The scene shifts to Roger and Garp.
The two have been fighting for a while, yet neither has used their ultimate moves.
Garp’s “Fist Bone Galaxy Impact” and Roger’s “Ultimate Divine Dodge - Ace” remained unreleased.
“Hehehe, Garp, you’re getting tired, aren’t you? How about we find a place to drink? You can’t beat me anyway,” Roger said gleefully.
Roger was in top form, fully powered, whereas Garp was significantly more exhausted. After all, he had used his ultimate move earlier, which had consumed most of his stamina and spirit, and even his Haki output had decreased.
“Roger, don’t get cocky. I’ve always had you in the palm of my hand,” Garp replied through gritted teeth, his beard bristling and eyes wide. In contrast to Roger’s calm demeanor, Garp appeared rather worn down.
“Roger doesn’t look tired at all… he even looks spirited,” Garp muttered to himself, feeling increasingly frustrated.
“Hahaha, Garp, remember when we teamed up to defeat Rocks D. Xebec?”
Roger grinned broadly.
“Roger, why bring that up now?”
“Hahahahaha!”
Roger laughed heartily, clearly in excellent spirits.
“Garp, I really miss it. We clearly joined forces to destroy the Rocks Pirates, yet the World Government took all the credit for themselves.”
“Roger, why do you care about such superficial honors? You were never the type to care about that.”
“Hahaha, I just can’t stand the hypocritical faces of those Celestial Dragons. And another thing—the World Government never expected the Roger Pirates to uncover that secret. How amusing. Truly amusing! Hahaha!”
“Hm?” Garp frowned slightly. He knew Roger was referring to reaching the final island and discovering the secret the Celestial Dragon-led government didn’t want exposed.
“Roger, what are you trying to say?”
“Hey, Garp, you and I are old rivals. Don’t you already know?”
The two broke apart with a clap, the wind blowing between them as they locked eyes.
Roger’s gaze was sly, while Garp’s carried a hint of solemnity.
“Garp, the world ruled by the Celestial Dragons is not the kind of world people hope for. After all these years, you’re still a Vice Admiral and refuse promotion—because you can’t stand the World Government, can you?”
Garp stayed silent, his expression turning grim.
“Garp, back then, if not for the slaves at God Valley, do you think I would’ve joined forces with you? And you… you saved those damn Celestial Dragons. If you hadn’t stopped me, I would’ve killed every last one of them.”
Roger’s tone was full of disdain when mentioning the Celestial Dragons. If it weren’t necessary to cooperate with Garp to defeat the Rocks Pirates, he never would’ve let them live.
“Roger, don’t pretend to be noble. You were afraid of what Xebec might do to the world. My duty is to uphold peace. At that time, the Rocks Pirates were too powerful, and Xebec was a madman with wild ambitions. I joined you to stop him from bringing disaster to the world.”
Garp responded coldly, remembering that battle as earth-shattering.
“That’s one way to put it. But Garp… the Five Elders sent you to capture me because they’re scared, aren’t they? Scared I’ll become the next Xebec—no, more accurately, scared I’ll become the next Joy Boy. They fear I’ll reveal that secret and tarnish the image of the World Government in the eyes of the people. That fear is greater than what they had for Xebec.”
Roger spoke confidently, as if he had seen through the truth behind everything.
“Roger, I just need to do my duty. You and Xebec are both lunatics. If you two would just settle down, this world wouldn’t be filled with so much conflict.”
Garp threw his iron fist at Roger, finding Roger’s world-saving attitude laughable. The World Government wasn’t going to fall so easily—if it did, the world would descend into chaos.
“Hmph, Figarland Garling Saint isn’t some noble soul either. What’s so worth protecting about the Celestial Dragons?”
“Roger, why are you bringing him up? Don’t talk to me about that man—I’ve got no interest in him.”
“Enough about this. Garp, who do the Five Elders really take orders from?”
Roger’s sudden question made Garp pause. He looked at Roger with a confused and slightly wary expression, unsure why he’d ask about the Five Elders.
“Roger, what are you getting at? The Five Elders are the highest authority in the World Government.”
Upon hearing that, Roger sneered, shaking his finger.
“Garp, it seems you haven’t read the Poneglyphs. You don’t know what Joy Boy said.”
“Joy Boy is history. Whatever he said doesn’t matter anymore. It has no effect on the current state of the world.”
Garp slammed his fists together, creating a blast of energy. The shockwave blew through both their hair and cloaks.
“Garp, how about we make a bet?”
Roger said meaningfully.
“What kind of bet?”
Garp was intrigued. Gol D. Roger wasn’t one to speak without purpose.
“Garp, the next Joy Boy will appear soon—representing joy, freedom, peace, and respect. Only then will this world become a true paradise.”
Garp was stunned. Roger spoke with such certainty that Garp felt disturbed deep down. After all, he had worked for the Celestial Dragon-controlled World Government for many years and had seen their darkest sides…
He was, of course, well aware of the shameful deeds they had committed.
“Roger, Joy Boy was a D too, right?”
Garp spoke calmly. He had already decided not to fight Roger anymore. The matters of the future should be left to the people of the future. For now, he just wanted to sit and chat with Roger.
“Hahahaha… hahahahaha…”
“Roger—”
“Hahahahaha!” Roger burst into loud laughter—so joyful, so wild and unrestrained.
“Garp, we’re both Ds. You’d better brace yourself. The Great Pirate Era has arrived. The Joy Boy of the future still needs time to grow. And when he finally spreads his wings… that person—the true one behind it all—will have to pay the price for what they did back then.”
Roger’s eyes were sharp and full of confidence. A new era was coming.
Just then, a voice drifted in from the distance.
“Hey~~~ Captain Roger~~~”
Everyone who had been fighting turned their heads to look. Three people were approaching, one of whom—a short man—was flapping his wings as he flew in.
“Ah~ Nozdon!”