Chapter 331: Clash on the Open Sea: The Lion and the King

Roger looked calmly at the dozens of ships surrounding them, not the slightest hint of fear in his eyes.

After so many years drifting across the sea, there was nothing Roger hadn’t seen before.

And besides, this lineup was still far from matching those legendary pirate crews of old.

Rayleigh, Jabba, and the others all drew their weapons, ready for battle.

With just a word from Roger, a battle unlike any other in history was about to erupt right here.

This would be remembered as one of the greatest wars the One Piece World had ever seen.

“So basically, your answer is for me to kill you here, is that it, Roger?”

Golden Lion frowned. He hadn’t expected Roger, even when so completely surrounded, to speak so defiantly.

Did Roger actually think he could escape the Heaven’s Net he’d set up?

Was Roger just overestimating himself?

“Actually, I meant I’m going to take all of you down!”

Roger shot back without hesitation, refusing to back down.

There was no avoiding a clash between them. Today, they’d finally settle the score.

No sooner had he finished speaking than a cannon fired from the bow of Roger’s ship, blasting into one of the ships ahead.

“If that’s your answer, Roger, then you’ll die here in this sea!”

“Fire!”

Seeing Roger make the first move, Golden Lion roared in fury and humiliation.

A fierce cannon battle broke out between the two sides.

Soon the ships closed in, and the fighting turned to close quarters.

Golden Lion gripped the hilts of his swords, their tips raised to the sky. His eyes gleamed savagely, his whole body wrapped in Armament Haki, every bit the wild beast ready to strike.

His Haki was so tangible that it didn’t just coat his dual blades—its pressure radiated over his entire body, even enveloping the ship beneath his feet, making the whole vessel pulse with an overwhelming sense of dread.

With a thunderous roar, Golden Lion unleashed, “Lion’s Thousand Cut Bones!”

Twin golden sword auras erupted from his blades like a pair of roaring lions, intertwining and tearing through the sky.

Where that sword aura passed, the very air seemed to rip open with a piercing shriek as if heaven and earth themselves were trembling.

Those two slashes swept forward with the force of a tempest, shredding everything in their path—ships and waves alike—displaying the razor edge and power of a true swordmaster.

“Ahahaha!” Golden Lion laughed with wild confidence. In his mind, he could already see his victory.

But at that critical moment, Roger stepped forward, both hands gripping Ace. The blade shimmered with a red glow.

That shine was the embodiment of his Haki and unbreakable resolve.

He roared, “Divine Departure!”

A red crescent-shaped sword aura burst from Ace’s tip, streaking across the sky like a blazing meteor and heading straight for Golden Lion’s attacks.

The two fierce waves of sword aura collided in the air with a deafening crash as if the heavens themselves were shattering.

At the point where the energies met, there was a blinding flash like staring into the sun itself—no one could look directly at it.

As the battle drew closer, the atmosphere on the ships grew more tense. The sea churned with towering waves. Combat could break out at any instant. Rayleigh and Jabba, the crew’s core strength, quickly readied themselves.

Rayleigh, the legendary first mate, held his renowned sword, its blade crackling with electric Haki.

His gaze was cold and unwavering, as if he’d already foreseen the brutal fight that was coming.

Jabba, famous for his unique fighting style and overwhelming strength, wielded his axe with both fists—every swing packed the power to destroy anything in its way.

Pirates surged in from every direction, their eyes flashing with greed and malice. Some waved massive blades, others gripped firearms, and some unleashed strange Fruit abilities onto the battlefield.

They had only one goal: crush the invincible legend of the Roger Pirates and steal their treasure.

The battle was about to explode. Rayleigh, Jabba, and the others charged in to meet the wave.

Rayleigh’s blade danced, slicing the air with sparks of lightning. Pirates at the front lines were blown back by his attacks.

Jabba, swinging his mighty axe, sent pirates flying with every strike, chaos rippling through their ranks.

As the fighting intensified, Shanks and Buggy—crucial members of the crew—jumped into the fray.

Shanks, who would one day lead the Red-Haired Pirates, was already showing flashes of his future swordsmanship.

Buggy, who’d someday captain the Clown Pirates, looked ridiculous at times but was undeniably strong. With his Chop-Chop Fruit, he was a master of the battlefield.

Shanks swung his sword Griffin, each slash sending waves of sword energy crashing through the enemy. Wherever his blade touched, pirates fell.

Buggy, using his powers, split his body into countless pieces, weaving effortlessly across the chaos to strike opponents where they least expected.

The fight reached a fever pitch. There were more pirates, but with Rayleigh, Jabba, Shanks, and Buggy defending, their formation was solid as stone.

Rayleigh’s swordplay was relentless and precise, while Jabba’s axe crashed down with thunderous force—each swing shaking the fleet.

Sword light flashed, guns roared, and explosions sent tremors through the sea. The intensity could barely be imagined.

As time wore on, the enemy’s attacks began to falter. There was only so much room on the ships, and despite their numbers, the pirates never managed to break through Rayleigh and Buggy’s unyielding defense.

Rayleigh, Jabba, and their allies gradually pushed the invaders back.

With Shanks and Buggy’s arrival, the crew’s fighting strength soared even higher.

Their fleet became an unbeatable fortress. No matter how fiercely the enemy charged, they didn’t budge an inch.

Just then, enormous waves—over a hundred meters tall—rose on the sea. The sky darkened as thick clouds pressed down, streaks of lightning flashing through now and then.

The wind and waves grew wilder, the whole ocean roaring as if it were alive and furious.

“Zikt, bring in even more storm clouds. Let’s give Golden Lion a bit more of a challenge.” Opera called out, channeling the power of natural lightning while urging Zikt onward.

Zikt gave a solemn nod, waving his arms through the air as if weaving some kind of mysterious pact with the clouds above.

In response, the storm clouds started gathering faster, growing so heavy they looked ready to crush the sea beneath them.

Drained of energy, Zikt kept pulling more black clouds. In moments, the world was swept by raging winds and thunderous lightning.

Bolts of lightning from the sky crashed down like angry dragons, slamming into the waves with bursts of blinding sparks.