Chapter 115: Volume 2 – Chapter 17: Magnetic Overload: Railgun

"A clash of top-tier Conqueror's Haki..."

An overwhelming pressure swept in. The piercing wind bore down on the warship, making its hull and deck creak under the strain as fine cracks began to form with sharp snapping sounds.

In Daren's eyes, the world seemed to tremble violently from the confrontation between the two men.

Space distorted, ripples spreading rapidly.

Everything in sight wavered like reflections on a lake.

"This... this is the peak of this sea!!"

Daren's lips curled into a wild grin as his body began to tremble.

His face was still a bit pale, but his eyes were burning brighter than ever.

As countless thoughts raced through his mind, the clash between Garp and Roger was reaching its climax.

The black and red aura compressed between iron fist and long blade to its absolute limit.

Then—

BOOM!!

A deafening roar, like thunder, erupted. The orb of black and red energy wrapped in lightning exploded, transforming into a massive shockwave that surged outward in all directions.

It was evenly matched.

The two retreated at the same time.

"Hahahaha!! Fighting you really is the most fun, Garp!!"

Roger laughed heartily, looking exhilarated.

"Don't be ridiculous!! I'm here to arrest you!!"

Garp roared, stomping through the air as he charged forward again.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Their figures clashed again and again midair, each punch and blade strike sending out another burst of terrifying force.

Just then, a figure flashed in Roger's peripheral vision.

"Hm? That Marine brat... What's he up to?"

From the bow of the warship, Daren leapt into the air. Twisted metal instantly molded into a streamlined board beneath his feet, propelling him rapidly skyward.

Roger hesitated for a split second—

And in that instant, Garp appeared beside him like a meteor. His fist tore through the air and swung at Roger with savage force!

"Losing focus in a fight... Do you take me that lightly, Roger!?"

"Damn it!"

Roger cursed, drawing his sword just in time to block Garp's strike.

Clang!

Sparks burst out as Roger's face suddenly darkened.

He saw it—

That young Marine floating high above now had a coin in hand.

With a flick of his finger, the coin spun and flew upward.

That feeling...

Roger's heart clenched. A strange crimson light flared deep within his fierce eyes.

His expression shifted. As if through Observation Haki, he glimpsed a terrifying future.

"Stop that Marine brat, now!!"

His urgent shout snapped the Roger Pirates to attention. Instinctively, they looked up.

And then...

They all saw—

Rogers Daren, suspended high above, grinning menacingly.

He raised his hand.

Zzzzzzt...

Visible arcs of blue electricity crackled between his fingers.

Time seemed to slow.

The sky was pitch black, lightning flashing erratically through the clouds.

The spinning coin reflected off the shocked, confused, and slowly terrified faces of the pirates below.

Hovering above like a god, the Commodore looked down on the Oro Jackson.

—Until the spinning coin descended, stopping just before his palm.

"Sink into the sea."

He sneered.

A flick of his finger.

"Magnetic Overload: Railgun!!"

Before everyone—Marine and pirate alike—could react,

BOOM!!

A colossal pillar of orange-red light blasted from the Commodore's hand.

It lit up the sky, tore through the clouds, and sent waves of white shocklight rippling outward. The beam screamed downward, aimed directly at the Oro Jackson's hull with devastating intent.

"What the hell is that!?"

"A laser!?"

"You gotta be kidding me!!"

"..."

The scorching heatwave hit them before they could speak, stealing the breath from everyone aboard.

Rayleigh's face went pale.

The destructive power of that technique... If it landed, even the Oro Jackson—built from the legendary Treasure Tree Adam—would be pierced, melted, and sunk in seconds.

He was about to move—

But then, from behind, a chilling wind surged in.

Clang!

Rayleigh's blade barely caught Dragon's black dragon claw, sparks erupting.

"You left yourself wide open."

Panting, Dragon grinned.

Rayleigh froze.

"Gale Breath!"

BOOM!!

The explosive wind swallowed him whole.

"It's over..."

Buggy and Shanks, hiding by the cabin, muttered in terror.

In their eyes, the red beam loomed larger and larger with terrifying speed.

"We won't let you destroy our dream ship, damn Marine!!"

A furious roar rang out.

A massive figure burst from the cabin, twin axes in hand, and soared into the air.

The axes flashed with a blinding light as the man met the Railgun head-on without hesitation.

BOOM!!!

A sky-shattering explosion rocked the air above the Oro Jackson. Shockwaves surged violently, shattering the deck.

Flames like twin wings surged into the dark sky, heat rolling like a furnace.

Buggy and Shanks clutched their ears, the thunderous blast threatening to rupture their eardrums.

Their wide eyes stared at the silhouette of the black-haired Marine, half-visible in the flames. A deep, unspoken fear flickered in both their gazes.

This lunatic... He didn't care about the Marines on board—he was ready to destroy the Oro Jackson outright.

Rain began to fall, quickly extinguishing the flames.

At last, they saw Gaban suspended midair.

His twin axes crossed, one blade pressing against the spinning coin.

Spiraling Armament Haki ground it into dust.

Only then did the Roger Pirates breathe a collective sigh of relief.

"Marine brat!! How dare you... I'll never forgive you!!"

A new, furious roar erupted.

Roger's powerful slash forced Garp back. With one foot stomping the deck, he launched himself like a cannonball.

Black and red lightning surged through his Meito and eyes. Killing intent surged from his body like a physical force.

His target... was the Marine Commodore who had nearly destroyed the Oro Jackson.

"Daren, watch out!!"

"Commodore Daren!!"

"Fall back!"

"Daren!!"

"Get out of there!!"

The desperate shouts of the Marines rang in Daren's ears.

High in the sky, he locked eyes with Gol D. Roger charging toward him. His heart felt like it had stopped.

That inescapable pressure—death itself—crashed over him like a wave, drowning his senses.

He was going to die.

If he took that strike head-on... he'd be dead for sure.

The thought struck him—and every muscle in his body began to shake.

He was definitely... going to die.

...

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