Chapter 140: Homecoming and an Unexpected Encounter at Sea

“We’re finally back on Cake Island.”

“Yeah, as long as nothing major comes up we probably won’t need to set sail again anytime soon.”

Looking out at the distant Cake Island, Karl had already decided—unless something huge happened, he wouldn’t leave the island if he didn’t have to.

After all, it’s time to start preparing for the God Valley Incident three years from now.

Not only did he have to send people to keep tabs on John’s whereabouts, he needed to boost his crew’s strength as much as possible.

There wouldn’t be time to rest after the great battle at God Valley—they’d be thrown straight into the chaos of the New World.

If you’re strong enough, you can take control of most of the New World’s territories.

But if your strength falls short, you’ll just end up handing those territories over to someone else.

Even if he’s strong on his own, sometimes it takes more than just personal power to hold a whole territory.

It’s easy to take land. Keeping it is the hard part.

“Linlin!”

When Karl and his crew stepped onto Cake Island, they spotted Linlin already waiting at the harbor.

Linlin had gotten Karl’s letter while she was still on the island, so she’d come out early to meet him by the shore.

Karl and Gan Fall’s groups arrived on Cake Island one after the other, both on the same day.

“Karl!”

Karl hopped off the ship and wrapped Linlin in a big hug as she hurried over.

“You’re still pregnant, you know. You really don’t need to come all the way to the harbor, alright? It’s fine to wait inside.”

He gently supported Linlin, mindful of her being a few months along now with her belly starting to show.

“Looks like we should give them a little privacy.”

Brown was the first to jump off the ship, clasping his hands behind his head and strolling past Karl without so much as a change in expression.

“Oh, knock it off!”

Karl grinned, then, without warning, stepped up and sent Brown flying with a swift kick to the ground.

“Guess someone’s got a new flame and has forgotten about his old friends.”

Brown clambered up, shooting Karl a look full of wounded pride.

“Hahaha!”

“Hahaha!”

Davis and the others couldn’t hold back, bursting into laughter.

“Alright, clear out!”

Seeing everyone egging him on, Karl waved them off, then led Linlin into the heart of Cake Island.

Seeing the show was over, the rest of the crew drifted off as well.

Linlin looked at the cautious Karl and sighed in resignation.

“You really don’t have to be so careful.”

“Gan Fall and the others are already here.”

Now that Gan Fall’s group had arrived, it was time for Karl to check in on Borsalino, Sakazuki, and the rest from this era.

But right now, nothing was more important than Linlin.

After weighing it for a second, Karl said,

“It’s fine, there’s no rush.”

……

“Roger, I’ve come to invite you to join the Rocks Pirates.”

Somewhere in the New World, near Dressrosa!

Here, Newgate intercepted Roger and his crew just as they sailed away from Dressrosa.

Roger’s crew eyed Newgate warily.

“Rocks?”

Roger stared at Newgate without even blinking. Of course, they’d all heard about the infamous Rocks Pirates.

But hearing was one thing—Roger glanced over at Rayleigh, Jabba, and the others. “It’s not happening. I’m not joining.”

Newgate had known it wouldn’t be easy. He was more than ready.

“Gurararara!”

“Then let’s see if you have what it takes to say no to me.”

According to the orders he’d received, if Roger’s crew didn’t join the Rocks Pirates, they’d be wiped out.

“Quake!”

“Crack!”

With his left hand, Newgate tossed aside his cape. He slid his left foot back and then slammed his right fist forward with all his might.

In the next instant, the space before him fractured like shattered glass.

A wave of wild energy hurtled straight at the Roger Pirates.

“Divine Departure!”

Sensing Newgate’s power, Roger felt a rush—he hadn’t met such a powerful opponent in a long time.

A broad, excited grin broke out on his face.

“Boom!”

“Splash…”

After those twin surges of energy collided, the sea erupted with towering waves and geysers, sending a light drizzle down from the sky.

“Gurararara!”

“You’ve earned my respect.”

Newgate hadn’t expected Roger to know Conqueror’s Haki Infusion.

To think, even they had only just learned it not too long ago.

Now things were getting interesting.

“Cloud Cutter!”

Usually, Newgate fought with brute force. He swung his gigantic Cloud Cutter, Haki crackling around the blade, leaping through the air as he struck at Roger’s group.

Since the other side was that strong, he didn’t need to hold back.

If they turned out even tougher, he’d just walk away. If weaker—they’d die here, swallowed by the sea.

“Divine Departure!”

Roger hadn’t expected Newgate to know Conqueror’s Haki Infusion either.

A red gleam flashed in Roger’s eyes. Digging his feet into the planks, he sprang up from the sinking ship to answer Newgate’s attack head-on.

“Voom!!!”

“Look—their weapons aren’t even touching!”

“Yeah, they’re not making contact at all!”

As Roger’s crewmates shouted in amazement, everyone turned their eyes to the duel.

It was plain to see—a glowing red ball of energy hung suspended right between the two weapons.

“The sky is splitting open!”

Jabba and the others gaped as the distant sky slowly tore apart. The sight left them stunned.

Truth was, this was the first time they’d seen Roger open with everything he had.

They hadn’t expected such an overwhelming show of force.

Rayleigh rested his hand on his rapier, ready to jump in at any second.

“Now things are getting interesting.”

Feeling Roger’s strength, Newgate realized today’s fight might end in a draw.

Still, since he was here, he planned to enjoy the battle.

“Gurararara!”

“Hahahaha!”

With their laughter echoing, both fighters met over and over, their figures clashing in midair.

“Clang! Clang! Clang!”

“Bang! Bang! Bang!”

What clouds there’d been quickly vanished, swept away by the fierce shockwaves.

Wild bursts of energy rampaged through the sky.

“Big news!”

Not far away, a reporter snapped photos of the epic duel unfolding before him.

He was one of the journalists trained by Mor Morris.

Both the first and second waves of reporters had received Mor Morris’ personal instruction.

After their training, they were sent off across the world to cover every kind of news.

At the same time, they sent their reports back using visual Transponder Snails.

It was this strategy that helped the World Economic News Paper reach nearly every household across the seas.

Even though the World Economic News Paper was a newcomer, it had already captured more than half the market.

Reporters and carrier pigeons both played vital roles in this success.

Soon, Newgate and Roger spotted a deserted island not far off.

Unspoken, both began steering their battle closer to that island.

Noticing their captains drifting toward the island, Newgate’s and Rayleigh’s crews scrambled to steer their own ships after them.

Before long, everyone reached the deserted shore.

Strangely, neither Newgate’s men nor Rayleigh’s group clashed once they arrived.

Instead, both sides kept to themselves, an uneasy truce hovering in the air.

They just glared at each other across the sand—that was enough for now.