A transcendent aura suddenly erupted from Rolan, sweeping across the entire world. Lightning flashed violently, and all the surrounding island clouds churned into foamy turbulence. Even the overcast sky seemed torn apart by his aura, letting sunlight stream freely down.
For a moment, it felt as if the entire space existed solely for Rolan. Waves of dark red Haoshoku Haki rippled outward, stirring the sea into colossal waves. The ocean boiled under his presence, and fish, unable to bear the intensity, leaped from the water and spun midair.
Cracker, Snack, and Perospero, already gravely wounded, collapsed under the force of Rolan's Haki, unconscious. Ulti, Page One, and Who's-Who trembled violently, nearly losing all combat capability.
"This… this power… such strong Haki!" King's eyes widened in disbelief. Even hundreds of meters away, he felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. This aura was far stronger than an enraged Kaido's.
"Is this even humanly possible? It's terrifying!" Queen's muscles quivered under the overwhelming presence, muttering in shock, "Impossible… how can Rolan be this strong?"
Kaido, once the pinnacle of power in their world, felt an unfamiliar threat emanating from Rolan. For the first time, he sensed that his own life might not be in his control.
Yet a smile returned to Kaido's face, and laughter echoed across the battlefield. "Urorororo, Rolan, I didn't expect you to hide this strength. Truly exhilarating."
At this moment, Kaido forgot about surrounding him; his thrill came solely from facing a worthy opponent. His greatest joy was to fight power equal to or stronger than himself, to test his limits, and climb toward becoming the strongest creature in the pirate world.
Even Zeus and Prometheus were silent, frozen under the impact of this terrifying aura. BIG MOM, lacking a proper vessel, fell to the ground. Her eyes widened as she felt oppression on a soul level—despite having consumed countless souls, her Soul-Soul Fruit could not shield her from Rolan's Haki.
Rolan exhaled slowly, feeling the power surge through every cell of his body. This was the first time he had revealed his full strength since awakening his Devil Fruit. Even the Ion Tempest were unaware of the true extent of his abilities.
He raised his head slowly, fixing his gaze on Kaido and BIG MOM. "Are you ready to welcome the storm?"
Before finishing his words, he vanished and reappeared directly before Kaido. His speed was so immense that the space around him seemed to tear. Kaido barely had time to react before a fist wrapped in blue-purple lightning connected with his face.
"Bang!"
Kaido flew like a meteor across the sky.
"What!"
BIG MOM barely saw the attack, only witnessing Kaido's sudden flight. But before she could respond, a dark lightning-wrapped fist struck her chin, sending her rocketing into the air like a firework.
Only then did everyone on the battlefield realize the extent of Rolan's strength.
"Impossible! How can Rolan be this strong?" Kudins exclaimed, disbelief written across his face. Even from a distance, Rolan's aura oppressed him. Kaido and BIG MOM had been sent flying without him witnessing the attacks, shattering his perception of power.
Before he could react further, Rolan appeared again, lightning crackling violently around him. His fist, imbued with Electromagnetic Blade, slammed into Kudins's chest like a knife through tofu.
"Ah!" Kudins gasped, intense pain and suffocating pressure spreading through his body. He stared in shock at the figure before him.
"D-daring to attack the World Government…" he stammered. "Your crew… you… even with this strength, the World Government far surpasses you!"
His words faded as darkness claimed his vision. He collapsed instantly, dead before he hit the ground.
"Kudins!" Wein froze, stunned. Despite usually clashing with Kudins, they shared a battlefield allegiance in the lower realm. Kudins's sudden death shook him to the core. Even their strength was comparable, yet Rolan had eliminated him instantly.
Wein braced to transform into his ancient rhino form, but Rolan's Electromagnetic Blade cut through the transformation before it could begin.
"Sword Draw!"
A chilling voice, echoing like it came from the eighteenth layer of hell, sounded as Wein's head was severed from his body.
"How… how can this be?" Wein's vision spun as darkness consumed him.
Having neutralized the threat, Rolan slowly approached Qimo Ji, his lightning radiating body illuminating the battlefield.
She froze, unable to move, her legs heavy as lead. Her face, carefully composed, shifted into an enticing smile.
"Rolan, have you come? I've missed you. From the moment I arrived here, I was seeking you," she cooed, unbuttoning her top, revealing her form.
"Rolan, come… favor me. I may not be the first, but my skills… I can satisfy you," she purred, swaying with deliberate seduction.
Even with the overwhelming Haki around him, Rolan felt a momentary distraction.
In an instant, his eyes refocused. "Everything you just did, I sensed it."
Qimo Ji hesitated, attempting to explain, "Rolan, listen—"
Before she could finish, a spear of lightning pierced her forehead.
"Ge…"
Her body collapsed, powerless, onto the ground.
Rolan surveyed the battlefield. "Let's return to Peach Garden."
Lina pointed at King and the others, intending to act, but Rolan shook his head.