After two weeks at sea, the Roger Pirates finally returned from Water Island and reentered the waters of the Pirate Holy Island, Doragonzo Island.
At the insistence of several excited crew members, the Oro Jackson sailed straight into the Eighteen Hell Islands, heading first for the Island of Life and Death, widely known as the Island of Entertainment.
This island, operated by the glamorous Entertainment Queen Stussy, was the most prosperous among the Eighteen Hell Islands. Lily Carnation's leaf servants remained the centerpiece attraction, adored by pirates from every sea.
Many exotic food plants from the Boeing Islands had been transplanted here, turning the place into a land-based allblue, a paradise that made chefs weep with joy. And of course, the gambling halls, bars, theaters, and luxury stalls made it the ultimate location for eating, drinking, and entertainment.
The new white wine and soju produced here were already becoming the most sought-after spirits in the world, favorites even among seasoned pirates who once swore by rum.
Doragonzon Island itself was the more formal trade hub, selling rare potions and cutting-edge weapons produced by the Hell Pirates. Its variety was so extensive that even member nations of the Grand Line and the Four Seas quietly bought supplies from here through the underground market.
As soon as they reached the port, Gaban grabbed Spencer and bolted toward the famous Heaven on Earth theater, eager to watch the legendary Victoria's Secret catwalk and the elegant performances of the famed beauty.
Seeing their excitement, the young fighters Taro and Elio immediately followed, grinning knowingly.
"Captain Roger, let's check the weapons on Doragonzo Island first," Rangram said, gripping his long-handled naginata. Unlike the others, he cared little for entertainment and more for newly forged arms.
"Ahahaha, no problem, go on ahead!" Roger laughed. With their diamond rank in the Pirate Guild and a good relationship with Brook, safety was hardly a concern.
Yamon with his red tassel spear, CB Gallant carrying a staff, the machete-wielding Little Demon, the winged Doringo, and Millet Pine with his meteor hammer all joined Rangram, preparing to board the circular sea train that connected the Eighteen Hell Islands to Doragonzo Island.
Shipwright Doringo, pipe in mouth, and his mate Rowan headed out to gather materials for repairs on the Oro Jackson.
The fishman Sunbell and the young giant Nozton remained behind, standing tall behind Roger and Rayleigh like two living battlements.
Sniper Petermoo and the western swordsman Moon Isaac Jr., both dressed in refined western suits, left to buy new clothing after greeting their captain.
Old Bluemarine and the bearded dwarf Bankuro went to restock food, fresh water, and fine wines.
,Jackson Banner, MAX Marc, and others scattered toward the casinos and bars, eager to enjoy themselves.
In the end, only one towering man remained nearby, hesitating. A turban sat on his head, a cigar between his teeth, and a deep scar cut across his face. He couldn't decide whether to join the fun or stay with his captain.
This was Captain Mullin. Once a navy captain, he had inexplicably found his way aboard the Oro Jackson.
No one knew exactly why a navy officer had defected. The official story was that he struck his corrupt superior in anger, knocking the man half dead, and fled the Marines soon after.
Later, he would become the man who secretly crafted a permanent pointer to Raftel, only to have Roger discover it and toss it into the sea. By chance, a Sea King swallowed it, and years later it ended up in the hands of Buena Festa and Bullet, igniting chaos at the Pirate Expo.
Smoke curled over Mullin's face as he finally made up his mind. He followed Roger, curious about the sparks that would fly between Roger and Brook.
"Mullin, not going to enjoy yourself a little?"
Rayleigh, pushing up his gold rimmed glasses, looked at him with a gentle smile.
"I'd rather stay by the captain's side," Mullin replied, scratching his head with a sheepish grin. If not for the cigar and the brutal scar, he almost looked harmless.
"Hahaha! Then come along, but don't go weak in the knees when we meet Brook."
Roger grinned widely. The Hell Pirates had surely investigated Mullin's past already. Shiki or Redfield might even decide to test the former navy man with a warning of their own.
"With the captain here, I'm not scared."
Mullin kept smiling like a fool. He had already cut ties with the navy long ago, carried a bounty over one hundred million, and fully committed to the Roger Pirates.
"Then let's go meet the New World Overlord, Brook!"
Roger slung a heavy package over his shoulder. Inside were the historical text rubbings he had collected over the years, hoping Brook would translate them all at once.
In return, Roger prepared a full map of the locations where the texts were found, as well as a piece of extremely rare metal, suitable for forging a supreme grade blade.
With such a gift, Brook should tell him the meaning of that small red historical text.
If they hadn't run out of devil fruits, Roger would have preferred to offer those instead. But since he needed help, he had no choice but to part with something precious.
He had already notified Brook through a Den Den Mushi, so they shouldn't arrive to an empty island.
They had planned to sail directly to Doragonzo Island, but curiosity won in the end, and they decided to try the sea train like Rangram.
Meanwhile, on Sky Island, Brook called Shiki, Newgate, Kaido, and the others back because the Roger Pirates were arriving. He wanted his fighters to feel the strength Roger possessed now.
Roger and the Four Hell Kings were all at their peak. Though Roger had a slight edge in Conqueror's Haki, their Armament and Observation were nearly identical.
If a real fight ever erupted, it would be a world shattering battle, and the outcome would be impossible to predict.
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The fact that Roger and Garp were able to join forces and kill Rocks meant their strength was not much weaker than his. Powerhouses like Newgate and Shiki had also clashed with Roger and Garp, and the result was always the same.
In short, none of them could truly overwhelm the others.
Only Redfield had a clean, undeniable solo win against a peak opponent, defeating Fleet Admiral Kong one on one, though he ended up exhausted and was captured by Garp afterward.
