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"Hearing this, Shanks' face hardened. He forcefully shoved Rowen's fist away and lunged for Griffin, which was still embedded in Rowen's hand.
The block had been a close call. Even the "Steel Balloon" Big Mom had her organs ripped out by such a blow. Shanks felt the full force of the impact – a concussion, internal injuries, fractured bones. Pain lanced through his entire body, debilitating but not life-threatening.
'Dream on!'
Rowen smoothly sidestepped Shanks' advance. For a swordsman, the difference between armed and unarmed combat was night and day. If Shanks abandoned his grip to defend himself, reclaiming Griffin would be impossible.
Dodging Shanks' lunge, Rowen stomped on the prow of the Red Force and unleashed a ferocious knee strike. If Shanks pursued his weapon, this strike would leave an unforgettable mark – a deep, bone-jarring wound.
'How despicable!'
Shanks saw through Rowen's ploy. In his Thunderous Titan Mode, Rowen's every move was imbued with earth-shattering power. The rational choice was to avoid engaging at this peak, as his stamina consumption would be immense.
Charging in now would only play into his hands.
Reluctantly, Shanks abandoned his attempt to reclaim Griffin, leaping back with surprising agility.
Swoosh! Crack!
Rowen's knee tore through the air, producing a piercing sound as a translucent shockwave erupted, shaped like a lotus flower. Its power was undeniable.
'Tch, as expected, he didn't fall for it...'
Rowen clicked his tongue in annoyance, slowly lowering his leg.
Screech...
Griffin, deeply embedded in his palm, was yanked out with a swift, agonizing pull. Holding the famed blade between two fingers, Rowen sneered.
'This thing… Don't you want it anymore, Shanks?'
Towering over Shanks in his Thunder Giant form, Rowen coldly remarked, 'If that's the case, I'll just destroy it.'
A famed blade is still just a blade. Even the legendary Seven Star Sword was crushed by Luffy's hand, and the once-proud Saijō Ō Wazamono Thunder Cloud met its demise. In this world, no weapon is truly indestructible.
Hearing this, Shanks roared in fury, "Despicable!!"
Despicable?
Indeed.
Rowen didn't deny it.
But… so what?
What do your opinions have to do with me?!
Rowen walked a path of dominance. His only principle was simple: It is happening because I want to!
"Don't even think about it!!"
Just as Rowen's palm surged with electricity, preparing to obliterate Griffin, a figure darted across the ocean.
Like a snake or lizard, the figure leaped rapidly, creating a trail of splashes on the water's surface, arriving at the edge of the Red Force in an instant.
"Ben Beckman…"
Rowen coldly shifted his gaze to the Red Hair Pirates' vice-captain, who had approached atop the waves.
"I seem to have heard of this technique before… A combination of Marine Rokushiki and other martial arts, particularly the foundation of Geppo. It's called 'Pursuing the Waves.''
"I thought it had been lost for over a century. Never expected to see it here."
Unlike pets like Olga's Elizabeth or skeletons like Brook, Beckman used a unique technique allowing normal humans to move across the water as if on land, without sinking.
The speed was astounding, leaving the waves far behind, earning it the name 'Pursuing the Waves.'
'I've always said, as a vice-captain, you need to know a little bit of everything.'
With a grin, Beckman leaped up, landing on Rowen's arm. He spun in place and delivered a fierce kick backward.
'Hah!'
His target: Rowen's right hand holding Griffin!
Suddenly, Shanks noticed the murderous intent in Rowen's eyes. His scalp tingled, and he shouted in alarm, 'Watch out!!'
Griffin, clutched between Rowen's fingers, abruptly crackled with electricity and shot into the air. Encircled by radiant blue energy, it sparkled like starlight, its blade tip pointing outward.
"Heh, are you sure you want this?"
With a chilling smile, Rowen met Beckman's rapidly constricting pupils and tapped Griffin's hilt with his finger.
"If you really want it, I'll give it to you."
Zzzzz… Bang!!!
A brand-new Super Electromagnetic Cannon materialized, its blinding electric flash tearing through the void in an instant.
The blast struck Beckman directly. The horrifying lightning coursed through his body, charring him black in moments.
Seconds later, his scorched form fell like a dried-up husk, plummeting toward the sea.
Snap!
Rowen dispersed the electricity entwined around his hand, his expression calm but tinged with amusement. He watched as Beckman, pierced through the abdomen by the sword blade, fell into the sea.
"Beckman!!!"
"Vice-Captain!!"
The deck of the Red Force erupted into chaos. The crew, wide-eyed and horrified, stared at the blood-stained sea, frozen in shock.
"War is not a game. Life and death are unpredictable."
Dismissing his Titan Mode to conserve stamina, Rowen summoned his Thunder Dragon Crescent-Sided Halberd, gripping it firmly in hand. He turned to Shanks, who was leaning over the railing, his face filled with disbelief, and spoke sternly, "If you brought them here, don't show such a weak-hearted expression."
"If you act, see it through."
"Pain? Regret?"
"Where was this sentiment before?"
"I treasure my crew as well, my sensei, my elder sister Ainsen, my senior brother Shuzo."
"But I will never grieve their deaths in war!"
"Because it's with that resolve that I step onto the battlefield, again and again!"
Boom!!!
A torrent of lightning roared, painting the sky a blinding white.
"You've disappointed me greatly, Shanks!!"
'Awakening Skill: Dragon Confinement Heaven-Lock Array!'
An opponent's moment of hesitation is the perfect opportunity to strike.
Rowen intended to end the battle with this move and claim victory.
Buzz!!!
A low hum resonated across the vast space as the planet's magnetic field was disrupted by the gathering thunder. The sound echoed like the world itself was crying out.
Brilliant white light gathered on the Thunder Halberd. Rowen's muscles bulged as he slowly pulled back his arm, building immense tension.
Then, like a spring compressed to its limit, he released it in a sudden burst!
Sensing the overwhelming threat, Shanks turned his head in shock, attempting to evade. But the distance between them was too close. Dodging was no longer an option.
'Is this the end?'
Shanks thought to himself.
This era, in the end, would be destroyed by this monster.
'No, not yet!'
Just as the blinding light was about to pierce through Shanks, threatening to drag him, his ship, and everything into the depths of the sea, a shadow tore through the air with a mournful cry.
Clang!!
The Thunder Halberd veered off course, splashing into the sea beside Shanks, sending water cascading everywhere.
Snap!
Instinctively reaching out, Shanks caught the object that had flown toward him. The familiar sensation stunned him, and he whipped his head around in shock.
"Beckman?"
Shanks stared at the scene, utterly stunned. Then, clenching the sword hilt tightly, he turned abruptly. His mouth opened wide, releasing a beastly roar.
"You… bastard!!!"
The sharp blade slashed through the air, carving a deadly arc. Rowen, unable to dodge in time, was struck across the chest.
Hiss… Crash!!
Rowen was sent flying by the slash, crashing into the deck below with a heavy thud.
Shanks bit off the sleeve of his shirt with his teeth, tying back his unruly red hair with one hand. His gaze burned with determination as he stared ahead.
"Round two… begins!"
"Soryu (Azure Dragon)!!!"
(End of Chapter)