At the far edge of the sea to the left of Enel, a tiny black dot appeared. It was the Red Hair Pirates' ship.
There was a trace of surprise in Shanks' eyes.
"As expected of a Marine Admiral candidate…"
His Observation Haki Killing technique was something even Kaido did not dare to underestimate. Soter beside Enel had sensed nothing at all, yet Enel had still had time to form a weapon and block the attack.
This peer of his… was a bit interesting.
Meanwhile, Gryphon collided with the pitch-black golden trident, sparks of Conqueror's lightning crackling between them.
Enel's face remained calm, but he was slightly startled inside.
He could not sense Shanks at all with Observation Haki. However, his perception range was extremely wide.
This island was also the closest to Bubble Island, so he had deliberately expanded his sensing range.
What he sensed first were several powerful presences on the Red Hair Pirates' ship. Then he realized something was wrong.
There was someone whose presence could only be felt through magnetic fields, completely undetectable by Observation Haki, charging in at a speed far beyond normal.
The feeling was strange, but he reacted instantly. He formed a weapon and raised it to the left.
His eyes narrowed as he let out a low sound. "What a terrifying ability…"
Shanks' lips curved slightly. "But it didn't hurt you, did it."
Enel replied calmly, "Just coincidence."
Shanks chuckled softly. "Is that so?"
Crackle!
At the point where the two weapons crossed, the lightning suddenly surged.
Boom!
A violent explosion swept out, and the entire cliff collapsed.
One red and one blue figure tangled together and shot into the sky. Lightning and sword energy exploded across the air.
Floating midair, Soter looked up and immediately took out a Den Den Mushi, issuing a full alert. At the same time, everyone was ordered to retreat to the warships.
The Red Hair Pirates' ship also rushed toward the island at full speed.
Lucky Roux jumped onto the railing, holding a huge piece of meat. He took a big bite and muttered, "This time, I'm getting my revenge."
That punch from Bullet still ached when he thought about it. Now that he had the chance, how could he let it go.
He finished the meat in a few bites, tossed the bone into the sea, and bent his body slightly.
With one step, he launched himself forward. His round body flew like a cannonball, smashing toward the retreating marines.
The others on the ship looked helpless but still followed, leaping out and rushing toward the island.
* * *
On the island.
Law, who was directing the retreat, sensed the incoming presence. His expression changed sharply.
"ROOM!"
Without time to distinguish anything, nearby soldiers and pirate corpses were all transferred onto the warships.
He then drew his long sword and slashed fiercely at Lucky Roux.
Roux grinned savagely. His entire body was coated in black Haki as he smashed through the enhanced slash without restraint and charged straight at Law.
"Your Haki is too weak, marine brat."
Law's pupils shrank. Just then, a barely visible blue streak rushed into his ability field.
Lucky Roux was still charging forward, the grin not yet gone from his face, when his stomach suddenly caved in. His face flushed red, and his eyes bulged.
Bullet appeared right in front of him, his arm buried deep in Roux's abdomen.
"Your Haki is too weak, fat pig."
Boom!
A thunderous crash rang out.
Roux's body flew backward like a baseball smashed by brute force, slamming into the others rushing from behind.
Yasopp's face changed. This was bad.
Bullet, in Demon Mode, turned into a blue streak. He moved several times faster than the already flying Roux and reached them in an instant.
Those threatening arms wrapped left and right around Yasopp and the ship doctor, Hongo, like brothers slinging arms over each other's shoulders.
The two were dragged by an irresistible force and landed back on the Red Hair Pirates' ship.
Tap, tap, tap…
Footsteps sounded.
With their necks locked by those thick arms, Yasopp and Hongo did not dare move.
After catching Roux, the others returned to the ship. Weapons were raised and aimed at Bullet. Beckman narrowed his eyes.
"This is really troublesome…"
That Devil Fruit ability of Bullet… it was nearly unsolvable. What kind of speed was that?
Their Observation Haki could sense him, but their bodies simply could not keep up.
Bullet ignored the weapons pointed at him. With his elbows pinning the two men, he calmly walked toward Shanks' seat.
The surrounding crew looked angry and ready to act, but Beckman stopped them.
Bullet sat down casually in Shanks' seat, still holding the two.
"I'm a bit late. But…"
A savage grin spread across his face as he stared at Beckman.
"Admiral…"
The crew bristled, but Beckman's expression did not change. He also did not dare make a move.
This was not the time for a final battle. He was not worried, but the situation fell into a tense stalemate.
* * *
High in the sky.
The golden trident in Enel's hand had melted at some point into a long blade.
Still coated in black Armament Haki, it clashed with Gryphon.
Clang!
The blades collided. Then, Enel's eyes shifted slightly as he smiled. "Your companions seem to be in trouble."
Shanks' expression tightened for a moment, but he did not seem concerned. "Ah. As long as I catch you, that's enough."
Enel murmured, "I'm being underestimated, huh…"
Boom!
The clashing blades erupted violently. A powerful shockwave spread outward, forming a white explosion ring.
They were both thrown back, adjusted their bodies midair, then stepped off the air and charged at each other again.
Slash!
Their figures crossed in an instant.
Enel's body shattered loudly, splitting in two like bubbles before vanishing.
On Shanks' side, he swung his blade upward without even looking back.
Thunder roared across the sky and sea.
A lightning giant hundreds of meters tall stood upon the clouds, holding a vajra formed of pure lightning. It locked onto Shanks and leaped down at extreme speed.
Below, the sword energy Shanks had just swung shot upward as well.
The slash, wrapped in Conqueror's Haki and crackling with lightning, collided with the lightning giant's descending vajra tip.
The impact and lightning storm washed over the dark clouds. Countless clouds were blasted apart, revealing what lay behind them.
A thunder god incarnation, holding a lightning hand crossbow, aiming directly at Shanks.
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