"Roger!"
A crimson comet tore through the clouds, trailing fire and lightning as it plunged toward the island.
Crackling black-red lightning exploded outward, painting the sky in shades of blood and shadow. The air itself seemed to quake beneath the oppressive weight of his arrival—an ancient, demonic pressure that swallowed all color from the world.
The Roger Pirates felt it instantly. Their hearts pounded. Knees trembled.
"Hahahaha! I've been waiting for you, Young Darren!"
Roger didn't retreat. He charged forward, face alight with joy and madness, laughter booming through the forest of cherry blossoms.
"No one interfere!" he barked, his voice rolling like thunder. "This is between the two of us!"
Zzzzzzzt!
Haki surged around his body, swirling like a storm. The ground shattered beneath his feet as he launched forward, his coat flaring behind him like the wings of a god of war.
BOOM!
Two auras collided—raw, overwhelming, divine.
Roger's Meito Ace crackled with black-red lightning, the air warping around the blade.
Darren's eyes narrowed, violet-black Haki radiating from his body as if an ancient beast had awakened.
When their gazes met, words became unnecessary. Battle itself became language.
"Divine Departure!"
"Dragon's Dive!"
The two powers crashed together—
—and the island exploded.
A shockwave howled outward, tearing apart the cherry blossom forest, ripping bedrock from the earth, splitting the sea itself.
The air turned into a storm of blinding light and violent sound.
The Roger Pirates threw up their arms against the gale, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Their attacks… they didn't even touch!"
"This power—it's like when Captain Roger fought Whitebeard!"
"Could that man already be on the same level?!"
Rayleigh and Gaban exchanged a look. Both could feel it. Darren's Haki, still short of Roger's, was only one step away from reaching that transcendent realm. His growth since their last meeting was terrifying.
"He's a monster," Rayleigh muttered. "He's actually keeping up with Captain Roger."
Behind them, Buggy cowered in terror, clutching his head. Shanks stood beside him, fists clenched, eyes locked on Darren. A mixture of awe and unease clouded his young face.
BOOM!
The air finally ruptured. A thunderclap of force rolled across the island, flattening everything in sight.
When the light cleared, a rift split the sky itself—a jagged scar through the clouds, flickering with lingering arcs of lightning.
Amid the debris stood two figures.
Roger was grinning ear to ear, his chest rising with exhilarated laughter. "Hahahaha! You've gotten stronger again, Darren!"
Darren wiped the blood from his lip and smirked. "Of course. Didn't you see? My bounty already surpassed yours."
Roger threw his head back and laughed. "Too late, kid! I've taken back the title! I'm the World's Number One Criminal now!" His grin widened as he raised his sword. "If you've got a problem with that—let's settle it right now!"
Darren's lips curved faintly. "Sure. If you want a fight…"
"Hahahaha! Then come on!"
Before he could finish, Roger lunged again, his sword carving through the air like a meteor.
"—But I have one condition."
Swish!
The blade passed just above Darren's head, slicing off strands of his hair.
BOOM!
A section of the island split apart, crashing into the ocean in a thunderous wave.
Roger glared, eyes twitching. "A condition?!"
He gritted his teeth, furious. This kid hadn't even bothered to counterattack! After all this buildup, after dragging his sick body into battle—now he wanted to talk?
"Speak fast before I lose my temper!" Roger barked.
Darren lifted his hand. "Simple. I need to borrow your ship's doctor."
Roger blinked. "What?"
Lightning flashed behind Darren as a massive metal box descended from the clouds, landing with a heavy thud.
Inside lay a motionless man—pale, barely breathing.
Roger's eyes widened. "Zephyr?! His aura's fading—he's dying!"
Darren's tone hardened. "He's infected with a spore-based toxin. Even Dr. Kureha couldn't cure it. She said there's only one man on this sea who can."
His gaze shifted to the bespectacled figure standing quietly among the Roger Pirates.
"The man known for saving even those at death's door…"
Darren's voice dropped to a low, urgent growl.
"Your ship's doctor—Crocus."
To be continued...