An uncontrollable ambition surged from the depths of Roy’s heart, spreading through his entire body like a violent tide.
At that very moment, while Sengoku and Rayleigh’s Haoshoku Haki clashed fiercely in the sky, a third force suddenly erupted raw, unstable, yet filled with an unyielding will.
A deep rumble echoed as a terrifying burst of Haoshoku Haki mixed with a violent spiritual shockwave exploded outward from Roy’s body, forcefully carving out a small but unshakable space within the overlapping fields of the two top-tier powerhouses.
“Hahahaha!!
I really do possess the qualities of a king!”
Roy’s laughter rang out wildly, almost manic, as the newly awakened power surged through him.
The awakening of Haoshoku Haki did more than simply free him from the oppressive clash between Sengoku and Rayleigh it caused his already formidable mental strength to skyrocket once again, pushing the limits of his Devil Fruit ability even further.
That sudden leap in mental power allowed his Haoshoku Haki, even at the moment of its awakening, to manifest with destructive force, sending cracks through the ground and rattling the surroundings.
Normally, such an effect would only be seen when Haoshoku had been trained to an extremely advanced level, yet Roy had achieved a crude version of it instantly due to the unique synergy with his mental abilities.
Sengoku and Rayleigh both reacted at once.
Although the Haki felt immature, it carried a chilling pressure that could not be ignored.
“This brat…” Sengoku frowned deeply, the golden aura of his Daibutsu form flickering slightly as his gaze sharpened.
He had seen countless prodigies throughout his life, but never had he witnessed someone awaken Haoshoku Haki under such extreme conditions on the brink of death, severely injured, and yet still capable of releasing such overwhelming will.
“Hahaha!
So you’ve got your own ambitions too, kid!” Rayleigh laughed loudly, clearly pleased.
With a swift motion, he forced Sengoku back with a powerful slash and instantly appeared beside Roy, his eyes filled with approval.
“Sengoku, take a good look this is what the next era looks like!”
Roy’s body trembled violently, veins bulging across his forehead.
Despite the surge in power, his condition had not improved if anything, it was worse.
The continuous release of Haoshoku Haki was pushing his already battered body to its absolute limit.
Pain.
Every nerve screamed in agony, his muscles threatening to give out at any moment, his consciousness wavering as exhaustion crept in.
“I… can’t… fall here…”
Gritting his teeth, Roy forced himself upright, refusing to collapse.
He knew that this battle had already given him what he needed a stepping stone into the realm of the truly powerful.
All that remained now was to survive.
As long as he escaped, lay low, and continued to grow stronger, nothing in this vast ocean would be able to stop him in the future.
Gathering the last remnants of his mental strength, Roy extended his telekinetic power once more.
The seawater surged violently, forming a massive curtain that crashed toward Sengoku, forcing him to step back.
While such an attack wouldn’t seriously harm someone of Sengoku’s level, it was enough to disrupt his advance especially with Rayleigh standing right there, ready to strike.
“Well done, brat!” Rayleigh praised as he seized the opportunity.
Without hesitation, he lifted Roy and leapt into the air, using Geppo to propel himself rapidly toward the distant ship.
Sengoku remained standing on the shore, watching them leave without immediately giving chase.
His attention shifted toward the sea, where Borsalino had fallen earlier.
Borsalino was one of the Marine’s most promising rising forces.
If he were left submerged any longer, the consequences could be severe.
After a brief pause, Sengoku turned and issued orders to the arriving Marines, instructing them to send swimmers to retrieve Borsalino while he himself prepared to report back to Headquarters.
On the returning warship, Sengoku stood silently on deck, gazing toward the horizon where Rayleigh had disappeared.
What should have been a straightforward mission had spiraled into something far more complicated.
Not only had they failed to capture the perpetrators, but they had allowed them to escape right under their noses.
And that boy…
Roy.
At such a young age, he had already demonstrated terrifying potential mastering his Devil Fruit almost immediately after obtaining it, possessing advanced Kenbunshoku Haki with a near mind-reading quality, and even awakening Haoshoku Haki capable of affecting the environment itself.
“What a headache…” Sengoku muttered under his breath.
“Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Rear Admiral Borsalino has been rescued,” a Marine soldier reported as he approached.
“How is he?”
“He’s physically fine, but… after regaining consciousness, he kept muttering things like ‘That was scary’ and ‘I almost died.'”
Sengoku rubbed his temples, clearly exasperated.
Borsalino’s strength was undeniable, yet his careless nature had nearly cost him dearly this time.
“Have him return to Headquarters on his own.
I’ll report to Fleet Admiral Kong.”
Moments later, the Den Den Mushi connected.
“This is Kong.”
“Fleet Admiral, the mission has failed,” Sengoku reported succinctly.
“Failed?” Kong’s voice carried a note of surprise.
“With your strength and Borsalino’s, how did a rookie escape?”
“Rayleigh intervened.”
A brief silence followed.
“…Rayleigh.
The former first mate of the Roger Pirates.”
“Yes,” Sengoku confirmed before continuing, “and there’s more.
That boy, Roy he not only possesses a Devil Fruit ability similar in nature to Shiki’s, but he also awakened Haoshoku Haki during the battle.”
“…Haoshoku?”
“And not just that.
His Haki already shows the ability to affect physical surroundings.
Fleet Admiral, this boy is extremely dangerous.
If left unchecked, he will become a major threat in the future.”
This time, the silence lasted longer.
“Sengoku, issue a bounty as soon as you return.
Set it at two hundred million.”
Sengoku paused briefly.
“Two hundred million?
Isn’t that too high for a first bounty?”
“It’s not,” Kong replied firmly.
“A rookie who dares attack a Celestial Dragon at Sabaody, awakens Haoshoku Haki, and escapes from you even with Rayleigh’s involvement is worth that price.”
“I understand.”
The call ended.
A first bounty of two hundred million would shake the entire sea, drawing attention from both Marines and pirates alike.
It would strip Roy of any chance to remain hidden.
Perhaps that was the real intention to force him into the spotlight before he could fully grow.
Far away from Sabaody Archipelago, aboard a small ship, Rayleigh had already brought the severely injured Roy onboard.
Roy lay on the deck, breathing heavily as blood continued to seep from his wounds, his mental energy nearly depleted.
Nearby, Tesoro and Stella frantically searched for medical supplies, their faces filled with worry.
Yet despite everything, Roy smiled faintly as he watched them.
He had survived.
Not only that, he had awakened Haoshoku Haki.
No matter how dangerous the battle had been, it was worth it.