One Piece: I'm not Roger Chapter 30 30: 30: Momousagi

Aether and his companion watched the Marine warship several nautical miles away. Neither of them expected to be intercepted while heading toward Marineford. It was most likely a reconnaissance vessel sent to monitor the Whitebeard Pirates. After all, only a few hours remained before the execution.

"Let's go around them. Avoid fighting the Marines. We cannot expose ourselves yet."

"Boom… boom…"

Before Aether could change course, the warship fired first. Nine main cannons roared at the sa ti, and the shells shot through the air like teors, clearly intending to sink the small vessel in a single strike.

Aether did not even know what to say. Sure, today was the day of war, but that did not an every passing ship had to be destroyed. Was there really no justice left?

As the shells closed in, Aether's powerful Conqueror's Haki burst outward like a shockwave, detonating every projectile before it could reach them.

Rayleigh had already drawn his sword and slashed toward the distant warship. A pale blue slash tore across the sea and struck the vessel directly.

The deck split apart instantly. The massive warship, worth over two hundred million Berries, was cut cleanly in half.

Watching their ship sink, the Marines scrambled into lifeboats. To them, the man who destroyed a warship with a single strike was no different from a demon.

Aether and Rayleigh did not bother finishing them off. They continued sailing toward their destination.

Several miles away, however, another warship was heading toward the Holy Land Mary Geoise. On the bow stood a beautiful woman wearing a Justice coat over a peach-colored dress. Her long black hair was tied neatly behind her head, and a spider tattoo could be seen on her left thigh.

Her features were delicate and refined. Her eyes were calm, yet sharp, and the small beauty mark near her lips only made her look more mature.

A sailor approached her quickly.

"Vice Admiral Momousagi, the warship that just contacted us has suddenly gone silent. Should we send a reconnaissance team?"

Hearing this, Gion frowned slightly. Her mission was to temporarily reinforce Mary Geoise and prevent any trouble during the war. It was a direct order from the Five Elders.

She had wanted to participate in the Marineford War, so being reassigned had already left her frustrated. Naturally, she would not mind a short delay.

"Head over there and investigate. A warship costs more than two hundred million Berries to build, and the soldiers on board are even more valuable."

The distance was only a few miles, so they reached the area quickly. When Gion saw the wreckage and the lifeboats drifting across the sea, anger flashed in her eyes.

"Soone attacked my Marines and tried to escape? Pick up the survivors. We are chasing that criminal."

With the order given, the warship increased its speed. Instead of standing guard idly at Mary Geoise, she now had an opponent worth pursuing. She had already heard that the enemy destroyed a warship from nearly a kiloter away with a single slash.

As a great swordswoman herself, Gion felt her fighting spirit rise imdiately.

Her personal warship was far faster than a normal Marine vessel. Soon, a small sail appeared on the horizon.

Completely unaware, Aether and Rayleigh were slowly being overtaken.

By the ti Aether noticed the ship behind them, the distance had already shrunk to less than a kiloter. At that range, escaping was almost impossible.

Aether could recognize a Vice Admiral-class warship at a glance. Aside from Garp's dog-headed ship, he had never really feared other Vice Admirals, but this one felt different.

He tapped Rayleigh lightly on the shoulder.

"Rayleigh, your turn. I have been steering the ship for too long."

Rayleigh did not even bother to move. He simply lay back on the deck and put on his mask as if none of this concerned him.

With no other choice, Aether put on his own mask, drew his sword, and stepped forward.

They could not let the Marines learn their identities. If the World Governnt found out that Rayleigh was moving toward Marineford, they would definitely send more reinforcents.

After all, the Dark King's reputation was no weaker than that of the Four Emperors.

"Sea Sever."

Aether poured Armant Haki into his sword and slashed forward. A massive black arc cut across the sea and rushed toward the warship.

Just as the attack was about to strike, a figure suddenly leapt into the air and t the slash head-on with her own blade. The two attacks collided violently before the woman landed gracefully back on the bow of the ship.

Aether imdiately recognized her and nudged Rayleigh again.

"Rayleigh, wake up. We have a troubleso woman here."

"Oh? A Marine you find troubleso? Then I should take a look."

Rayleigh stood up slowly, narrowed his eyes, and then gave a faint smile.

"So it is her. The girl who used to follow Tsuru around. I heard her record is impressive."

Aether looked at the approaching warship and could clearly feel her powerful fighting spirit even from this distance.

"She is a real problem. Let put it this way. She is not weaker than Marco."

"That strong? Asking an old man to deal with such a dangerous opponent will really kill one day."

The woman's na was Gion, also known as Momousagi. Although she was still a Vice Admiral, her strength was already close to Admiral level.

Facing an opponent like this, Aether did not dare to hold back. His entire body tensed as he prepared to fight.

"I will hold her off. You find a chance to destroy their warship. If not, then you handle her yourself."

Rayleigh shrugged calmly.

"Fine. Leave it to ."

Aether stepped forward and used Geppo to launch himself toward Gion. His sword was already completely coated in Armant Haki.

Clang.

The mont their blades collided, sparks burst in every direction.

Gion's swordsmanship was elegant and graceful, almost like a dance. But to the person facing her, every movent carried overwhelming pressure.

Aether slashed toward her neck. She calmly shifted her body and avoided the strike, her blade imdiately sweeping toward his waist. Aether was forced to retreat and block at the last mont.

Clang. Crack.

The strange sound made Aether's expression change instantly.

His sword was reaching its limit.

Although it was a good weapon, it could not compare to Gion's blade, Konpira. After repeatedly clashing with her powerful Armant Haki, the difference between their weapons finally beca obvious.

Another collision followed.

Crack.

The blade in Aether's hand shattered.