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The clouds dispersed, and the scorching sun hung in the sky.
"ROOOAAARRR!"
The massive Groudon appeared, its heavy claws crushing the earth as it roared at the approaching Red Hair Pirates!
Things were different now. The Beast Pirates had ample fighting strength, and it was time to overwhelm others with their power. Even if it meant war with a Yonko, they had to expand as quickly as possible.
Maintaining the balance of the New World was no different from boiling a frog in warm water. Only by continuously accumulating power could they gain the capital to contend with the World Government.
"BANG!"
Daichi suddenly felt a sharp pain, a huge wave of air burst from his shoulder, and a dark bullet spun rapidly on his shoulder, creating a shower of sparks!
It was Benn Beckman!
"What a tough body!"
On the Red Force's deck, Beckman held his smoking pistol, astonished that the bullet failed to penetrate the enemy's body.
He hadn't held back!
Such formidable hardness was comparable to Kaido in his Azure Dragon transformation!
"Not good!"
Shanks's gaze sharpened, anticipating a future scene. He immediately swung his sword at the air beside the ship, and the air exploded, the resulting shockwave pushing the ship to the other side!
"Precipice Blades!"
The next moment, a huge pillar of molten rock shot out of the sea, appearing where the ship had just been. Had they been a step slower, the ship's hull would have been pierced!
Shanks didn't relax and shouted,
"Defend!"
"BOOM!!!"
The molten rock pillar glowed with dazzling light, causing a violent explosion. A powerful shockwave, mixed with shattered rocks, enveloped the Red Force.
With their Captain's warning, the officers were already prepared and moved to shatter all the incoming rocks!
Shanks leaped to the ship's bow, rushing toward the shore like an arrow released from a bowstring. He adjusted his body angle to flip up and down in the air, dodging the continuously emerging molten rock pillars from below!
Gryphon gleamed in the sunlight!
"Here he comes!"
Daichi's eyes blazed as he spread his massive arms.
"CLANG!"
Haki-infused!
He would block it head-on!
Gryphon disappeared in a flash, and Red Hair reappeared!
"Divine Departure!!!"
A massive Conqueror's Haki slash tore across Groudon's body!
"Pfft!"
Daichi coughed up blood, his claws bracing against the incoming slash. His body slid backward, the Conqueror's Haki impact piercing through his arms, causing him intense pain.
But it wasn't enough!
"This kind of thing!"
Daichi roared in fury, his claws digging deep into the ground. His thick arms gathered all his strength, flinging the slash upward!
"BOOM!!!"
The slash exploded in the sky!
The officers' faces were filled with dread.
"He blocked the Captain's Divine Departure head-on!"
The last time they met, the Captain's Divine Departure easily severely injured Daichi the Destroyer. How much time had passed since then, and Daichi the Destroyer's strength had improved to such an extent?
Shanks landed on the shore, looking up at Daichi, his cold gaze as sharp as a blade, making one feel uneasy.
"What exactly is your purpose?!"
"It's simple."
Daichi replied coldly, "As long as you hand over the island's operating rights to us, the Beast Pirates, we will immediately withdraw!"
"I can't do that."
Shanks slowly shook his head.
He had given his flag to many islands. If he gave up the island's operating rights, it would be a betrayal of the followers who trusted him.
Red Hair drew his sword again.
"Daichi the Destroyer, you are too aggressive. If you and I start a war, this crazy era will become uncontrollable!"
"What's there to be afraid of!"
Daichi shrank into his hybrid form, picking up his newly forged greatsword.
In this rotten world, breaking the balance was the only way to find a new path. Those who didn't want to take sides shouldn't stand in high positions!
Both stepped forward simultaneously, swinging their weapons!
"CLANG!!!"
The greatsword and blade collided, and a terrifying Haki impact swept across the entire sea, as if even the sky was about to split open!
However, the clear sky could not show the intensity of the battle.
