At the same time.
The Grand Line.
A deserted island.
A pirate ship with a red-painted hull was anchored along the shore, its mast bearing a Jolly Roger with a wave-shaped beard.
The Oro Jackson.
"Wahahahaha! Shiki, you really pulled off something incredible!!"
Laughter boomed along the coast as Roger threw his head back and laughed, a newspaper clutched in his hand.
Bonfires crackled, and smoke drifted into the sky.
The Roger Pirates sat around the flames, drinking and enjoying grilled meat, chatting animatedly.
"They actually attacked Marineford..."
"Even we've never done something like that."
"Captain, why don't we give it a shot too? Sounds like fun..."
"Who knows, we might all get wiped out, hahahaha..."
Their banter was light, their mood unexpectedly relaxed. It was as if the moment their captain gave the word, they'd gladly charge in without hesitation.
"Hey, hey, hey, you lot... that's Marine Headquarters we're talking about..."
Rayleigh frowned, watching the eager crew with exasperation.
Tch!
Suddenly, Douglas Bullet tore the newspaper in his hand to shreds. He ripped a golden-brown piece of meat from the spit and bit down hard, chewing furiously.
"Damn it!! That bastard Daren's gotten that strong?!"
The crew burst out laughing.
"Bullet, looks like your old cellmate's outpaced you..."
"No worries, you're still young..."
"Wait, wasn't that Daren guy only around twenty too?"
"Hahahahaha..."
Bullet's face turned bright red from all the teasing.
He swallowed the meat in one gulp, then stood abruptly and locked eyes with Roger, his fighting spirit burning.
"Captain!! I challenge you!!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, an overwhelming surge of aura erupted from Bullet's powerful frame, like a raging tidal wave that swept across the entire island.
The sky darkened, the ocean stirred violently, and gales whipped up waves along the shore.
Had Daren been here, he would've instantly noticed—Bullet's Haki was clearly stronger than it had been on Coin Island!
"Here we go!"
"Hahaha, this is gonna be good!"
"Now that's what I call entertainment..."
"..."
The rest of the crew perked up immediately, excited grins spreading across their faces.
They'd egged Bullet on with their teasing just to spice up their meal, after all.
"Not again..."
Shanks and Buggy's expressions dropped.
They exchanged a knowing look and quickly ducked behind a massive rock.
Rayleigh sighed, covering his face as he looked at Bullet, whose fighting spirit was blazing.
In the next moment—
Bullet launched his attack.
As he kicked off the ground, the island trembled.
A massive crater burst open beneath his feet as his body shot forward like a fired cannonball, aiming straight for Roger.
"Wahahaha, well done!"
A strange red glint flashed deep in Roger's eyes.
With a metallic clang, his legendary Meito was drawn!
Rip!!
Massive black-and-red lightning bolts suddenly exploded from the sky, tearing open the heavens.
Everyone winced, instinctively shielding their faces as they grimaced.
Then they saw it...
Bullet was sent flying back at double the speed he'd charged in, crashing through over a dozen towering trees before slamming into a distant mountainside like a cannonball.
A gaping crater burst open in the rock face where he hit.
After sending Bullet flying with a single slash, Roger casually sheathed his Meito, turned to Rayleigh, and grinned.
"Rayleigh, now that Shiki has made his move, it's about time we began our own journey, don't you think?"
Seeing Roger's carefree smile, a shadow briefly passed through Rayleigh's heart.
But he returned the smile and nodded.
"Yes."
"Wahahaha, great!!"
With Rayleigh's approval, Roger beamed like a child basking in praise.
He raised his arms and waved them in the air, eyes brimming with boundless longing for freedom and dreams.
"Everyone, let's set sail!!"
He looked up and out at the vast, endless blue sea.
Far in the distance, the silhouette of a bustling town atop an island could just be seen.
The starting point of the East Blue... Loguetown!
The Roger Pirates erupted into cheers and celebration.
As Roger and the others shouted, sang, and danced like overjoyed children, Rayleigh lifted a jug of strong liquor and took a sip—
but the once-smooth flavor now tasted bitter as ash.
A trace of sorrow flickered deep in his eyes.
Rayleigh looked at Roger's back and sighed quietly, a whisper only he could hear:
"Roger... this is our last voyage, isn't it?"
...
One day later.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
A massive warship slowly entered the enormous oval military port.
Its hull was covered with countless sword slashes—shocking to behold, enough to make anyone's scalp tingle.
"We're here!"
On the ruined docks, Sengoku stood at the forefront, leading hundreds of elite Marines who had been waiting.
As the anchor dropped, a powerful and imposing figure stepped out from the cabin and emerged at the warship's bow.
"Fleet Admiral Kong!!"
Sengoku and the Marines stiffened, snapping into sharp salutes.
Fleet Admiral Kong returned the gesture with a nod.
He wasn't wearing a shirt—just a wide admiral's cloak draped over his shoulders.
His bare torso was wrapped in bloodstained bandages, and his lips were slightly pale, giving him a weakened appearance.
But in his aged eyes burned the same sharp and imposing intensity as ever.
Kong swept his gaze quickly across the ravaged Marine Headquarters.
Countless buildings and military fortifications had collapsed into ruins. Smoke still billowed from many places in the distance.
He frowned deeply.
Even though he'd heard Sengoku's report through the Den Den Mushi, seeing the devastation firsthand left him stunned by the sheer scale and brutality of the destruction.
"Damn that Shiki!"
Kong gritted his teeth, fists clenching.
"This really is a devastating loss..."
A raspy, mocking voice suddenly came from behind.
The voice was rough, like scraping steel—or the cry of a night owl.
A thin, blood-streaked figure strolled leisurely up beside Kong.
The moment they saw him, Sengoku and the surrounding Marines turned pale.
Whoosh!!
Hundreds of rifles snapped up in unison, all aimed directly at the scarlet figure.
Killing intent filled the air in an instant.
The tension exploded like a drawn bowstring ready to snap!