Chapter 455: Volume 3 – Chapter 98: Shiki vs. Roger

Listening to Shiki's laughter echo through the wind and rain, Sengoku's forehead was already dripping with cold sweat.

Shiki—the madman whose ambition spanned all four seas—had just proposed forming an alliance with Roger!?

The mere thought of the two most troublesome enemies the Marines had ever faced joining forces made Sengoku break out in a nervous chill.

What was even more terrifying... was that Roger actually seemed to have clues about the Ancient Weapons!

How was that even possible!?

Others might not know the truth, but how could Sengoku not?

That rumor—"Roger has information on the Ancient Weapons"—was nothing more than a smokescreen spread by the Marines from the start!

Yet now, to Sengoku's shock, the false intel Daren had cunningly released... had somehow turned out to be real!?

What the hell!?

Sengoku suddenly turned his head, eyes locking onto the Vice Admiral beside him.

"Daren, did you know from the beginning that Roger really had clues about the Ancient Weapons!?"

Daren looked completely innocent.

"How could that be, Admiral Sengoku... If even someone like you didn't know such a secret, how could I possibly know?"

"I was just making a random statement. Who'd have thought it'd turn out to be true?"

Sengoku studied Daren's expression, suspicious and searching, but ultimately found nothing out of place.

He hesitated, then gradually accepted the explanation.

After all, how could Daren possibly have known something like that?

Still...

"Daren, when are you going to give the order to attack?"

Sengoku clenched his fists, his impatience and anxiety written all over his face.

"We absolutely cannot let them continue this negotiation. If Roger really agrees to Shiki's offer—"

"Relax, Admiral Sengoku."

Daren shook his head, cutting him off with a calm smile tugging at his lips.

"With Roger's personality, there's no way he'd accept an invitation from Shiki."

Sengoku was momentarily stunned by the confidence in his voice.

"You sure about that?"

"How do you know Roger won't agree...?"

You're not that idiot Garp.

Daren just smiled and said nothing.

"Let's wait a bit longer. There's no rush, Admiral Sengoku."

"They're going to fight..."

A flicker of something sure and unreadable flashed in the Vice Admiral's eyes.

"They definitely will."

Somehow, Daren's confidence had a calming effect. Sengoku found himself feeling a little more at ease—though disbelief still lingered on his face.

...

"Rule the world, huh..."

Rain slammed violently against Roger's hair, face, and coat, crackling loudly in the storm.

Staring at the dozens of pirate ships slowly closing in on the Oro Jackson, he gave a slight shake of the head. A mocking smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

"You really haven't changed at all, Shiki... still the same as always."

Then, all at once, he looked up!

His jet-black hair whipped up, flinging raindrops into the air. With eyes blazing, he faced the storm head-on and laughed boldly.

"Rule, you say!?"

"Wahahahaha, Shiki!! I have zero interest in ruling anything!!"

"If I can't do what I want... what's the point of being a pirate!?"

"Your offer... I refuse!"

Shiki's expression instantly darkened, and raw killing intent radiated from his body.

His features twisted with rage as fury surged up from his chest.

"So you're saying... you want me to send you to the bottom of the sea right here and now?"

Slowly, he drew the twin swords at his waist.

Rain traced down the flawless blades, gathering at the tips and glinting with a sharp, icy sheen.

Though Roger had once halted the Rocks Pirates at the Battle of God Valley and clashed with Shiki many times since, the Golden Lion held complex feelings toward him.

On one hand, he respected Roger's overwhelming strength. On the other, their history was full of bitter conflict.

This time, offering an alliance wasn't just about strategy—it came from a sense of mutual recognition.

Of course, there were also practical reasons.

Roger's power was nothing short of monstrous.

Even someone as arrogant as Shiki had to admit it.

Even here, in a sea battle where he held every advantage, Shiki wasn't entirely confident he could take Roger down.

That's why he proposed a partnership.

But he never expected this damn fool would reject him without a second thought.

"No..."

Roger burst out laughing.

With a sharp metallic clang, he unsheathed the long sword at his waist and pointed it straight at the airborne Golden Lion.

The aura surging from him rose like a towering mountain, climbing ever higher with no end in sight.

"—I mean I'm going to wipe you all out!!"

The words had barely left his mouth when—

A flash of red burst from the pupils of both Roger and Shiki.

Zzzzzzttttt!!

Rip!

A surge of lightning, black and red, erupted like a storm of shadowed flame from both their bodies, twisting through the rain in phantom arcs.

Their overwhelming auras crashed together with explosive force, forming a storm of pure energy that spiraled in plain sight.

The heavens changed color.

The world was drowned in black and blood red.

Winds howled. Cloud seas tore apart.

The Roger Pirates instinctively braced themselves, raising arms to shield their faces as they staggered two steps back.

Buggy and Shanks went pale and collapsed to their knees on the deck.

On the Flying Pirates' side, crew members dropped like dominos—eyes rolling back as they fainted from sheer pressure.

The sea roared as the clash of willpower sent violent tremors through the world.

This was... the highest-level collision of Conqueror's Haki!

"Wahahahaha! Come on, Shiki!!"

Boom!

Roger stomped the bow of the ship, laughing madly.

Drenched in his blood-red captain's coat, he launched himself into the air like a war god possessed, gripping his unassuming sword in both hands.

Zzzzzzzz!

Black and red lightning surged wildly from the blade, making it look as if Roger was dragging a bolt of thunder straight into battle!

"You're digging your own grave!!"

Shiki roared, springing back before diving at blinding speed!

The same black-red lightning wrapped around his twin Meito swords—Oto and Kogarashi—turning them into the deadly fangs of a rampaging lion.

With swords crossed before him, black-red waves spiraled around his body as the Flying Lion shot forward.

The two legends charged, unstoppable, crashing toward each other with terrifying force!

"Bring it on, Shiki!!"

"Die, Roger!!"

"Shiki!!"

"Roger!!"

"Shiki!!"

"Roger!!"

BOOM!!!

In the next instant—

Like a meteor smashing into the earth, two of the world's mightiest pirates—each a living legend—collided high in the sky!

Time seemed to stop.

Then, a titanic shockwave exploded outward, unleashing towering waves tens of meters high that surged across the sea.

The sky collapsed. The ocean split open.

...

Even several nautical miles away, the shockwave hit with crushing force, rocking the Marine fleet violently and shaking the formation apart.

"You were right, Daren!!"

Sengoku clung tightly to the railing, eyes bloodshot with urgency as he shouted,

"They've started fighting!! Give the order—attack now!!"