The consecutive deaths of Scopper Gaban and Silvers Rayleigh marked the complete downfall of the Red Hair Pirates.
With Ash's reminder about dinner still hanging in the air, the Dawn crew grew even more ruthless.
During the chaos, Yasopp, who had nearly had his neck crushed by Kirk's hand strike, finally regained consciousness. After realizing that the pink-haired girl was still tangled in a fight with Beckman, he chose not to interfere. He rubbed his sore neck and began searching for a better target.
A sniper belonged in the shadows.
His sharp gaze swept across the battlefield. He quickly spotted Gaban and Rayleigh lying motionless on the ground. The sight sent a chill through him, but it also strengthened his resolve.
He needed to create an opening for his crew.
After observing the situation, he realized that aside from Shanks, every other member of the Red Hair Pirates was at a disadvantage. Some were already on the verge of defeat.
Yasopp analyzed calmly.
Ash remained outside the battlefield, clearly not intending to fight directly. The large man behind him and the golden twin-tailed girl in the sky were in the same category. Drawing any of them into combat would only make things worse.
Even if he supported Shanks or Beckman, it would be difficult to turn the tide quickly.
That left only one option.
Support the others.
Before that, he had to eliminate the enemy members who were not actively engaged in combat.
His eyes locked onto a target.
Yasopp slowly raised his musket and aimed at the pink-haired girl sitting on Beckman's back, with Monster beneath her feet.
"Hmph, pink hair. Easy target."
Bang!
He pulled the trigger.
What followed shattered his expectations.
The instant the shot rang out, the girl turned her head slightly, as if she had sensed it. Her movements were effortless. She raised her hand, her thumb and middle finger coated in Armament Haki, then flicked forward.
The bullet was struck midair and sent flying away.
Yasopp froze.
That shot had been precise, fast, and lethal.
Yet she deflected it like it was nothing.
The girl only glanced at him briefly before looking away again. It was then Yasopp noticed something strange.
She was not watching the battle at all.
She was lost in thought.
Her expression looked no different from someone casually thinking about their next meal.
Before Yasopp could decide whether to fire again or switch targets, his Observation Haki screamed a warning.
He reacted instantly, rolling aside with his rifle.
A powerful gust tore through the space he had just occupied.
Turning back, he saw a large figure charging toward him with an excited grin.
It was Fidel.
Earlier, while clashing with Beckman, Kirk had noticed Yasopp waking up. Without hesitation, he signaled his sister.
That warning gave Saff enough time to react. Using her Time ability, she deflected Yasopp's bullet effortlessly.
Fidel received the signal as well.
At the same moment, Ash spoke casually, "That one is weak in close combat. Use him."
That was all Fidel needed.
After being held back for most of the battle, he rushed forward without restraint.
Ash was not underestimating Yasopp. It was simply a fact that Yasopp, who specialized in sniping and Observation Haki, lacked strength in close combat compared to the other commanders.
For Fidel, this was a rare chance to take down a Yonko officer.
He would not waste it.
His attacks were fierce and relentless, forcing Yasopp on the defensive almost immediately. Within moments, their clash reached the intensity of the other battles on the field.
Not far away, Shanks and Beckman continued fighting Pini and Youki.
Then something felt off.
The battlefield had gone quiet.
After pushing their opponents back briefly, Shanks and Beckman exchanged a glance before scanning their surroundings.
What they saw made them pause.
Across the entire beach, only the two of them remained standing from the Red Hair Pirates.
Everyone else had fallen.
Meanwhile, the Dawn crew stood in small groups, watching their battle as if it were entertainment.
Shanks stood still for a moment, unable to process what he was seeing.
Even more troubling, his Observation Haki, which could glimpse the future, had shown no sign of this outcome.
That meant only one thing.
The result of this battle had been decided from the very beginning.
It had never been possible to change it.
Slowly, his gaze shifted past Pini and settled on Ash.
In Shanks' eyes, Ash was an existence that defied reason.
He had believed he had found the one who would inherit Roger's will, someone who would bring about a new era.
Yet Ash and the Dawn crew had appeared out of nowhere, overturning everything.
Why?
Shanks clenched his jaw, staring at Ash.
But the Dawn crew had no interest in his thoughts.
"You tired, Pini? Want to switch?" Youki called out after finishing his side of the fight.
Pini did not even hesitate.
"No."
He understood that defeating Shanks alone was unrealistic. Even deciding a winner could take days.
Still, he had no intention of giving up his opponent.
He attacked again immediately.
Youki shrugged, unbothered, and turned toward Kirk.
"Need help?"
"Yeah."
Kirk answered without hesitation.
Then he added, "But I want that gun. Don't break it."
Youki grinned.
"No problem."
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