Chapter 354: Roger's Sucessor!
On the sea.
A round of cannon fire didn't cause any damage to the Oro Jackson, but the Marines had no intention of stopping the bombardment. They were soon ready for a second volley. Despite the minimal effects of the cannon fire, hitting even one shot and causing damage to the ship of the Pirate King would be worth it. Moreover, even though the members of Roger's pirate crew could easily fend off the cannonballs, each deflection required some energy. Any energy spent now would mean less stamina for the upcoming battle, potentially reducing their own casualties.
So, compared to the cost of the cannonballs, this expenditure was negligible.
Standing at the bow of the ship, Rayleigh glanced at the crew behind him. Seeing the determination on their faces to rescue Roger, he felt a slight relief and then turned his gaze to the elite Marine forces advancing towards the port of Loguetown.
Judging by the strength the Marines had displayed, even with Roger, it wouldn't be easy to confront these main forces.
However, with the items Shakky had provided, the situation was different. Even against Sengoku, Garp, and Kong, they had a fighting chance.
Soon, another round of cannon fire came——
Rayleigh squinted his eyes.
A figure beside him leaped up.
A crescent-shaped flying slash immediately intercepted all the cannonballs.
The massive slash didn't dissipate with the explosions but continued its momentum, crashing through the Marine artillery positions at the Loguetown port and into the town, causing a loud explosion.
"Hmm, that is…"
Standing beside Roger, Garp looked at the slash coming from the sea, his eyes widening as he saw Shanks holding his sword stance. He exclaimed to Roger, "That kid's move!?"
On the execution platform, Roger was equally astonished as he looked at Shanks on the Oro Jackson.
He had seen Shanks' strike clearly.
Although it was still a bit short of the true "Divine Departure," it undeniably had its form.
"It really resembles your 'Divine Departure'…"
Garp muttered to himself, memories of past battles with Roger flashing in his mind.
A complex emotion grew in his heart.
Was this the person Roger had been waiting for?
"Shanks!"
Looking at the port getting closer, and the Marines ready for battle, Rayleigh suddenly spoke from the bow of the Oro Jackson.
Shanks gathered his thoughts and met Rayleigh's gaze.
Their eyes met, and they could see each other's determination.
Behind the Oro Jackson were the Marine ships closing in and their ready cannons.
The Marines on the ships were stunned to see the Oro Jackson charging into the encirclement.
In naval battles, once encircled, it was almost a sure loss.
"What are you waiting for? Fire!!!"
The Marine officers snapped out of it and ordered to fire.
Following their commands, the gunners quickly adjusted the cannons, lit the fuses, and fired.
Amidst the thunderous cannon fire, countless cannonballs whistled towards the encircled Oro Jackson.
Boom, boom…!
The next moment, over a hundred cannonballs exploded around the Oro Jackson.
The intense heat waves and resulting smoke quickly enveloped the ship.
"Did we hit it…"
The Marines and gunners on the ships watched the massive smoke cloud with anxiety.
They couldn't be sure if this legendary ship had been sunk.
Many of them, being elite soldiers but not yet officers, hadn't mastered Observation Haki and couldn't instantly discern the situation within the smoke.
As the smoke cleared, the Oro Jackson emerged, tearing through it.
With the Oro Jackson breaking through the smoke, figures leaped from the smoke, heading straight for Loguetown.
The top Marine forces, who had been watching the battlefield, instantly noticed the movement of Roger's pirate crew.
"Hmm?"
Almost simultaneously, Kong, Sakazuki, and Sengoku, experts in advanced Observation Haki, looked in different directions of Loguetown.
It was clear the enemy wasn't planning a frontal assault but intended to advance from different directions, hoping to neutralize the Marines' advantage in strength through dispersion.
But would this work?
In terms of strength, the Marines had an absolute advantage!
Sakazuki's eyes glowed red as if he could see the members of Roger's pirate crew advancing towards the execution platform from various directions in Loguetown. A mysterious smile appeared on his face.
"Hmm, this is really troublesome."
Kuzan sighed, realizing how crucial it was to choose the right opponent next. If they accidentally confronted a powerhouse, it would be quite troublesome.
"…"
Roger, beside Garp, remained silent as he watched the chaos in Loguetown.
As Roger's crew advanced towards the execution platform, a vast wave of cold air swept past them.
In the blink of an eye, a massive ice wall, dozens of meters high, stood across the streets of Loguetown, blocking the path of Taro, Donquino, and their companions.
"Ha.… haa.."
Kuzan, with white cold air lingering around his lips, stood atop the ice wall, looking down calmly at the people below, "I can't let you pass here."
The group looked at Kuzan, not surprised. MAX Marx, Yui, and Taro simultaneously attacked Kuzan from three directions.
"Sigh… Why am I even here? I was supposed to be at Mariejois but to confirm that the execution goes smoothly, I came. Now Mariejois is in trouble…. How annoying" Kong muttered to himself while slowly walking towards the Roger pirates.
"Rayleigh."
Kong looked at the blond man in front of him with a solemn expression and said, "You had a chance to leave the conflicts behind, why not cherish it?"
"I didn't want to face you monsters, but I have no choice. After all, I have sailed with that guy for so long. Standing by and watching that 'fool' get executed without doing anything leaves a knot in my heart!"
Rayleigh took a swig from his wine bottle, then threw it to the ground, drew his sword, and stood with a fierce aura as if a sharp blade had just been unsheathed. This time, he was still the right hand of the Pirate King.
Kong looked at Rayleigh without a word.
He grabbed his collar, tore off his tie and uniform, revealing his scarred torso.
"Roger, you really know how to cause trouble."
Garp looked at Roger and said. Roger's previous request to take care of his wife and child, along with his confirmation of the One Piece's existence, would significantly impact the world.
Especially the latter, which would undoubtedly start a new era.
Roger also looked up at Garp, knowing that his request had indeed caused considerable trouble for him.
"Actually, Garp, if I heard correctly, Nicholas has already caused a major incident in Mariejois!"
"Yes, that guy dragged that kid Dragon and attacked Mariejois. It's outrageous!"
Thinking about his beloved son Dragon going astray, Garp felt a headache.
Sengoku's face darkened. If it weren't for the public setting, he would have punched his old friend. He was well aware of Dragon's current activities and the trouble they were causing.
If it weren't for Kong and Sengoku vouching for Garp and his past achievements in God Valley, Garp might have already been sent to Impel Down.
Or more accurately, Impel Down might have gained a supreme ruler.
"Hahaha, that guy is always so reckless! Garp, the will that is passed down, the changing times, people's dreams, they will never end!
Nicholas, like me, has an insatiable desire for freedom!"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone