"Hey, hey, young man. Don't be so reckless."
Kizaru appeared beside Makoto in a flash.
Although he had already witnessed Makoto's strength, the young man had been fighting for quite some time and must have consumed a considerable amount of stamina.
And the person standing before them was one of the strongest men in the world, someone who had arrived with absolute confidence in his ability to win.
Forget Makoto. Even if every Admiral-level fighter on the Marines' side joined forces right now, they might not be able to defeat Shanks.
Makoto glanced at Kizaru in surprise.
'Is he actually worried about me?'
Makoto couldn't quite figure Kizaru out.
After all, even toward the end of the original story, Kizaru had never clearly revealed whether he possessed any hidden identity beyond his position as a Marine Admiral.
The popular theory that Kizaru was secretly an undercover agent for the Revolutionary Army remained nothing more than fan speculation, without any concrete evidence.
Perhaps Kizaru was simply a fundamentally lazy man, constantly wavering between his personal morals and the obligations of his position.
And because of that internal conflict, he neither wanted to obey the Celestial Dragons when they ordered him to carry out their dirty work nor could he bring himself to crush promising young people who might someday change the world.
From that perspective, Kizaru stepping forward to dissuade Makoto was actually understandable.
Kizaru smiled bitterly.
"That look really hurts, you know. We've been fighting side by side for so long. Isn't that enough for you to trust me?"
Makoto smiled faintly.
"Of course I trust you. I trust you quite a lot, actually."
"It's just that Shanks has come all the way to Marine Headquarters. We can't simply allow his presence to overshadow every single Marine here."
"Someone needs to step forward and show the world that the Marines still possess powerhouses capable of holding their ground."
Kizaru stared at Makoto in astonishment.
He hadn't expected the young man to be thinking along those lines.
However, sensing the conviction behind Makoto's words, Kizaru finally stopped trying to dissuade him.
He simply patted Makoto on the shoulder.
"Be careful."
After all, once someone's strength reached Makoto's level, they inevitably developed an unshakable will of their own.
That determination was also reflected in their Haki.
It meant that the personal convictions of such powerhouses couldn't be easily swayed by others.
At this point, Kizaru had already begun treating Makoto as a remarkable newcomer whose strength was comparable to his own, perhaps even slightly greater.
Kizaru stepped aside, clearing a path for Makoto.
That simple gesture signaled that Makoto was about to represent the entire Marine force in facing Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors!
After a brief moment of astonishment, the Marine ranks erupted into thunderous cheers.
Many of the soldiers didn't even know Makoto's name.
However, they had already witnessed his extraordinary performance earlier in the battle.
Now was their chance to support him and raise his fighting spirit with their voices!
Naturally, the pirates refused to be outdone.
After all, the current situation favored their side.
If Shanks hadn't come to stop the fighting, some of the pirates even believed they could have completely leveled Marine Headquarters today.
Amid the deafening cheers from both sides, Makoto slowly advanced.
Step by step, he approached Shanks until only about twenty meters separated them.
For a powerhouse like Shanks, that distance was practically meaningless.
He wouldn't even need to deliberately close the gap. A simple swing of his sword would be enough to strike down an enemy standing before him.
Shanks examined Makoto more seriously.
"I didn't expect you to actually have the courage to stand before me. Very good."
"Next, I'll let you experience the level of power possessed by the strongest fighters on these seas. It should be useful for your future growth."
"By the way, where's your sword? Don't tell me you intend to fight me barehanded."
Makoto was about to explain that, at his current level, whether he used a sword or not wouldn't make much difference.
After all, ordinary swords were no longer capable of withstanding the forces unleashed during his battles.
As for a Supreme Grade Sword, he genuinely didn't possess one at the moment.
However, just then, a young woman suddenly pushed her way through the crowd.
It was Tashigi.
Seeing that Makoto wasn't carrying a sword while Shanks wielded an imposing saber, she rushed forward without giving the matter much thought.
Behind her, Smoker instinctively reached out to stop her.
But when he saw the determination in the young woman's back, he slowly withdrew his hand.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
Clearly, he believed that Tashigi would have a much brighter future following Makoto than she would continuing to serve under him.
"Sir, please use this sword. I hope you won't find it inadequate."
Tashigi hurried to Makoto's side.
Holding the sword respectfully in both hands, she bowed deeply.
Once Makoto understood her intentions, he examined the weapon she was offering.
It was Kashu, one of Tashigi's primary swords.
Kashu belonged to the 50 Skillful Grade Swords.
Above the Skillful Grade were the Great Grade Swords and the Supreme Grade Swords.
In terms of craftsmanship and overall quality, Kashu wasn't actually suitable for a battle of this caliber.
However, the sincerity behind Tashigi's gesture was far more valuable to Makoto than the sword itself.
