despite being overshadowed by Roger, there were numerous pirates who were almost on par with him. One of them is known as "Golden Lion Shiki," the leader of a pirate fleet, and another is "Whitebeard," who was considered Roger's rival. They engaged in deadly battles with Roger multiple times. The pirates of this generation were often hot-blooded and would fight to the death whenever they crossed paths, constantly risking their lives to determine who was superior. However, on the other hand, just like how Shiki tried to recruit Roger as his comrade, it was also a generation where, amidst the conflicts, they recognized each other's strengths.
Furthermore, the relationship between the Marine Garp and Roger, who frequently clashed, is similar to this. After surrendering himself, Roger entrusted the fate of his own child to Garp, his enemy. "I can trust you as much as a comrade!" —Roger is said to have said that at the time. Among them, there was indeed a strange bond of trust that was born in the midst of battle. They could be considered a generation of both "struggling for supremacy" and "acknowledging each other"