The clouds dispersed, and the blazing sun hung high in the sky.
"Roar!!!"
The enormous Groudon emerged, its heavy claws crushing the earth as it roared at the approaching Red Hair Pirates!
Today was different from the past; with the Beasts' combat power at its peak, they would exert their dominance, expanding rapidly even in a war against the Four Emperors.
Over thirty years ago, Kaido had experienced the Battle of God Valley, where even the immensely powerful Rocks Pirates had faced a crushing defeat. How much more so for the current Beasts?
Maintaining the balance of the New World was no different from boiling a frog in water; only by continuously accumulating strength could they have the capital to confront the World Government.
"Bang!"
Gurd suddenly felt a sharp pain as a massive shockwave erupted from his shoulder, a pitch-black bullet spinning rapidly against him, creating a shower of sparks!
It was Ben Beckman!
"What a tough body!"
On the deck of the Red Hair ship, Beckman, holding a smoking pistol, was astonished to see that the bullet had failed to penetrate the enemy's body.
He hadn't held back!
Such formidable hardness was comparable to Kaido in his Azure Dragon form!
"Not good!"
Shanks' gaze sharpened as he foresaw the future, immediately swinging his sword to slash through the air at the side of the ship. The air exploded, sending shockwaves that pushed the ship to the other side!
"Cliff Sword!"
In the next moment, a massive pillar of lava shot up from the sea, appearing where the ship had just been. Had he been a moment late, the hull would have been pierced!
Shanks did not relent, shouting loudly.
"Defend!"
"Boom!!!"
The lava pillar ignited with blinding light, causing a violent explosion, and the powerful shockwave mixed with debris enveloped the Red Force.
With the captain's warning, the crew members were already prepared, swiftly shattering the incoming rocks!
Shanks leaped to the bow of the ship, darting towards the shore like an arrow, adjusting his body angle to flip and evade the continuously erupting lava pillars below!
The Golden Lion spread its wings once more!
"Here it comes!"
Gurd's eyes blazed as he spread his massive arms.
"Clang!"
Haki coiled around him!
He would take it head-on!
The griffon vanished, and Red Hair reappeared!
"Divine Departure!!!"
The massive Conqueror's Haki slash struck Groudon!
"Pfft!"
Blood trickled from Gurd's mouth as his claws braced against the incoming Slashing Wave, his body sliding backward. The impact of the Conqueror's Haki pierced through his arms, sending waves of intense pain coursing through him.
But it wasn't enough!
"This kind of thing!"
Gurd roared in anger, his claws digging deep into the ground, his powerful arms gathering all his strength to fling the Slashing Wave upward!
"Boom!!!"
The Slashing Wave exploded in the sky!
The crew members were filled with shock.
"He blocked the captain's Divine Departure head-on!"
The last time they met, the captain's Divine Departure had easily wounded Earth Calamity. How had Earth Calamity's strength increased so dramatically in such a short time?
Shanks landed on the shore, looking up at Gurd, his cold gaze sharp as a blade, making one feel as if they were sitting on pins and needles.
"What is your true intention?!"
"Very simple," Gurd replied coldly. "As long as you hand over the rights to manage the island to us Beasts, we will withdraw immediately!"
"I cannot do that."
Shanks slowly shook his head.
He had given the flag to many islands; if he relinquished the rights to manage them, it would be tantamount to betraying the trust of those who followed him.
Red Hair drew his sword once more.
"Earth Calamity Gurd, you are too aggressive. If you and I go to war, this chaotic era will become uncontrollable!"
"What's there to fear!"
Gurd shrank into his Beast Form, picking up the newly forged giant sword.
In this decaying world, breaking the balance was the only way to find a new path. Those who did not wish to take sides should not stand in high positions!
Both men stepped forward, swinging their weapons!
"Clang!!!"
The giant sword clashed with the blade, a terrifying wave of Haki sweeping across the entire sea, as if the very sky would tear apart!
