One Piece: Starting in God Valley as a Slave

Rayleigh's face showed a look of surprise.

"Garp's son? That Monkey D. Dragon who defected from the Marines?"

Hearing Garp's name, Roger grinned and said,

"That's right. Even you're surprised, huh, Rayleigh? Garp and I seem to share a curious fate."

"But I heard Dragon was saved by Garp from Black Dragon. You know his methods—he wouldn't have let Dragon go. If Ace is with him, I'm afraid…"

"I know."

Roger's pupils suddenly turned a mix of pink and black. His lips twitched as though he wanted to smile, but he quickly clenched his teeth, forcing out a suppressed laugh. Through gritted teeth, he muttered,

"Killing him... That's the mission this fruit has given me. I must clear the path for its true master!"

After saying this, the strange aura around Roger dissipated. He exhaled deeply and continued,

"Rayleigh, after I'm gone, this fruit will appear again. Forget Buggy, but you and Shanks must find it."

Rayleigh frowned.

"Didn't you say it would find its own master?"

"I just want to make sure nothing goes wrong."

"Understood."

Rayleigh turned and placed his hand on the doorknob. He hesitated for a moment, then spoke in a low voice,

"It's been my honor to serve under the Pirate King."

Bang!

The door closed heavily. Roger stared at the empty room, murmuring,

"Don't disappoint me…"

News of Pirate King Roger's impending showdown with the Marines quickly spread across the world. Most ordinary people, upon hearing the news, fervently hoped for a Marine victory.

When they learned that Carl, the so-called Marine War God, would be leading the charge, their hearts were further reassured. Over the years, Carl had earned a reputation for decisively crushing every pirate crew he encountered.

Newspapers went into a frenzy, dispatching countless News Coo equipped with visual Den Den Mushi to capture every detail of this monumental clash. The skies over the sea became crowded with the birds, swarming like locusts. Even if the Marines hadn't planned a worldwide broadcast, other channels would ensure the world witnessed it.

Under Carl's orders, the Marine fleet sailed openly from Marineford toward the sea territory controlled by Roger's Pirate Crew. The fleet's movements were in no way concealed, allowing the hovering News Coo to spread their position far and wide.

Roger's crew quickly received the information. Following Roger's command, the Oro Jackson and an allied pirate fleet set out en masse.

Three days later, the two forces met in a sea region steeped in history: the Edd War Sea, where Roger and Carl had first crossed paths.

Roger and Carl stood at the prows of their respective ships, staring each other down. The atmosphere between their fleets was starkly different.

On the Marine side, every soldier stood rigid in their pristine uniforms, their expressions solemn as steel. Officers donned white cloaks bearing the kanji for "Justice," exuding a suffocating military discipline. This aura, captured by the visual Den Den Mushi, transmitted a chilling tension to audiences worldwide.

In contrast, the pirate side was rowdy and chaotic. Apart from the Oro Jackson, most of the allied pirate vessels resembled a ragtag assembly. Their taunts toward the Marine fleet lacked any real momentum, instead coming off as clownish bravado.

But even this clownish behavior didn't last long.

Roger and Carl released their Conqueror's Haki.

Buzz!

Two distinct auras, one red and one black, exploded from their bodies, colliding violently in midair like two beasts breaking free of their chains. The clash unleashed flashes of lightning, darkening the once-clear skies over the Edd War Sea and stirring monstrous waves.

Countless News Coo fainted mid-flight, dropping like white rain into the sea below.

Thankfully, major newspapers had anticipated this and prepared specially trained News Coo, birds conditioned through rigorous methods to withstand fear. These measures ensured at least some footage would survive the initial onslaught of Haki.

Across the world, the collective sound of gulping filled the air as viewers watched the scene unfold. For the majority who had never set foot beyond their local shores, the spectacle of two Conqueror's Haki users colliding was nothing short of apocalyptic.

In Mary Geoise, within the courtyard of the Figarland family estate, multiple visual Den Den Mushi projected the Edd War Sea battle from various angles.

Garling sat composed on a gilded chair, his fingers interlocked on his lap. Behind him stood an array of golden-armored guards, while rows of kneeling slaves filled the courtyard. Among them were Monet and Sugar, who stared wide-eyed at the screens, captivated by Carl's imposing figure.

It was the first time the Monet sisters had witnessed Carl in battle, though the fight had yet to begin. His oppressive aura alone was enough to make their hearts feel as though they might stop.

Robin huddled against her mother, Olvia, looking at Carl with a mixture of fear and awe.

In a soft voice, she asked,

"Mom, will he win?"

Without hesitation, Olvia replied,

"He will!"

Her answer surprised not just Robin but herself as well. Avoiding her daughter's gaze, Olvia returned her focus to Carl's figure on the screen, silently thinking,

"A man like him… How could he possibly lose?"

If even Olvia had such faith in Carl, it was no surprise Garling did.

Gathering all his guards and attendants here served one purpose: to show them the might of their future master.

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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg