Fidel understood Kirk's concern. He was worried that his childhood friend would struggle against a top-tier opponent in his first real battle and end up injured.
Still, relying on two newcomers who had only possessed their Devil Fruit abilities for half a year to defeat Benn Beckman was unrealistic. Even if Fidel joined them, victory would remain out of reach.
Fortunately, Kirk had no such expectations. As long as they could stall Beckman briefly, that would be enough.
The newcomers of the Dawn faction were not known for handling direct, high-pressure battles. But in chaotic, drawn-out fights, they excelled. Taking to the sky and unleashing relentless elemental attacks, they could keep going for days.
McKinley and Conis only needed to watch for Beckman's flintlock counterattacks.
Conis, a user of a Holy Light Logia-type Devil Fruit, followed instructions carefully. After Kirk warned her about Beckman's gunfire, she remained in an elemental state after attacking. To the eye, she appeared as a normal figure floating in the air, but in truth, she could disperse into countless particles of light at any moment.
McKinley, who lacked elemental intangibility and would have to endure direct attacks, relied on something simpler. His Ancestral Witch Devil Fruit granted him a powerful physique. More importantly, Conis's Holy Light Fruit, specially designed by Ash, provided exceptional healing. While her offensive power was limited, her recovery abilities rivaled even the Ope Ope no Mi in effectiveness.
Shanks had underestimated Kirk. He believed he could end the fight quickly, unaware that even Ash had acknowledged that no one in the world, aside from himself, could stop Kirk from escaping if he chose to.
A Space-type Devil Fruit was no trivial ability.
Although Kirk's Haki might not match fighters like Pini or Youki, his mastery over his Devil Fruit was exceptional. Feeding more than ten heavy eaters daily required constant use of spatial abilities. Over time, that power had been refined to an extreme level.
Shanks rushed forward at incredible speed, swinging his sword with confidence. Kirk vanished instantly. At the same moment, two gunshots echoed near Shanks' ears.
Using Observation Haki, Shanks reacted immediately, rolling aside and narrowly avoiding a flintlock bullet coated in Armament Haki.
He turned sharply and saw Kirk standing where he had been moments ago, but his gun was not aimed at him. Instead, it pointed toward Scopper Gaban.
Shanks' expression tightened. Kirk had missed his first shot, shifted space instantly, and redirected his second attack toward another target.
Looking at Gaban, the result was clear.
Locked in a fierce clash with Pini, Gaban had dropped one axe. His remaining hand gripped the other while pressing against a bleeding wound in his arm, pierced by a bullet.
Though Gaban also possessed future sight, Pini had kept him fully occupied. Dodging the first shot had already pushed him to his limit. The second bullet, appearing directly in front of him, was unavoidable.
At that moment, managing to twist his body and avoid a fatal hit was a testament to his combat experience and instincts.
Kirk's ability posed a serious threat to everyone on the battlefield.
Shanks abandoned the idea of a quick victory. Instead, he focused on restraining Kirk, preventing him from interfering with others. If he could do that, the battle might still turn in their favor.
The plan made sense, but execution was another matter entirely. No matter how fast Shanks was, he could not match instantaneous spatial movement.
The battlefield soon displayed a strange scene.
Shanks, the strongest fighter of his crew, chased Kirk relentlessly, while Kirk kept just out of reach, drawing him along while firing occasional shots at Gaban, Silvers Rayleigh, and Benn Beckman.
Ash watched from the side, amused. Kirk was using his ability with remarkable precision.
A shot aimed at Gaban could suddenly appear before Beckman. A bullet fired toward Rayleigh might emerge in front of Shanks instead. Each move disrupted their rhythm and forced constant vigilance.
This was battlefield control at its peak.
Kirk was dictating the flow of the entire fight.
Shanks quickly adjusted. Recognizing the disadvantage, he called out.
"Beckman!"
As the strategist of the crew, Beckman understood instantly. Without further words, the two switched targets.
Shanks bent his knees and launched himself skyward, heading straight for McKinley and Conis.
At the same time, Beckman fired two precise shots, intercepting the bullets Kirk had aimed at Shanks and Rayleigh. His skill matched his reputation.
Kirk halted, his gaze fixed on Beckman. What caught his attention was not the interception itself, but the weapon in Beckman's hand.
Meanwhile, Shanks closed the distance to McKinley and Conis almost instantly.
Conis reacted immediately. Remembering Kirk's warning, she dispersed into countless light particles and vanished.
Shanks noted the ability but did not dwell on it. Her power resembled that of Kizaru, but her offensive output was limited. She was not the priority.
Defeating McKinley would free Beckman to assist the others.
McKinley understood he could not evade Shanks' speed. Instead, he focused entirely on defense.
His body expanded into a massive half-beast form nearly five meters tall. His arms, coated in Armament Haki, crossed firmly in front of him.
Another Mythical Zoan.
Shanks clicked his tongue at Ash's excessive resources, but his attack did not slow.
"Shinbi!"
Black lightning surged as his blade struck.
The impact sent McKinley crashing toward the ground.
Despite the durability granted by his Devil Fruit, the strike severed both arms and carved a deep wound across his chest.
McKinley could no longer continue this battle.