"Looks like there's no room for negotiation…"
Roldy's expression darkened. His killing intent thickened until it was nearly tangible, pressing down on Borsalino without restraint.
Though Borsalino maintained his usual lazy demeanor, his face stiffened for a split second. The color drained briefly from his complexion—only to be masked by that familiar crooked smile.
"How scary… like an Asura crawling back from hell. Are you trying to kill me, my friend?"
Under the pitch-black sky, scattered golden particles flickered.
Borsalino didn't dare take this lightly. His Devil Fruit power surged forth—clearly different from before.
Roldy's pupils narrowed.
"A Logia awakening? That's your confidence? …Still not enough."
"Oh? Is that so?"
Before the words fully settled—
Borsalino's face rapidly enlarged in Roldy's vision.
A golden trail flared behind him. His long leg swept forward in a blinding arc toward Roldy's head.
"Miss being kicked at the speed of light, my friend—huh?"
Roldy vanished.
Light was fast.
With the awakening of the Pika Pika no Mi, Borsalino's greatest strength—speed—had advanced dramatically.
And yet—
The result was the same as before.
The very thing he prided himself on was once again surpassed with ease.
Borsalino had always believed his mentality was excellent.
But now—
His expression twisted slightly.
So before awakening, he got toyed with like a monkey.
After awakening—
Still toyed with.
Then what the hell was the point of awakening?
The Pika Pika no Mi was indeed monstrous.
But Roldy was no less so.
His supreme physical strength granted him terrifying speed. Combined with the amplification of the Mo-Mo no Mi, his explosive bursts were not inferior to Borsalino's.
Only in sustained long-distance movement did he fall slightly behind.
Borsalino's expression changed.
Even without Observation Haki, the violent wind from behind told him everything.
He instantly shifted from offense to defense—
And was blasted away by Roldy's punch.
He barely stabilized himself midair, suppressing the churning blood in his chest. Pain radiated from every limb.
If his defense hadn't improved significantly—
That punch would have shattered his arms outright.
"How frightening… your Observation Haki…"
Borsalino had noticed.
Roldy's most glaring transformation—
His Observation Haki.
Compared to the past, it was night and day.
If once Roldy had merely grasped Observation Haki—
Now he had developed it to the brink of awakening.
Most powerhouses across the seas remained at this level.
Only a rare few awakened unique abilities.
Which meant—
Roldy's final weakness was gone.
And that didn't even account for his growing physique and strength with maturity.
Every encounter—
He was stronger.
And he was supposed to stall this monster?
What a joke.
Killing intent surged.
Roldy did not slow down.
He vanished again.
His enormous fist stopped just ten centimeters from Borsalino's face.
"Wait."
The wind pressure distorted Borsalino's features.
Faced with a strike capable of knocking him unconscious—
He raised both hands casually in surrender.
"So scary~ I can't stop you anymore, Roldy. You don't need me to explain the rest, right?"
He shrugged.
"Go. I'll handle things here."
Why risk your life for a salary that barely covers dinner?
Borsalino valued his life far too much.
Roldy stared coldly at him.
Then withdrew his fist.
Without even saying goodbye, he shot into the distance like lightning.
"What an interesting man…"
Borsalino muttered as he sat down nearby.
"Hard to even feel like being enemies…"
"Hurry, Roldy. That old man… was my teacher too."
The first light of dawn crept across the horizon.
A faint glimmer reflected in Borsalino's eyes—
Something that resembled hope.
Elsewhere…
"That mission was easy! When we get back, I'll be a Headquarters Commander!"
"That pirate captain wasn't weak, though. Samiwa lost an arm because he underestimated him…"
"No fatalities is already good. It was a harsh lesson—but necessary."
The battle had ended.
Marine recruits gathered in small groups, discussing their graduation assessment excitedly.
Most had performed excellently.
In Zephyr's eyes—
They were ready to stand on their own.
He puffed on his cigar, a faint smile on his face.
Being around these young Marines made him feel years younger.
"Alright, boys!" Zephyr called out. "Clean up and we head back to Headquarters!"
"OHHH!"
Smiles filled every face.
Smiles—
That would not last long.
Along the route back to Marine Headquarters—
A uniquely designed pirate ship lay in silent wait.
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