Red-haired Shanks.
This youngest of the Four Emperors in the New World personally arrived in Whitebeard's Sea Region, boarding the flagship of the Whitebeard Pirates, the Moby Dick.
At this sensitive moment when Portgas D. Ace was captured by the World Government, the move of Red-haired Shanks coming to the Whitebeard Pirates is certainly enough to shake the world.
No matter what Red-haired Shanks wants to say to Whitebeard Edward Newgate, whether it's a declaration of war or an alliance declaration, it will change the course of this world.
Moby Dick.
The instant Red-haired Shanks stepped onto the Moby Dick, he directly released his Haki, a thick Supreme King Haki so overwhelming it made breathing difficult!
The deck of the Moby Dick was also cracking inch by inch!
Now Shanks was completely unlike the always optimistic pirate; his expression had turned grim, finally displaying the demeanor befitting a Sea Emperor of the New World!
"Stand back a bit, this guy's Haki isn't something you can handle."
Marco frowned tightly, noticing a group of Whitebeard Pirates members swaying even fainting under the impact of Shanks' Supreme King Haki.
Marco turned his head to look at Red-haired Shanks, speaking coldly: "Hey, Red Hair, are you trying to make a display here?"
"No, I just have some things to discuss with you all..."
Shanks' expression gradually softened, looking at Marco with open palms, chuckling: "By the way, Marco, would you like to join my ship..."
"Not interested in that."
Marco had no intention of entertaining Red Hair's invitation.
Red-haired Shanks wasn't the first to invite Marco.
Throughout the years, every single one of the Four Emperors has extended an invitation to him, and both BIG MOM and Hundred Beast Kaido have tried to recruit him.
No matter how these Four Emperors lower their status or see Marco's value, Marco would never betray Whitebeard, their efforts are forever in vain.
Shanks could only shake his head helplessly.
In the next moment, Shanks' gaze slowly shifted, landing on Uchiha Sasuke who had just bandaged his wounds, his expression gradually turning serious.
To be honest…
Shanks had never seen Uchiha Sasuke so beaten up!
Even back when Uchiha Sasuke defeated the Vice Captain of the Red Hair Pirates, Benn Beckman, in the Black Spade Pirates, he didn't suffer any injuries in that battle.
In recent years, the Whitebeard Pirates have had occasional clashes with other Four Emperors' Pirate Gangs, and except for the Hundred Beast Pirates' Uzumaki Naruto, basically no other Four Emperors' Pirate Gang has had anyone Uchiha Sasuke cares for...
"Sasuke's back too..."
Red-haired Shanks narrowed his eyes, focusing on the bandages on Uchiha Sasuke, speaking solemnly: "Seems the enemies you encountered are more troublesome than I imagined..."
Red-haired Shanks was very aware of the situation.
Back then, when Uchiha Sasuke and Portgas D. Ace were chasing Marshall D. Teach, Red-haired Shanks had reached out to Uchiha Sasuke with a message, hoping he'd be cautious of Teach, but he didn't stop them from pursuing Teach.
As a result, the serious event of Ace's capture and impending public execution happened…
Moreover, Shanks received the news before the press did, allowing him to quickly meet with Whitebeard, as Shanks himself had some secret channels to receive inside information about the World Government.
But when Shanks received the information, what he couldn't have foreseen... that the loathsome Yakushi Kabuto, hated by both pirates and the Revolutionary Army, had developed the CP Department to such an extent, recruiting agents capable of injuring Uchiha Sasuke!
"You don't need to worry."
Uchiha Sasuke shot a cold glance at Red-haired Shanks, tightened the bandage's knot on his body, and slowly picked up the Kusanagi Sword by his side: "If you want to mock me, you're not the one to do it..."
Facing Red-haired Shanks, Uchiha Sasuke never backs down!
Even though Sasuke was injured now, he still doesn't feel at a disadvantage because Red-haired Shanks had lost an arm many years ago...
If they fought now...
It might be considered a kind of balance?
"Sasuke, this isn't mockery."
Red-haired Shanks slowly shook his head, speaking with an earnest expression: "After all, we're kind of friends, once we finish talking, I need to go visit Naruto in Kaido's sea region, he's been quite concerned about you..."
"..."
Uchiha Sasuke's expression was subtle.
Although the friction between the Four Emperors has never stopped, in recent years, Red-haired Shanks and Uzumaki Naruto, who joined the Hundred Beast Pirates, have become good friends.
These fools...
They seem to be very sensitive when they discover those of similar ilk.
But such things are quite normal.
According to Uzumaki Naruto's personality, when facing a straightforward man like Red-haired Shanks, even though they are still enemies, it doesn't stop them from slowly becoming friends.
And Red-haired Shanks is exceptionally friendly towards Uzumaki Naruto, hoping more than once that Uzumaki Naruto would join his Pirate Gang.
