Ayanami Kaito narrowed his eyes sharply and asked coldly, "Waiting for someone?
What!
Waiting for me?"
"No!" Shanks immediately shook his head.
"No?
Then why did you stop our pirate ship?" Kaito's voice was low, tinged with disdain.
Shanks hurriedly waved his hands.
"No, no, no!
I just wanted to ask—where are your pirate ships heading?"
It was best not to fight unless necessary.
If a battle broke out, the Beasts Pirates might come crashing in—overwhelming odds for Red‑Hair Pirates alone.
Kaito curled his lips into a slight smile, hatred burning in his eyes.
"Think carefully.
If you're not an idiot, you should be able to guess.
With the Ace incident, Whitebeard and the Marines clash.
Do you really think such a major event wouldn't draw us in?"
"Sure enough," Shanks murmured, his expression growing serious.
"I don't want you to go there," he added quietly.
"When you say that, what do you mean?" Kaito's voice was ice‑cold.
"Saving Ace will be a battle between the Marines and Whitebeard.
If you bring your unpredictability into the mix, the seas might descend into chaos."
"It could trigger an uncontrollable chain reaction."
Shanks stepped forward, tone firm, gaze unwavering.
"For the sake of peace and the future stability of the seas, I don't want you wrecking the fragile balance the Emperors and Marines wrestled so hard to forge."
"The balance between the Emperors and Marines?
Did you get kicked in the head by a donkey?
That balance is already shattered thanks to Whitebeard and the Marines!
Do you really believe we can save it by keeping me away?" Kaito sneered.
Shanks pulled out his sword, the blade gleaming ominously in the sunlight.
His voice grew heavy, determined:
"Turning back now is the only way to survive."
Behind him, Shanks's crew drew their weapons, silence hanging in the air like a storm ready to break.
Kaito brought his hands together in a slow, mocking clap.
The sound echoed across the deck, chilling.
"You want to fight?
Fine.
My crew will accompany me to the end.
Come out!"
From the shadows, Bullet stepped forward first, his voice low yet taunting.
"Finally, I get to stretch.
You suffocate me long enough."
He looked at Shanks and grinned grimly.
"Yo.
Long time no see, Shanks."
Shanks relaxed slightly, recognition in his eyes instead of hostility.
"Yeah... long time.
Bullet.
Never thought you'd end up with another crew."
Redfield, arms folded, appeared beside Kaito.
His voice was calm, cold.
"The Four Emperors rule these seas," he declared, eyes hard.
With the arrival of Issho and the others, the complexion on the Red‑Hair side remained unchanged—just as expected.
Then, heavy footsteps thundered on deck once more—this time belonging to Kaido and his allies.
"Kaido!" Shanks's face drained of color, shock and horror mixing in his voice.
How could Kaido be here, aboard Kaito's ship?
Did he swear allegiance?
Even Beckman and his crew, hardened pirates, paled at the sight.
"Trouble.
It's out of control.
Everyone, prepare to retreat!" Beckman hissed to Lucky Roux behind him.
Roux nodded, the arrogance gone from his eyes.
Kaito turned toward his adversaries with a contemptuous smile.
"Let me introduce you.
These are our new members," he said.
"You all already know each other, so no formal introductions."
Shanks scoffed.
"What?
The Beasts Pirates allied with your crew?"
"You think I'm joking?"
Maybe working together as allies could be tolerated—but merging crews?
That would shake the foundations of every pirate crew in the New World, including those of the Four Emperors.
Without the usual checks, the Kaito Pirates, strengthened by Beasts Pirates, could challenge any Emperor.
The balance would be broken.
Permanently.
Shanks's chest tightened, despair flickering in his eyes.
He exhaled slowly, voice low but heavy.
"You really pulled off something spectacular.
You defeated Kaido and forced him to Bend.
The world's waves push the next generation forward...
but this time, I feel old."
Kaito's eyes glinted dangerously as he leaned forward, gaze sharp.
"To each other, then," he sneered.
"Today our battle begins.
I will hunt every one of you across the seas, and the beginning of the end for the Four Emperors."
Before Shanks could speak, Kaito raised his hand and commanded,
"Go!"
In an instant, Kaido, Red Earl, Bullet—they all charged forward, steel and power erupting.
Shanks, Beckman, and their crew braced themselves.
Shanks's sword slashed through the air, light blazing with power.
At the same time, Red Earl appeared before Beckman, his red paper umbrella transforming into a blade of steel aimed straight for Beckman's chest.
Issho, Bullet, King...
Everyone locked eyes with their opponents, clenched fists or poised weapons ready.
The clash erupted—ferocious, chaotic, as fierce as any battle between top‑tier pirate crews.
Not far away, Kid froze, mouth dry, unable to believe what he was witnessing.
"What is going on?
How could the Beasts Pirates and Thunder's crew be together?"
Killer looked to him, face pale.
"Captain, no matter what happens, we need to leave—now!
The battle between three Yonkō‑level crews isn't something for us to watch.
Let's get as far away as possible."
"Yes.
Order the ship to get out of here and stay away," Kid nodded, trembling.