The jet-black giant dragon had completely vanished from the sky.
Roa still felt a sense of melancholy.
How did I let Robin escape?
It just makes me look foolish. After all, who knew that such a reinforcement would suddenly appear? Even Roa himself was startled when Nidhogg unexpectedly showed up.
It's not that he was afraid of Robin causing an irreparable mess. Having been robbed of even the Gum-Gum Fruit, she would be lucky to reach Katakuri's level within a few years.
As it currently stands, what Brother Kaido said about Haki surpassing everything else is quite ridiculous. For the people of this world, the only way to surpass human limits and reach the realm of Joy Boy and Imu is to rely on those Devil Fruits that are granted the names of gods.
Other than that, no matter how great your talent or how heaven-defying your lineage, the Pirate King Roger's level is the limit.
Roa actually just purely felt that the woman was a great collectible.
What a pity.
Of course, compared to Nidhogg, Robin wasn't as important.
Who would have thought that the egg on Roger Pirates' ship back then contained Nidhogg the Dragon of the End? Judging by Gaban and the others' reactions, even Roger himself probably didn't know about it.
Now that I think about it, during the Marineford War in the original work, the Red-Hair Pirates were still intercepting the Beasts Pirates in the New World the day before, yet they appeared at Marineford the next day. Nidhogg must have carried them across mountains and seas.
This is truly... a living weapon comparable to an Ancient Weapon is now in the hands of the Roger Pirates' remnants.
Doesn't this mean that another chess player has appeared outside the world's chessboard?
That's... quite interesting.
Doesn't this mean that the power Imu holds is far weaker than originally imagined?
Roa rubbed his chin.
There shouldn't be a second Nidhogg in the world. If the Dragon of the End from eight hundred years ago was still in Imu's hands, it would have appeared when Mary Geoise was bombed earlier.
This means Imu only has one half-crippled Uranus.
When you think about it this way, the World Government seems pretty weak.
Both I and the Roger Pirates' remnants genuinely hold one complete Ancient Weapon—well, although Shirahoshi's power hasn't fully awakened and the Dragon of the End hasn't fully matured, having it is better than not having it.
And Shirahoshi has recently been actively training her ability, and Nidhogg's growth rate is astonishingly fast. In just a few years at most, these two will likely be able to recreate the world-destroying power of the Ancient Weapons from eight hundred years ago.
The World Government only has Imu.
It's not that possessing an Ancient Weapon automatically crushes Imu—at least Roa doesn't know how Shirahoshi could deal with Imu, even if her ability fully awakens.
It's simply because, this way, Imu has run out of cards.
As long as I become stronger than that guy, everything will be over.
Hmm, in that case, I should focus on accumulating power for now.
My Armament Haki and Observation Haki are still too weak, not even comparable to Katakuri's, due to the lack of twenty-five years of refinement.
Once the strength of these two types of Haki is raised, coupled with my continuously growing body, surpassing Imu's true form will not be difficult.
I'll set a goal: settle that guy Imu within two years.
While Roa was setting goals for himself mentally.
"Where is that dragon!"
Accompanied by a deafening roar, Loki came sprinting back from the distant edge of the sky, shouting wildly.
Nidhogg can only immunize against Devil Fruit abilities; it cannot directly nullify abilities like the Dark-Dark Fruit.
Therefore, even after taking a direct blow from an Ancient Weapon, Loki, as a rubber man, did not sustain any damage.
But this is only for now.
According to Joy Boy, Nidhogg possesses a high level of intelligence. The Dragon of the End from eight hundred years ago could even use Haki.
Hmm?
Wait!
Roa narrowed his eyes.
Speaking of which, can I now turn a non-human creature with human intelligence into a Tiger Ghost?
I've never tried it.
If I can—
Heh!
It's great that they have emotions. The richer and more abundant the emotions, the better. It's best if they cultivate more feelings with those remnants of the Roger Pirates!
Right, speaking of the remnants of the Roger Pirates, Roa lightly drifted down from the sky, landing beside Gaban.
"Boss!"
Gaban bowed respectfully.
Roa did not respond, only quietly looking down at Rayleigh and Shakky lying on the ground.
"What a pity,"
He suddenly sighed. "I can't grant my puppets immortality like Imu can."
