ends, you'll always be the man I respect most, Roger!"

Roger burst out laughing.

A battle within the pirate crew began, and soon ended.

That day, Douglas Bullet turned and left, quitting the Roger Pirates. His destination was unknown.

That same day, the Dog-Head Warship carrying Xia Le reached the coast of the Sabaody Archipelago.

He stared at the familiar island, his eyes gradually growing cold.

You dare resist?

Pop!

A bubble shimmering with rainbow colors rose to its highest point, then suddenly burst.

Massive, thick-trunked trees towered above the ground.

Footsteps rang out as a squad of Marines strode quickly toward Area 65 ahead.

The Sabaody Archipelago's divisions were relatively clear. Areas 60–69 primarily housed Marine garrisons and government entry and exit points.

The area under Major Kalens's jurisdiction was Area 65.

As he walked, Xia Le looked down at the arrest warrant issued by the highest authorities at headquarters, his heart calm.

Their stop at the Sabaody Archipelago was for a mission Garp had assigned him several days earlier: dealing with Major Kalens's numerous crimes, including embezzlement, accepting bribes, and murdering civilians.

Aside from Major Kalens, the arrest warrant listed dozens of officers of various ranks and enlisted Marines under his command.

According to the mission, all of them were his responsibility, with one sentence specifically emphasized.

"As the officer executing this mission, Rear Admiral Xia Le, you will have full authority and permission to shoot to kill without hesitation should any of them resist."

Admiral Sengoku had issued the assignment, and Fleet Admiral Kong's seal also appeared below, signifying the unanimous authorization of the Marines' highest leadership.

Xia Le considered it and quickly understood what the Marine leadership intended.

This was a gesture of goodwill toward him. Clearly, Sengoku and Kong were both well aware of what had happened before he joined the Marines.

Perhaps they also want them silenced?

That thought also occurred to Xia Le.

Major Kalens and his subordinates were the ones who knew best what he had done in the Sabaody Archipelago.

Whether intentional or not, he quickly grasped headquarters' meaning. They had handed this to him so he could send Major Kalens and every Marine under him to their deaths together.

Before long, he and the Marines behind him reached the entrance to the Area 65 branch.

Glancing up at the gate, familiar yet unfamiliar, Xia Le suddenly smiled.

The last time he had come here, Marines had escorted him as a prisoner. This time, he had come to arrest criminals, bearing the authority of the Marines' highest leadership.

His transformation from prisoner to executioner had been remarkably swift.

"Is the target here, Xia Le?"

The towering Saron spoke in a rumbling voice behind him.

His enormous size had already caught the gate sentries' attention, and fear visibly spread across their faces.

"Yes."

Xia Le nodded.

"Let's finish this quickly. Vice Admiral Garp is still waiting for us."

Simboo spoke.

Since Rear Admiral Jerry's death, the officers who had originally served aboard the same warship as Xia Le had come to fully respect him, so naturally, they had followed him on this operation.

Roughly twenty or thirty of those field-grade officers remained. Gathered together, they gave off an unmistakably intimidating presence.

Xia Le narrowed his eyes slightly, then strode through the gate.

"Who are you?"

A sentry at the gate asked in a trembling voice, running over to stop them.

"Get lost!"

A major immediately darted out from behind Xia Le and sent the sentry flying with a kick.

"Rear Admiral Xia Le of headquarters is here on official business! Out of the way!"

Another man shouted as well.

A force like this met virtually no resistance.

Within moments, Xia Le stood before Kalens, who had been bent over his paperwork.

"Who are you?"

"Xia Le?!"

Kalens froze, then his expression shifted slightly.

"Long time no see, Major Kalens."

Xia Le smiled faintly.

"You're already a field-grade officer?"

Seeing the rank insignia on Xia Le's shoulders, Kalens was startled again.

Then a commotion came from outside. A towering figure suddenly appeared, making the office shake, and an enormous head poked inside.

"Xia Le, all thirty-two officers and enlisted men other than Kalens have been arrested."

Saron's voice rumbled.

Those words left Kalens stunned.

"What do you mean?"

Xia Le nodded to Saron. "I'll be finished here soon, too."

Then he turned back to Kalens.

"On behalf of headquarters' supreme commander, Fleet Admiral Kong, and Admiral Sengoku, I hereby inform you."

"For the numerous crimes you have committed since taking command of the Sabaody Archipelago's Area 65 branch."

"You are under arrest!"

"And consider this your formal warning: if you resist, I am authorized to kill you on the spot."

Kalens was utterly dumbfounded, unable to process what was happening.

"I—I haven't received any notice!"

Xia Le unfolded the arrest warrant in his hand and briefly showed it to him.

Panicking, Kalens stepped forward to get a closer look.

"Hmm?"

"You really are an unrepentant criminal. A traitor to the Marines. Scum!"

"You actually dare resist!"

Xia Le's eyes turned cold, his killing intent completely unconcealed.

A chill ran through Kalens's entire body. He opened his mouth to deny it. "I—I'm not!"

Before he could finish, Xia Le vanished from in front of him. The very next second, he felt a fierce rush of wind bearing down on the right side of his face, moving at an inconceivable speed.