Leaning on the Akatsuki, Uzumaki Naruto naturally refuses.
As their relationship steadily deepens, Red-haired Shanks gradually discovers the qualities within Uzumaki Naruto, believing that Naruto possesses a charm similar to Pirate King Gol D. Roger.
This charm could certainly gather many people around him.
Red-haired Shanks has even mentioned to Kaido in front of many people that if Kaido would let Uzumaki Naruto leave the Hundred Beast Pirates, Naruto could certainly become a captain on par with Pirate King Gol D. Roger!
Although Red-haired Shanks always believes he is speaking the truth…
The words come out with a suspicion of sowing discord within the Hundred Beast Pirates, seeing as no one in the Red Hair Pirates can defeat Uzumaki Naruto...
Evidently, Red-haired Shanks is playing tricks.
The whole Hundred Beast Pirates' hostility towards Red-haired Shanks is growing heavier.
However, as a Four Emperor with an exalted status and as the freest pirate on the sea, Red-haired Shanks naturally acts as he pleases, without caring about others' opinions.
On the Moby Dick.
Red-haired Shanks still has not changed his view, bringing up Uzumaki Naruto, and couldn't help but continue: "By the way, Sasuke, weren't you and Naruto comrades before? If you two could form a pirate gang..."
"Shut up."
Uchiha Sasuke interrupted Red-haired Shanks, speaking coldly: "My affairs with him need no concern from the likes of you!"
"What a pity..."
Red-haired Shanks shook his head, sighing with some regret; he truly had high hopes for the combination of Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.
"Alright, Red-haired brat."
Whitebeard Edward Newgate interrupted their conversation, speaking gruffly: "What's your business here? We don't have time to entertain guests..."
Due to Portgas D. Ace's capture, the atmosphere on the Moby Dick was somewhat bleak, and Whitebeard was still planning to discuss with his sons about rescuing Ace.
Now, Whitebeard wasn't in the mood to entertain anyone.
"Sorry, please permit me to state my purpose first."
Red-haired Shanks walked towards Whitebeard, his expression gradually turning serious: "I'm here to assist in rescuing Portgas D. Ace."
"Not necessary."
Whitebeard lowered his head in displeasure, coldly staring at Red-haired Shanks: "Ace is my son. I will rescue him. I don't need others meddling!"
"No, this time might be a special case..."
Red-haired Shanks shook his head, speaking in a deep voice: "I know I shouldn't interfere, although Ace is Captain Roger's son, after he joined the Whitebeard Pirates, all decisions should come from you as his captain..."
At this point, Red-haired Shanks' tone shifted, his expression becoming more solemn: "Sorry, but this time is an exception; I have received reliable information that Ace's capture is a premeditated act..."
Red-haired Shanks raised his head, observing Whitebeard's expression, his voice turning more grave: "This is a conspiracy against the world... It originates from Marshall D. Teach, or rather, Blackbeard!"
According to the information Red-haired Shanks obtained, capturing Portgas D. Ace was indeed Marshall D. Teach's plot, aimed at provoking a war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy.
Of course...
Teach's plot was merely well-timed.
Because the World Government indeed had corresponding plans against the Four Emperors' Pirate Gangs; this affair is wholly overseen by Navy Headquarters Chief Inspector and CP Department Supreme Commander Yakushi Kabuto.
The main goal of Yakushi Kabuto was to target the Revolutionary Army, incidentally wanting to lure out a powerful force, prompting the weaker Revolutionary Army to get involved, and conveniently, Teach approached Yakushi Kabuto, claiming to assist the Navy in capturing Ace.
This affair was full of Teach's influence.
The secret version circulating within the World Government stated similarly; Yakushi Kabuto hadn't decided which pirate gang to choose for his overt plan until Marshall D. Teach came forward, forcing Yakushi Kabuto to direct the CP Department against Ace.
After the Navy captured Ace, the World Government also had to push Yakushi Kabuto to advance the occurrence of a grand event step by step, with the Navy also deploying troops, preparing to welcome a world war.
"Oh."
Whitebeard's expression remained unchanged.
This matter, Whitebeard had long considered, regardless of whose conspiracy it was; he didn't care. Even if the conspiracy was against him, so what?
Or rather, Whitebeard had no other choice!
Moreover, Whitebeard certainly wouldn't have another choice; no matter what, he would definitely go to rescue Ace. How could a father leave his son in a deadly trap?
"If you go to rescue Ace, you will certainly fall into Teach's trap; I still don't know what he intends to do, but I know he must be hiding his fangs in the dark..."
Red-haired Shanks looked at the still calm Whitebeard, slowly making his request: "To avoid a war capable of destroying the world, I hope you can hold off for now to prevent the situation from worsening further..."
As Red-haired Shanks said this, his speech gradually quickened: "Before Ace is publicly executed, I will find a way to help you bring Ace back."