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What shocked Shanks the most was not only that!
If… now it could be confirmed as fact.
In fact, Rowen used the Sea Crystal to break free from Emperor Comes’ influence and then retaliated. Not only did he not fully focus on timing, but he also had the energy to raise his Thunder Dragon Crescent Side Halberd to block.
Such behavior – other than insanity – Shanks couldn’t find another word for it!
BuruBuru… BuruBuru…
In the midst of his shock, the Den Den Mushi rang.
The call was for Shanks. After a moment of silence to collect himself, he picked up the Den Den Mushi and answered.
“Shanks, where are you now?”
“Mihawk, how did you find the time to call me?”
Shanks, true to his reputation as the most Haki-infused man of the sea, quickly collected himself and spoke warmly to Mihawk, all while Rowen was right in front of him!
Heaven-Resisting Thunder Cry- First Style…
Nine Dragon Coil!
Ding… Clang!
A sharp clash of swords echoed, two arcs intersecting brilliantly in the void, releasing dazzling light.
Hearing the commotion through the Den Mushi, Mihawk, the “World’s Greatest Swordsman,” frowned and asked impatiently, “Cut the crap, where are you?”
“In trouble… why, do you need me for something?”
As the thunder halberd struck, Shanks nonchalantly hoisted the Den Den Mushi onto his shoulder, but his actions didn’t slow.
Griffin unleashed a storm of sword energy, blocking all attacks. However, this move couldn’t last long, and in the next moment, countless meteor-like strikes engulfed him.
Bang! Boom!
Amidst the thunderous roar, Shanks, smoking from head to toe, was sent flying, rolling several times in the air before landing on one knee.
With a clatter, Griffin crashed to the ground, leaving a drag trail of over ten meters before finally stopping his momentum.
“The World Government has just issued an emergency summons to us Shichibukai. The ‘Tyrant’ Kuma is already on his way to you. You’d better understand if now is the time for war!”
“Is the New Age you bet on with that hand really right now?”
Mihawk and Shanks were both friends and enemies. Before Shanks lost his hand, they often fought againsteach other using their sword techniques.
For Mihawk, Shanks was the only opponent who could make him wield his sword at full power.
And yet, Shanks lost a hand on a trip to East Blue.
This matter was of the utmost importance to Mihawk!
If it were an accidental loss of a hand, Mihawk would completely disregard Shanks, not even bothering with casual encounters. Their encounters would be hostile.
To Mihawk, a mistake by someone he took seriously would be nothing short of shameful!
But it wasn’t an accident; it was a man’s choice.
So Mihawk chose to respect his decision.
It’s a complex feeling – friendship between men lies not in intimacy, but in mutual recognition and respect.
“The World Government… is warning us.”
Shanks immediately understood why Mihawk had informed him.
Since the issue was defined as “Navy vs. Pirate,” it would be resolved as such.
The Oka Shichibukai had only had their bounties revoked; their “legal right of plunder” meant they were still pirates.
Mihawk feared not the Shichibukai, but the organization behind them: the World Government.
After hanging up, Shanks looked seriously at Rowen and smiled, “It looks like our long overdue reunion will be sadly brief.”
“Oh? Are you planning on running away, Shanks?”
Rowen’s Heart Network had allowed him to hear their conversation clearly. Now, he grinned coldly as thunderstorm surges swirled around him in a hundred meter radius, exuding immense momentum.
The horrible wounds from earlier had already healed, leaving Rowen with no ill effects other than low energy.
Had it not been for Shanks’ fear of using Emperor Comes again, Rowen would have gone on the offensive in a head-to-head battle, preventing Shanks from even making the call.
“Run away? Don’t be naive, Thunder Dragon.”
Shanks grinned, stood up and declared loudly, “Everyone knows what’s on their mind, don’t they?”
“Actually, a lot of people don’t want to fight, do they?”
“Huh?”
On the other two battlefields, the four fighters paused.
Shanks’ voice, carried by Haki Tremor, spread in all directions, making them feel the need to listen. As for Kaido… well, Kizaru had taken to the skies, forcing Kaido to calm down.
Engaging in an aerial battle with a Logia Glint-Glint Fruit user was hardly a rational decision.
“Akagami Shanks, what do you mean? No more fighting?”
“If you’re done, give me your opponent; I want to fight two of them!”
Kaido, snorting with rage, stared with bloodshot eyes, obviously ready to fight at any moment.
That’s just like Kaido!
Being the first war madman to attack Marineford alone… several times! One on one, two on one – saying “I want to fight ten” was normal for him.
“Calm down, Kaido. He’s mine.”
Shanks chuckled and continued, “Among us, only two will fight to the death… you and Admiral Akainu.”
“Well, of course, that’s stating the obvious.”
“If Soryu and Kizaru want to leave, who on earth can stop them?”
Upon hearing this, Akainu’s face darkened.
I admit that I’m less agile, okay?
No need to point that out!
“So, what’s next?”
Kaido, dissatisfied, struck his club, making a loud “thud, thud” sound. “Do you want me and Akainu to fight one-on-one to decide the winner?”
“Hmph! Bring it on!”
Akainu, not backing down, stepped forward to face Kaido.
“Gurararara, Redheaded brat, tell me what’s really going on?”
Whitebeard gripped his naginata, his eyes flashing with intensity. “Otherwise, even if you leave, I won’t let this go so easily.”
One of his sons had sacrificed his life for this battle.
As Shanks had said, he didn’t want to fight.
Because that would lead to the complete annihilation of his fleet. Don’t underestimate the impact Marine fighters can have on the outcome of a battle.
But if Shanks didn’t have a good reason, he wouldn’t betray his sons’ hopes. Even if it meant death, he would willingly face it.
As a father, he wanted to protect the lives of his children.
But as a father, he also wanted to act in the way his children hoped and admired him to act.
The Whitebeard Pirates would rather die than surrender!
In the face of Whitebeard’s challenge, Shanks didn’t get angry. Instead, he openly declared, “I have just received word that the World Government has urgently summoned the Shichibukai to the battlefield. I think everyone understands what that means.”
Whitebeard’s face turned grim.
The deployment of the Shichibukai signified the extreme anger of the World Government.
To put it bluntly, the Shichibukai were just cannon fodder. Even if they were victorious, they would be met with the full force of the government’s counterattack.
At that point, “no one survives” would be the most accurate description.
“Ha ha ha ha ha, this means a war of unprecedented proportions!”
Kaido was excited, and the entire Hundred Beasts Pirates echoed his enthusiasm.
As the epitome of a war madman, Kaido’s greatest dream was to orchestrate the greatest war in history, involving the entire world.
A war involving both the Yonko and the World Government was the kind of scenario that made Kaido’s excitement almost uncontrollable.
“We have no interest in clashing with the World Government, Kaido.”
Shanks, anticipating this situation, immediately let out a cold snort.
“However, there is indeed a place for your efforts.”
“Only one side will retreat!”
“If Kaido wins, the Marines will retreat; if Akainu wins, we will retreat.”
“Let’s use this island as a border and have an arena battle!”
Shanks laid down the terms and looked at everyone.
“How about it?”
(End of this chapter)
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