Given the injuries of these two, even if he turned them into Tiger Ghosts, they wouldn't live.
"Roa..."
Rayleigh, whose entire left chest had been shattered by Gaban's two axe strikes, was somewhat dazed, his voice faint. "The children will stand before you one day. They already possess the power to fight—to fight you. Everything is not over..."
"Then don't keep me waiting too long."
Roa raised the corner of his mouth. "Farewell, Mr. Rayleigh."
Rayleigh's aura grew weaker and weaker, until finally, it completely fell silent.
In mid-air, Hancock, who was tightly restrained by the Haki-infused hand, hung her head in pain. Even someone as proud as her couldn't help but be brought to tears. "Rayleigh!"
"Old Ray..."
Shakky, who had been cut in half at the waist, was very weak, but she was still alive.
The former world's number one beauty wore a faint smile on her pale face. She was even able to look up and comfort Hancock. "Don't be afraid, Hancock. Robin, Robin and the others, they will return."
"Shakky..."
Hancock's voice trembled.
"Alright, don't keep Rayleigh waiting."
Roa lightly pointed his finger.
A spot of light formed between Rayleigh and Shakky, then slowly expanded until it engulfed both Rayleigh and Shakky.
The next moment, the light faded.
Everything that had been covered by the light had vanished, leaving only a smooth hemispherical crater in their place.
It's not just the intensity of the ability that has grown stronger; the control over it has also improved.
"Shakky!!"
Hancock screamed hysterically. "Roa! You bastard!! I'll kill you! One day, I swear I will kill you!!"
On the nearby cliff face, Gloriosa and Olvia, who had been struck down by Enel, were also weeping profusely.
And it wasn't just them.
"Waaahhh!!"
Gaban was practically howling now. "Rayleigh, my brother! You idiot! Why did you go against Boss! Wouldn't it have been better to live peacefully with Shakky!"
Looking at his heartbroken state, who would be able to tell that he had personally killed Rayleigh and Shakky?
Oh, wait, Roa killed Shakky.
Like Gaban, his good son Colon was also silently weeping. Although he hadn't seen them many times, Uncle Rayleigh was still an elder he respected.
Seeing the appearance of the two of them, Hancock's eyes were filled with immense fury.
Roa!!
How can a person be this vile?
"Mmm oh!"
But Roa, who was being fiercely cursed, merely raised his head in ecstasy. "Delicious!"
"Boss! Where is that black dragon?"
Loki, who had run all over the sky and couldn't find Nidhogg no matter how hard he looked, crashed onto the ground. The giant, over a hundred meters tall, was full of indignation. "Did it escape?"
"If you're so unwilling, then just look forward to the next encounter."
Roa chuckled. "Rayleigh said it himself: one day, they will stand before us again."
Speaking of which, what will these remnants of the Roger Pirates do?
They already possess a power sufficient to disrupt the chessboard.
It seems they won't help me, but helping Imu is even more impossible.
If they choose to watch from the sidelines and wait for me to deal with Imu and steal Uranus, won't it become the situation from eight hundred years ago again: the three Ancient Weapons against the Dragon of the End?
In that case, would I truly become the inheritor of Joy Boy?
Just the thought of it is interesting.
I just wonder if Robin and the others can rally a large-scale force like Imu did back then.
"Let's go back."
Roa said with a light smile.
Although the process was somewhat convoluted, and the outcome made him look a bit foolish, overall, the gains were plentiful.
Loki got the Gum-Gum Fruit, and Roa got Hancock and a batch of beauties from Amazon Lily.
Hmm, I'll just call two more ships over and take everyone from Amazon Lily. That'll surely be effective against Robin later on.
While Roa was preparing to retreat, in a certain part of the sky already some distance away, the jet-black giant dragon was rapidly moving forward, flapping its wings.
On the monster's back, the atmosphere was exceptionally heavy.
Robin was quietly weeping, Shanks was silent, and the remnants of the Roger Pirates all had their eyes downcast, their faces as grim as water.
Only Robin managed to escape from the Kuja Pirates—or rather, everyone else was annihilated, except for Robin and Hancock, who was captured by Roa.
Similarly annihilated was the Colon Pirates. Except for Colon, who was controlled by Roa, not a single person survived.
