The clash between Kaido and Shanks tore through the sky, a storm of overwhelming force that shook the world itself. Both men understood how devastating their power was, so without speaking, they took the fight upward, far from the ships below.
High in the air, Kaido's presence was monstrous, a tidal wave of violent energy rolling off his body. Every strike he launched carried enough force to distort the surrounding air, each punch a mountain crashing through the sky.
Shanks' expression was dark and focused. His Western blade gleamed, scattering brilliant sword light that split the heavens. A sea of slashing energy formed around him, as if the sky itself had become an ocean of blades.
Golden-yellow Conqueror's Haki burst from Shanks, radiant and forceful. The majestic aura pushed back against Kaido's brutal power, the two overwhelming wills colliding like titans.
The shockwaves alone were enough to terrify everyone watching. Aside from Redfield and Issho, even the strongest fighters below trembled at the sheer scale of power unleashed above them.
The sea beneath erupted, forming a massive vortex as towering waves surged outward. It was as if the ocean had become enraged. The surroundings blurred into dust and wind, leaving nothing but the blue sky and blinding sunlight overhead.
Kaido and Shanks disappeared beyond sight in the next instant, clashing as they moved like living natural disasters.
"Not good…" Beckman muttered, frowning as he watched the two vanish.
A razor-sharp sword light suddenly swept across the battlefield. The air split open under the pressure.
"You dare lose focus while fighting me?" Redfield's voice drifted calmly through the chaos. "Worthy of the red-haired vice-captain, hm?"
His tone was playful, but his eyes were frozen cold. Beckman's brief distraction was enough to irritate him deeply.
"Sorry, but I can't let anything happen to our captain." Beckman's gaze sharpened as he drove his fist upward, bursting with force.
Boom!
The clash scattered the incoming sword qi, dispersing it with raw power.
Redfield raised an eyebrow. "You destroyed my sword qi. Looks like the old rumors were right—you're the only vice-captain among the Four Emperors whose strength rivals their own."
"You flatter me," Beckman replied seriously. Sweat formed on his brow as he quickly calculated their chances. None of the scenarios looked good.
Against Redfield alone, he needed full concentration. But with Bullet, Issho, and the rest of the enemy crew free to attack… no strategy he envisioned ended well.
Dead end.
Every scenario was a dead end.
A sudden scream rang out.
Beckman turned sharply. On the ground behind him lay one of the younger crewmen—long blond hair tied back, a scar across his left forehead, blood soaking his shirt. A massive saber-toothed tiger and a python stood over him, their killing intent thick in the air.
"Ku—!!" Beckman choked out. Several of the Red Hair Pirates cried out in anguish.
A swarm of bats burst outward, forming a long whip that cracked through the air like thunder.
Beckman reacted a split-second too late. Distracted by grief, he couldn't fully evade. The bat-formed whip lashed across his face.
Snap!
A crisp sound echoed. The strike didn't cause much physical damage…
But half of Beckman's face began to wrinkle and age rapidly, becoming lifeless and old in an instant.
One side of him remained youthful, full of strength.
The other side shriveled into a deathly gray mask.
Those watching felt a chill crawl down their spines.
"Life… stolen," Beckman muttered grimly.
He had already snapped back into focus the moment the whip touched him, but it was too late—Redfield's techniques were horrifyingly precise.
"Vice-captain, fall back!" another Red Hair Pirates officer shouted.
Beckman recognized the voice instantly.
Lucky Roux, normally cheerful and relaxed, now spoke with fear thick in his tone.
Beckman's chest tightened.
More death would only free more of Kaito's crew. The losses would snowball until the entire Red Hair Pirates were crushed.
"If the numbers were equal… we wouldn't be losing so fast…" Beckman growled through clenched teeth, fury and helplessness twisting together.
"Roux! Is the evacuation ready yet?" Beckman yelled.
"It's not working, vice-captain! They're blocking the entire deck!" Lucky Roux shouted back, face pale.
Beckman's mind raced—then froze.
He finally understood the mistake.
Redfield watched him calmly, making no move to interfere. He didn't need to. Time itself was working in his favor.
Then—
"Right…" Beckman whispered.
He slapped his forehead and bellowed:
"Everyone in the Red Hair Pirates—jump into the sea! Jump now!"
The moment the words left his mouth, a head suddenly fell beside him with a dull thud. Beckman's vision blurred with rage and grief.
"Big Baboon!!"
The massive fighter, known for his monkey-like build and strength, lay motionless at his feet.
"Jump! All of you, into the sea—now!" Beckman roared, voice breaking. "MOVE!"
Both crews heard his order.
But Black Maria's voice slithered through the chaos.
"Trying to escape? Don't even think about it…"
Her massive serpentine lower body slammed down at the Red Force's left edge, forming a towering wall. Her upper body darkened with Armament Haki, blocking every possible escape route.
The Thunder Pirates were fighting on the right side of the ship.
Black Maria's snake-form blocked the left.
The Red Hair Pirates were trapped.
And time was running out.
Soon, the rest of Kaito's crew would finish their opponents and reinforce the assault.
When that happened…
Aside from Shanks himself—
the entire Red Hair Pirates would be wiped out.
---
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