Rolan gazed toward the distant horizon and saw several Marine warships rapidly approaching.
At the same time, his Super Heart Net picked up a rapidly moving figure rushing toward him. He recognized the aura instantly: it was Garp. Hundreds of meters behind him, another powerful presence surged forward, equally intense and unyielding.
A dark fist, crackling with black, streaking lightning, shot toward Rolan. He met it with a punch.
Bang!
Their fists didn't touch, yet a shockwave of extraordinary power rippled outward. Even Akainu, standing below, was blown aside.
The aura spread across the battlefield like a storm. Soldiers below Vice Admiral level foamed at the mouth and collapsed, unconscious.
Some Vice Admirals felt their legs weaken, cold sweat running down their faces. Though they didn't faint, their ability to fight was gone.
The aura surged skyward, splitting the heavens in two. Marines who had survived stared in disbelief.
"Is that… Conqueror's Haki? Who is it? Rolan?"
"And who is fighting him?"
"What an overwhelming presence…"
"Look, that's… Hero Garp!"
"Rolan can actually face Vice Admiral Garp… how terrifying."
Many soldiers felt their will to fight vanish at the sheer sight of Rolan's strength.
"Don't lose hope," someone reminded. "We have three Admirals and Hero Garp on our side, and I heard the Fleet Admiral has already arrived."
Hearing this, the troops regained some of their courage.
After exchanging blows for what seemed like an eternity, Rolan and Garp each took a step back.
Rolan looked up at the old man, smirking slightly. "Long time no see, Fleet Admiral Garp. You haven't aged a bit. Still spry as ever."
Garp laughed heartily, clenching his fist. "Hahahaha, I may be old, but my strength isn't what it used to be."
Rolan grinned faintly, thinking: Saying that in front of me… he'd better not say that in front of Whitebeard, or he'd be furious.
Rolan sensed multiple powerful auras rushing toward them. He knew it was time to act.
Crumpling a notification into electromagnetic waves, he transmitted it to each of his companions. Garp, who had witnessed Rolan's method before, understood immediately: this was how Rolan informed his crew to evacuate.
"Hahahaha! The old man has arrived, Rolan! Your strength must be drained. Don't even think of escaping."
Rolan shook his head. "I'm not escaping. I want to finish what we started last time."
With that, he spun, delivering a precise kick toward Garp's face.
Garp chuckled, rolling up his sleeves, and met the strike head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Their movements became a blur in the air, flashes of light and force colliding with relentless intensity.
At one moment, Garp slammed onto the ice, bracing himself on his knees, staring up at Rolan suspended above. His eyes widened: after their last fight, Rolan's strength had grown exponentially, perhaps even surpassing that of a young Roger.
Rolan drifted down slowly, breathing slightly ragged, his gaze fixed on the old man. "So, Old Man… do you still think you can stop me?"
Garp laughed, unafraid. "You brat! Trying to lecture me? You're still green!"
Rolan checked his Super Heart Net again. All his companions had boarded the ship.
He nodded, speaking aloud: "Alright, time to go. Farewell."
In an instant, he vanished using Instant Transmission.
Garp scratched his head, laughing aloud. "Why does he always escape like this? Hahaha, what a capable brat."
Sengoku arrived, frowning. "Did he escape again? Garp, did you even try?"
Garp rubbed his head helplessly. "It's not that I didn't try. I wanted to stop him, but I was powerless."
Sengoku's eyes darkened as he surveyed the battlefield. The sight before him made his veins pop and his brows furrow.
Akainu lay bleeding but conscious.
Kizaru's clothes were tattered, his legs wounded.
Aokiji was unconscious, one leg broken.
Gion looked pale, hands bloodied.
Vice Admiral Tokikake had lost his hat, revealing a shiny bald head, panting but unharmed.
Momonga sat in a wheelchair, charred from head to toe.
Yamakaji had lost his right hand, leaving only a sleeve.
Staff Officer Tsuru sighed. "We need to retreat to Marineford and regroup. Otherwise, Kong will go berserk."
Sengoku and Garp nodded in agreement. For this operation, General Commander Kong had been stationed at Marineford. They had no intention of returning late and incurring his wrath.
Sengoku signaled the fleet to head back.
---
Four thousand meters above the sea, on the ship, Rolan looked over his crew.
"Everyone alright? No injuries?"
Kuro shook his head. "Thanks to the senzu beans, all injuries are fully healed."
Rolan exhaled in relief.
Nami and Lina each held one of his arms.
Nami said, her voice trembling slightly, "Rolan… I was nearly scared to death. I didn't think I'd make it."
Lina added, "My opponent… he was a perverted creep. Not only lustful, but delusional. I almost—"
Rolan simply listened, offering quiet reassurances. He wasn't the overly kind type, but he cared for his crew.
Iceburg discussed things with Franky, still curious about Franky's transformation.
Zoro polished his swords, muttering, "Next time we meet, the scales will tip my way."
Enel bickered with Crocodile. "If you hadn't stopped me, Aokiji would've been toast!"
Crocodile replied calmly, "And if I hadn't intervened, you'd have been frozen solid."
Kuro, seated quietly, replayed the battle against Kizaru in his mind.
---