"Your blade is fragile beyond saving!"
Even a pirate with a bounty exceeding 476 million Berries was no match.
Roldy 's strength had reached an absurd level.
He was not yet sixteen.
It was no exaggeration to say that no one on these seas had ever reached his level at that age.
Not even the so-called "natural-born monster," Charlotte Linlin.
"Fist of Love — Army Breaker!"
Roldy 's fist smashed into Damian's sword.
Under the crushing force of his Armament Haki, the blade—ranked among the Skillful Grade swords (Ryō Wazamono)—warped violently.
A shrill cry rang from the steel.
Then—
It shattered.
Fragments exploded outward.
"This… is impossible!"
Damian's eyes widened in disbelief.
Since acquiring this blade, he had tempered it relentlessly with Armament Haki, attempting to forge it into a Black Blade.
He was close.
Or so he believed.
He had poured everything into that last exchange.
Yet—
His effort crumbled just like his sword.
Roldy 's enormous fist struck his chest.
Ribs snapped.
Bone fragments pierced his heart.
His life ended in an instant.
Even as he collapsed, his eyes remained open.
In this era of rising tyrants and gathering legends—
A powerful man from a small place had been reduced to a broken wave, shattered upon the shore.
—
"Iron Fist, huh?" Shiki laughed as he clashed with Garp. "You've really taught that brat everything, haven't you?"
A slash cut across Garp's chest.
At the same time, Garp's fist smashed into Shiki's face.
Blood ran down Shiki's mouth—
But he looked ecstatic.
Seven years.
It had been seven years since he last saw Roldy .
He had searched for countless right-hand men.
None satisfied him.
Roldy did.
He had followed every scrap of information about the boy over those years, waiting for this reunion.
"Hah? He's my finest disciple!" Garp roared back. "Let me tell you something! The Marines have already marked him as a future Admiral!"
"After this mission, he'll be promoted to Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral !"
The words dropped like thunder.
The Marines below erupted.
"A fifteen-year-old Vice Admiral ?!"
"The strongest monster in the Marines!"
"To fight alongside a future Admiral is an honor!"
"Drive them back!"
Morale surged.
Though they still struggled to reach the pirates in the sky, they had Garp.
They had Roldy .
Victory felt inevitable.
Shiki's smile shifted.
"Oh? Is that so?"
Garp felt it immediately.
Something was wrong.
"You know that boy's personality better than anyone, Garp."
"Clear in gratitude. Merciless in vengeance."
"What do you think would happen… if he learned that the slave traders who destroyed his hometown were backed by officials within the World Government?"
The words struck like a blade.
Garp's massive body stiffened visibly.
He glanced downward.
Fortunately—
Roldy had already moved to reinforce the Celestial Dragon's ship.
Fortunately—
Shiki hadn't shouted loudly.
Garp wanted to refute him.
But how?
The Marines' intelligence network was formidable.
Within two days of bringing Roldy to Marine Headquarters, they had uncovered every detail of his past.
Garp had seen those reports.
Shiki was telling the truth.
"You raised him for seven years," Shiki continued coldly. "He calls Zephyr another father."
"And yet you let a child live inside a lie."
"You spun a beautiful illusion—because you knew the true masterminds were untouchable."
"How laughable, Garp!"
"When that boy looked at you with admiration—when he depended on you—when he called you teacher with respect and gratitude…"
"Did your conscience not ache?!"
"You watched his home burn."
"You watched his family slaughtered."
"And you protected the ones truly responsible!"
"Raised him? Educated him?"
"What nonsense!"
"Never forget—this all began with deception!"
Shiki's roar shook the sky.
Garp's face drained of color.
From a certain perspective—
Their choice had been rational.
Over half of the slave traders across the seas operated with World Government backing.
Why?
To satisfy the Celestial Dragons.
Rare bloodlines.
Exotic races.
Unique traits.
The slave traders who destroyed Roldy 's home had indeed worked under that umbrella.
The intelligence reports even indicated why Roldy had been spared.
He was meant to be delivered.
A Mink.
A rare and valuable specimen.
How could they tell that to an eight-year-old child?
That he had survived only because he was merchandise?
At first, they told themselves:
When he grows up, we'll explain.
Later—
They decided never to.
Roldy did not forgive.
He never had.
The slave traders who survived had all died in prison.
Their organization had been annihilated.
For a time, Roldy 's mission efficiency dropped.
The reason?
He had personally visited the hometowns of those slave traders.
None of their families survived.
Many of their acquaintances died mysteriously as well.
And if he ever learned the full truth?
If he learned the World Government stood behind it?
With his personality—
He would not hesitate.
He would attempt to destroy them.
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