51 Chapter 51
"Aargh!" The cry of pain echoed across the deck as Bullet fell beneath the blade of an enemy assailant, his blood staining the wooden planks beneath him. Gaban was quick enough to drag the fallen form of Bullet back to safety. Despite their valiant efforts, the Roger pirates found themselves steadily pushed back, their ranks thinning with each passing moment.
Buggy and Shanks, their bodies exhausted and their spirits waning, had already been forced out of commission, leaving their comrades to carry on the fight with sheer willpower alone.
Yet, amidst the chaos and despair, a glimmer of hope remained. Rayleigh and Scopper Gaban and a few others, their strength tested to its limits, continued to stand firm against the tide of enemies that threatened to engulf them. With each swing of their blades and each burst of Conqueror's Haki, they inspired their comrades to fight on, their unwavering resolve serving as a beacon of hope amidst the darkness of battle.
And yet, despite the odds stacked against them, the Roger pirates refused to yield. With each blow they struck and each enemy they felled, they reaffirmed their commitment to their captain and their cause. For them, there was no retreat, no surrender—only the relentless pursuit of victory, no matter the cost.
"Hahaha, Roger, you bastard! How long do you think your puny crew can handle my Armada?" Shiki's laughter echoed across the tumultuous battlefield, a mix of madness and triumph dancing in his eyes. Despite the relentless assault of the Roger pirates, Shiki remained resolute in his belief that victory was within his grasp.
"The resilience of your crew is commendable; I'll give you that," Shiki continued, his voice dripping with disdain. "But soon, you will have no crew left to call your own. Then, and only then, will you realize the futility of your resistance."
The clash with Roger had brought Shiki face-to-face with his own limitations. Though he prided himself on his strength and cunning, it was clear that Roger was the superior fighter. Yet, as a fellow pirate who aspired for the throne, Shiki's will remained unyielding. He couldn't afford to let doubt creep into his mind, not when victory was so tantalizingly close.
With a defiant roar, Shiki vowed to end the Roger pirates once and for all. His armada stood ready to crush their adversaries, and within a few short hours, he would achieve his long-awaited triumph. But little did Shiki know that the Roger pirates were far from finished, their determination burning brighter than ever as they faced their greatest challenge yet.
Roger, understanding the urgent situation of his crew, burst out with a strength that surpassed his normal limits. His Conqueror's Haki, for the first time, merged with the Voice of All Things, causing the entire world to bend to his will. Deep within the sea, massive sea kings were also affected by the sudden change in the world's flow.
As if responding to Roger's fury, the world's weather shifted; the entire sea responded to Roger's wrath. The sea's climate shifted dramatically as a massive storm was born due to Roger's will and his connection to the world. The waves rose higher, crashing against each other with immense force, and lightning streaked across the darkened sky, illuminating the chaos below. It was a display of power that sent shivers down the spines of even the most hardened pirates.
The storm moved as if it had a life of its own, responding to Roger's command. Even Shiki froze in shock, having never witnessed such a phenomenon before. Roger, without the aid of any Devil Fruit, was recreating a scene reminiscent of the legendary Whitebeard. His influence on the surroundings mirrored Whitebeard's tremor power, yet the raw power contained within Roger's will-infused storm surpassed even that of Whitebeard.
Within moments, the massive storm began to wreak havoc, tearing through ship after ship of the Golden Lion Armada, dragging them down into the depths of the ocean. Shiki realized the gravity of the situation and retreated back to his flagship to stabilize his forces. If he didn't act swiftly, there was a very real possibility that he would lose his entire armada on this fateful day.
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A day later, a massive marine fleet arrived in the Edd Sea area, where the two titans of the New World were suspected to have clashed. However, what the Marines encountered was an empty sea littered with the broken debris of once-grand fleets. Typically, battles between Sea Emperors would rage for days on end, which was precisely why the Marines planned to intervene on the second day, catching both pirate crews off guard. But what they found was utter devastation, the aftermath of a supposed epic clash.
"What happened here?" Sengoku roared, his meticulously laid-out plan now in shambles. He never anticipated that the battle between Shiki and Roger would conclude so swiftly.
Beside him, Garp crushed the railing of Sengoku's ship, his fighting intent soaring after witnessing the aftermath of the battle. "Sengoku, I told you something like this would happen. But no, you had to stick to your plans." Garp sighed, understanding how his friend sometimes forgot the true unpredictability of the sea. Trying to confine everything to a set plan was futile when faced with the vast unknowns of the ocean.
My reaction, however, was entirely different. As someone attuned to the Voice of All Things, I could feel the lingering remnants of a will in the area. It was as if a human's will had transcended and taken on the form of nature itself. I couldn't help but sweat under the sheer pressure emanating from this residual will.
I immediately realized there was only one man capable of such a feat: Gol D. Roger. No wonder the annals of history in the canon mentioned an unpredictable storm decimating Shiki's Armada. The truth was far from what I initially believed. It wasn't nature's wrath that brought down Shiki's fleet; it was the indomitable will of Roger, a force that transcended human understanding. Knowing that one day I could achieve something similar filled me with an exhilarating rush.
