Loyal Marine - Chapter 23: The Battle of Edd War!

Ever since Ortoren ate the Goro Goro no Mi, thunder had echoed through the mountains behind Whole Cake Island for three straight days. Very few knew of Ortoren’s identity, and even many of Charlotte Linlin’s children were unaware of his existence. On top of that, word of the Goro Goro no Mi hadn’t leaked at all. So, the people of Whole Cake Island just assumed it was some strange weather pattern hitting the back mountain.

While a bit suspicious, it wasn’t anything too unusual for the New World. No one bothered to look deeper.

Then, on the fourth day, the Battle of Edd War erupted—a conflict that would shift the balance of power in the New World and go on to shape the global order for decades.

In the waters of Edd War, on the deck of the Oro Jackson, the entire Roger Pirates crew had assembled.

“Still time to turn the ship around?” Roger laughed as he looked out at the densely packed pirate fleet spread across the sea and sky, teasing as he posed the question.

Gaban, crouched atop a wine barrel, was sharpening his hand axe with a whetstone. Upon hearing Roger’s comment, he shrugged and replied, “Thanks to Tom, our ship’s crazy fast. But that’s Shiki we’re up against—they’re flying. You think we can outrun a fleet that’s airborne?”

“Is that so?” Roger feigned realization, then patted the sword at his waist—Ace—and broke into a bold grin. “Then I guess we’ll just have to go all out and settle it here!”

As Roger spoke, Shiki’s flagship slowly drifted closer from within the massive Flying Pirates fleet.

“Get ready to fight!” Roger ordered immediately upon seeing the movement.

Buggy, still just a trainee crew member, was already on the verge of panic. Crying out, he pleaded, “Wait, wait, Captain Roger! That guy clearly wants to talk! Let’s at least hear what Shiki has to say first!”

“We’ve heard enough of that guy’s crap already!” Roger said with a sneer.

The Roger Pirates had dealt with that bastard Shiki more than once. Roger didn’t need to hear him speak to know what he wanted.

“We’ve got a long road ahead, Captain Roger!” Buggy shouted, clutching his head in frustration.

Nearby, Shanks—his arm still in a splint, clearly not fully healed—grinned with excitement, gripping the hilt of his sword with his other hand as he said, “Didn’t you become someone who doesn’t die no matter how many times they get cut? What are you scared of?”

“Idiot! I’ve got so many weaknesses I can’t even count them all!” Buggy snapped the moment he heard Shanks’ voice.

If it hadn’t been for that idiot, there’s no way he’d have ended up as a Devil Fruit user in the first place!

Still, now wasn’t the time to argue with Shanks. After tossing a quick insult his way, Buggy hurried over to Crocus.

“Crocus-san, how’s Captain Roger doing? Isn’t it better for him to avoid fighting? Please, stop him!”

Crocus, wiping down his harpoon, let out a hearty laugh. “Too bad for you—thanks to the warm-up back on Whole Cake Island, Roger’s in top shape... perfect condition for a big fight.”

Seeing even the ship’s doctor ready for battle, Buggy grew even more desperate. He turned quickly to the first mate.

“Rayleigh!”

“You idiot, we’ve known each other long enough. Don’t you get it by now? When have we ever been able to stop Roger from doing something reckless?” Rayleigh responded with a calm smile, arms crossed over his chest. Then his gaze sharpened as he added, “Besides, trust in the ship Tom built for us. It’s the best in the world...”

Still, there was one thing Rayleigh didn’t say aloud.

Roger didn’t have much time left.

As for what Shiki wanted to say—Rayleigh already knew. It was nothing new. Just another scheme to join forces with the Roger Pirates and take over the world.

It all sounded pointless. None of them were gathered here to fight for world domination. Roger didn’t have much time left, and there was no way he’d waste it playing along with Shiki’s strategic games. Their one and only goal was the legendary Laugh Tale.

They couldn’t afford to waste a single moment on Shiki.

Just as the Roger Pirates were preparing for battle, Shiki’s flagship came to a stop in front of them. Moments later, a figure stepped from the deck to the bow.

With wild blond hair whipping in the wind and golden, Wano-style striped robes clinging to his frame, the man looked every bit the weathered pirate. Years at sea had darkened and dried his skin, but that only added to his savage, intimidating aura.

Clenching a half-burned cigar between his teeth, his eyes were sharp and aggressive. Just standing there, his presence was enough to weigh heavily on the air. Even among the elite of the Roger Pirates, all of them could feel the overwhelming pressure radiating from him.

It felt like standing before a wild beast—a lion roaring across the seas, proud and untamed.

There was no doubt. The man before them was the infamous Sky Pirate, Shiki the Golden Lion, a pirate who had climbed to the very top of the New World's food chain.

Shiki’s eyes never strayed. From start to finish, his gaze was locked onto Roger.

After a short silence, Shiki curled his lips into a grin.

“Been a while, Roger.”

“I’d have preferred it stayed that way, Shiki. What are you doing blocking our path? If you’re here to chat, save it—I’ve got nothing to say to you. Get out of the way!”

Roger didn’t bother with pleasantries. He barked his reply without hesitation.

Shiki’s face twitched slightly. This bastard wasn’t giving him a shred of face? He was one of the top pirates in the New World now, damn it!

Still, Shiki’s patience for Roger was unexpectedly generous—like he wasn’t the Golden Lion, but some lovesick mutt pining after a goddess.

Even after being chewed out like that, Shiki didn’t snap. Instead, he took a deep breath, steadying himself.

Then he looked at Roger, eyes blazing.

“I’ve said it before, Roger... plenty of times. But since we’ve run into each other again, let me say it one more time.”

He paused, then spoke in a low, firm voice.

“When we were young, we clashed a lot. But that’s all water under the bridge now. Let it go. I’ve got a proposal for you. Let’s join forces, Roger! You’ve got intel on the ancient weapons—powerful enough to destroy the world. I’ve got the forces and a meticulous plan ready to go. If we combine forces, right now, this very moment... we could take over the entire world! Doesn’t that get your blood pumping?!”

“I’ve told you again and again, I’m not teaming up with you, Shiki. I’ve got zero interest in ruling the world. Pretending to want something I don’t—that’s not what being a pirate is about. We’re not the same kind of people!”

Roger shut him down on the spot, not even bothering to think it over.

As a major force in the New World, Shiki could tolerate a lot, especially from Roger. But he still had pride. He’d brought his elite forces with him—if he got humiliated here without a word, how would he hold his head high afterward?

And beyond pride, Shiki was genuinely concerned. If Roger really had found the ancient weapons... Shiki figured anyone in that position—including himself—would wipe out their enemies without hesitation.

If the Roger Pirates were allowed to keep growing, they could become a serious threat to his ambitions for global domination.

Better to end it here and now—he held the stronger hand.

“So, your answer is to let me kill you here?” Shiki’s voice turned low, his gaze darkening.

Roger just grinned, confidence flaring across his face.

“Don’t get it twisted, you bastard. My answer is—I’m going to wipe out all of you right here!”

As soon as the words left Roger’s mouth, Shanks lit the cannon at the bow.

The Oro Jackson roared to life, launching the first shot toward Shiki’s fleet.

And with that shot, the Great Battle of Edd War had officially begun!