The Great Event Begins!!

Chapter 188: The Great Event Begins!!

"Oh~ Shichibukai Rodney, can I understand it this way, are you obstructing official duties?" 

"You can understand it that way. There's nothing I can do. There are several people in this group who have a history with me. The Straw Hat kid is even Vice Admiral Garp's grandson. I owe him a favor, so I have to take care of his grandson, right?" Rodney shrugged and said.

"I see. So he's Vice Admiral Garp's grandson. You're truly something, Rodney. You're as strong as a monster!"

"Wow, aren't you the one who's truly a monster?" Drawing Shusui, the black shiny blade made Borsalino pause for a moment. 

"A black blade?"

"This is the katana of Wano's swordsman, Ryuma. I bought it. Hehe, want to give it a try?"

"No need for that. I'm quite busy, about to finish my shift. I don't want to work overtime," Borsalino said, crossing his hands in front of his chest. 

A golden light trail, like a mirror, shot directly toward a bubble in the distance, planning to move at high speed through the refraction of the bubble.

This was his specialty, the Eight-Span Mirror!

Rodney, seeing this, surrounded his sword with a domineering aura and slashed at the light trail, making Borsalino, who was about to become photons, stop in his tracks. Rodney grinned and said, "You can't do that! I promised to protect them. Admiral Aokiji, you wouldn't want me to break my promise, right?"

"This is troublesome. I really don't want to fight a monster like you!" Although he said that, Borsalino condensed photons into his hands, forming a sword of light.

"Susanoo!"

Rodney looked puzzled. His Susanoo had a similar weapon, essentially a conglomerate of energy, one using photons and the other using chakra. But Susanoo's weapon could greatly replicate the power of the original weapon.

Ding!

Susanoo clashed with Borsalino. Borsalino, who was over three meters tall, had the advantage of height, making it much easier to fight. Moreover, Susanoo was still radiating light, causing Rodney to narrow his eyes involuntarily.

"Admiral Kizaru, hasn't anyone told you what light pollution is?"

"What's that?" Borsalino continued his movements while chatting with Rodney.

"No worries if you don't know." 

Rodney took out a pair of sunglasses from his pocket. 

"This makes it much more comfortable. It's really bright."

With lightning flashing across his body, his speed and strength increased significantly. His attack suddenly changed from defense to offense. Borsalino, who relied more on offense, began passive defense.

"This state, is it some kind of strange power? Does it increase strength and speed?" 

Borsalino, interested, noticed Rodney's current state. But the power he displayed seemed a bit troublesome.

"So scary, you Shichibukai are like monsters. Oh, isn't that a bear?" Borsalino saw the real Bartholomew Kuma approaching.

Kuma arrived in front of the heavily injured Zoro, removed his gloves, revealing the paw prints on his palms, and asked softly, "If you were to go on a trip, where would you like to go?" After saying that, he slapped Zoro, sending him away.

"Zoro!!!!!!"

Luffy's eyes nearly popped out as he yelled loudly. His arm stretched to strike Kuma, but Kuma used his Devil Fruit power to deflect it with his paw print, then teleported to Luffy and slapped him away as well. This way, the Straw Hat crew was sent flying one by one and disappeared.

"Oops, the ones I wanted to protect are all gone. Well, Yellow Monkey Admiral, let's end it here, shall we? How about it? I've worked up a sweat, and I need some rest too."

"Well, that's for the best. I'm a bit tired too. Getting old isn't as fun as when I was younger." 

Susanoo disappeared, and Borsalino patted his back, pretending.

Hearing this, Rodney's face darkened. You're clearly still in your prime, aren't you? You didn't even get your clothes dirty during the fight. This guy is just acting, he didn't care at all about the Straw Hat crew.

After sending the Straw Hat crew away, Kuma left on his own.

Borsalino, after seeing the Straw Hat crew off, returned to being photons and left the area. Rodney placed Akihoshi back into its scabbard. At this moment, Rayleigh arrived and asked, "What about those young people?"

His Observation Haki had detected Borsalino, the Marines, and Kuma's appearance, fearing that the youngsters might be in trouble. He was worried that Rodney alone might not be enough, so he rushed over.

"As for them, they were sent flying by Kuma's power. But I remember he's an undercover agent of the Revolutionary Army. Luffy is Dragon's son, so nothing serious should happen to them," Rodney said.

Rayleigh nodded. 

"I see. It's a good thing you're here."

"I've always been here. This time, I just let Luffy taste a bit of hardship. Without experiencing setbacks, he won't grow. His life has been too smooth. This time, he'll learn a lesson."

"You're right. I hope they'll come back here."

"That's it for me. I'll have nothing to do with it. Let's have a drink."

"Okay, let's go!"

…

Shakky's Rip-off Bar, Sabody Archipelago 

Rodney and Rayleigh were drinking in the bar. While they were drinking, Rayleigh suddenly said, "We have a guest. It's probably here for you."

"Oh?" 

Rodney stood up, opened the door, and walked out of the bar. Below was a group of Marines, with a beautiful-looking person at the forefront. There was a beauty mark at the corner of their mouth. They said, "Rodney, the World Government needs your power."

"Huh?" 

Rodney was taken aback for a moment, then jumped down to the newcomer's side and said, "Vice Admiral Gion, I didn't expect it to be you. The World Government needs my power? What's this about?" 

He said this out loud, but in his mind, he figured that Ace had been captured by Blackbeard and handed over to the World Government as a way to secure the position of the Shichibukai.

"Regarding the execution of Portgas D. Ace, 'Fire Fist Ace,' it will be held publicly in one week at the Marine Headquarters in Marineford. At that time, the Whitebeard Pirates will undoubtedly make a big move. We need your strength. If you don't come, the World Government will revoke your position as one of the Shichibukai."

Gion said seriously, her eyes fixed on Rodney. Rodney scratched his head, a little embarrassed, and said, "Oh my, that's... Alright, it looks like I have no choice. It's a forced summons, isn't it? Fine, I'll come later. By the way, if I take down Whitebeard, will the World Government pay me?"

"Naturally, if you have the strength," Gion replied.

"Haha, I'm probably not that strong anymore, but dealing with a few division commanders should still be doable." 

Rodney took the summons from Gion, glanced at it, and then put it away. 

"Wait for me a moment. I'll get something and make some arrangements, and then I'll go with you."

"That's fine. Take your time," Gion nodded, not having any objections to Rodney, the Shichibukai, joining them.

Rodney returned to the bar, handed the summons to Rayleigh, and said, "A forced summons from the World Government about Ace's execution."

Rayleigh took the summons, remained silent for a moment, and then smiled, "It seems like I'll have to move my old bones this time."

He stood up, showing no signs of aging as if he had returned to his prime. His eyes gleamed with determination. At this moment, Rayleigh was no longer the old man who loved alcohol and gambling. He was Rayleigh, the Dark King.

"However, the Marines came looking for you quite early, so they must be prepared," Shakky said, holding a cigarette.

The Marines knew that Rodney had a connection with Rayleigh, and while they tolerated Rayleigh's peaceful life for many years, they didn't want to let Rodney completely escape the World Government's jurisdiction. This time, with Ace's execution, they were definitely prepared.

It's possible that Marine warships were already surrounding the Sabaody Archipelago, especially considering Kizaru's speed, which would allow him to easily move between Marine Headquarters and the Sabaody Archipelago.