The overwhelming force of their clash drew even Kizaru's attention. In the middle of battle, he let out a quiet sigh.
"Oh my, what terrifying power. Don't you agree, Marco?"
Marco swept aside Kizaru's light sword with his blue flas. He gave no reply, focusing entirely on holding his opponent back.
He was already at a disadvantage. Any lapse in concentration would give Kizaru the opening he needed to end the fight instantly.
Besides, during his ti sailing with Pops, he had witnessed similar battles when facing the Roger Pirates. This level of destruction was not unfamiliar to him.
The violent shockwaves toppled Marines and pirates alike. Many stared in disbelief, their expressions frozen.
"This place is breaking apart!"
"Those clouds covered the sky a mont ago, now they're gone in an instant. Is this really human power?"
"This kind of fight, it can't be real…"
A thunderous sound echoed.
Aether and Monkey D. Garp separated at the sa ti. Their evenly matched clash brought faint smiles to both of them, while their fighting spirit rose even higher.
It had been a long ti since either of them had fought like this.
Not far away, Sengoku, who was locked in battle with Edward Newgate, did not share that mood.
He had asked Garp to stop Roger, not to destroy Marineford.
If those two continued without restraint, the island would not survive.
And that man, Roger. If Sengoku had known earlier that he was still alive, he would never have used Ace as bait. The current situation was humiliating for the Marines.
A living Pirate King was a far greater threat than the Pirate King's son. As for Whitebeard, age and illness would have eventually removed him from the stage.
The more Sengoku thought about it, the more irritated he beca. His frustration even turned toward the World Governnt's intelligence network. They claid to have eyes everywhere, yet they failed to notice that a supposedly dead man was alive.
"Garp, are you trying to destroy Marineford?"
Garp said nothing, but his expression turned awkward.
He had simply attacked with full strength out of habit, the sa way he always had when facing Roger in the past. He had not expected Marineford, already weakened by Whitebeard's earlier attacks, to be this fragile.
Around the massive crater left by their clash, both Marines and pirates instinctively avoided the area.
No one wanted to be caught in another collision and die without even knowing what hit them.
Garp glanced at the fallen Marines caught in the aftermath. A trace of regret appeared in his eyes.
But hesitation had no place in battle.
Dark red lightning surged around his fist as he charged forward again.
"Roger, I won't let you pass."
"Then try and stop ."
Aether moved instantly, closing the distance in a flash. His blade cut toward Garp's neck, precise and deadly.
Garp twisted his body to dodge and countered with a punch aid at Aether's head.
The battlefield erupted once more.
Fists and blade clashed repeatedly, their movents blurring into streaks. Dark red lightning spread violently with every collision.
Aether's blade grazed Garp's waist.
At the sa ti, Garp's fist slamd into Aether's shoulder.
Aether had already reinforced himself with Armant Haki, but the force still sent him sliding back over a hundred ters, tearing through the ground beneath his feet.
Garp wiped the blood from his waist. The wound was deep, but it quickly stopped bleeding.
Aether understood it well. With Garp's monstrous physique and Haki, such an injury was insignificant.
In comparison, Aether's condition was worse. Taking a direct hit from Garp was no small matter.
Garp was truly a monster.
Even at seventy-six years old, he still retained his peak strength. Others of the sa era, such as the Golden Lion, Sengoku, Whitebeard, and Silvers Rayleigh, had all begun to decline.
Yet Garp remained unyielding.
At that mont, a series of notifications echoed in Aether's mind.
The system had gathered a massive amount of experience during this battle.
The surge of power spread through his body, strengthening his physique and healing most of his minor injuries.
Aether exhaled lightly, a faint smile appearing on his face.
"Garp, thank you."
Garp paused, clearly confused.
He had no idea why he was being thanked.
This sudden increase in strength ca largely from Garp and Sengoku themselves. By acknowledging Aether as Roger, they had convinced the world.
Before, only Whitebeard had called him Roger, leaving many uncertain.
Now, with both Garp and Sengoku confirming it, the truth seed undeniable.
To the world, the Pirate King had returned.
For many ambitious figures, this strange developnt hinted at secrets tied to the One Piece itself.
Among the system notifications, several nas stood out to Aether.
Shanks, Douglas Bullet, and Wang Zhi of Hachinosu.
Shanks and Bullet had both sailed under Roger. They were among the young n Roger valued most.
As for Wang Zhi, he had once been a rival, though not one Aether held in high regard.
Shanks showing surprise was expected.
Bullet's intense reaction, however, was more notable. His obsession with Roger ran deep.
Aether flexed his fingers, then removed his coat, letting it fall aside.
His aura surged once more as he raised his blade.
"Garp, the second round starts now."
Garp felt the shift in Aether's presence, but he did not dwell on it.
Instead, excitent filled his chest.
He tore open his damaged jacket and rolled up his sleeves.
"Roger, then co."
===
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