Daichi's entire body emitted heat waves, and his arms, wielding the greatsword, rapidly heated up, emitting a scorching glow.
This time, his greatsword would not be cut!
"CLANG!"
The sword and blade simultaneously separated, and the aftershocks of the slashes spread in all directions.
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!"
A circular, violent explosion enveloped them both in the center!
"That bastard!"
The sea churned violently. The officers gripped the ship's railing to steady themselves, gazing nervously at the fierce battle on shore.
No one expected that Daichi the Destroyer would withstand the Captain's attack.
"Vice Captain, we—"
"Calm down, don't lose your composure!"
Beckman took a deep drag from his cigarette.
That Daichi was indeed incredibly strong. Even if Shanks wanted to defeat him, it would probably take a considerable amount of time.
Although he wanted to support Shanks, there were other enemies awaiting them.
Beckman turned to look into the depths of the sea.
Upon seeing Beckman's actions, the officers were startled and quickly turned to look at the sea.
Darkness was approaching!
Dark thunderclouds rolled in, and below them, the rapidly approaching Beast Pirates Grand Fleet blocked their retreat.
The officers were horrified.
"How did they get here so fast!"
"The Beast Pirates were already prepared for war!"
Beckman stomped out his cigarette.
Clearly, the Beast Pirates had anticipated their movements and had already set up a trap, just waiting for them to appear.
But even knowing it was a trap, they could only step into it.
If they avoided the battle, their flag would lose credibility, and their trusting friends would face danger.
Yasopp shouted toward the shore,
"Captain, there's no time!"
Daichi the Destroyer was on the island, and the Beast Pirates Grand Fleet was at sea. With their forces, if they didn't find a way to break through, they might be annihilated.
The position was too terrible!
And there was that man!
Everyone looked up at the sky. The rolling thunderclouds had already obscured the sky, and beneath the flickering lightning, the massive Azure Dragon was faintly visible within the thunderclouds.
"Wororororo!!!"
A thunderous battle roar echoed in the sky.
Kaido!
Just then, half of the Beast Pirates Grand Fleet's warships suddenly turned direction.
"What's going on?!"
Yasopp picked up his binoculars and saw a new fleet appear. The familiar flags made cold sweat break out on him.
They were the captains under their command!
These fools!
"Boss, we've come to support you!"
"Beast Pirates, we'll never let you touch a single finger of the Boss!"
"Don't think we're easy to bully!"
The Beast Pirates' large-scale operation had already caused a huge stir, and they had also received the news. Whether out of their subordinates' awareness or gratitude to Red Hair, it was impossible for them to hide.
Even if they could only share a little firepower, it was worth it.
On the Coastal Battlefield
Shanks was startled and looked at the sea.
"The losses are too heavy!"
In his vision of the future, in just a single encounter, the supporting fleet was annihilated by the Beast Pirates' cannon fire.
Without the slightest hesitation, Shanks immediately abandoned Daichi and rushed toward the sea, filled with anxiety.
"I must make it!"
When he returned to the Red Force and tried to jump forward again, the Beast Pirates Grand Fleet, facing them, had already begun firing!
"BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!!!"
In just one volley, over twenty pirate ships that had come to support were engulfed by cannonballs and burst into flames.
Completely wiped out!
Neither in fleet size nor in ship dimensions and cannon power were the two sides on the same level. It was no different from suicide.
Shanks stopped, standing on the mast for a long time without speaking, his hanging hair covering his face, showing no emotion.
After a long while, Shanks raised his head.
An extremely furious gaze enveloped the Beast Pirates Grand Fleet!
"WAAAH!"
The pirates foamed at the mouth, falling one after another. Even the True Headliners couldn't withstand this terrifying surge of will!
"Conqueror's Haki!"
Who's-Who and Sasaki stepped back, kneeling on one knee, their eyes filled with horror, unable to believe they could hardly bear Red Hair's Haki.
"Yonko, Red-Haired Shanks!"