Even the Red-Hair Pirates suffered heavy losses. Ordinary crew members below the level of major executives like Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and Buggy were decimated, leaving only one in ten. The size of the pirate crew instantly plummeted to just eight people.
There was no helping it; not just anyone could survive the volcanic eruption Roa ultimately summoned.
"Absolutely!"
Robin's eyes were blood-red, and black and red Conqueror's Haki lightning was involuntarily flickering around her. "I must absolutely kill that scum!!"
"That's right!"
Buggy was also gritting his teeth, tears streaming down his face. "So many people died at the hands of that trash! One day, we must make him pay!"
No matter how unreliable he seemed normally, Buggy's care for his comrades was genuine.
Not to mention, Uncle Rayleigh and Aunt Shakky are also dead!
"Sigh."
Crocus couldn't help but sigh now.
Roger was right.
That guy Roa is simply too dangerous.
This world is truly unlucky. It produced an Imu eight hundred years ago, and now a monster like Roa is born.
"At least, with Nidhogg, we're not completely without a fighting chance!"
A member of the Roger Pirates said. "In fact, Nidhogg can play a more significant role in solo combat than the other Ancient Weapons!"
"It's just that Nidhogg hasn't fully matured yet. We might have to wait a few more years."
"Phew—"
Shanks slowly let out a breath, his hand resting on the straw hat on his head. The coarse touch made him unconsciously grip the hat tightly.
"Nidhogg alone is not enough. Our power is too weak compared to both Roa and Imu."
"Especially Roa. I have no doubt that if he were defeated, he would not hesitate to control the Sea God to destroy the entire world to accompany him to the grave!"
"We need more power!"
For a time, everyone was silent.
More power?
The current world situation is a standoff between the pirate alliance led by Roa and the World Government.
Outside of these two sides, how many people are left who have the ability and the courage to stand up against them?
Suddenly, Crocus mused, "What about Whitebeard? The Whitebeard Pirates have also just returned to the first half of the Grand Line from Twin Capes. They've also been chased all over the place by that guy Roa."
"Whitebeard, huh?"
Shanks thought for a moment. "We can try, but Whitebeard alone is still far from enough."
The strength of the Whitebeard Pirates is undoubtedly great; they are one of the publicly acknowledged Pirate Emperors.
But they are simply too insignificant in the face of Roa or Imu.
But who else is there to look for? Who else can stand side by side with them against Roa and Imu?
As things came to an end here.
The expansion of the pirate alliance resumed.
Colossal floating ships swaggered across the skies of the West Blue and North Blue, and on the sea surface, nine grand fleets began to move once more.
Within just a few days, several countries were captured.
Then, news of the pirates' renewed movement spread across the seas via the World Economic News Paper.
This was not unexpected. Although the pirate fleets had paused their operations for inexplicable reasons recently, the Sea Kings had already shocked the entire world. It was expected that the pirates would resume their operations after the Sea Kings blockaded most of the West Blue and North Blue.
With the pirates' offensive aimed at them, the first countries to be targeted naturally surrendered immediately.
But then, something interesting happened.
This is the Soranchal Kingdom in the North Blue.
This is a World Government affiliated nation, so its royalty had already been thoroughly massacred by Roa's assassins earlier.
The commotion from the Sea Kings a while ago had already plunged the people of this country into deep fear, and when the pirates' expansion began again, the authorities of the country were preparing to surrender without hesitation.
But, it was at this very moment that people stood up in many parts of the country, and they began their declaration.
"Compatriots! We have been abandoned! The World Government has abandoned us! The Marines have abandoned us! Now even the powerful figures leading this country are going to betray this nation and kneel before the pirates!"
"Roa is a lunatic! The Flevance Disaster came about because of him! The sea area he ruled back then was a veritable living hell! There was no order, only the law of the jungle, and utter chaos!"
"If this country falls into his hands, our families, our friends, everything we have will be ravaged by them!"
"Resist! Compatriots! We can only rely on ourselves now!"
"Fight! Compatriots! Only we can protect our homeland!"
When everyone was in a panic and didn't know how to respond, someone stood up and said they would lead them to protect the country!
And so, the frantic people instinctively thought they saw hope.
The resistance began just like that.
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