The moment the two solidified Haki forces collided.
Black-purple lightning wildly spread, triggering a series of explosive reactions.
Zzzga——
Space itself let out a mournful cry, visibly collapsing and shaking under the impact!!
...
Under the scorching sun, Shanks' upper garment burned away completely, the veins on his arms bulging as he desperately gripped his sword hilt.
The composed expression on his face vanished entirely, replaced by utter astonishment.
Straining to keep his eyes open, he stared at the figure within the blazing sunlight.
How is this possible...
How can anyone possess such Haki!
How did he achieve this level!!
...
"You've got to be kidding me..."
As the battle paused, Beckman stared in horror at the scene: "This kind of Haki... can humans really achieve this?!!"
Even from this distance, he felt his breathing grow labored, as if carrying a mountain on his back.
...
The sea surface divided into two opposing forces.
Shanks' continuously surging black-red Haki clashed against the Crimson Sun Dark Lightning.
The stalemate didn't last long.
Like a red-hot iron ball pressing into viscous fluid, burning waves rippled outward layer by layer.
...
Shanks was being suppressed.
This was something everyone could clearly see.
—
Whitebeard watched the figure enveloped in dense Haki, resembling a demonic being. After a brief moment of astonishment, he burst into even more hearty and booming laughter.
"Gurararararararara!!"
"Go! Defeat him!!"
"Truly make your name renowned across the seas!!"
...
—
Shanks' knuckles turned white from excessive force, a twisted smile forming on his face.
"Truly... incredible Haki..."
"Almost like my former vice-captain, Dark King Rayleigh!"
...
Griffin looked down indifferently at Shanks, pressing down with a single palm.
"Still looking for reference points? Is that all you amount to, Shanks!"
Boom—
Heavier pressure descended, causing Shanks' woven Haki net to crack inch by inch!
BOOM!!!!!!!!!
The crimson sun suddenly exploded, completely engulfing Shanks' figure.
Griffin clenched a cluster of dark purple lightning arcs in his palm, like a judgment hammer, sweeping aside the long sword as he slammed his fist hard into Shanks' chest!!
—
Crushing Blow!!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!!!!!!!
A massive shockwave mixed with Haki lightning arcs wildly expanded, boiling the sea!
...
BANG————
Shanks transformed into a red blur, flying backward at astonishing speed.
BOOM!!
His flying body crashed directly into the thick main mast of the Red Force, wood splinters scattering everywhere as huge cracks instantly spread across it.
The massive sailcloth shook violently, emitting tearing sounds.
...
After a brief dead silence.
"Shanks!!!"
"Captain!!"
"Boss!!"
The Red Hair Pirates' officers rushed toward Shanks' landing point, their faces filled with horror, not even caring about the precarious mast.
...
Kari, gripping Shanks' sword, trembled slightly. A trickle of crimson blood escaped from Shanks' tightly clenched teeth, dripping down his jaw onto the deck.
Tap—
Griffin landed on the Red Dragon's bow, his gaze slightly lowered as he observed the clear fist imprint on Shanks' chest.
...
Three years...
The tables have turned, Shanks!
Now it's you lying there!!
An unparalleled sense of exhilaration filled Griffin's chest, and even the stinging pain from his fists felt pleasant.
...
Dead silence.
Even the members of the Whitebeard Pirates found the Griffin who now reigned over Dreyfus unfamiliar at this moment.
"Ugh…"
Shanks swallowed the blood rising in his throat and straightened up, leaning on his knees.
He was still smiling.
"That hurts… So this is the Flame Wolf's fist? I underestimated you!"
"The seas truly never lack astonishingly powerful individuals!!"
Crack——
Black and red lightning flashed again, and cracks abruptly appeared on the deck.
With a furious roar——
"Divine Departure!!"
A black slash came roaring toward him!!
Griffin crossed his arms in front of his chest, his arms covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, with snake-like red patterns spreading over them.
No matter how many times you try, I won't dodge!
"Nether Entanglement Armament Haki!"
...
...
Clang————
The dull sound was like two iron mountains colliding at high speed!!
Griffin was sent flying back hundreds of meters under the slash.
"Hah!!"
With a low shout, Griffin exerted force with his arms, shattering the black slash. The attack that even gods would avoid dissipated into nothingness!!
"Too weak! Shanks!!"
Griffin couldn't help but shout.
But when he clearly saw the scene before him…
He saw the Red Force's mast straightened, sails fully unfurled, already speeding away several nautical miles into the distance.
Still accelerating, it was about to disappear from view.
Compared to the ship, the Whitebeard Pirates' executives were being tossed off one by one like mosquitoes.
...
The Red Hair Pirates…
Had fled!!!
——
What a joke!!
Rage surged in Griffin as he flew after them.
"Bastards!! Stop right there!!!"
...
...
Thud——
With everyone's combined effort, Jozu was thrown off the ship. Beckman looked back at Shanks: "Although failure was expected, this is even more humiliating than before…"
"To think we didn't even face their main commander... It's too shameful."
Shanks leaned on his sword to support himself and laughed: "Hahahaha! It's fine. Only after experiencing panicked escapes can a man grow to stand on his own!"
Then, his smile faded as he lowered his eyebrows and spoke solemnly.
"I'm not confident I can defeat that guy, let alone with Whitebeard there too… And…"
"Flame Wolf… Something feels off to me. Despite having completely different abilities, I actually sensed a familiar presence in his Haki…"
Beckman's pupils contracted. With Shanks' reminder, he also thought of something.
"Right… I had that feeling too…"
...
After a brief moment of thought, Beckman's eyes widened: "The Flame Wolf appeared right around the time that guy went missing!!"
"Given that guy's growth rate…"
Shanks said gravely: "Beckman, do you think… there could be a Devil Fruit User capable of simultaneously using both ice and fire, these completely opposing powers?"
Beckman swallowed hard.
"That speculation is quite frightening. If it's really true… Whitebeard is in danger!!"
...
Shanks nodded: "Yeah… I want to challenge Whitebeard, but I don't want him defeated by schemes and tricks."
"Let's retreat for now and find an opportunity to inform Whitebeard of this."
"There's a Marine spy in his pirate crew!!"
...
...
The Red Force's speed far exceeded that of a normal warship, likely equipped with some kind of acceleration device.
But Griffin was still faster and could catch up!
"Don't even think about escaping!! Shanks!!!"
...
Shanks stood at the stern, locking eyes with Beckman.
The fury in Griffin's roar was nearly overflowing, which indirectly confirmed their suspicions.
If it's that kid, then everything makes sense.
Whitebeard... you don't even know there's a traitor on your ship, you've truly grown old!
——
——
"Stop chasing! Rescue the crew first!!"
Marco gripped a crew member with each foot. The Whitebeard Pirates had many Devil Fruit Users who couldn't save themselves if thrown into the sea.
Griffin calmed down.
No matter how confident he was, he couldn't possibly take on the entire Red Hair Pirates alone. Even if he caught up, not only would he fail to kill Shanks, he might even end up humiliated.
Heh...
You didn't even hesitate to run away, typical of you, Shanks!
Next time I'll bring troops to surround you, let's see where you can run then!!
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