One Piece: I'm not Roger Chapter 109 109: 109: A Deal

At that mont, the tide of battle shifted without warning.

Aether was driven back step after step under Akainu's relentless assault, clearly pushed into a disadvantage. Yet the instant he caught her fist again, a chain shot out from the void at the perfect mont, striking when her montum could no longer change.

It was the sa thod he had used during the Marineford War to heavily injure her. Old or not, a technique only needed to work.

The Chain of Heaven coiled around Akainu's arm in an instant. However, sothing unexpected occurred. Her Logia elentalization activated almost simultaneously. Not only did she slip free from the chain's restraint, but she also transford her chest just in ti, avoiding the majority of Aether's lethal strike.

A brilliant slash tore across the battlefield, splitting the dock apart and leaving a deep scar carved into the ground.

Akainu retreated swiftly.

That decisive blow only managed to leave a gash across her chest. Blood seeped faintly across her skin, but the damage was far from fatal.

Even Aether found himself impressed.

Her mastery of her Devil Fruit had reached an extrely troubleso level. Back at Marineford, she would not have been able to evade that attack.

"Akainu, you are no weaker than before," Aether said, narrowing his eyes. "If anything, you have improved. How did you manage that?"

At his words, Akainu's expression hardened. The mory of her earlier transformation within the Marines clearly left a mark.

"This is thanks to you," she replied through clenched teeth. "If not for you, I would never have discovered that my power could evolve like this."

Before Aether could respond, the distant sound of a ship cutting through waves echoed across the sea. The warship that had been pursuing the retreating pirates had returned, having failed to capture a single target.

Aether suddenly sheathed his blade.

"How about we end this here?" he said casually. "I will not stop you from leaving. Consider it generosity, since this is my territory."

Akainu's expression imdiately shifted into a strange, almost cheerful smile.

It made Aether suspicious.

For a mont, he wondered if this was even the sa person, or if sothing far stranger was at play.

"Heh, Roger, do not pretend you are letting go," she said. "I know your situation very well. If I hold you here for even one day, do you think you can still deal with Kaido in ti? Intelligence reports say that Kaido himself has already mobilized for this invasion. You do not have the ti to waste on ."

Aether fell silent.

His intentions had been seen through, but his expression did not change in the slightest.

As long as he was not embarrassed, then the embarrassnt belonged to soone else.

Truthfully, he had no interest in continuing this fight. His gaze drifted briefly toward Buggy, then back to Akainu. Considering her current position in the Marines, along with her past personality, an idea suddenly ford.

"Akainu, let's make a deal."

"…A deal?" she repeated, clearly surprised. "You expect to agree? We are mortal enemies."

Buggy's eyes widened in disbelief. Even he could not imagine Aether proposing such a thing.

"Why not?" Aether replied. "This benefits both of us."

Akainu studied him for a mont, curiosity slowly overtaking her suspicion.

"Fine. Speak."

Aether did not hesitate.

"You leave this place, and I will spread word that you repelled . Your prestige within the Marines will skyrocket. Repelling the Pirate King in his own territory is sothing even Garp might struggle to achieve. It will push your reputation to another level."

He paused slightly, then added,

"Do you not want to compete with Aokiji for the position of Fleet Admiral?"

Akainu's expression shifted.

She was tempted.

After a brief silence, she spoke again.

"I do not want 'repelled.' I want it to be known that I defeated you."

Aether stared at her blankly.

"…That is not happening."

If news spread that he had been defeated within his own territory, the consequences would be imdiate. Opportunistic pirates would flood in, and the pressure from Kaido and Big Mom would intensify overnight.

"No," he said firmly. "At most, it will be 'repelled.' Take it or leave it."

"Then I will stall you here," Akainu replied coldly, "and let you watch your territory fall to Kaido."

Aether's eyes sharpened.

"I can stall you as well," he countered. "Rayleigh and the others will arrive soon. Capturing the only female Admiral would not be impossible. And if that happens, the Marines will be dragged into a war they cannot afford."

His voice remained calm, yet carried weight.

"Let's see how you compete with Aokiji then."

Buggy suddenly jumped in, unable to hold himself back.

"That's right! Refuse, and we will capture you and make you bear children for pirates!"

Silence fell instantly.

Aether turned and punched Buggy away without hesitation.

"Have you lost your mind?"

Akainu's expression darkened, her killing intent rising sharply.

"Now that the idiot is gone," Aether continued smoothly, "we can return to discussing terms."

Ti was not on his side. He had already received word that Ace and Rouge were heading north with the Second Division to reinforce against Kaido.

"Troubleso pair," he muttered under his breath.

After another round of negotiation, the two finally reached an agreent.

Akainu's condition was simple. She would record the mont she drove Aether back using a Den Den Mushi.

Aether's demand was equally straightforward. She would withdraw imdiately and assist Buggy in becoming one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. In return, Buggy would not betray the Marines for at least one year.

Both sides achieved what they wanted.

Only Buggy remained stunned.

Soon after, the act began.

In front of the returning Marines, Aether perford his role flawlessly. His expression, his movents, even the unwillingness in his retreat, all of it was convincing enough to deceive anyone watching.

If there were awards for acting, he would have claid the top prize.

Yet as he withdrew, he glanced at his arm.

The skin was scorched red.

Akainu's attack had not felt like part of the performance. It carried real intent.

"Crazy woman," he muttered.

Without delay, Aether departed with Buggy. From the small boat, he could still see Akainu boarding her warship and giving chase. However, the vessel he used, borrowed from Fish-Man Island, was far faster than any Marine ship.

Catching him was impossible.

As the distance widened, Aether could not help but reflect.

"Working with an Admiral… that is new."

Akainu's transformation was undeniable.

"Is she still soone who follows Absolute Justice?"

Their paths soon diverged.

Buggy returned to his crew, who had sohow changed their stance once again. anwhile, Aether continued alone.

Though Buggy had offered assistance against Kaido, Aether refused. The Buggy Pirates lacked the strength, and Buggy himself had yet to join his subordinate fleet.

Ahead of him lay a violent sea.

Storms raged as towering waves rose like mountains. Waterspouts connected sea and sky, creating a chaotic and dangerous path forward.

Twenty nautical miles ahead was his destination.

Black Spear Swordfish Island.

High above the storm clouds, a massive black shadow moved in the sa direction.