Chapter 378: Hand Over Your Treasure
The Roger Pirates slowly descended from the sky.
Their figures grew clearer as they came into view.
"Roger Pirates…"
Sharlo stood at the bow of his ship, gazing at the crew landing on the sea.
Roger also stood at his ship's bow, staring at the Rockefeller Pirates.
"Didn't expect to run into him here."
Roger's expression grew serious.
Rayleigh also looked grimly at the opposing ship.
He could sense two powerful auras from within their crew—
one of them even stronger than his own.
He didn't need to guess to know that the strongest one had to be Rockefeller Sharlo.
As for the other powerful presence… Rayleigh had his suspicions.
Kozuki Oden looked at the Rockefeller Pirates and muttered,
"We meet again. I wonder… has the gap between us closed at all this time?"
The two pirate crews instantly grew tense, swords drawn in spirit.
The Roger Pirates and the Rockefeller Pirates had virtually no prior contact.
Aside from Sharlo knowing a bit about Roger's crew, both sides were practically strangers.
Neither knew what to expect from the other.
Roger's eyes locked on a tall, straight figure—
His thoughts drifted back to twelve years ago.
God Valley.
In that battle, he had a brief encounter with Rockefeller Sharlo.
Roger still remembered the man's face vividly.
Now, twelve years later, Sharlo hadn't aged a bit.
While Roger himself was already riddled with illness.
He couldn't forget what happened that day—
If Sharlo hadn't betrayed Rocks at a critical moment and caused the collapse of the Rocks Pirates,
the Roger Pirates might've been wiped out.
Now, twelve years later, they met once again.
This time, it was the entire Roger Pirates vs. the Rockefeller Pirates.
Roger lowered his head, deep in thought.
"Roger! I must remind you—your body can't handle a full-on war anymore."
The ship's doctor, Crocus, walked over and spoke solemnly.
"How long do I have left?" Roger asked suddenly.
Crocus was stunned.
"…At most, three years," he replied.
"That's enough."
Roger smiled faintly.
Then he drew his sword, Ace, and pointed it at the Rockefeller Pirates.
"Hand over your treasure!" Roger shouted.
His life's countdown had lit a fire in him.
He had too many regrets left unresolved.
In these last three years, he would find the secrets etched in the Poneglyphs—
And finally, duel the world's strongest swordsman, Rockefeller Sharlo.
He had fought countless powerful foes, but one man…
The heavens always seemed to conspire to keep them apart.
Now that he'd finally found Sharlo, he wasn't going to let the opportunity slip by.
Rayleigh sighed and rubbed his forehead.
He knew there was no stopping Roger now.
Sharlo saw Roger's gesture and smiled faintly.
Twelve years ago, he had backed down.
But not this time.
He was ready to see for himself just how strong the Pirate King truly was.
The Seven-Star Sword suddenly appeared in his hand.
He raised it and pointed directly at the Roger Pirates.
"Esdeath!" Sharlo's voice echoed across the deck.
"Here!"
Esdeath responded loudly, stepping forward immediately.
She knew what her father wanted.
With a tap of her toe, she launched herself off the ship.
All eyes from the Roger Pirates followed the elegant figure soaring through the air.
"That's Rockefeller Sharlo's eldest daughter—Esdeath Rockefeller!"
Rayleigh recognized her instantly.
Roger smiled slightly but made no move.
As Esdeath landed, she touched down lightly on the sea's surface—
Which immediately froze solid beneath her feet, creating a shimmering ice platform.
She drew her longsword and grinned at the Roger Pirates.
"Ice—Seal."
A pale-blue energy radiated from her body.
Chilling winds rippled outward, freezing the sea in an ever-expanding radius.
The sea became a solid battlefield, ice locking both ships in place.
"So strong!"
The Roger Pirates watched the spreading ice in shock.
"Creating a battlefield for the fight? How considerate."
Roger looked down at the ice reaching his ship's hull.
"Sharlo's daughter… she's impressive," Rayleigh said, eyes locked on her.
Esdeath withdrew her power, smiling as she looked at them.
"…We've been underestimated," Roger said suddenly, staring at her young face.
"Yes. We've definitely been underestimated," Rayleigh shrugged.
"Then let's show the Rockefeller Pirates what we're made of!"
Roger leaped down, landing gracefully on the ice.
He strolled toward Esdeath.
"You're pretty good, little lady! Want to join my crew? We're the freest pirates on the sea!"
Whoosh!
A blast of sword aura suddenly flew past, fluttering Esdeath's long, ice-blue hair.
Roger's expression shifted—he quickly swung his sword to deflect it.
Boom!
The air exploded with energy.
"Recruiting my daughter into your crew? Roger, are you looking down on me?"
A cold voice rang out.
Sharlo stepped from behind Esdeath, placing himself protectively in front of her.
Then he looked toward Kozuki Oden—
"I'm not like Whitebeard. I don't give up my crew."
Oden's face instantly turned awkward.
After all, he had left Whitebeard's crew to join another—
A move seen as a betrayal in pirate circles.
Roger stepped forward and laughed.
"Wahahaha! Long time no see, Sharlo! Your Rockefeller Pirates have grown strong!"
He gazed in amazement at the hundred-plus figures standing behind Sharlo.
Barrett. Caesar. Tesla. Robert. Deidara.
And beyond them—numerous powerful swordsmen, even seven or eight sword masters.
Each radiated a terrifying aura.
Roger was quietly stunned.
Sharlo's forces were even stronger than he had imagined.
"You Roger Pirates aren't too shabby yourselves. We small-time pirates can't compare."
Sharlo looked over at Rayleigh, Jabba, their crew, and Kozuki Oden and his retainers.
Looks like Oden still doesn't know that I've already conquered Wano, Sharlo thought.
Roger puffed out his chest proudly.
He grinned and raised Ace, his Supreme Grade blade, once more.
"Hand over your treasure!"
Sharlo smirked.
Using pirate rules, huh?
The Seven-Star Sword rose.
"Then let me see your spirit, Pirate King."
As his words fell,
the battle officially began—!
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