NOVEL NEXT Chapter 318: You Can Fight Me, But I Have One Condition
"Roger!"
That figure was wreathed in a blazing crimson tail, plunging from the sky like a meteor tearing through the clouds. Roaring streaks of black and red lightning surged forth as an overwhelming, abyssal aura spread, draining all color from the world until only a dark, oppressive red remained.
It was like an ancient war god descending to the mortal realm.
In that instant, an unbearable pressure swept across the battlefield, and everyone in the Roger Pirates felt their expressions shift.
"Wahahaha! I've been waiting for you, Daren!"
Roger didn't flinch in the face of Daren's terrifying presence. Instead, he charged forward with a wide grin, laughter bubbling from his chest.
"None of you are allowed to interfere!"
"It's time I settled this score myself!"
Zzzzzz...
Ferocious black-red lightning coiled around him, surging upward like a hurricane. As his foot struck the ground, the earth within ten meters exploded apart, scattering debris in all directions.
Boom!
Boom!
Two monstrous auras erupted simultaneously.
Roger stepped forward, his red captain's coat billowing behind him in bold defiance as he burst into laughter. Arcs of black-red lightning climbed up the blade of the Meito "Ace," crackling with power and ready to be unleashed.
Daren's eyes narrowed. Cold, iron-like black Haki radiated from the center of his brow and enveloped his entire body. Purple-black currents twisted behind him, generating fiery red cyclones as they tore through the air—like the wings of a dragon unfurling in fury.
Across the vast space between them, the two warriors locked eyes. Sparks and lightning burst into the air from their gaze alone, clashing in the void.
No words were needed.
They could already see the peak of fighting spirit burning in each other's eyes.
The King of the North Blue unleashed his draconic claws and dove like a meteor.
The Pirate King gripped his Meito in one hand and slashed upward from below.
"Kamusari!"
"Dragon's Dive!"
The next moment, they collided with a thunderous crash!
For an instant, time seemed to freeze.
Then—
Under the stunned stares of the Roger Pirates, a cataclysmic shockwave exploded from the point of contact, howling outward like a storm straight from the depths of hell.
Cherry trees were uprooted. The ground buckled and surged like waves. Layers of rock shattered into massive chunks.
Black and red lightning streaked across the battlefield in a tangled web. The crew instinctively retreated, raising their arms to shield themselves from the blast, their faces filled with disbelief.
Because they saw it—the pitch-black dragon claws and the gleaming blade of the Meito hadn't even made contact.
The clash happened in midair, generating a ball of lightning that hovered in the void, black and red sparks compressing and expanding like a living storm.
"They didn't even touch…"
"This feeling... it's just like when Captain Roger fought Whitebeard!"
"No way!"
"Has that guy really reached Whitebeard's level?"
...
Rayleigh and Gaban's pupils constricted. They exchanged a quick glance, both recognizing the shock mirrored in the other's eyes.
From their perception, Daren's Conqueror's Haki hadn't quite matched Roger's—but he was only a step away from that realm.
The kid's strength had clearly grown since the last time.
"What kind of monster is he... He can actually go toe-to-toe with Captain Roger!"
Buggy, still pale from a recent illness, huddled behind the others, clutching his head and screaming in panic.
Next to him, Shanks looked no better. Staring at that ghostlike figure, he couldn't hide the deep fear rising in his eyes.
The next second—
Boom!
The energy between the two finally exploded outward, shaking the entire island and unleashing a deafening, earth-rending roar.
A blinding white light swallowed the battlefield, and a massive windstorm swept through every corner of the island.
When the dust settled and their vision returned, the crew saw it clearly.
High above the island, a massive rift stretched across the sky, lightning still flickering faintly within.
And on the battlefield, the two figures emerged from the swirling smoke and ash—locked in a silent, distant stare.
"Wahahaha! Daren, you've gotten stronger!"
Seeing Daren actually catch his Kamusari, Roger burst into hearty laughter, his face brimming with excitement.
"Looks like you haven't been slacking off while we've been apart…"
Daren licked his chapped lips and grinned.
"Of course. Didn't you see my bounty already surpassed yours?"
Roger crossed his arms and scoffed.
"I've already taken back the lead! I'm the 'world's number one criminal' now!"
His eyes gleamed with mischief as he tilted his head provocatively.
"If you've got a problem with that, then let's settle it with a proper fight!"
Daren narrowed his eyes and gave a calm smile.
"No problem. If it's a fight you want—"
"Wahahahaha, then let's go!"
Before Daren could even finish, Roger shot forward like a cannonball, closing the distance in an instant. His eyes burned red with battle lust as he brought his sword crashing down from above!
"—But I have one condition."
Zzzzt!
The Haki-clad Meito barely grazed Daren's hair, the blade's shockwave tearing into the earth.
Boom!
Under the stunned gazes of the Roger Pirates, an entire corner of the island was cleaved off by that monstrous strike, followed by a thunderous crash as it plunged into the sea, kicking up waves dozens of meters high.
"What condition!?"
Roger glared at Daren, clearly annoyed.
The brat hadn't even tried to dodge or counter. That took all the fun out of it!
This bastard always used cheap tricks in their past fights, bailing halfway through. Now that Roger was finally fired up, he wanted to negotiate?
I already drew my sword—hell, I might as well have taken my pants off!
Roger ground his teeth in frustration.
But more than that, he knew his condition was getting worse. His time was running short, and he didn't know how much longer his strength would hold out.
If he didn't reclaim his pride now with a full-on brawl, he might never get another shot.
He didn't want to go out with regrets.
"It's simple. I need to borrow your ship's doctor," Daren said flatly.
As he spoke, a blue spark crackled from his fingertips.
A moment later, a three-meter-tall metal box slowly descended from the clouds, hovering before Roger.
"What's this…"
Roger narrowed his eyes as he peered inside, then widened them in shock at the unconscious figure within.
"Zephyr!?"
"His breathing… it's so faint!"
"He's dying!"
Suppressing the urge to sock Roger, Daren said grimly,
"Zephyr-sensei was poisoned by a rare spore toxin. Even Dr. Kureha from the Drum Kingdom couldn't do anything. She said there's only one person in this whole sea who might be able to cure him."
His gaze shifted toward a bespectacled man not far away, gripping a harpoon.
"…That would be your ship's doctor, Crocus-san."