Shanks clashed head-on with Akda. It had to be said that, because of his youth, he suffered a bit of a disadvantage in raw strength. He was forced back several meters.
"Buggy, you protect Katherin. Leave him to Shanks and me."
"U-understood."
Hearing that he wouldn't have to fight personally, Buggy was overjoyed. He hadn't expected that fat pig to be somewhat strong.
He hurried over to Katherin, grabbed her, and began running off into the distance.
"Don't even think about escaping."
Seeing Katherine trying to flee, Akda would naturally not allow it.
"Heh, if you want to get to her, you'll have to go through me first."
Shirakawa stepped in, blocking Akda's path.
"Fine. Then I'll kill you first."
As Akda said this, a powerful bloodlust erupted from his body. His skin even began turning slightly blood-red.
Sensing this aura, both Shirakawa and Shanks' expressions changed.
For some people, killing intent could be even more threatening than Conqueror's Haki.
"Kid, enjoy the pain that's coming."
Akda let out a bloodthirsty smile. Even his pupils turned crimson.
"How many people do you have to kill to become like that?"
Shanks swallowed hard, speaking with difficulty.
"As expected, in the New World, no one is simple."
Shirakawa could tell that these changes weren't due to a Devil Fruit; it was purely from killing.
"Shanks."
"Yeah."
The two gave each other a signal and flanked Akda from both sides to launch their attack.
But such an assault was useless against a seasoned general. He swung his massive blade in front of him, and both Shirakawa and Shanks were forced into defense, then sent flying backward.
Still, neither of them was discouraged. After all, in battle, it wasn't rare for the weak to triumph over the strong. And they weren't weak to begin with; both were elites.
They launched another assault. This time, the fight became more balanced. Although they had been at a disadvantage earlier, as time went on, they began to hold their ground.
"These two kids are talented."
Though Akda didn't look impressive, he had the discernment of a general. He could tell their strength was growing during the battle.
"Boys, why don't the two of you swear loyalty to me? I promise you a life of endless riches and glory."
Akda tried to recruit them. Not because he appreciated their talents, but because no one under his command could compare to them.
But this was nothing short of delusional, trying to recruit two Conqueror's Haki users at the same time?
"Heh."
Shirakawa and Shanks both let out cold chuckles.
"You want us to serve you? You're not even worthy."
Shirakawa spat out each word forcefully.
"Shirakawa's right. The only one I'll ever serve is the captain," Shanks added.
"If you two are so stubborn, then you'll have to die."
As he finished speaking, Akda suddenly launched himself at Shanks, moving at double his previous speed.
"I'll start with this little one."
"Crap."
Shirakawa quickly rushed in front of Shanks, but it was too late to counter. All he could do was take the blow.
"Shirakawa!"
Katherine cried out, wanting to rush over, but Buggy stopped her.
"Don't worry. He'll be fine."
"How can he be fine?! That wound's huge! Are you his companion or not?"
"That's exactly why I know he'll be fine better than you do," Buggy shouted back, trying to calm her down.
"Sorry… But I know his abilities better than you do. Just trust me," he added, realizing his earlier tone was a bit harsh.
Shirakawa, struck by the blade, collapsed from the momentum. Akda, seeing that he hit the wrong target but still achieved his goal, stepped back with satisfaction.
"Well then, kid. Looks like it's just you now. What can you possibly do?"
Akda thought: it had taken both of them to barely fight him to a draw. Now that one was down, the other should be easy.
"Why are you so sure he's dead?"
Shanks glanced at the fallen Shirakawa. He was worried, but he trusted him completely.
"He took a direct hit and isn't dead? Even if his life is tough, he's lost his combat ability for sure."
Akda spoke confidently.
But as he finished, white mist suddenly rose from Shirakawa's massive wound. The injury began to heal, and even his clothing restored itself.
Then Shirakawa stood up, completely unbothered, rubbing the spot where he had just been slashed.
"That did hurt."
"He's fine?!"
Katherine stared in disbelief, eyes wide.
"Told you. As Shirakawa's comrade, I know him better than you do. He'd be fine," Buggy said proudly.
"I knew you were okay."
Shanks patted Shirakawa on the shoulder.
Unlike the joy on their side, Akda was far from happy. Not only had Shirakawa gotten up again, but his earlier boasting had just been utterly humiliated.
"Is that a Devil Fruit power?"
As a general, Akda was well-informed; he was no stranger to Devil Fruits.
"Something like that," Shirakawa replied vaguely, neither confirming nor denying it.
"Shanks, back off. I'm going all out now."
"Got it!"
Shanks grinned excitedly. "Been a while since I saw that giant sword of yours."
"Then today you'll get a good look."
Shirakawa spoke with confidence.
Seeing Shanks withdraw from the battlefield, Akda scoffed at Shirakawa.
"You're coming alone now? You think you can beat me by yourself?"
"Why not give it a try?"
As he finished speaking, beams of white light emerged from Shirakawa's body, surrounding him. In the sky above, a massive Sword of Damocles materialized.
"W-what is that?"
Akda suddenly felt a divine, untouchable force radiating from Shirakawa.
"What is that?"
Katherine was stunned.
"That's Shirakawa's ability. That sword only appears when he uses over 80% of his power," Shanks explained from outside the fight.
"So… just now, he wasn't even using 80%?"
"Nope."
As Shanks said this, he was a bit frustrated. When Shirakawa first joined their crew, his strength was far behind. But now? He had caught up, and then some.
Just now, Shanks had used nearly 90% of his power.
"Looks like the fight's begun."
They hadn't gone far, so back in the city, Rayleigh and Roger also saw the Sword of Damocles.
Though far away, the sword's shape could still be seen.