At the front of the Marine warship—
The pirate ship was getting closer and closer.
At first, it was just a blur.
Now—
It was fully visible.
"That… that flag…?!" a Marine Vice Admiral's face changed drastically.
"No mistake… two mustaches… that's the mark of the Roger Pirates," another Vice Admiral said in a heavy tone.
Although the Roger Pirates weren't yet as infamous as the Rocks Pirates—
The World Government had already classified them as extremely dangerous.
Captain Gol D. Roger — 2.2 billion bountySilvers Rayleigh — 1.8 billionScopper Gaban — 1.6 billion…
The World Government agent's face turned grim.
"No matter what… Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is must not come to harm."
A Vice Admiral drew his sword.
"There's no escape. If the Roger Pirates lock onto us—we're not getting away."
"Splitting up would only make things worse," another added, gripping his weapon.
"I'll head to the rear and protect Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is," the agent said.
Meanwhile—
On the Roger Pirates' ship.
"One Marine warship… one World Government vessel," Rayleigh observed calmly.
"No Admirals in sight."
"And that second ship… carrying a Celestial Dragon."
He paused slightly.
"No troublesome figures detected."
Gaban grinned.
"So it's basically free supplies walking into us. We're low on provisions anyway."
Rayleigh turned to Roger.
"Your call. Fight—or avoid?"
Roger laughed.
"Since there's nothing troublesome… why refuse a gift delivered to our doorstep?"
He drew his blade.
"Move in! Take their supplies!"
The crew roared.
Weapons raised.
The ship accelerated.
On the World Government ship—
Madara and Is both sensed it at the same time.
A presence.
Like a wild beast.
Madara instantly sat upright.
Is slowly placed his pastry back on the plate.
Madara looked at him.
"That aura… whoever's coming… is no ordinary opponent."
"Yeah," Is nodded. "I felt it too."
Whoosh!
Two figures landed nearby.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is! Please retreat immediately!" one of the agents said urgently.
"This is a vicious pirate crew."
"Vicious?" Is looked at him calmly.
"It's the Roger Pirates. Their captain has a bounty of 2.2 billion."
"…Roger."
Is paused.
His expression stiffened slightly.
No wonder—
That overwhelming presence.
"So my luck really isn't great today," he muttered.
Madara glanced at him.
"What's the plan?"
"If Roger doesn't let us leave… escaping won't be easy."
"We'll protect you!" the agent declared.
"If he wants to harm you, he'll have to step over my corpse first!"
Is gave him a sideways look.
Then spoke coldly:
"You—go inside. Inform Tatsumaki. Her task is to protect Roz Minian and the others."
"Yes, Saint!"
Is turned to the second agent.
"You too. Go help protect my people."
"…But what about you, Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is?"
"I don't need it."
The man hesitated.
"But—"
"I don't repeat myself."
His tone turned icy.
The agent's face went pale as he quickly retreated.
At that moment—
BOOM!
An explosion erupted from the front.
The Roger Pirates had boarded.
The battle had begun.
Is looked toward the rising smoke.
"…Looks like this will be a tough fight."
Madara smirked.
"If they want to kill us… it won't be that easy."
He leapt upward—
Landing atop the World Government flagpole.
Arms crossed.
Overlooking the battlefield.
"Someone's coming," he warned.
The moment he said it—
They appeared.
Rayleigh leading the charge.
A group of pirates rushing forward.
"One of you take the Celestial Dragon!" someone shouted.
A pirate leapt high into the air—
Blade raised—
And slashed straight toward Is.
The clash—
Was about to begin.
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