A dangerous smile curved at the corner of Togi's lips as the Soulrender Blade gleamed coldly beneath the sunlight.
Roger threw his head back in laughter, flashing his trademark white grin. "How generous of you!"
Before his words had even faded, Togi's figure vanished. The Soulrender Blade sliced through the air with a whistling shriek, cutting down with terrifying force.
A sharp gleam flashed in Roger's eyes as "Ace" left its sheath in a blur. Their blades met midair with a thunderous crash.
The impact boomed like an explosion, and the shockwave rippled outward in all directions. The ground beneath Roger's feet split apart like a spider's web, cracks racing across the earth.
Rayleigh narrowed his eyes, murmuring to Gaban, "He's no ordinary man."
Roger blocked the blow, his face still wearing that ever-confident smile. "Impressive strength!"
Togi didn't bother to answer. His reply came in the form of another furious assault.
The Soulrender Blade moved like black lightning, every strike aimed precisely at Roger's vital points. His seamless rhythm of movement—blades flashing, fists and kicks intertwining—forced Roger to meet him in earnest.
Their clash shook the island. Roger's heavy punch slammed into Togi's abdomen at the same moment Togi's leg struck Roger's waist.
Both men were hurled backward, carving deep trenches into the ground.
Even before the dust settled, Togi darted forward again like a phantom—this time abandoning his sword for a pure hand-to-hand fight.
Roger's grin widened. "Now this is fun!"
The two collided again and again, their movements so fast they left afterimages. Each punch and kick detonated the air itself, and the surrounding landscape was torn apart by the sheer force of their battle.
The crew could only watch in awe, their breaths caught in their throats. The sound of fists meeting flesh echoed like cannon fire.
No one aboard the Roger Pirates could believe what they were seeing—this man with only a 250-million bounty was fighting their captain on equal terms.
Togi's mastery of both Armament and Observation Haki was terrifying, but what stunned Roger most was the raw strength hidden behind every strike.
After exchanging a flurry of blows, Roger leapt back. "Didn't expect that. You've trained your Armament Haki to quite the level for someone so young."
He grinned. "Then how about this?"
With a flash, Roger vanished, "Ace" blazing with dark-red lightning—the unmistakable aura of Conqueror's Haki coating the blade.
"This ends now."
Rayleigh and the others, watching from afar, spoke almost in unison.
Ginn's fists trembled as he and Aiden exchanged worried glances. Could their captain withstand that terrifying strike?
He has to.
But the smirk tugging at Togi's lips made Roger's instincts scream. He knew that look well—it was the expression of someone who lived for battle.
"Boom!"
A surge of deep violet energy erupted from Togi's Soulrender Blade, clashing with Roger's crimson lightning.
Before their weapons even met, the collision of Conqueror's Haki tore the air apart.
The sky itself cracked like shattered glass, and the island trembled violently. The shoreline split apart as chunks of stone were crushed to dust midair.
"The sky…" Ginn gasped.
Above them, the clouds were split in two.
A vast rift stretched across the heavens, dividing the sky into two distinct worlds—an omen that only appeared when two masters of Conqueror's Haki collided.
Rayleigh's sharp eyes flickered with surprise. Even amidst that storm of overwhelming willpower, none of Togi's crewmates had lost consciousness.
Gaban rubbed his chin. "A monster like that, and yet no one's heard of him in the first half of the Grand Line?"
Rayleigh lit a cigarette and exhaled slowly. "Prepare a feast."
"Feast? You're kidding," Gaban laughed. "The show's not over yet."
By the time the sun sank into the sea, staining the waves crimson, the two kings finally came to a stop.
Roger's clothes were torn, bruises visible beneath them. Togi's black outfit bore deep slashes, though his expression remained calm.
After another deadlock, Roger burst out laughing. "If we keep this up, we'll tear this island apart!"
"You and I could fight for days and still not decide a winner. Let's call it here."
Togi nodded. "Fine by me."
They both eased off in perfect sync. Their crews rushed over like waves.
Ginn was about to speak when Togi, leaning lazily against a rock, said, "I'm fine."
Roger threw his arms wide, voice booming. "Then let's have a feast!"
"Wouldn't dream of refusing," Togi muttered, shaking his head slightly. A free meal was still a meal—and this unexpected encounter had already exceeded every expectation.
Night fell, clear and starry.
Roger raised his mug high. "Let's welcome the Infinite Pirates to our celebration! The feast begins!"
Togi and his crew lifted their cups in return.
Cheers erupted.
After several rounds, Roger's face flushed from the drink. "Didn't think you'd be this good at holding your liquor too!"
Togi chuckled. "This stuff's weak—I could piss stronger."
Roger laughed. "Thought you'd be in the New World by now."
"Had some business to handle here first," Roger said with a grin. "Your Armament and Observation Haki—who taught you?"
A face flashed through Togi's mind: a loud, hot-blooded man who lived for battle. "I learned it in the heat of combat."
Roger didn't doubt him, simply nodded. "Talent, then."
Rayleigh leaned forward, curiosity gleaming in his eyes. "Your crew's strong—why stay in the first half of the Grand Line?"
Before Togi could answer, Ginn—already tipsy—blurted out, "We're saving up to build a proper ship before heading into the New World!"
Hearing that, the Oro Jackson's shipwright, Blumarine, burst out laughing. "Yeah, you'll need it! Your current ship wouldn't survive halfway!"
Togi gave an awkward smile. "The real problem's finding Adam Wood—it's rare. We're heading to Sabaody Archipelago to try our luck."
Rayleigh glanced at Aiden and Ginn. "Your crew didn't even faint from the Conqueror's clash. Impressive. You've trained them well."
Togi shrugged. "They're alright."
Rayleigh chuckled and turned to chat with the others.
Roger studied Togi for a moment longer. "You don't raid ordinary people, do you?"
Togi paused mid-bite. "Why would I?"
"They've got no money. Not worth it," he said calmly. "I'd rather rob the nobles—they've got plenty to spare."
Roger fell silent. The logic was sound, yet something about it made him uneasy. "Makes sense… Then what about the Celestial Dragons? They're the richest of them all."
Togi didn't even blink. "Never met one. But if I do, I'll kill them first—and rob them after."
The words fell quietly into the night, and in that instant, the laughter and music of the feast came to a halt.