Chapter 305: Whispers Beneath the World Tree

The towering tree in the distance, hundreds of meters tall, completely shadowed the entire battlefield.

Even with a telescope, Garp couldn’t see what exactly was happening inside. All he could do was listen for the massive explosion and watch as thick smoke rose in the air.

But he didn’t sense any clash of Conqueror’s Haki, so there was no way of knowing if the fight between Karl and Roger had escalated.

“Karl’s abilities are getting stranger by the day,” Garp muttered.

“How come I’ve never seen him use this trick before?”

“Did he eat a Logia-type Wood-Wood Fruit or something?”

Garp knew a thing or two about Karl’s powers.

Every time they’d fought before, Karl always relied on that so-called Titan bloodline.

They’d even tested him with Seastone, but it had no effect. Back then, Karl definitely hadn’t eaten a Devil Fruit.

Could it be he’d hit his limit and finally turned to a Devil Fruit to boost his strength?

Garp set down his telescope and returned to his lounge chair.

Bogart noticed something was off. Seeing Garp like this, he hurried over to check in.

“Vice Admiral Garp, the battle up ahead… uh…”

Garp started snoring, a huge bubble forming on his nose. That signature Montchi family trait—falling asleep in seconds.

Three dark lines appeared on Bogart’s forehead. Of course, sleeping on the spot was just another thing Garp could do.

He’d nod off anywhere—even mid-meal. No one quite knew who he inherited that from.

Bogart glanced toward Cake Island. The smoke had already faded, but the clash of weapons could still be heard from time to time.

Vice Admiral Garp must have noticed something was up, yet he hadn’t chosen to leave. Clearly, things weren’t dire yet.

Bogart saw no need to order a retreat.

He simply told the Navy to stay alert and be ready to pull out at a moment’s notice.

This was all to guard against Karl joining forces with the Roger Pirates for some massive scheme.

Any heavy losses would be a disaster.

As soon as Krell sensed trouble brewing on the shore, he pulled together another Fishmen Corps to sweep the whole island for World Government agents.

The most crucial spot was the lab, so he sent two more Fishmen squads to guard it.

No one knew what the World Government was plotting, but as long as Krell stopped it at the source, they’d be safe.

The World Government only caused chaos for two reasons.

Either to set off a battle between Roger and Karl’s crews, or to snatch Vegapunk away.

Now the fighting on the battlefield was clear. The World Government’s people this time didn’t have the strength to sneak into the lab and kidnap Vegapunk.

And with things this far along, the other major players surely noticed too—fights were dying down across the field.

Aside from a handful of raging skirmishes, most of the fighting now looked more like friendly sparring.

Krell looked up at the trunk above, muttering, “Lord Karl, maybe it’s time to call this fight to an end?”

“Still, I wonder what Roger’s real goal is?”

“Could he have just given in and come here because Garp chased him all the way? That doesn’t sound like him.”

Up on the trunk, Karl and Roger had long since finished their talk.

Karl seemed pretty satisfied—it was up to Roger now to make his choices after all this.

With someone as sharp as Roger, Karl had no doubts the man would pick the right path.

Karl’s arm slowed as he swung his halberd, clearly sensing the shift in the air across the battlefield.

He was the first to speak up. “Looks like the World Government wants to set us against each other.”

“I just wonder if whoever’s waiting to pick up the spoils is really that skilled.”

Trying to take down both of these powerful crews in one go would cost even the World Government dearly—and don’t forget, this is the New World.

Every move here was already caught in Karl’s Heaven’s Net.

Any major Navy presence or odd movement would be reported instantly.

At that point, who knows who’ll be getting the real surprise.

Roger sheathed his weapon in sync, turned to Karl and said seriously, “I hope everything you’ve told me checks out.”

“If that day really comes, I’ll be there.”

“And as for this, I’ll be taking it without any complaints.”

Roger tucked the golden ring into his pocket and leapt from the trunk.

“Whether the plan works, I can’t say.”

“But with you joining in, the odds sure look better.”

—–

“Twin Spikes!”

Aokiji, just back in the fray, had locked his sights on Rayleigh.

He’d come back not for glory, but for the thrill of testing himself against a true master.

Here on the field, only Rayleigh could give him a real challenge.

Three Logia Devil Fruit users attacking in turn—Rayleigh was feeling the heat. His clothes were ripped full of holes, his hair seared and curled, looking more battered than ever.

Each of their attacks swept a huge area.

They boxed Rayleigh in from all angles, but even so, he stayed cool as ever—not a bead of sweat, not a short breath—and could’ve kept going for hundreds more rounds.

He dodged like a greased eel, weaving and slipping through every gap. It was impossible to pin him down.

Rayleigh could not only dodge their relentless assault—

but sometimes counterattack too. Every time he struck back, the three of them felt their insides churn. The rapier in Rayleigh’s hand gleamed with Conqueror’s Haki Infusion. No joke.

Each blow landed solidly, dealing real damage.

“You youngsters, ganging up on an old man? That’s not very gentlemanly of you.”

“Didn’t your parents teach you to respect your elders?”

Rayleigh pushed up his glasses, a flash of gold catching the light.

He’d read plenty of those little stories in the World News Agency about himself.

They were always hyping up anything with a hint of red.

“You’re not scared, are you, old man?”

“Why don’t you take a dip in my magma bath?”

Sakazuki raised a massive fist of molten fire and drove it straight toward Rayleigh.

The searing heat in the air made Rayleigh scowl. Every time Sakazuki attacked, it left his hair singed and curling, his clothes burned through with fresh holes.

He swung his rapier, slashing a sword aura down at Sakazuki. Sakazuki split his body with his Elementalization, gliding right through it.

Rayleigh finally found a moment to feel his scorched, yellowed hair.

“Took me ages to grow it out this long, and you want to burn it all up?”

“You young ones—so reckless. You’ll never get anywhere acting like that.”

Catching an attack from the side, Rayleigh twisted his body. Two long ice spears stabbed into the ground behind him, quivering. Close call.

At that moment, Roger crashed down from the tree above, slamming onto the icy surface with a thunderous boom.

Rayleigh tilted his head, glancing back at Roger.

His tone was easy. “Looks like that’s the end of our fight, kids.”

Sliding his rapier back into its sheath, Rayleigh listened as Karl and Roger’s voices echoed across the battlefield.

“The battle’s over.”