The massive Golden Ark hovered above Island, casting its golden shadow over the land below. A gleaming golden airship descended from the island, leaving both the locals and the Roger Pirates stunned by the sheer extravagance of the Hell Pirates.
"Roger!!"
Brook called out with the warmth, his voice full of cheer. More than a year had passed without them noticing, and Roger's presence had grown even more formidable.
Roger, Rayleigh, and Gaban exchanged glances, equally astonished by the overwhelming aura radiating from the four main fighters of the Hell Pirates. Unconsciously, they each started sizing up their own strength against them.
"Brook-san, you guys are incredible!"
Roger's eyes gleamed as he stared at Redfield and the others. A born battle maniac, he couldn't help but itch for a fight when faced with such powerful foes. The stronger the opponent, the more excited he became.
"Let me give you a proper introduction." Brook grinned, puffing up with pride as he gestured at his crewmates. "These are: Red the Aloof Redfield, Golden Lion Shiki, Whitebeard Newgate, and the Hell Witch, Linlin."
He made sure to make the introduction grand, giving his crew every bit of face they deserved. Then, he turned and introduced the Roger Pirates to his own.
"Wow, so cool! We've gotta spar sometime!" Roger beamed, clearly fired up. The sheer presence of these men, whose reputations now even eclipsed his own, was enough to make his fists itch.
"They feel even stronger than World, or Chinjao the Drill," Gaban whispered to Rayleigh, a mix of awe and relief in his voice. Lucky for them, Brook's crew were allies today. If not, they'd probably be scrambling to make an escape right now.
The Roger Pirates had faced plenty of pirate crews and Marine fleets along their journey — most battles ending in victories or draws. Well, except for that run-in with that mad dog rear admiral…
"Shyahhahaha~ That suits me just fine! Roger, right? Brook always speaks highly of you — kinda annoys me, actually!"
Golden Lion Shiki strode forward, chomping on a cigar. His aura was raw, domineering, and utterly unrestrained — Conqueror's Haki leaking out without even trying.
Like a hornet's nest suddenly stirred, Roger's own Conqueror's Haki flared to meet Shiki's challenge.
"You're a Conqueror too?!"
Shiki's eyes widened in surprise, but before the shock could settle, Rayleigh — standing right beside Roger — also let out a surge of his own Haki. The Hell Pirates blinked in disbelief.
When did Conqueror's Haki become so common?! Shakky and Tiger clenched their fists, hearts pounding with excitement for what the future might hold.
Even Redfield looked taken aback. A crew with two kings? His own fighting spirit flared as he released his Haki, eager to join the clash.
Not to be outdone, Charlotte Linlin let out a wicked grin.
"If everyone's playing… count me in!" She unleashed her own overwhelming Haki, bringing the count to five clashing wills. The air grew heavy, the pressure so intense it left both crews gasping for breath.
And yet, beneath the weight, excitement surged — hearts racing at the sheer spectacle of it. This was a moment no one would forget.
Brook's eyes, however, were drawn to Whitebeard Newgate. The giant's entire body trembled, fists clenched tight, veins bulging. His burning gaze spoke volumes — something was about to happen.
Could it be…?
Brook's heart pounded as he felt Newgate's aura gathering, swelling. This guy, seeing so many Conquerors in one place, couldn't hold back anymore.
And sure enough, after a moment of brewing, Whitebeard Newgate roared, unleashing his own fierce will. He would not stand below these five!
With his awakening, he shoved his way into the clash, staking his claim as the sixth king. His Haki burst out wildly, uncontrollably, blasting at everyone around him — no discrimination, pure raw force!
"Yohohoho~~!"
Brook threw back his head and laughed, thrilled beyond words. Newgate had finally awakened his Conqueror's Haki — and in the most dramatic way possible. Truly, Roger was a man of destiny. This meeting was already proving priceless!
Brook's own excitement surged. His soul — quite literally — blazed to life, manifesting as a towering spectral Shinigami. The giant death god stood at the heart of the six-way clash, as if claiming dominion over the storm itself.
Meanwhile, in the distance, Antonio captured the scene on film, knowing this image would shake the world.
...
Far away, even in the Sacred Land of Mary Geoise, atop the Empty Throne in Pangaea Castle, Imu lifted their head abruptly, sensing the shift and turning their gaze toward the New World.
On Hachinosu Island, Rocks D. Xebec paused his training, eyes narrowing as he looked to the horizon...
On Madagascar Island, Vesper trembled, feeling the coming tide. The great shift had begun...
In the frozen kingdom, the aged Ice Demon sighed and closed his eyes to meditate...
And across the seas, from Chinjao to Vesper, every wielder of Conqueror's Haki felt the disturbance. All rose to their feet, unsettled.
Back at the clash, Brook's laughter echoed. The ghostly death god looming over the six Conquerors grew more solid, as if taking true form. For a moment, even Brook himself felt as though he'd ascended beyond mortal limits — touching divinity itself.
With a triumphant roar, Brook unleashed his own massive surge of power, blasting all six of them apart and bringing the battle of wills to a crashing end.
The six stood panting, faces flushed, staring at Brook in the center — each wearing a different expression. Linlin gazed at him with starry-eyed adoration. Redfield's face twisted with mad fervor. Shiki looked like a man ready to kneel. Newgate's eyes burned with pure worship. Roger shone with admiration. And Rayleigh… Rayleigh could only stand there, utterly shaken.
"Yohoho~ That was exhilarating!!!"
Brook practically shivered with euphoria, his very soul soaring. It felt as though he'd grasped the reins of fate itself — the power to pull souls directly into his own personal hell, standing above all.
"Magnificent! All six of you… your futures will rival that of any king! The world belongs to us!!!"
Brook's shout set off a wild cheer among the Hell Pirates, their cries ringing out: Long live Captain Brook!
Roger, still catching his breath, watched them with glowing eyes. He could see it clearly now — the rise of a true king, not just powerful, but bound to his crew with unbreakable bonds. A force as united and dangerous as his own.
"Gurarara~ Roger, come! Let's drink!!"
Newgate, drunk on adrenaline and high from awakening his Haki, grabbed Roger with a booming laugh. Fired up, he pulled him into a wild drinking spree — because nothing sealed a friendship like shared drinks after a fight among kings.
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+188 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg