The coast was exceptionally quiet.
Faced with Gurd's soul-searching question, the entire Red Hair Pirate Crew, including Red Hair himself, wore dark expressions and remained silent.
It was simply too embarrassing.
They couldn't bring themselves to speak!
"Gulp!"
Rockstar swallowed hard, thinking that it wasn't the first time he had embarrassed himself, so he cautiously asked, "How about I give it a try?"
"..."
The officers shot him a glare simultaneously, nearly scaring him into submission.
What a nuisance, intern!
Gurd crossed his arms, looking down at the Red Hair Crew with disdain.
Putting everything else aside, they couldn't lose their momentum!
However, he was quite puzzled.
"Why is this guy here to confront me?"
Gurd mused inwardly.
He had indeed sent Rockstar to deliver a message with a provocative intent, but he had expected Red Hair not to take it seriously.
Although he secretly hoped Red Hair would retaliate.
In his memory, Red Hair was the most unpredictable enemy, completely unclear about the other's intentions.
Before the Marineford War, Red Hair had approached Whitebeard to prevent Ace from meeting Blackbeard, and later, he stopped the Beasts from raiding homes and intervened at the last moment to halt the war.
Two years ago, Red Hair had specifically captured Loki, the prince of the Giant Kingdom, who was causing chaos everywhere, and he often meddled in major conflicts among various factions.
In short, he was always playing the peacemaker.
If one were to find a term to describe him, it would probably be "maritime mediator," someone whom even the Navy and the World Government had to respect.
The more he acted this way, the more terrifying he became!
Gurd was absolutely certain that Red Hair was the greatest threat to the Beasts.
No exceptions!
In the future, if he and Kaido were to launch the largest war in the world, Red Hair would definitely intervene to stop them.
Just like in the God Valley incident.
Even the formidable Rocks Pirate Crew had been defeated!
When that day came, Red Hair might make the same choice as Roger, joining forces with the World Government to eradicate the Beasts.
The key was that he could actually do it!
This guy had Celestial Dragon blood, and his status among the Celestial Dragons was not low; he was the son of the leader of the God Knights.
Unlike Doflamingo's father, Red Hair had been forced to abandon his status in the lower world, and the Celestial Dragons were willing to accept him back.
Moreover, Red Hair had long since spread his wings; the Celestial Dragons had to treat him well and wouldn't resort to overly harsh measures.
Thus, he was the number one enemy!
"Clang!"
Gurd's gaze turned cold as he drew the massive sword from his back: "Since you can't say anything, that means it's a clear invasion!"
"..."
Shanks's expression darkened as he tightened his grip on his sword.
He sensed the killing intent radiating from Gurd!
This newcomer was even more aggressive than he had anticipated, showing no signs of retreat even in front of one of the Four Emperors.
He was even willing to initiate a battle!
It was incredible; even the three calamities of the Beasts wouldn't dare to engage him without hesitation.
It was as if he had been waiting for this moment!
Connecting it to the recent actions of the Beasts, he confirmed one thing: the other party had grand ambitions, and it was definitely not as simple as just being a pirate.
The last person who had made him this worried was Blackbeard!
"Boss!"
Lucky Roux shouted nervously.
After all, they were on the Beasts' territory, and if a battle broke out here, it wouldn't be long before the Beasts' main forces would arrive.
That would be troublesome.
"Don't worry, it won't take long."
Shanks raised his sword high, the bright blade reflecting in his eyes, his cold gaze indicating that he had already made up his mind to kill.
Seeing this, Gurd grinned, his arm muscles bulging as he charged at Red Hair, swinging his massive sword with all his might!
Shanks did the same!
"Clang!!!"
The clash of swords sent shockwaves sweeping across the beach!
"Whoaahhh!!!"
The Beasts' pirates couldn't withstand the impact, screaming as they flew into the sky, with only a few officers managing to steady themselves.
The officers looked on in horror.
Captain Gurd was really fighting one of the Four Emperors!
"Quick, notify Boss Kaido!"
Even if they had confidence in Gurd, they had to inform Kaido; after all, they were dealing with the Four Emperor Red Hair!
In the center of the battlefield.
Gurd's veins bulged, his arms trembling as the massive sword, the size of a door, was gradually lifted by Red Hair's blade.
He couldn't hold it down any longer!
This wasn't just a pure contest of strength; it was a clash of Haki, and his Haki was rapidly collapsing!
"Zzzzz—zzzz—"
Red Haki crackled like lightning, spreading from Red Hair's blade, quickly enveloping Gurd and even invading his body.
"My body... won't move!"
"This is the Haki of the Four Emperor Red Hair!"
"No, it should be like this!"
Gurd's eyes turned fierce as his body swelled, instantly transforming into Beast Form, the raging power within him driving away Red Hair's Haki!
His body was under his control!
"Roar!!!"
Gurd bellowed as he swung his sword; not only did his strength increase after transforming, but the intensity of his Haki also surged significantly.
So what if he was one of the Four Emperors!
His goal was to collect rent from everyone in the world!
Their capabilities were on different levels!
"Clang clang clang!!!"
The swords clashed fiercely!
The wind rose and clouds swirled, waves crashed!
The mere aftermath of their battle obliterated everything around them.
Shanks skillfully blocked the incoming massive sword, feeling little pressure, but inside, he was sinking deeper.
He was strong!
Moreover, he sensed Gurd's violent Conqueror's Haki; although he hadn't fully mastered its use yet, given the other's age, he would surely reach the pinnacle in due time.
The title of "Strongest Newcomer" was not an exaggeration from Whitebeard; Gurd indeed possessed comparable potential and strength.
"Clang!!!"
The massive sword was deflected!
Shanks lunged forward, stepping beneath Gurd, his right hand gripping the sword at his left side, gathering power as Conqueror's Haki surged forth.
Like a griffon spreading its wings!
Gurd's pupils constricted as he raised his massive sword defensively in front of him.
In the next moment, a deep red wave of Conqueror's Haki slashed across him!
"Divine Departure!!!"
"Thud!"
Gurd spat blood, his massive sword shattering into two pieces; under the indescribable impact, his body flew backward!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Trees, rocks...
Gurd's entire body, carried by the air currents, shattered everything in his path, ultimately crashing into the nearest Zebra Peak like a meteor!
"Boom!!!"
A flash of red light shot up, and the entire mountain peak lifted into the air!
"Captain Gurd!"
The pirates were horrified.
On Red Hair's side, the officers were also taken aback.
"Boss, that was too ruthless!"
"Are we really going to war with the Beasts?"
"That guy is dead, right?!"
If they took out the Earth Calamity, Kaido would never let it slide.
"Sorry, I might have gone a bit overboard."
Red Hair slowly sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
"Let's go."
"Oh!"
The officers immediately followed.
On the Beasts' side, the pirates gathered anxiously around Yamato, asking, "Princess Yamato, what should we do?"
"Wait a moment."
Yamato gazed at the smoke rising from the mountain peak.
Though she was worried, she believed Gurd wouldn't be easily defeated, and her father would arrive soon.
The Red Force raised its sails, harnessing the wind to set sail.
However, the clouds suddenly dispersed.
The wind also stopped.
Shanks and the officers' expressions changed dramatically as they turned to look at the island, where a gigantic red monster burst forth from the mountain!
"Roar!!!"
Groudon stood atop the flattened peak, roaring angrily at the sky, then fixed its crimson gaze on the Red Force, a dazzling light gathering in its mouth!
"Not good!"
Foreseeing the impending doom, Shanks immediately dashed to the stern of the ship, leaping onto the deck and soaring into the air, drawing his sword with all his might!
Almost simultaneously, a massive energy beam swept across the island, heading straight for the Red Force, the blinding light completely enveloping the ship!
"Clang!!"
The beam split in two around the ship's hull!
"Boom boom boom!!!"
The sea erupted, two massive trenches extending to the horizon!
The energy beam continued for a full three seconds before gradually dissipating.
"Whoosh—"
The waves rolled, rumbling like distant thunder.
Shanks landed on the deck, gazing at the enormous red monster on the island, seawater mixed with sweat sliding down his forehead.
What a terrifying newcomer!