The Hell Pirates and the Roger Pirates had not crossed paths in several years, so Brook was very curious about how strong Roger had become, especially that overwhelming Conqueror's Haki that belonged to the so called son of the era.
Even Brook was not completely sure his own Conqueror's Haki surpassed Roger's.
However, Brook had no intention of forcing Roger into becoming his enemy. On the contrary, he was willing to help him reach the final island and become Pirate King.
Perhaps the secret of that last island would draw Imu and the World Government's gaze toward the Roger Pirates.
While they were busy focusing on Roger, the Hell Pirates would have the space to move against the Rocks Pirates, complete the unification of the New World, gather all pirate forces under one banner, and finally gain the power to face the World Government head on.
Inside the central castle on Doragonzo Island, many of the Hell Pirates' cadres sat in high seats, looking down at Roger and his crew. Brook had also brought all his trainees from Beast Island so they could see the future Pirate King with their own eyes.
With Brook's push behind him, if he said Roger would be Pirate King, then Roger would be Pirate King.
There was no need to wait for the World Government to glorify Gol D. Roger. Brook could complete his king making plan himself and spread the news that Roger had circled the Grand Line and conquered the final island.
"Ahahaha, Captain Brook, your aura has gotten even stronger," Roger said, his gaze burning. Standing before Brook felt like standing before another Rocks. At the same time, the terrifying pressure from Redfield, Newgate, and the others made him inwardly tense.
They were still as monstrous as ever.
He had experienced so much since then, and yet the gap between them had not widened at all.
"Hahaha, Roger, you are really something. Join us. Let's conquer the world together," Shiki said, laughing as he felt Roger's pressure, actually extending a direct invitation. It showed how highly he valued this rival who was both enemy and friend.
"Haha, Shiki, I will say it again. I am not interested in that," Roger replied, still laughing even before all these terrifying figures of the Hell Pirates. He did not give Shiki any face at all. He would not join any faction. He only wanted freedom, adventure, and the truth of history.
Seeing that Roger's aura was not suppressed at all by the Hell Pirates, youngsters like Hades and Abel looked at the middle aged man with blazing admiration.
"You…!"
"Yohoho, Shiki, do not push him. Roger has his own will," Brook said, stepping in.
"Hmph."
Shiki snorted, cut off by Brook, and could only smoke in silence.
"Roger, I know why you are here. If you do a few things for me, I can tell you the information about the final island," Brook said with a laugh.
Just then, Redfield leaned over and whispered something in his ear, and Brook's smile took on a different, meaningful edge.
"I wonder what Captain Brook needs my help with," Roger asked. "Are you planning to attack the Rocks Pirates? If that is the case, then please forgive us. The Roger Pirates do not want to get involved in a war between overlord level pirate crews.
"I have to be responsible for my crew. We only have a little over twenty people. We cannot participate in a massive war involving hundreds of thousands."
Roger looked a bit troubled. If the price of learning the red poneglyph's secret was throwing his crew into the war for New World supremacy, he would rather find another path than force them into that hell.
"Yohoho, do not worry. I will not have you join the war. The first thing I want from you and Rayleigh is to help me test the quality of my children and students," Brook said, laughing loudly.
The next instant, terrifying Conqueror's Haki exploded out of him, sweeping over the hall. Roger had no choice but to unleash his own dominance to meet it head on.
Under that crushing pressure, Brook's many children and students, including Abel, Kuzan, Gekko Moria, and Marco, all staggered where they stood.
"Hahaha, still not enough," Shiki laughed, releasing his own Conqueror's Haki and joining the clash. He understood Brook's plan immediately. This was a test to see what the second generation was really made of.
At that point, Rayleigh had no choice but to join the confrontation as well. He did not expect another Conqueror's Haki clash like the one on LongWater Island so many years ago.
Back then, he had helped Newgate awaken his Conqueror's Haki. Now, which brat would he end up helping awaken it this time?
After Rayleigh stepped in, Linlin, Redfield, Newgate, Kaido, and Kozuki Oden all released their Conqueror's Haki one after another. Every wielder of that power in the room joined the clash.
Even the cone headed Chinjao below could not resist and unleashed his comparatively weak will, eager to participate in this once in a lifetime clash.
Those who had not awakened Conqueror's Haki could only watch as the monsters showed off, forced instead to withstand the suffocating pressure pouring down on them.
Whoever collapsed first would be branded the weakling and lose face on the spot.
Among the youngest, Brook's eight year olds, Satan, Anubis, Mephisto, Hera, Shana, and the others with weaker foundations were the first to fall. Students like Vista, Marco, Jinbe, Jesus Bu, and Gekko Moria soon followed.
After that, Abel, Ben Beckman, and Kuzan were on the verge of collapsing, their legs trembling, while Hades, Osiris, and Kanna still managed to grit their teeth and endure.
Shakky, queen of the Kingdom of Women, captain of the Nine Snakes Pirates and the Hell Pirates' second division, also tried to use this overwhelming pressure to grasp an opportunity to awaken her own Conqueror's Haki.
Fisher Tiger and Hiruba burned with the same desire, longing to awaken that kingly will for themselves.
Stussy, Crocus, Tom, and Scaredo, on the other hand, knew they had no real chance at Conqueror's Haki, but they still refused to be crushed easily. They gritted their teeth and focused only on enduring.
On Roger's side, the fishman Sunbell and the little giant Nozton were also struggling to stay upright. Captain Mullin's eyes were already beginning to roll back, and it looked like he would not last much longer under the collision of so many kings.
"Yohoho! Take in this baptism of Conqueror's Haki to your heart's content," Brook laughed, watching Hades' generation and Shakky's hopefuls with bright anticipation.
As long as even one of them awakened today, this clash would be worth it.
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