One Piece: Starting with God Valley, intercepting the Dark-Dark Fruit

After listening to Garin's explanation, Giger didn't even change his clothes before using Kamui to return to Marine Headquarters. He then learned from Ginny, who was staying in his office, that Kong was holding a meeting, so he immediately used Kamui to rush to the meeting room.

Kong told Giger about Roger again, and Giger finally confirmed it.

Giger's opinion on this is that...

"Since Roger wants to die, let's grant him his wish. Let's not wait for him to come here. I will lead the army to attack. Marineford is not a place that a pirate like him can come to whenever he wants."

"it is good!"

Before Kong could speak, Akainu shouted, startling Kizaru who felt the temperature on his left suddenly rise.

Akainu was so excited mainly because Giggs' words resonated with him.

He felt something was off about the whole thing from the beginning, but he couldn't figure out exactly what was wrong with it.

Now that Giger has said that, he finally understands.

The purpose of this meeting was to discuss how to deploy in Marineford to deal with the Roger Pirates' attack, and that's where the problem lies!

When did their navy become the defensive side?!

Just because of some damn title of Pirate King? Does the Navy have to cower in Marineford and wait for the Roger Pirates to come knocking on their door? Does the Roger Pirates have that kind of prestige?

If we let them come knocking on our door, it would be a blasphemy against justice! Are you kidding me?!

Thinking of this, although Akainu had always respected Kong very much, at this moment, he truly felt that Kong was old and should step down!

In Akainu's current view, the position of Fleet Admiral should be given to Gigg; no one else can make a difference!

It wasn't just Akainu; Aokiji was also looking at Giggs with a fiery gaze. Logia-type Devil Fruit users tend to unconsciously release their abilities when they get excited.

As a user of the Ice-Ice Fruit, even when Aokiji was excited and his blood was boiling, the white cold air emanating from his body was the complete opposite of the scalding black smoke emanating from Akainu.

Sitting between the two, Kizaru was experiencing a sensation of both ice and fire. Finally, unable to bear it any longer, he abruptly stood up and said...

"General Black Dragon is right! Shall we set off now?"

Chapter 236 The Two Sides Before the War

Akainu and the others fully supported Giger's proposal to take the initiative.

At this moment, the space where Giger and his group were located was a kaleidoscope of colors. Starting with him, they all slightly released their abilities, displaying black, red, yellow, blue, and green in turn.

Five elements filled the conference room, and the expressions of the generals opposite, represented by the Warring States period, changed.

Before Giggs arrived, Sengoku, who preferred to play it safe, suggested waiting for Roger's crew to arrive at Marineford, so that they could take full advantage of their home ground.

So Giger's words just now were tantamount to refuting Sengoku, and now he's being so aggressive, which makes them feel somewhat uncomfortable.

They all turned their attention to Sengoku. At this point, even if Sengoku felt that Gige's approach was better, he had to stick to his own opinion.

Otherwise, if they backed down after being challenged by Giger, who was also a Navy Admiral but had the least seniority, their faction would have a hard time holding their head high in the Navy Headquarters in the future.

As long as he sticks to his views, even if they are not ultimately adopted, it at least demonstrates the attitude and existence of his faction.

Thinking of this, Sengoku repeated his opinion. Akainu frowned as he listened, and immediately wanted to retort, but he held back because Giggs had not yet spoken.

Giger listened calmly to Sengoku's entire story, then smiled slightly and said,

"Warring States Period, I think what you said makes a lot of sense."

Upon hearing this, everyone in the conference room, including Kong, was stunned. Zephyr, who was also a general, was about to support his student, but upon hearing this, he choked and coughed twice, as he already had a hidden injury in his lungs.

Akainu couldn't hold back any longer and said,

"lucky......"

Giger raised his hand to stop him, then turned to look at Kong with a smile and said,

“Admiral Kong, Marineford should indeed make some preparations in advance. After all, there are still Whitebeard and Big Mom’s pirate crews. They might take this opportunity to attack Marineford. We might as well let Admiral Sengoku stay at headquarters to guard it. As for Roger’s pirate crew, I will deal with them. This is my job.”

