Chapter 164
### Chapter 164
On the **Oro Jackson**, Shanks leaned against the railing, gazing longingly at the **Moby Dick** anchored nearby.
"That was Captain Roger's **Conqueror's Haki** just now!" he said, eyes shining with admiration. "He's so powerful!"
Buggy crossed his arms.
"But… can Captain Roger really go there alone? That's Whitebeard's base camp!"
Rayleigh approached, placing a firm grip on both their heads. With a knowing smile, he said,
"What do you two know? **Because** it's Whitebeard, Roger wants to go alone. If we all showed up together, it'd look like we're picking a fight. We're not here for war."
Shanks frowned in confusion.
"But… Captain Roger just **unleashed his Conqueror's Haki!**"
Rayleigh chuckled, about to explain—
**Then the sky darkened.**
A **crack** split through the air above the **Moby Dick**, the sky itself seeming to **shatter** like glass.
Shanks' face paled.
"Oh no! They're fighting! Captain Roger is in danger!"
Panicked, he was about to leap off the ship to help.
Rayleigh grabbed his collar.
"Calm down, Shanks," he said, his voice amused. "That's just their **greeting.**"
—
**Aboard the Moby Dick…**
Roger's **Ace**-sword clashed against Whitebeard's **Murakumogiri**, sparks of **Conqueror's Lightning** crackling in the air.
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes.
"Roger. Why are you here?"
Roger grinned.
"To see an old friend, of course!" He glanced at the gathered crew and added, "But this isn't the best place. There's a small island nearby. Let's talk there."
His eyes then landed on **Oden** in the crowd.
Oden scowled.
"Oi! What're you looking at? You wanna fight?" He drew his sword eagerly.
Roger laughed.
"Alright, warrior, I'll give you your chance later!"
Whitebeard huffed.
"Oi, Roger, I didn't say I'm going anywhere yet."
But Roger ignored him, sheathing his sword.
"See you on the island!"
With that, he **leaped into the sky**, soaring back toward the **Oro Jackson**.
—
Seeing Roger return unscathed, Shanks **sighed in relief.**
A burly young man with golden hair stepped forward, his voice deep and serious.
"Captain Roger, are we going to war with the Whitebeard Pirates?"
Buggy muttered under his breath, "What a lunatic…"
Roger shook his head.
"Relax, **Bullet.** This is a friendly meeting—don't start any fights!"
Bullet grunted but said nothing.
Roger raised his hand.
"Alright! **Set sail!**"
The **Oro Jackson** turned toward the island.
On the **Moby Dick**, Whitebeard watched them leave and snorted.
"Roger… this guy… Alright, men, let's follow and see what he wants."
—
### **The Island**
Both ships docked one after another, and soon the two pirate crews stood face to face on the beach.
The tension in the air was **palpable.**
Teach's eyes drifted toward **Buggy**—and a sneer curled his lips.
Buggy immediately exploded in fury.
"Oi! What the hell are you laughing at?!"
Teach smirked.
"What? I just think that **big red nose** of yours is hilarious."
Buggy **froze.**
Then his face turned red with rage.
"**I'm gonna kill you!**"
Before he could charge, **Shanks grabbed him.**
"Buggy, calm down. **Captain Rayleigh taught us to stay composed in tough situations.**"
Shanks turned to Teach and spoke diplomatically.
"Teach, let's not start trouble. Just back down and drop it—"
Teach **snorted.**
"Who do you think you're talking to, **Shanks?** We ain't friends! Why the hell should I listen to you?"
Shanks' face turned **bright red**—matching his hair.
With a flash of steel, he **drew his sword.**
"**You ungrateful bastard! Buggy, let's get him!**"
For once, Buggy didn't argue. He grabbed his swords and **charged.**
Rayleigh pinched the bridge of his nose.
"These two idiots…" he muttered—but didn't move to stop them.
The tension finally **snapped.**
The two pirate crews **clashed.**
Swords clanged, fists flew, and the battlefield became a **chaotic mess.**
Standing back, the captains—**Roger and Whitebeard**—looked completely **unbothered.**
"Seems like we still have to fight, huh, Newgate?" Roger grinned, drawing **Ace.**
Whitebeard swung his **Murakumogiri.**
"Enough talking, Roger."
He took a step forward—
**But suddenly, someone rushed ahead.**
Oden leaped forward, shouting,
"Whitebeard! Let me take him first!"
Roger smirked and raised his sword—ready to fight—
**But then…**
A **dark vortex** twisted into existence in front of Oden.
In the blink of an eye, **Carl stepped out.**
Whitebeard and Roger's **eyes widened.**
Oden **froze.**
The battlefield fell **silent.**
Then, Oden's face **twisted in rage.**
"**It's you?!**"
Carl didn't even glance at him. His golden eyes swept over the battlefield as he muttered to himself,
"Looks like I came too early…"
Whenever he approached a battlefield, Carl used his **Dark-Dark Fruit** to scout ahead. Hearing the **chaos** on the island, he had warped straight in—
But his **landing wasn't perfect.**
He had materialized **right between Roger and Whitebeard.**
Oden's **killing intent flared.**
"**Give me your life!!!**"
Roaring, he leaped into the air, **sword raised high.**
Carl… **didn't even look at him.**
**Clang!**
Oden's sword **slammed** against Carl's raised forearm—coated in **Armament Haki.**
Carl **didn't move an inch.**
Oden's **eyes widened in disbelief.**
"H-how is this possible…?!"
Carl **finally** turned to look at him.
His gaze was **calm. Cold.**
"You're too noisy."
With a flick of his wrist, Carl **grasped Oden's blade**—
Then **swung his arm.**
**BOOM.**
Oden's body **crashed** into the ground with a **thunderous impact.**
The entire battlefield… **fell silent.**