BOOM!
Another colossal mushroom cloud of magma erupted, soaring into the sky.
Before the shockwaves could even settle, a surge of sword energy burst from the molten core, shooting straight into the heavens. The blade's aura shredded everything in its path, tearing the mushroom cloud apart in an instant. Centered on the two men, a thousand-meter-wide swath of emptiness was carved out of the battlefield.
Sakazuki was breathing hard now, the cracks across his magma-forged body deeper and bleeding. Roger's coat was in tatters, exposing a torso scorched and burned.
With a grunt, Roger tore off what remained of his captain's coat and tossed it aside. He eyed Sakazuki with a hint of confusion.
"Hey, Marine brat. Do we really have that much of a grudge?"
Sakazuki's arms transformed, magma swirling into armored gauntlets. He met Roger's gaze, voice cold as steel.
"No. But the justice I carry on my shoulders—won't allow you to walk this world alive."
Roger let out a deep, rolling laugh, as if he'd just heard the punchline to a cosmic joke.
"Justice, huh?"
He shook his head, eyes glinting with meaning. "Marine kid, the darkness in this world runs far deeper than you can imagine."
But Sakazuki was unmoved, his tone flat and unyielding.
"You're not wrong. But I don't see how a butcher who just slaughtered thousands can preach to me about justice."
The laughter faded from Roger's face. He nodded, expression turning calm and resolute as he locked eyes with Sakazuki.
"I get it."
VMMM—!
Conqueror's Haki twisted around his blade, both hands gripping the hilt. The sword itself seemed to vibrate, a monstrous aura rippling along its edge—enough to make the very air prickle.
Roger's eyes were utterly serene as he looked at Sakazuki.
"Don't die too easily, Marine brat."
SHING—!
A piercing, bone-chilling sword cry split the silence. A blinding arc of blade light ripped through space itself, materializing right in front of Sakazuki.
The vents at the back of Sakazuki's twin magma gauntlets glowed like brewing supervolcanoes, dazzling red light swirling within.
He stared at the incoming blade, voice ice-cold:
"You're just a pirate. Don't get so full of yourself."
"What the Marines carry is—"
The rear vents erupted, unleashing boundless force.
"—the justice of the world!!"
In that instant, a new kind of Conqueror's Haki exploded from Sakazuki—his own, wild and unrestrained. His magma-clad arms rocketed forward, colliding headlong with that blinding blade.
BOOM!!!
A flood of white light swallowed the island.
Oro Jackson
Aboard the Oro Jackson, the crew of the Roger Pirates watched the island's horizon, where blade light and magma clashed in a war of titans.
Roger was always like this. Carefree and brash on the surface, but he cared for his crew more than anyone else. He always led from the front—having a captain like that made you feel invincible.
Sambel approached Rayleigh, face full of guilt.
"I'm sorry. This is all my fault… I dragged everyone into this."
Rayleigh just smiled, giving Sambel a reassuring pat on the shoulder.
"Don't worry about it. If Roger had been there, I'm sure he'd have done the same as Seagull."
Sambel still looked uneasy, but Rayleigh continued gently:
"Really, don't overthink it. To Roger, nothing is more important than his crewmates."
A faint smile played at Rayleigh's lips as he gazed toward the embattled island. Yeah… That's Roger, all right.
The Other Side of Kregxi Island
Sakazuki's warship had just arrived off the island's coast. From the deck, the clash raging within was clearly visible.
Karol stood holding Sakazuki's justice cloak, brow furrowed as she peered at the island. With Observation Haki, she could sense the state of both combatants. Sakazuki's aura was clearly weaker than Roger's.
After consuming the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, Enel's electromagnetic senses—amplified by his natural gifts—spread even farther than Karol's. Sensing Sakazuki's desperate, all-out struggle, he was both awed and confused.
He turned to Karol.
"Karol-bro… why is Uncle Sakazuki…"
He trailed off, unsure how to express it. Karol finished for him:
"…fighting so desperately?"
Enel nodded.
Karol handed him Sakazuki's justice cloak. Enel took it, still puzzled.
Karol looked out at Kregxi Island.
"Because someone has to carry out justice."
Enel glanced down at the cloak in his hands. The word "Justice" emblazoned on it radiated a solemn, awe-inspiring weight.
Deep inside his young heart, something began to stir.
"Justice, huh…"
On the island, a new flood of white light blazed forth.
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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