After all, when he had strengthened Tashigi earlier, his main objective had been improving his own Haki.
He hadn't particularly valued Tashigi herself.
Yet she had clearly regarded his assistance as an extraordinary favor that she was obligated to repay.
She had even offered her treasured sword without the slightest hesitation.
Makoto therefore raised his voice and declared,
"What an extraordinary sword! This is actually a Supreme Grade Sword!"
[Ding, Making Fake Become Real triggered...]
[Making Fake Become Real succeeded!]
[Kashu, one of the 50 Skillful Grade Swords, has successfully evolved into a Supreme Grade Sword.]
Hearing Makoto's declaration, Tashigi was just about to quietly remind him that her sword wasn't actually a Supreme Grade Sword.
However, something astonishing happened right before her eyes.
Kashu, which had previously been nothing more than a beautifully crafted weapon made from excellent materials, suddenly began emitting an overwhelmingly powerful aura.
The pressure was so intense that even Tashigi felt a chill run down her spine.
For a brief moment, she actually felt as though Kashu had come alive!
And that wasn't entirely an illusion.
Although the sword hadn't become a genuine living creature, its transformation through Makoto's Manifestation ability had caused it to become infused with his Haki and overwhelming presence.
Hawk-Eye and Shanks, who were exceptionally sensitive to swords, immediately noticed the change.
So did Whitebeard, who possessed Murakumogiri, one of the Supreme Grade blades.
All three were astonished by the ability Makoto had just demonstrated.
'Could this be another one of his Devil Fruit abilities?'
However, all three were composed individuals.
None of them openly commented on the extraordinary power Makoto had displayed.
Shanks even made a mental note of it, planning to test just how far Makoto's abilities could reach during their upcoming match.
"Thank you for lending me such a wonderful sword."
Makoto smiled at Tashigi.
"Go get some rest. Once I've defeated Red-Hair, I'll return it to you."
Tashigi was completely dumbfounded.
She stammered, trying to say something.
After all, she had originally intended to give Kashu to Makoto permanently.
Yet not only had Makoto refused to keep it, but he had actually transformed Kashu into a Supreme Grade Sword and was now promising to return it!
How was this supposed to count as repaying his kindness?
At this rate, she would never be able to repay everything she owed him!
"Tashigi! What are you standing around for? Get back here!"
Seeing that she was still lingering beside Makoto, Smoker finally shouted at her.
Only then did Tashigi reluctantly return to Smoker's side, looking back at Makoto every few steps.
She wanted to explain what had just happened.
However, she realized that the transformation of Kashu was probably related to one of Makoto's secret Devil Fruit abilities.
In the end, she decided to remain silent.
...
Everyone's attention returned to Makoto and Shanks.
The auras surrounding the two men rapidly intensified.
Makoto began pouring his Armament Haki into Kashu without the slightest restraint.
In an instant, the sword's formerly ordinary-looking blade turned completely black.
This was the manifestation of Armament Haki cultivated to an extraordinarily high level.
Seeing this, Shanks's relaxed smile gradually disappeared.
His expression became serious.
It wasn't particularly surprising that Makoto knew how to use Armament Haki.
For genuine geniuses, mastering both Armament Haki and Observation Haki was merely a matter of time.
What truly astonished Shanks was Makoto's age.
The young man looked no older than seventeen or eighteen.
Yet he had already cultivated both types of Haki to such extraordinary levels!
If he someday awakened Conqueror's Haki as well and cultivated it to an equally impressive level, another legendary powerhouse would undoubtedly emerge upon these seas.
However, that was a matter for the future.
The strength Makoto had demonstrated so far was still nowhere near enough.
"You're not going to attack first?" Shanks asked.
Makoto casually twirled Kashu in his hand.
"You're our guest. Why don't you make the first move?"
"Very well. Here I come."
Shanks didn't waste any more words.
He stamped his foot against the ground and immediately transformed into a streak of light, charging toward Makoto.
There was nothing particularly sophisticated about his initial charge.
He was simply relying on his extraordinary physical attributes combined with powerful Armament Haki, intending to overwhelm Makoto through sheer force.
At the same time, Shanks activated his Observation Haki.
His mastery of Observation Haki had also reached the level of Future Sight.
No matter how Makoto reacted, Shanks should have been able to foresee his movements with ease.
However, the moment he actually reached Makoto, his serious expression turned grim.
'My Future Sight isn't working?'
He attempted to perceive the attack Makoto was preparing.
Yet no matter how he searched, he couldn't obtain any information about the young man's intended movements!
Unfortunately, Shanks's attack was already underway.
Changing his approach now would be practically impossible, both because of the momentum behind his strike and the lack of time.
And that was precisely the moment Makoto had been waiting for!
Makoto understood exactly how terrifying Shanks's strength was.