After a moment of contemplation, he said,

"Gig, the Roger Pirates are now much larger than before, and this is a decisive battle. Isn't it a bit risky for just one of your admirals to go?"

Sengoku and the others nodded in agreement. Giger smiled slightly and said,

"It's not like I'm going alone; Sakazuki and the others are there too. The advantage is on my side."

With Giger and five Logia-type Devil Fruit users on the field, plus Lucia and Kuma, two top-tier Zoan and Paramecia-type Devil Fruit users, it's not an exaggeration to say that "the advantage is on our side."

Kong was still somewhat uneasy and said,

"But if a war breaks out at sea, what about you, as ability users..."

"It's okay, we still have Kuzan."

Aokiji, who was singled out by Giger, immediately patted his chest and said,

"Don't worry, Senior Giger, with me here, I guarantee no one will fall into the sea!"

Kong nodded upon hearing this and said,

"Alright then, but if things go wrong, be sure to notify headquarters immediately, and I will send reinforcements right away."

Seeing that Sora had made his decision, Sengoku, who wanted to say something more, had no choice but to give up. Actually, he also wanted to go...

Meanwhile, on the USS Jackson,

Roger called Rayleigh into his room alone, and the first thing he said was...

"Rayleigh, you must be extra careful in this battle. If necessary, take Shanks and Buggy and run. I will do my best to cover you."

Rayleigh's expression was solemn as he said in a deep voice,

"Roger, in your eyes, the outcome of this battle is already a foregone conclusion, isn't it?"

Roger nodded silently. Rayleigh pressed for an answer.

"So you're seeking death?"

"Yeah, I'm the Pirate King, so I should give myself a decent funeral. Consider this just one time I'm being willful."

Roger gave a self-deprecating smile when he mentioned the words "Pirate King".

A look of sorrow crossed Rayleigh's face as he whispered,

"How many times have you acted willfully over the years? Do whatever you want, I'll listen to you."

"Rayle, thank you. It's so wonderful to have a companion like you in this life."

Upon hearing Roger's "confession," Rayleigh could no longer hold back. He hadn't shed a tear in countless years, and his eyes were now brimming with tears.

He tilted his chin up, looking at the ceiling to hold back his tears, and said in a low voice,

"But what about your other companions? Do you want them to die with you?"

"I don't want to, so I will do my best to cover their escape if they want to."

"You know, they'll only choose to stay and fight to the end with you, while I'll become a cowardly deserter."

Roger lowered his head and sighed.

“I’m sorry, Rayleigh, but from the moment we arrived at Laftan Road, our era ended, and a new era needs someone to start it.”

Rayleigh suddenly reached out and placed his hands on Roger's shoulders, shouting,

"Look at me, Roger!"

Roger's body trembled violently, and he slowly raised his head to meet Rayleigh's gaze.

Rayleigh, radiating a Conqueror's Haki-like aura, stared directly into Roger's eyes and asked, word by word,

"I just want to ask you one more question: are you still the captain I respected, Gol D. Roger!?"

Roger paused for a moment, then a smile slowly crept onto his face. Seeing this, Rayleigh roared in anger.

"Don't laugh! That smile doesn't belong to you! It belongs to that damned fruit!"

Roger's expression returned to calm, and he said in a low voice,

“Rayle, I’ve never changed. I’m still the Gol D. Roger you know, and that’s why I’m not the one he’s waiting for.”

Upon hearing this, Rayleigh clenched his fist, then let it clench weakly. He silently turned around and walked towards the door.

Roger suddenly spoke behind him.

“Rayleigh, I have a child. I’ve named him Ace, Portgas D. Ace!”

Rayleigh's body trembled slightly. He didn't turn around, but asked softly,

"Okay, at least the bloodline of the Pirate King continues, but why is his surname Portgas?"

Roger gave a wry smile and said,

“Rayleigh, do you think a father like me deserves to have his surname? Besides, that surname will only harm him.”

Rayleigh finally turned around and asked,

"Okay... so where is he now?"

“He wasn’t even born yet. I entrusted him and his mother to a very interesting young man, and now I don’t know where they are.”

"Is that person reliable?"

"He's reliable; he's Garp's son."