"Sea Quake!"
No Devil Fruit user can resist the power of the sea.
A large part of Whitebeard's might stemmed from this very truth. The Gura Gura no Mi could trigger massive tremors through nature itself—manipulating the ocean and summoning tsunamis.
It was this unbelievable power that had secured his position as First Division Commander of the Rocks Pirates. Even Rocks D. Xebec had treated him with respect.
And now—
After founding the Whitebeard Pirates, his strength had grown even further.
Columns of seawater shot skyward, roaring as though to swallow the world whole.
Suspended in midair, Roldy felt as if a colossal beast named Nature was staring at him. The towering waves were its jaws, ready to devour him in a single bite.
Even from the distant battlefield, the tsunami was visible.
Marco, healing comrades with his blazing blue flames, glanced toward the horizon.
A tsunami… Pops is going that far?
Roldy-san won't be in danger, right?
Then—
At the very center of the massive wave—
A gigantic crater suddenly appeared.
As if something had punched straight through it, revealing the sky beyond.
"Wha—Whaaaaat?!"
Marco's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.
What kind of attack could do that?
He had seen his father use this technique only a handful of times—and each time, it had utterly crushed the enemy.
He had no idea what Roldy had done—
But if both men survived, that was good enough for him.
On the battlefield below, the thunderous explosion drew attention.
Whitey Bay, locked in combat with Sheen, spoke through clenched teeth:
"Aren't you worried about your captain? Pops' power is invincible! If you surrender now, he might spare you."
Her words were genuine.
Sheen only smiled.
"Your captain is certainly strong. But so is mine. Beautiful lady, I suggest you don't lose focus. This is war. Until I receive orders, I won't hold back."
As a fish-man, beloved by the sea, Sheen's strength was formidable. Combined with solid Observation Haki, even the seasoned First Division Commander couldn't subdue him easily.
Meanwhile—
Whitebeard stared in shock.
He had just witnessed Roldy's arm expand tenfold—followed by a single punch whose shockwave alone shattered the tsunami.
What kind of monster was this?
What had the Marines and Shiki trained?
But—
All the more reason not to let this brat chase down the Roger Pirates.
Whitebeard made his decision.
Yes, his sworn brother's actions bordered on betrayal. The Whitebeard Pirates had just returned to the New World, needing strength to consolidate territory—yet their Second Division Commander had boarded Roger's ship.
In many crews, that would be unforgivable.
But Whitebeard was different.
He possessed a rare kind of tolerance.
"Roldy."
His tone shifted.
"You're a damn brat. But I won't deny—you're strong."
Advanced Conqueror's Haki roared along Murakumogiri.
Roldy hovered midair, his enlarged arm equally coated in Conqueror's lightning.
"I can't let you pass. How about this—come aboard my ship with your men. Stay as guests for two months. Then set sail."
"Gahahaha! Newgate-san, that's not very appealing! I'm not done fighting yet!"
Roldy rejected him without hesitation.
"That's unfortunate."
Whitebeard stomped the earth.
He shot upward like a cannonball.
Murakumogiri descended in a savage arc.
Conqueror's Haki surged—and layered atop it—
A milky tremor aura.
The perfect fusion of Devil Fruit and Haki.
This strike could split Marineford in two.
"Then lie down for two months!"
"Heaven Splitter!"
One of Whitebeard's signature techniques.
He wasn't famed as a Great Swordsman—but Murakumogiri was one of the Twelve Supreme Grade Blades.
In his hands—
His blade was no weaker than any Great Swordsman's.
"I don't plan on doing that."
Roldy answered with a punch.
Conqueror's Haki clashed first—
Then the tremor force broke through.
The shockwave struck his chest.
A wound opened—not deep, but not shallow either.
Roldy was blasted backward.
He steadied himself.
Touched the blood on his chest.
Then—
His expression changed.
His mouth stretched into a grotesque grin, nearly reaching his ears.
Sharp teeth bared.
Bloodshot eyes turned fully crimson.
Pain.
Blood.
They awakened the beast within.
"…That felt amazing! Newgate-san, that was beautiful!"
His body returned to normal size.
His fingernails began lengthening visibly.
The wolverine-like ferocity in his blood could no longer be restrained.
"Let's fight properly! I hope you defeat me quickly."
He looked up at the sky.
"After all—tonight is a full moon."
Whitebeard's face darkened instantly.
How could he forget?
He knew exactly where the name—
"Rampaging" Roldy—
Came from.
◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!
◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → patreon.com/Sagamaster789