Chapter 496: The Battle of Edd War (1)
"Shiki is coming."
Roger, standing at the ship's bow with his eyes closed, seemed to be listening to something.
He then opened his eyes and turned his head to look in one direction.
Hearing the Captain's voice, all the Crewmates prepared for Battle, ready to face the Great Battle that was about to erupt.
Even Buggy and Shanks held short blades and sharp weapons.
Originally, Roger and the others didn't want these two Children, who hadn't yet grown up, to participate in this cruel war with an unknown outcome.
However, Buggy and Shanks refused.
They were also part of the Roger Pirates, and even if they hid in the Ship Cabin, they would advance and retreat together with them.
In the storm, visibility was very low.
The light was dim, but from afar, a massive dark figure could still be seen constantly approaching.
Carrying a terrifying presence from a distance.
Finally, a massive Island appeared above them, blocking the rain falling continuously in the storm.
At the same time, the Flying Pirates appeared.
A massive warship simply appeared in the air.
Slowly descending under Shiki's control, it came before the Oro Jackson, blocking the Roger Pirates' path.
The Roger Pirates had to stop.
On the magnificent Great Sea, accompanied by the constantly rising and falling waves, two World's top-tier Pirate Crews began a face-to-face confrontation.
"Roger, what a great gift!" Shiki's laughter came from afar.
"Shiki, you finally found your way here."
Looking at Shiki's figure, Roger also smiled.
Gripping the Ace in his hand, and looking at the current lineup of the Flying Pirates, Roger felt a sense of relief.
At the same time, he felt a little disappointed.
Shiki hadn't foolishly sent an Army over.
This undoubtedly reduced the Roger Pirates' pressure.
But it also meant the super storm he had gone to great lengths to create couldn't be fully utilized.
The Roger Pirates were all elite, with forty to fifty members, while over three hundred people stood on the Flying Pirates' Pirate Ship.
In terms of numbers, the Roger Pirates still had a gap.
"Although we had quite a few grudges when we were young, let's forget about them now.
They are in the past."
Shiki stood on the golden lion ship's bow, a cigarette in his mouth, wearing a yellow kimono, with thick golden hair like a lion's mane.
Shiki opened his arms and smiled at Roger.
"You have information about the Ancient Weapon.
As long as we get our hands on the Ancient Weapon that can destroy the World, combined with my powerful military strength, if we join forces, the entire World will be under our control."
"Let's form an alliance, Roger.
I officially invite you here."
Shiki extended his hand, looking at Roger and smiling confidently.
"I'm not interested in rule, you know that, Shiki!"
Facing Shiki's proposal for an alliance, Roger undoubtedly refused.
"If being a Pirate means you can't do what you want, then what's the point of being a Pirate?"
"Heh heh! Then just tell me the information about the Ancient Weapon.
You can do what you want, and I won't stop you, Roger!"
Shiki wasn't surprised by Roger's refusal; he was just trying his luck.
So Shiki changed his proposal.
As long as he got the information about the Ancient Weapon, this trip would be considered complete for him, and whether or not to start a war with the Roger Pirates wouldn't matter.
"It's no use, Shiki.
No matter how much pressure you put on us, my answer is still no, Shiki!"
"This World cannot fall into your hands."
Roger laughed heartily.
The Ace in his hand shone with a sharp light, and a powerful aura was subtly building up.
The Flying Pirates blocked their path.
Within a one-kilometer radius, a terrifying wall of air current appeared.
This was created by Reinhardt using his ability, specifically to prevent the Roger Pirates from escaping.
Roger's initial target was very simple: to sail around the World with his companions and find the Final Island.
However, as he sailed over the years, Roger learned more things.
Learning about the history of the Void Century made him realize he needed to do something.
He felt a stronger sense of responsibility.
He had his own ideas, so he would absolutely not agree with Shiki's ambition, let alone support them.
Otherwise, what would be the difference from the Rocks Pirates?
Moreover, the Heavenly King is in the hands of the World Government, and the Sea King is unknown.
The only known Ancient Weapon, Pluto, is hidden in Kozuki Oden's homeland, Wano Country.
To be precise, Pluto belongs to Wano Country.
Without gaining Wano Country's recognition, how could one obtain Pluto?
Roger didn't think he had the face to take something that didn't belong to him and give it to others.
Furthermore, if the information were exposed, who knows how much disaster it would bring to Wano Country.
Kozuki Oden was his companion and had helped him greatly.
How could Roger possibly betray his own companion?
Without any fear, Roger was ready for Battle.
All the Crewmates stood behind him, not yielding in the slightest, even when facing the Flying Pirates.
"So, you're telling me you want me to kill you here?"
Roger's words made Shiki's expression turn grim.
He had given Roger a lot of face, yet Roger still refused.
Undoubtedly, Shiki was angered.
What did he mean this World couldn't be under his control?
What did Roger understand?
Did he not have the qualification?
If he didn't have the qualification, then who did?
Would the World he ruled be worse than the World Government's rule?
Originally, Shiki had considered showing a little mercy because of Roger's terminal illness.
But Roger completely disregarded his face, refusing the toast and opting for the penalty drink.
Now Shiki was completely enraged by Roger.
"It means I'm going to crush you!"
Terrifying fighting spirit and aura erupted from Roger's body.
Equally terrifying Haki, that mountain-swallowing Conqueror's Haki, surged from Shiki's body, crossing space and time towards the Roger Pirates.
Black-red lightning sparks constantly exploded and collided in the air, creating sonic booms.
The terrifying air currents spreading invisibly caused the turbulent Sea Surface to become somewhat peaceful.
"Then I shall bury you all here!"
The twin swords in his hands were coated with black-red Haki, and a crimson light flashed in his eyes.
Conqueror's Haki coating.
Shiki's figure shot towards Roger like an arrow released from a bowstring.
Roger, also going all out, felt his body wrapped in wind, becoming exceptionally light.
He leaped away from the Oro Jackson.
"Boom!"
A terrifying sword strike bloomed with endless radiance in the air.
The violent collision caused an air disturbance, affecting the air within a hundred-meter radius.
As the Captain, Roger directly confronted Shiki.
Using The Great Sea as the Battlefield, the Great Battle began.
(end of chapter)