As the Prison Escapees left the for the Battlefield. Redbeard watched as they left. His mind processing the words that Falcon D. Leroy had said to him. His declaration for being King of The Pirates even in the face of a man who had fought evenly against Roger himself.
Now that he thought about it…
Falcon D. Leroy…
Red Sash…
D.
"Roger…" He whispered to himself. His hand tightening on the length of length of steel in his hand. Barbossa thought back to last time he saw Roger. Mere days before he turned himself in to the marines.
Roger had been travelling around the Grand Line. It said that in those last days, because he did not engage in any combat, that his body began to wain for an unknown reason. Meaning that by the time he was on the Execution Scaffold on his home island of Louge Town. He was quiet literally billions of times weaker than he was only months prior.
Roger had found one of Barbossa's territories. And pulled what he would later explain to be a form of 'Prank'. He had came to the island. Brandishing his sword. And said that is Redbeard did not come to talk to him. He would do something reckless.
But the funny part came in the next action. Roger sat on the main building of the island where trade came and went. Supervised under Redbeards Fleet to ensure that no exploits occurred and it all went over fairly.
The Pirate King however, sat on top of the building. Hands clasped together and leaned forward. Hand not even touching his saber at his side. The blade known as Arch. A Supreme Grade Cutlass. Even for a guy just over Nine Feet tall. It was a sized up blade to be the same size a Cutlass would be in a shorter persons hands
"You've some nerve Roger!" A Voice Screamed from across the island. It was a voice that The Pirate King knew well. Avery Barbossa had finally arrived.
But the two did not even exchange a single blow as the two departed from the trade hub and off the the surrounding outskirts. The island was filled with bonsai trees that were massive. Along with giant spire mountains that rose high into the air. Some as tall as a kilometer.
"So. What was it that you wanted to speak on. Since you went through all this trouble to get me." Redbeard said. Pouring a dark yellow bubbly liquid into a large glass tankard for the man
"Whats this?" Roger asked, lifting the tankard
"Beer." Barbossa spoke plainly. "North Blue Hoppo Island Ale." He explained
"But answer the damn question." Barbossa snarled
"Oh c'mon! This is the first time we've spoken in months and this is how you treat an old friend!" Roger grinned as he slammed the tankard down. Glass clinking.
"Roger! We are not friends-" Barbossa was interrupted again by Roger "Then if we're enemies. Why are we talking? Would an enemy allow his former Second Division Commander join his crew because he asked?"
Barbossa snarled again. His nose scrunching. But before he could speak again. Roger Continued
"Because if we are suddenly Enemies. I do still have it in me to fight…Even if I'm sick…" He said. Pressure exuding off him
"Agh…Forget it. I guess we're…Peers. I only have family. Not friends. In life all you have are those you choose to surround yourself with, and the ones that are always with you is your family."
'So Friends. Comrades?' Roger thought to himself. A smile spreading across his mustached face. The curling hairs twisting upwards.
"Anyway. How is Arthur?" Redbeard finally asked. His face scrunched as he sips from the glass.
"He chose to return to Athenia. After we found it." Roger sipped from glass. Enjoying the bitter taste of the liquid on his palette.
Barbossa sighed. He hadn't expected Arthur to not eventually return to his family. But he trusted him that once he was done on Athenia. He'd return. If not. That was his decision.
"Do you want me to tell about it?" Roger asked
"What? Athenia?"
"No! The Treasure I found…I'm Calling it…The One Piece!" He laughed "Ahahaha!"
"One Piece? Why?" Redbeard furrowed his brow
"I left it all in One Piece. All my Treasure…And the Treasure that was found there…And it's the One Piece. One Thing that could change everything…So. Do you want me to tell you what it is…"
"I even found out what it means…That D. The Supposed Will of D." He says.
"D….I've met a few people with that Initial before but I don't know what has to do with 'Will'. One of my Family has it too. Ya know. The News has started to call you 'Gold' Roger. Instead of 'Gol D.'" He sipped again. The bonsai rustling behind him
"Bah! Of course they would. Given the obvious. But its nothing to be ashamed of! I wear it as a badge of Honor!" He declared proudly
"Well. I have interest in your treasure. Or what evers on that final island. No matter how grand you're speaking of it…But tell me. What is this 'Will of D.'" Barbossa leaned in. Listening closely.
Roger explained in full detail what it meant. Everything about it. Every small detail that he knew. And every time he heard a new twist, a new piece of information. His eyes widened. Before it all fit together. His mouth agape by the end of it all.
And it made him laugh
"You were right." Redbeard said. Eyes falling on Leroy as he ran through the battle field!
"Ha. Ha. Ha!" Leroy breathed heavily as he ran forward. Slamming his fist into a marine! Sending him flying! Another raised his gun! Firing the new 7.62 round through the air! But leroy's fist was many times faster! Smashing through the bullet, the air! And then the barrel shattered! Followed by the wooden body, mag well collapsing and crumpling followed by the trigger group!
Leroys hand was extend and splayed! Grabbing his face with strength that tore his flesh before tossing him through the air in a heap!
"None of you are going to get in my way!!!" He roared!
"Rahhh!" His fist slammed! Threw into another! Fist crumpling bone! Blood errupting! It was brutal. But he did not do it for that sake. He could not hold back! This was not the time for going easy
It wasn't a time for Mercy!
This was his brother! He wouldn't let another soul be lost because he was too weak!
"Ahh! Gum Gum! Volley!" His fist shot through the air slamming again and again sending hundreds flying! If they died they died! If not all that mattered was him getting passed!!