One Piece: The World's Strongest in Roger's Era

Chapter 179 The Struggler Who Rejects Fate

In the different space, Lex smiled slightly after hearing Barrett's words.

next moment--

A blue light flashed, and a tall and handsome blond man slowly stepped out from the void.

There was silence... and everyone was paying attention.

Everyone looked at Lex unconsciously. The general's pupils shrank sharply, as if he could hardly believe the scene before him.

In fact, most people have never seen Lex's real face, but they have seen it in newspapers.

At this moment, the legendary figure appeared in front of them, and everyone was in disbelief.

The general thought about the bullets that had just disappeared out of thin air and Barrett's mumbling to himself in the void, and he instantly realized something. Combined with Barrett's sudden return to the Land of Endless War to hold him accountable for his actions, the general could no longer remain calm.

He broke out in a cold sweat.

Lex didn't even look at the general and walked straight towards Barrett.

Barrett's face was calm, but beneath the calmness was endless sadness.

A poor man betrayed by the country he fought for, a young boy stabbed in the back by his last surviving companion, a boy abandoned by the world.

Lex spoke in a light tone, with infinite affinity and tolerance in his words:

"...Barrett, should I leave it to you to handle, or should I do it for you?"

Barrett finally opened his eyes, his gaze was as calm as water, without a ripple. His long dark golden hair blew in the summer breeze, covering his eyes. He turned his head stiffly and looked at Xiaofei.

Finally, Barrett asked under everyone's gaze:

"…What do you want me to do?"

Lex's eyes were calm:

"I still hope that you can face the betrayal of this world, defeat bad luck and suffering, and live out the life of Douglas Barrett, instead of just being immersed in sadness and sensitivity."

Because of the death of all his brothers, the general's betrayal, and Xiao Fei's final backstab, Barrett's mood at the moment was extremely dead and extremely sensitive, and it was difficult for him to trust anyone anymore.

This is exactly the same as Barrett in the original work. Because of his country's betrayal, he embarked on a lonely road of only believing in his own strength.

There are many, many people in this ocean, but most of them are isolated islands. They have erected solid barriers between themselves and other people and find it difficult to trust others.

All of these people have suffered unforgettable trauma and are miserable people who have been spurned and forgotten by fate.

"……Um……"

Barrett gave his answer.

Lex nodded.

next moment--

Barrett's momentum rose, and with his fist wrapped in Armament Haki, he charged straight at the general.

boom! ! ~

There was a loud crash, and the general fell heavily to the ground like a kite with a broken string. His body curled up, blood spurting from his mouth.

Barrett controlled his strength very well, making the general unable to move without killing him.

Barrett said coldly:

"General Douglas, this is the last time I will address you this way... Thank you for your care over the past years. From now on, I will continue to carry the name Douglas and sail on the sea."

The general looked ashen and said nothing.

After a pause, Barrett looked sad and continued:

"...This country has many sins, but this is not a reason for you to kill Yas and his men. Perhaps, as Mr. Lex said, only by losing something can you gain enlightenment... Douglas, goodbye!!"

Barrett threw a punch with unparalleled power, and even the soldiers behind the general disappeared into thin air!

They turned into a cloud of blood mist, spreading across the barren land of the country.

In the end, only Lex, Barrett and Xiaofei were left in the field.

Xiao Fei lowered her head. The blood mist was carried by the summer breeze onto her delicate face. The bloody smell stimulated her, but she still lowered her head, making it impossible to see her expression.

Lex watched with his arms folded, not saying a word. This was what Barrett had to go through.

Barrett took a deep breath and walked closer to Xiaofei, the girl who had shared hardships with him since childhood.

"……Small--"

Before Barrett could finish his words, Xiao Fei suddenly raised her wrist and stabbed her heart with the dagger in her hand!

Barrett instinctively wanted to step forward to stop it. According to what Xiaofei had just said, the dagger was coated with poison.

Lex frowned slightly when he saw this:

"Don't worry, I replaced the dagger with my fruit ability. It's just an ordinary dagger."

Xiao Fei was stunned, looking at the blood plasma flowing out of her chest. The flow of blood brought her mind to an unprecedented clarity.

However, Xiao Fei was determined to die, so even though there was no poison, she stabbed herself in the chest several times!

Barrett's eyes trembled as he watched with reluctance.

The blood dyed her skirt red, like a delicate flower soaked in blood rain.

Xiao Fei's eyes were red and she was crying:

“… Barrett… Big Brother, I’m so sorry, I’m really sorry… But there’s nothing I can do. I really can’t choose my own destiny… Maybe, maybe I’m just a bitch. You’ve been so good to me and everyone else, but I still, I still betrayed you… I’m really sorry for hurting you… Unfortunately, I can’t make up for it. I can only use death to fulfill the final meaning of my life. Please don’t feel so guilty. It’s this world that’s sorry for you~… I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”

Xiaofei's words were intermittent and mixed with crying. Blood stained her teeth and pink lips. Barrett lowered his head and remained silent.

Lex watched in silence.

The blood flows with the passage of time, just like the flowing clouds in the blue sky.

Xiaofei is dead.

Only Lex and Barrett were left.

As well as the girl's body and a pile of flesh.

It was very hot in the summer, and soon, flying insects came over following the smell, enjoying the delicious taste of the corpse.

Barrett stood there motionless, not even blinking his eyelids.

Lex was still watching quietly.

time flies.

"...Mr. Lex, what exactly is destiny?"

"…I have fought for my ideals and sacrificed a lot for them. In the process of my struggle, I have pondered the meaning of my struggle more than once. I have pondered whether my struggle is meaningless and will eventually be forgotten by the world. I have pondered whether my struggle is also a kind of fate and I have not escaped the clutches of fate at all. I have pondered whether my life is just a dream."

Barrett listened carefully to Lex's words and couldn't help asking:

"Even a man of your level would be confused by something like this?"

Lex laughed:

"Ha, of course, but as my experience grows, I gradually figure out what I want to do."

Barrett is curious:

"So what is it?"

"It's struggle, struggle for what you want in your heart. No matter what you want to do, as long as you keep persisting for it and walk on your own path in life, you will not be sad, nor will you be confused, young man."

Barrett looked thoughtful, and Lex continued:

"The answer to this question will be different for everyone. Shouldn't your own life have its own answer? Go find it. Turn all the ups and downs of the past into fuel for growth. Whether it's betrayal or tears, they are all fuel for growth... Barrett, do you believe it?"

"What to believe?"

"Destiny."

"Do not believe!"

Barrett answered decisively.

Lex smiled with satisfaction and then said:

"Yeah, I don't believe it either. Sometimes I wonder why a lifetime of struggle and long years can't compare to a destiny."

Barrett was greatly shocked. When he was immersed in the confusion of the death of his best friend and the betrayal of his good friend, the blond man in front of him was thinking about a problem that could change the sea. And most importantly, Lex did have this ability!

Barrett nodded firmly:

"Hmm! Why can a lifetime of struggle and long years not compare to a destiny!!"

Lex walked up to Barrett, patted him on the shoulder, and said softly:

"Go and see this world, you will have some losses, some pain, some feelings, some regrets, some enlightenment... Douglas Barrett, I'll ask you one last time, are you willing to fight with me?"

Without any hesitation, Barrett answered loudly:

"Of course!!!~"

“Ahahahaha!!~”