However, Shanks had no clear understanding of Makoto's true capabilities.
That created a significant information gap.
And such an information gap was perfect for launching a surprise attack against someone encountering his abilities for the first time.
Makoto immediately mobilized every ounce of physical strength he possessed.
At the same time, he flooded his body with chakra.
His life-energy signature instantly surged to more than three times its previous intensity!
Kashu moved like lightning.
Its pitch-black blade shot straight toward the wrist of Shanks's sword hand.
As for the blade Shanks was swinging toward his shoulder, Makoto completely ignored it.
After all, he could even regenerate his own heart.
What did losing an arm matter to someone like him?
Shanks, however, clearly couldn't afford to engage in such a reckless exchange of injuries.
He had already lost one arm.
He certainly couldn't afford to lose the other!
The sight astonished every Admiral-level powerhouse present who was capable of following their movements.
On the surface, it looked like nothing more than an ordinary exchange of attacks.
However, only they understood what it truly represented.
Makoto's Observation Haki was actually comparable to Shanks's!
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates had originally been watching the battle with faintly contemptuous smiles.
Now, however, beads of cold sweat appeared on their foreheads.
If they genuinely treated Makoto as an opponent on the same level as Shanks, that careless opening attack could very well have become the critical mistake that led to Shanks's defeat!
Fortunately, at the decisive moment, Shanks twisted his ankle and rotated his wrist.
Gryphon traced a semicircle through the air before colliding directly with Kashu!
Boom!
The instant the two blackened blades collided, a terrifying aura erupted outward.
Black lightning crackled across both weapons.
Even the ice beneath their feet shattered under the tremendous pressure.
Seeing the ice break apart, Makoto immediately retreated.
After all, he was still a Devil Fruit user.
Coming into contact with seawater would leave him feeling extremely uncomfortable.
Shanks seized that opening and immediately pressed forward.
Their brief exchange had already told him something important.
The young man standing before him was no weaker than Shanks himself in either Armament Haki or Observation Haki.
His only weakness was his comparatively underdeveloped swordsmanship.
Of course, Makoto's swordsmanship was already among the very best in the world.
He could certainly be considered one of the most accomplished master swordsmen on these seas.
However, Shanks's own swordsmanship was on the same level as Hawk-Eye's!
A smile returned to Shanks's lips.
"Young man, that's not how you use a sword."
The next instant, Gryphon transformed into a series of black flashes.
One strike after another shot toward the vital points across Makoto's body.
Makoto attempted to block them using his enhanced physical capabilities.
However, every time his sword collided with Shanks's blade, a painful numbness spread through his wrist.
After all, Makoto's Constitution attribute was currently only 20 points.
Even with chakra reinforcing his body, the additional strength he could obtain wasn't unlimited.
Shanks was an entirely different matter.
As one of the strongest men on the seas, his power probably couldn't even be adequately described by the Professional rank.
Makoto suspected that Shanks had already reached the Elite-rank level!
Under normal circumstances, Makoto would have virtually no hope of winning.
Whether they compared raw attributes or mastery of swordsmanship, Shanks possessed an overwhelming advantage.
Unfortunately for Shanks, Makoto possessed Making Fake Become Real.
And the opponents Makoto loved most were precisely those powerful fighters who wanted to give him a lesson during battle!
Makoto suddenly erupted with an enormous surge of Armament Haki.
The unexpected burst forced Shanks backward for a brief moment.
Makoto immediately seized the opportunity to speak.
"Is that so? But my swordsmanship is already on the same level as yours and Hawk-Eye's!"
"I was simply holding back earlier!"
It wasn't a particularly convincing excuse.
Practically none of the Admiral-level powerhouses watching believed him.
However, more than a hundred thousand Marines and pirates were currently paying attention to this battle!
Even if each of them trusted Makoto's claim by only 1%, that would still provide more than enough support for him to manifest the level of swordsmanship he wanted.
[Ding, Making Fake Become Real triggered...]
[Making Fake Become Real succeeded!]
[Your swordsmanship has successfully reached the same level as Hawk-Eye and Shanks.]
Almost instantly, an enormous amount of additional swordsmanship experience flooded into Makoto's mind.
Just a moment earlier, Shanks had been suppressing him through superior technique.
Now, however, Makoto's movements suddenly became far more fluid and sophisticated!
His pitch-black blade, supported by extraordinarily powerful Armament Haki, began colliding repeatedly with Shanks's saber.
Each clash produced nothing more than a faint scraping sound.
Yet every contact between their blades released another series of black lightning bolts.
Eventually, those countless discharges gathered into a terrifying storm of black lightning between the two swordsmen.
The dark thunderclouds hanging before them seemed like a nuclear bomb on the verge of detonating.
Their overwhelming presence weighed heavily on the hearts of everyone watching!
…