It had been a long time since Roldy had entered Impel Down.
Ever since leaving the Marines, he had never set foot here again.
Truthfully, he had once liked this place.
Listening to the wails of scum who trafficked others for profit… crushing those vermin into paste—
That feeling had been exquisite.
Now, following behind Garp, he rode the elevator down.
To Level 6.
The moment the doors opened—
A bone-chilling cold swept over him.
Then came the roaring.
"Garp! Come fight me to the death!"
"I'll crush that ridiculous Fist of Love of yours!"
"Let me out! Let me out if you've got the guts!"
Every single one of them was a monster with a bounty exceeding 100,000,000 Berries.
And they shared another trait—
Most were extremely troublesome Devil Fruit users.
To prevent their abilities from returning to the seas and falling into ambitious hands, the World Government created Level 6.
A place to bury both criminals—
And their Devil Fruits.
But in Roldy's eyes, they all shared something else.
"Shut up, you failures!!!"
His Conqueror's Haki exploded outward.
The overwhelming pressure instantly knocked out the weaker prisoners.
Even the stronger ones broke into cold sweat, silenced.
"Heh… what a terrifying young man."
"The seas are more interesting than ever… pity we'll never see them again…"
Their voices dwindled.
Roldy ignored them.
Even though one of them had once been captured by his own hands.
He had only one target.
Roger.
At the farthest, quietest cell—
He saw him.
And the emotions surged again.
"Roger!"
"You coward! Hiding here won't save you!"
"Come out and fight me! I'll tear you apart with my own hands!"
Roldy grabbed the Seastone-reinforced cell bars.
Even as a Devil Fruit user, the Seastone weakened him, discomfort seeping into his bones.
But rage overrode it.
The bars bent.
Though laced with Seastone for durability, Roger wasn't a Devil Fruit user—so the purity wasn't absolute.
"Yo, Roldy."
"Long time no see."
Roger smiled casually.
Yet behind that smile flickered memories of every clash they'd shared.
Roldy bared his teeth.
"What kind of tone is that?"
"We're not friends!"
"Don't forget—I've wanted to kill you since the beginning!"
He almost tore the door off completely.
But—
Looking at Roger now…
So different from the man in his memories—
The fury dulled slightly.
"Hahhahaha!"
"That's your temper."
"Too bad, I'm dying."
"My strength isn't what it used to be. If you want a fight—come on in."
Roger spoke bluntly.
He meant—
He no longer stood at his peak.
If Roldy wanted battle, he'd have to accept this weakened version.
"I never said I wanted a fight."
"I just want to kill you."
Roldy grinned savagely and stepped forward.
Roger's smile twitched.
Wait.
Wasn't this supposed to be dramatic?
A final clash?
A moment of realization when Roldy saw his condition and relented?
What did he mean "just kill"?
Was the grudge really that deep?!
Roger wasn't afraid of death.
But he couldn't die here.
Not now.
Not before the execution stage.
Not before his words ignited the world.
He'd already paid one million Berries to arrange certain "preparations."
His death had to mean something.
"Oi, Garp! Aren't you going to stop him?!"
For the first time, Roger appealed to his lifelong rival.
Garp sighed.
"Enough."
"There's no killing intent in you."
He placed a hand on Roldy's shoulder.
Roldy paused.
Roger quietly used the Voice of All Things.
Garp was right.
Roldy's aura was violent—
But not murderous.
Maybe he hadn't let go.
But he wasn't going to kill him either.
That was enough.
His plan remained intact.
Roldy snorted.
"Fine."
"You're already a dead man. I'll let you breathe a few more days."
"But don't think death settles everything."
"Your crew will pay your debts."
"And those two brats carrying your will."
Roger's smile faded slightly.
There was nothing he could do now.
Past sins always came due.
He could only hope his comrades were lucky.
"You better pray we don't meet in the next life!"
"Because I'll hunt you to the ends of the sea again!"
Killing him was impossible—
Garp stood there.
And the World Government would never allow Roger to die here.
But—
Hitting him?
That was still allowed.
Roldy smashed the bent bars aside.
Then—
BAM!
A heavy punch landed square on Roger's head.
A steaming pink lump swelled instantly.
Roger's eyes bulged.
Roldy exhaled in satisfaction.
Turned.
And walked away.
"That damn brat…"
Roger rubbed his head, wincing.
"…Farewell."
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