Yet the clear sky could not reveal the fierce battle.
Gurd's entire body radiated heat, his arms swinging the giant sword rapidly warming, emitting a scorching glow.
This time, his giant sword would not be broken!
"Clang!"
The swords slipped past each other, the residual force of the slash spreading in all directions.
"Boom boom boom!!!"
A circular explosion enveloped the two at the center!
"That bastard!"
The sea churned violently, and the crew members clung to the ship's railing, anxiously watching the fierce battle on the shore.
No one had expected that Earth Calamity could withstand the captain's assault.
"Vice Captain, we—"
"Calm down, don't lose your composure!"
Beckman took a deep drag from his cigarette.
That Gurd was indeed absurdly strong; even if Shanks wanted to defeat him, it would likely take considerable time.
Though he wanted to support Shanks, there were other enemies waiting for them.
Beckman turned to look into the depths of the sea.
The crew members gasped at Beckman's movement, quickly turning to look at the ocean.
Darkness was approaching!
A thick black thundercloud rolled in, beneath it the rapidly advancing Beasts Grand Fleet, blocking their escape route.
The crew members were horrified.
"How could they arrive so quickly!"
"The Beasts have long been prepared for war!"
Beckman extinguished his cigarette.
Clearly, the Beasts had anticipated their actions and had set a trap, waiting for them to appear.
But even knowing there was a trap, they had no choice but to step into it.
If they avoided battle, their flag would lose credibility, and those who trusted them would face crisis.
Yasopp shouted towards the shore.
"Captain, there's no time left!"
On the island was Earth Calamity, and at sea was the Beasts Pirates' Grand Fleet. With their forces, if they didn't find a way to break through, they could very well be annihilated.
The position was too dire!
And there was that man!
Everyone looked up at the sky, the roiling thunderclouds had obscured the heavens, and beneath the flickering lightning, the massive Azure Dragon loomed within the storm.
"Roar!!!"
The thunderous battle cry echoed through the sky.
Kaido!
At that moment, half of the Beasts Grand Fleet suddenly changed direction.
"What's going on?!"
Yasopp grabbed a telescope and saw a new fleet appear, the familiar flags causing cold sweat to break out on him.
It was their own captains!
Those fools!
"Big Boss, we're here to support you!"
"Beasts, we will not let you touch a single hair on the Big Boss!"
"Don't think we're easy to bully!"
The Beasts' grand operation had already caused a huge uproar, and they had received the news. Whether out of loyalty as subordinates or gratitude towards Red Hair, they could not hide away.
Even if they could only share a little firepower, it was worth it.
On the coastal battlefield.
Shanks suddenly jolted, looking towards the sea.
"The losses are too severe!"
In the vision of the future, in just a brief encounter, the supporting fleet was obliterated under the Beasts' cannon fire.
Without a moment's hesitation, Shanks immediately abandoned Gurd and sprinted towards the sea, his heart racing with urgency.
"I must catch up!"
When he returned to the Red Force and attempted to leap forward again, the confrontation with the Beasts Grand Fleet had already begun firing!
"Boom boom boom!!!"
In just one round of concentrated fire, over twenty pirate ships that had come to support were engulfed by cannonballs, igniting into a raging inferno.
Total annihilation!
Regardless of the number of ships, their size, or the strength of their cannons, the two sides were not on the same level; it was akin to suicide.
Shanks halted, standing on the mast in silence for a long time, the tips of his hair obscuring his face, revealing no emotion.
After a while, Shanks lifted his head.
His eyes, filled with extreme anger, loomed over the Beasts Grand Fleet!
"Wahhhhhh!"
The pirates foamed at the mouth, collapsing one after another, even the Headliners unable to withstand this terrifying will impact!
"Conqueror's Haki!"
Who's Who and Sasaki stepped back, kneeling on one knee, their eyes filled with disbelief, unable to believe they could not bear Red Hair's Haki.
"The Four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks!"
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