As the Marines surveyed the chaotic aftermath of the clash, Sengoku's stern demeanor softened slightly, replaced by a furrowed brow of contemplation. "This is unprecedented," he muttered, more to himself than to his companions. "Even for the likes of Roger and Shiki, such destruction... it's beyond anything I imagined."
Garp, still brimming with the energy of battle, grunted in agreement. "Aye, this is the new world for you. There is no place for the faint-hearted or the overly prepared. But what I fear is that the aftermath of such a devastating battle would have affected the nearby islands." He cast a sideways glance at Sengoku, his eyes gleaming with a mix of admiration and playful mockery. "Isn't that right, Sengoku?"
Sengoku shot Garp a sharp look, a rare hint of amusement flickering in his eyes. "Yes, Garp, your impulsive nature certainly has its merits," he conceded, though his tone remained measured. "But even you must admit, this level of devastation is something entirely different."
Tsuru, the voice of reason among them, stepped forward, her expression grave yet composed. "Regardless of how it happened, we must deal with the aftermath. The destruction surely must have affected the islands in the Edd Sea area; we have had reports of massive storms and tsunamis," she interjected, her voice carrying the weight of authority. "We need to assess the situation, gather any survivors, and ensure that no further harm comes to innocent lives."
Sengoku nodded in agreement, a sense of duty overshadowing his earlier bewilderment. "You're right, Tsuru. We have a responsibility to maintain order and protect the citizens of the world, even in the face of such chaos."
Garp grunted his approval, his earlier levity giving way to a more serious demeanor. "Aye, let's get to work then. We've got a lot to do." With that, the trio set about their task, their resolve unyielding even in the wake of unprecedented destruction.
As the marine fleet dispersed to address the aftermath of the battle, news of the epic clash spread like wildfire across the globe. The World Economic News wasted no time immortalizing the event, christening it the 'BATTLE OF EDD WAR.' Speculation ran rampant, with no one able to ascertain the exact outcome of the confrontation. However, rough estimates suggested that the Golden Lion Armada had suffered a devastating blow, losing close to three-quarters of its formidable fleet. Whispers circulated that even Shiki himself had been gravely wounded in his clash with Roger, adding an air of mystery to the already legendary encounter.
Once again, the name Gol D. Roger, or rather Gold Roger, as advertised, echoed throughout the world, stirring both awe and trepidation among those who heard it. The World Government, sensing the unrest that threatened to unravel the delicate balance of power, swiftly responded to the situation. The massive tsunami unleashed by the unpredictable storm wreaked havoc, swallowing three nearby islands in the vicinity of the Edd Sea. In light of these events, Roger's notoriety soared to unprecedented heights, prompting the World Government to revise his bounty without hesitation.
With a new bounty of 4,258,600,000 Belly, Roger ascended to a league of his own, becoming the first pirate in nearly a decade to carry such a staggering price on his head. The magnitude of his bounty spoke volumes, solidifying his status as the most wanted man in the world and sending shockwaves through the ranks of both pirates and marines alike.
The Marines deployed their forces with unwavering determination, sweeping through Paradise and the four seas to quell any signs of unrest that threatened to escalate further. Their efforts were a testament to their resolve to maintain order and stability in the face of chaos. However, for me, life soon returned to its usual rhythm of hunting pirates in the treacherous waters of the New World and honing my skills through rigorous training.
Over the course of the next two months, the Marines successfully reasserted their dominance across the world, restoring a sense of security to the seas. This was a crucial step, especially with the imminent arrival of the big event on the horizon. The World Government couldn't afford to have the seas plunged into turmoil, not when the leaders of affiliated nations were set to convene.
During those two months, amidst the tumultuous events, a significant encounter unfolded. It was a chance meeting with none other than Mihawk, the enigmatic swordsman, who had fully recovered from our previous clash.
As I sat in a quaint restaurant, savoring a momentary respite from the rigors of duty, I sensed Mihawk's presence. It was as if fate had orchestrated our encounter, bringing us together on a remote island where Garp's ship was docked for resupply.
I continued with my meal, unfazed by Mihawk's silent presence as he seated himself across from me. Yoru, his legendary blade, remained sheathed on his back, waiting to be unleashed at a moment's notice. The scar I had left on him during our last encounter was still visible, a reminder of our shared history.
As we continued to dine in silence, I couldn't help but notice the subtle change in Mihawk's demeanor as he accepted the meal I had ordered for him. His stoic expression softened ever so slightly, a silent acknowledgment of my gesture.
With a nod of thanks, Mihawk began to partake in the food before him, his movements deliberate and controlled. It was evident that he was a man of refined tastes, yet he seemed to appreciate the simplicity of the meal I had provided.
Minutes passed in comfortable silence, broken only by the clink of utensils against plates and the occasional murmur of conversation from nearby patrons. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, mingling with the salt-tinged breeze that wafted through the open windows of the restaurant.
Finally, as I finished the last morsel of my meal, a contented burp escaped my lips, drawing a faint smirk from Mihawk. It was a rare moment of levity between us, a small but significant gesture that spoke volumes without the need for words.
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