One Piece: Immortal, I Maxed Out Conqueror's Haki First

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

Shanks and Buggy, who had been fooling around nearby, and Bullet, who had kept his head down, all looked up sharply.

"I went all out!"

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

"Worse, he grew stronger at an absurd rate."

Rayleigh took a deep breath, his voice heavy.

"When we first fought, his attacks were powerful, but he still had limits. By the seventh day, his overall physical ability, strength, and reflexes were no worse than mine."

"I've never seen anyone so terrifying."

"One day, he may become an opponent we can't afford to ignore."

Everyone fell silent. Buggy opened his mouth, then lowered his head in frustration. Bullet clenched his fists so tightly his knuckles cracked.

"Is that so?"

A moment later, Roger laughed.

"The world always produces a few brilliant people who defy understanding."

"Every age has them. Whether they mean to or not, they always end up leading something."

As he spoke, he slowly raised his head toward the blue sky.

"Since he's with Garp, I doubt he'll become a man the world has reason to fear!"

"If I could, I'd love to live a little longer and see what the world looks like once that kid has fully grown."

"Hahahaha!"

Still laughing, Roger turned to Rayleigh.

"Do you think he'll stay quietly 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 across the Oro Jackson. Though everyone aboard was wrapped in bandages, spirits were high.

Then a low voice sounded.

"Roger!"

Roger turned and saw Bullet's dark expression. "What is it?"

"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 its strongest?"

Douglas Bullet spoke each word distinctly.

Roger's smile faded. After thinking it over, he smiled and shook his head. "I'm afraid I'll disappoint you, Bullet."

Gravely ill, and having fought Garp in person once more, he now understood the state of his body and strength far better.

At the answer, Bullet shuddered and clenched his fists until they cracked.

"I want to challenge you again!"

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

The crew's expressions changed, and they shouted in unison.

"Bullet, are you joking?"

"Damn it, you're thinking of leaving?"

Roger raised a hand. He was still smiling, but there was authority in his eyes now.

He stared at Bullet for a long while before drawing the sword at his waist and pointing it at him.

"Come on!"

"Go and do what you want, freely. That's the ideal you've always lived by!"

Bullet trembled at those smiling words, then jerked his head up.

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

Roger burst out laughing.

A battle within the crew began and ended quickly.

That day, Douglas Bullet turned his back on the Roger Pirates and left for parts unknown.

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

He gazed at the familiar island, his eyes growing cold.

You Dare Resist?

Pop!

A bubble shimmering with every color burst as it reached its highest point.

Huge, thick trees towered over the ground.

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

The Sabaody Archipelago's areas were clearly divided. Areas 60 through 69 mainly housed Marine garrisons and government entry points.

Area 65 was the one Major Kalens oversaw.

As he walked, Xia Le looked down at the Arrest Warrant issued by Marine Headquarters' highest command. He felt calm.

Their stop at the Sabaody Archipelago was for a task Garp had assigned him days earlier: dealing with Major Kalens's embezzlement, bribery, murder of civilians, and other crimes.

Besides Major Kalens, the warrant named dozens of Marine officers and soldiers under his command.

The task assigned all of them to Xia Le and included a special instruction.

"As the officer carrying out this mission, Rear Admiral Xia Le, you have full authority. If any of them resist, you may kill them without mercy."

The order came from Admiral Sengoku and also bore Fleet Admiral Kong's seal, representing the authorization of the Marine leadership.

Xia Le thought it over and soon understood what the higher-ups meant.

They were extending him an olive branch. Clearly, Sengoku and Kong knew all about what he had done before joining the Marines.

Or perhaps they also want to silence the witnesses?

Of all people, Major Kalens and his subordinates knew the most about what Xia Le had done in the Sabaody Archipelago.

Intentional or not, Headquarters' meaning was clear enough: they had handed the matter to him so he could send Major Kalens and his Marines to their graves together.

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

Xia Le glanced up at the gate, at once familiar and strange, and suddenly smiled.

Last time, the Marines had brought him here as a prisoner. This time, he had come bearing the authority of their highest command to arrest one.

He had gone from prisoner to executioner remarkably fast.

"Is the target in there, Xia Le?" Saron rumbled behind him.

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

"Yes."

Xia Le nodded.

"Let's get this done quickly. Vice Admiral Garp is waiting for us," Simboo said.

Since Rear Admiral Jerry's death, the officers who had served aboard the same warship as Xia Le had come to respect him. Naturally, they had joined him on this mission.

Some twenty or thirty officers of major rank or above remained. Gathered together, they made an imposing sight.

Xia Le narrowed his eyes and stepped through the gate.

"Who are you people?"

A guard hurried over to stop them, his voice trembling.

"Out of the way!"

A major behind Xia Le darted forward and kicked the guard aside.

"Rear Admiral Xia Le of Headquarters is here on a mission! Everyone, clear the way!"

Another officer shouted the warning.

Almost nothing could stand in a force like theirs' way.

Soon, Xia Le stood before Kalens, who was bent over a stack of documents.

"Who are—"

"Xia Le?!"

Kalens froze, then his expression changed.

"It's been a while, Major Kalens."

Xia Le smiled faintly.

"You're an officer now?"

Kalens saw the rank insignia on Xia Le's shoulder and looked even more startled.

A commotion rose outside. Suddenly, a towering figure appeared, the office shook, and an enormous head poked through the doorway.

"Xia Le, we've arrested all thirty-two officers and soldiers except Kalens."

Saron's voice boomed.

Kalens stared at him, stunned.

"What does that mean?"

Xia Le nodded to Saron. "I'll be done here in a moment."

Then he turned back to Kalens.

"On behalf of Fleet Admiral Kong and Admiral Sengoku of Headquarters, I am here to inform you—"

"You have committed numerous crimes since taking command of Area 65 in the Sabaody Archipelago."

"You are under arrest!"

"And be warned: if you resist, I have the authority to kill you on the spot."

Kalens was utterly bewildered. He could barely process what he was hearing.

"I—I haven't received any notice!"

Xia Le unfolded the Arrest Warrant and held it up for him to see.

Kalens grew anxious and stepped forward for a closer look.

"Hm?"

"A stubborn criminal after all. A traitor to the Marines. Scum!"

"And you dare resist!"

Xia Le's eyes turned cold. He made no attempt to hide his killing intent.

A chill ran through Kalens. He opened his mouth to deny it. "I didn't—"

Before he could finish, Xia Le vanished from in front of him. An instant later, a fierce gust struck toward the right side of his face at an unbelievable speed.