Chapter 111: Volume 2 – Chapter 13: Now You Can't Run Even If You Want To

The sea roared with fury.

A colossal tornado, rapidly expanding and nearly linking the sea to the sky, churned with howling winds and crashing waves, splitting open the turbulent waters with a deafening roar.

From afar, the violent currents twisted the black clouds above into a massive vortex that blanketed the sky, like a collapsing wall of darkness pressing down with an indescribable sense of dread.

To the Roger Pirates, it felt as if the storm itself was distorting the very fabric of space around them.

"What is that!? A power that controls the weather!? That's impossible!!"

"No, it's a Logia-type! The power to control storms!!"

"Damn it! A tornado like that—even grazing it would swallow our ship whole in an instant!"

"…"

Panic washed over the crew. None of them had imagined that the Marines possessed such a terrifying Devil Fruit ability.

The towering twister tore through everything in its path, churning the sea into towering waves that crushed all hope.

"No… Even a Logia shouldn't be able to alter the environment on such a massive scale… Not in such a short time!"

Spencer, the navigator, wiped seawater from his face, his soaked body trembling as he gripped the sail rope with one hand.

Staring at the sea twister barreling toward the Oro Jackson at over 30 knots, he gritted his teeth.

"It's just… this area happened to form a massive cumulonimbus system. With the tropical airflow driving it, his Devil Fruit power is being massively amplified!"

Blinding lightning danced through the dark clouds, the sky erupting with flashes that lit up every anxious face.

"Hahahaha!! Roger, this time, you're not getting away!!"

The sound of cannon fire continued rumbling from behind, mixed with Garp's triumphant laughter.

Shells rained down from the sky, forcing the Roger Pirates into constant motion.

"AAAAHH! We're done for!! We're really going to die this time, Captain Roger!!"

Buggy clutched his head in agony.

Shanks's face was pale too, his small hands gripping his knife trembling.

A storm like a bottomless abyss loomed ahead, and behind them, the terrifying might of the Marines—stronger than even the storm. They were completely trapped.

This was an inescapable crisis.

At that moment, every crew member couldn't help but turn toward their captain.

Whether from the sea's chill or the fear in their hearts, all color had drained from their faces.

But their eyes never wavered.

The storm poured down, washing over the deck and their bodies.

Thunder crackled overhead, Roger's silhouette flickering in and out of view.

The cannon fire behind, the storm in front—both closing in.

Light and shadow twisted. It felt like the world itself was starting to fall apart.

Roger stood unmoving.

"Who said we were running?"

A grin tugged at the corner of his lips.

Rayleigh, leaning against the mast, chuckled at the words.

Bang!

Roger stomped onto the bow of the Oro Jackson and slowly reached for the hilt of the long blade at his waist.

He suddenly looked up, water flying from his dark hair, his gaze fierce and unyielding.

He smirked.

"Since there's no other choice…"

The future Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, stepped forward.

The wind billowed his crimson captain's coat as he leapt into the air like a flash of blood-red light.

His blade gleamed with raw power—black and red lightning arcing across its edge like a coiling serpent, erupting in a web of crackling energy that wrapped around him.

"Then I'll just crush you all!!"

His black hair flared with the wind as he let out a wild, roaring laugh. His figure, defiant like a lone wolf, surged forward, blade trailing red-black lightning—straight into the towering tornado.

He dove headfirst into it!

For a moment, the world stood still—

Then—

Hiss!!

A roaring slash burst out like a crescent moon, slicing through the eye of the storm with unstoppable force, blasting skyward!

Boom!!!

The flying blade strike pierced the sky, detonating the clouds. Bolts of lightning twisted and exploded across the sky like a nest of writhing serpents.

Thunderclouds split and retreated under the sword's explosive shockwave before being shattered completely.

The storm vanished in an instant.

The chaotic battlefield became startlingly clear.

Rain poured down like curtains. Roger, clad in his blood-red coat, held his blade in one hand as an overwhelming aura surged around him like an abyss.

"Hahahahaha!! A tornado storm… that's it?"

"Captain Roger! Watch out!!"

"Above you!!"

Just as the shout rang out, a black-gloved hand lunged out from the swirling wind, wrapped in slicing hurricane winds, and came crashing down toward Roger's head!

The timing was flawless—striking in the gap after Roger's attack, leaving no room to dodge!

"I've been waiting for you, Garp's brat."

Roger grinned.

Dragon's face froze as he emerged from the wind.

"Compared to your old man… you're still too green!!"

A blood-red gleam flashed deep in Roger's eyes. Without even turning, he swung his sword.

Dragon's entire body went rigid.

There were no words to describe the sheer ferocity of that slash.

Savage.

Blinding.

Dominating.

A force that even gods and demons would flinch from—

The blade, wrapped in crackling black and red lightning,

Sliced upward!

The screaming winds collapsed before its force, shattered to pieces.

Dragon's pupils shrank. A frigid dread pierced into his heart like he'd fallen into an ice cavern.

Block it!

Ink-black Armament Haki wrapped around his hand.

Clang!!

A sharp ringing filled the air.

Blocked!

Joy flickered in Dragon's heart—

But in the next instant, his expression crumbled.

"Shit! I still couldn't stop it!!"

He cursed.

Hiss!!

Blood burst from his chest in a crimson spray.

"Kamusari!!"

Boom!!

Dragon's body was flung back like it'd been hit by a speeding warship, blasting through the air and leaving white shockwaves in his wake.

Just then, writhing metal surged from the warship's deck, forming steel plates as buffers.

Dragon crashed through several thick slabs before smashing into the ship.

Bang!

The warship shook violently, a massive crater appearing in the deck as splinters flew.

Daren walked over to where Dragon lay embedded in the wood, gritting his teeth in pain. He smiled and extended a hand.

"Told you you couldn't block it. Now you owe me 100,000 Berry."

"Yeah, yeah… Put it on my tab."

Dragon grumbled as he grabbed Daren's hand and pulled himself free, coughing up blood.

"Looks like we really have to leave this to the old man…"

He glanced down at the gash across his chest and muttered.

Daren chuckled, his eyes falling on the Oro Jackson, now within striking distance.

"But your mission's complete."

A gleam flashed in his gaze.

Then, to the shocked gasps and disbelieving eyes of the Roger Pirates—

The Oro Jackson's sail suddenly tore down the middle… and slowly fell.

As the fabric flapped to the deck, a dagger came into view.

It hovered in the air, blade tip gleaming with a cold light, giving the crew a subtle "nod."

Like a knight returning victorious, bowing with elegant scorn.

Mockery at its finest.

The Roger Pirates' faces turned pale.

"Now… you can't run even if you want to."

Daren's lips curled into a cold, twisted smile.

Purple arcs of electricity danced around his raised index finger.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake