Chapter 165: Red Poneglyph and the Unfolding Battle

Meanwhile Roger and his crew had just finished inscribing the Red Poneglyph deep within the Celestial Dragons’ underground vault.

“Looks like we made it out in time,” Roger said, stepping into the chaos outside.

Scanning the battlefield Roger’s eyes instantly landed on Rocks in the distance.

“As long as we steer clear of Karl, we’re good!” Sunbell shouted, spear in hand as he charged into the heart of the fray.

Roger drew his longsword Ace. “Rocks is mine,” he declared, launching himself straight at his old rival.

“No avoiding this fight now,” Rayleigh muttered, unsheathing his rapier and following in Roger’s footsteps.

And with that the Roger Pirates officially joined the battle.

“Divine Departure!” Roger swung Ace with explosive force cutting at Rocks’ back.

But Rocks had sensed the attack coming. He drew Black Dragon and spun to block it. “Divine Might!”

Their attacks never touched, but the intensity of their Haki exploded outwards, shaking everyone nearby.

Three of the Five Elders exchanged quick nods, then rushed toward Karl’s side. Letting pirates tear into each other was exactly what they wanted.

Besides if they didn’t back him up now, another of the Five Elders—Woqiuli—might end up dead.

“Roger!”

“Are you planning to betray the Will of D too?” Rocks demanded, eyes boring into Roger.

Roger’s expression turned solemn. “You’re too dangerous,” he said quietly.

After years of sailing, he’d started piecing together secrets about those bearing the Will of D. The details were still hazy, but it seemed they were waiting for a legendary figure to appear.

He’d heard snatches of cryptic messages on Fishman Island, bits and fragments that stuck with him.

“The king will be born in 25 years.”

“Keep the ancient promise. Now’s not the time.”

“Similar souls, but not at the same time.”

Based on these fragmented messages Roger figured that the King of the Sea Kings would be born on Fishman Island, likely around the year 1508.

As for the ancient promise, he reasoned someone must’ve made a pact with the Fishmen below the sea.

That last line seemed meant for him. So the one destined to change the world still hadn’t been born yet.

Similar souls… he found himself thinking of his own son. Maybe, just maybe, it was his own child the prophecy spoke of.

All these years crisscrossing the world weren’t for nothing. Somewhere along the way, he’d learned whispers of a legendary Devil Fruit—the Gum-Gum Fruit.

Rumor was, the Gum-Gum Fruit had stayed out of the World Government’s hands for centuries. Underground intel always claimed they were trying to find it, but no one ever managed to keep it for long.

So, to pave the way for his son, Roger planned to claim the fruit and pass it on to him when the time came.

“Enough with the chatter.”

“You two are both traitors to the Will of D!”

Rocks gritted his teeth, violently swinging Black Dragon. “If the world is to have a new king, why can’t it be me?”

After hurling Roger away, darkness and crimson Haki exploded from his body.

His savage Conqueror’s Haki sent both Garp and Roger flying.

“Didn’t think we’d be fighting side by side again, Garp,” Roger grinned.

“Who could’ve guessed?” Garp thundered with a booming laugh.

Watching the two share a brief exchange Rocks’ face twisted in anger. “Divine Might!” he roared.

A blade of energy a hundred meters long swept toward them like a storm.

“Iron Fist—Meteor!”

“Divine Departure!”

BOOM!

The three attacks collided in midair, canceling each other out.

Rocks vanished in a blur, slipping from everyone’s sight.

“This is bad!” Kong was badly injured and couldn’t join the fight, but his instincts screamed at him that Rocks wasn’t aiming for Garp or Roger—he was after the Five Elders, who were flying toward Karl.

“Look out!”

Hearing Kong’s warning, Saint Saturn spun around, just in time to see Rocks rushing at them with terrifying speed. He kicked Saint Nasjuro aside, desperate to keep him from taking the hit.

When Rocks saw Nasjuro get shoved away he instantly turned on Saturn.

Nasjuro, still reeling, had no idea what was happening—until a severed arm soared through the air. After so many years as fellow Five Elders, he instantly recognized whose it was.

Nasjuro roared in outrage. “No!”

Saturn clutched his bleeding shoulder, his body slamming hard against the ground as agony tore through him.

He’d pushed Nasjuro away just in time, but now he’d become Rocks’ new target.

Rocks didn’t waste the chance. With Saturn’s left arm exposed, he sliced it clean off.

Rocks’ speed and power shocked everyone watching—he was far stronger than anyone had imagined.

“So these are the Five Elders?” Rocks sneered at Saturn, sprawled out on the ground. In his eyes, the so-called rulers of the world were nothing special.

Saturn’s face went pale. Still gritting his teeth through the pain, he struggled to his feet, his heart burning with regret and rage.

If only he’d reacted a moment sooner, he wouldn’t be in this mess. Now, looking at his own state, he couldn’t hope to back up Woqiuli—he might not even make it out alive himself.

“Rocks, you monster—I’ll never forgive you,” Saturn spat, hatred twisting his face.

Rocks burst into laughter. “You? You couldn’t even protect yourself. Think you’re going to take me down? Dream on.”

With those words, Rocks vanished once more, launching another vicious assault on Saturn.

“Die!” Rocks thundered.

Saturn’s heart clenched. He rushed to activate his power, wildly swinging his longsword to unleash a flurry of slashes. But it was useless—in the face of Rocks’ assault, his defenses were paper-thin. Rocks’ form ripped through the air, aiming a ruthless blow straight for Saturn.

Despair twisted Saturn’s features as he gripped his sword tight with both hands. He knew there was almost no chance of making it out this time.

Suddenly a red flash shot in from afar, striking Rocks square in the body.

The force knocked Rocks back dozens of meters.

“Who was that?” Rocks snarled, searching for the source of the attack.

It was Roger. Seeing his arrival, Saturn felt a flicker of hope, scrambling up and fleeing toward the interior of the island.

“Roger, always ruining my plans. Looks like I’ll have to finish you today,” Rocks growled, no longer chasing the Five Elders, letting them slip away.

Rocks glared at Roger and Garp as they approached. After their brief exchange, he realized their strength matched his. If he got drawn into a long fight with them here, he’d be in real trouble.

“Roger, why are you interfering?” Rocks asked, baffled.

They were both bearers of D after all. Did Roger really want to play lapdog to the Celestial Dragons?

Roger answered, “Your actions have pushed the whole world into chaos.”

Rocks laughed, “You really still believe in peace? Don’t kid yourself.”

“As long as the Celestial Dragons are alive, this world will never know true peace.”

Roger raised Ace, his gaze unwavering. “You think I don’t know what you’re after?”

“It doesn’t matter if this world finds peace or not—but one thing’s for sure: that person you want to be will never be you.”

A visible aura of power pulsed from Roger, pressing toward Rocks with overwhelming force.

Rocks felt Roger’s surge of power and his heart sank. He didn’t want to clash with Roger now, so he turned and shot deeper into the island.

Right at that moment, deep within a mysterious room in Mariejois, a tall, thin figure slowly opened his eyes. Strange red rings swirled in his gaze.