Shanks rolled his thick neck after entering his half-dragon form, producing a series of sharp cracking sounds. Arcs of Haoshoku Haki pulsed across his body like restless lightning.
The power of the Mythical Zoan greatly enhanced his durability and recovery. In a short span of time, his presence had returned to its peak.
Dragon's brows were tightly drawn together, sweat covering his forehead. Seeing Shanks preparing to strike again, he quickly spoke,
"Wait. Red Hair Captain. There is no real enmity between us. This fight serves no purpose."
Shanks slowly lowered his raised claw and looked at Dragon with a faint, mocking smile.
"No purpose? You filthy insect crawling out of the gutter disgusts me. If I remove you, the world becomes cleaner."
"What?"
Dragon's eyes widened in fury. Since their encounter began, Shanks had already labeled him a stray dog and now a gutter insect.
Even with Dragon's hardened will, the repeated insults chipped away at his restraint. Any thought of cooperation vanished completely.
His expression darkened as he stared at Shanks.
"Red Hair, Newgate was right about you. You are nothing but an arrogant brat. You will pay for this today."
Shanks let out a cold laugh.
"Newgate calling someone arrogant is amusing. His era should have ended long ago, and yours along with it. All you do is stir trouble."
Dragon's face shifted from anger to something far colder. Dark clouds surged in from all directions, swallowing the sky.
Heavy rain poured down, and thick bolts of lightning twisted through the clouds like living serpents.
The airflow that had been under Shanks' control began to grow unstable, as if drawn toward Dragon.
Shanks remained unmoved. With a slight motion of his finger, the surrounding winds settled instantly, obedient and still.
He glanced at the storm forming around them and spoke,
"Devil Fruit awakening?"
Dragon's pupils vanished, leaving only white as he answered in a low voice,
"Red Hair, I admit the Azure Dragon Fruit is powerful. But you have not possessed it for long. Without awakening, you cannot..."
His words abruptly stopped.
Dragon's eyes returned to normal, filled with disbelief.
A crimson flame cloud ribbon slowly formed around Shanks' body.
Dragon's voice rose in shock.
"Devil Fruit awakening? Impossible."
He knew the fruit had once belonged to Kaido, and Kaido had only recently fallen. There was no way Shanks could have mastered it so quickly.
As the flame clouds appeared, a terrifying aura erupted from Shanks. The dense black sky was torn open, sunlight breaking through the gap.
Shanks looked at Dragon, whose expression had stiffened, and smirked.
"You are right about one thing. I have not had this power for long, and my control is still rough. So be careful. I will not be holding back anymore."
The moment his words fell, a red glint flashed in his eyes. His figure vanished.
In the next instant, he appeared before Dragon and struck him, sending him soaring into the sky.
Dragon summoned violent winds to halt his ascent. Clutching the bleeding wound on his abdomen, he roared as lightning descended from the clouds, all targeting Shanks.
Shanks opened his mouth and released a dragon roar. The incoming lightning froze midair, then abruptly shifted direction, crashing down onto Dragon.
The impact shattered him into scattered green airflow.
The storm that Dragon had created through awakening had become Shanks' domain.
Gritting his teeth, Dragon reformed his body. He immediately coated one hand with Armament Haki.
His arm transformed into a rapidly spinning hurricane, with only the blackened hand remaining solid at the core.
"Hundred Split Dragon Fang."
Shanks gave a dismissive smile.
"You like adding dragon to everything, yet you have nothing to do with one."
He inhaled deeply, then unleashed a scorching dragon breath mixed with red lightning.
The crimson blast collided with the green hurricane. Within moments, Dragon's attack was completely overwhelmed.
His arm was devoured.
A scream tore from his throat as blood sprayed from the severed limb.
Dragon clenched his teeth, his face turning deathly pale from blood loss.
The outcome was clear.
Enduring the pain, he immediately transformed into a hurricane and fled without hesitation, his decisiveness catching even Shanks off guard.
Shanks narrowed his eyes and gave chase.
Dragon's escape path led directly toward the battlefield where Issho and Beckman were fighting.
Issho was already at a disadvantage. Even with the power of the Gravity Fruit, he could not fully contend with Beckman.
As he fled, Dragon shouted,
"Issho, retreat now!"
Though blind, Issho could sense Dragon's severe injuries. His expression hardened as he pushed his Devil Fruit power to its limit, releasing waves of circular gravity that forced Beckman back.
In a flash, he appeared behind Dragon.
"Mr. Dragon, leave. I will hold them back."
"No. If you stay, you will die."
Dragon did not slow down in the slightest. Within moments, he had already created significant distance.
As the leader, he had to prioritize survival above all else.
He himself was the core of everything.
Issho did not object. Instead, he unleashed another powerful gravity wave, accelerating Dragon even further until he vanished from sight.
Once that was done, Issho turned and blocked Shanks' path.
Shanks frowned.
"Move."
At the same time, Beckman returned, placing Issho between them.
Issho had already accepted his fate. Without hesitation, he swung his blade.
Even for opponents at their level, a desperate fighter could not be ignored.
Five minutes later,
A heavy impact echoed across the deck.
Shanks tossed Issho's bloodied body onto the ship. Beckman stood nearby with his arms crossed, faint smoke rising from his weapon.
Shanks took out a Den Den Mushi. Once the call connected, his tone carried a hint of satisfaction.
"Brother, are you interested in a Devil Fruit?"
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