The moment Vice Admiral Spider unleashed his Eight-Blade Style: Tempest Slash, the sea itself seemed to tremble.
Red-Haired Shanks didn't dare let his guard down. With a swift motion, he raised his saber, Griffin, slicing through the air with precise, fluid movements. In the blink of an eye, two crimson arcs of sword energy burst forth, crossing in midair.
"Crimson Cross: Tenfold Extinction!"
The two slashes collided head-on with the storm of blades, releasing a thunderous roar that shook the air itself.
A fierce gust tore across the deck. The clash sent waves crashing violently against the hulls, and the sailors on both sides struggled to stay upright.
"Impressive…"
Vice Admiral Spider's eyes narrowed as he lunged forward. His figure blurred, and in a flash, he was already in front of Shanks, their blades clashing in a brilliant shower of sparks.
The two men's weapons met again and again in a furious rhythm steel against steel, power against power. But the longer the battle went on, the more the Vice Admiral's heart sank.
The last time he had seen this red-haired man, Shanks had been nothing more than an apprentice on the Pirate King's ship. Yet now, his strength was terrifying. Each strike carried confidence, each movement fluid and deadly.
"So fast…" Spider thought grimly, his eight blades whirling defensively. "This man's grown too much!"
He had already faced countless pirates in his career, but few had forced him to fight with such focus.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Red-Haired crew fought off waves of Marines. Despite being outnumbered, they handled themselves with ease. After all, each member of Shanks' crew was an elite. Unlike other pirate emperors who built vast empires of underlings, Shanks preferred quality over quantity one ship, a handful of loyal companions, and unshakable trust.
Liam Ross, standing among the Marines, watched from the deck of the main warship. His expression was a mixture of awe and frustration.
"Of all people to run into… it had to be Red-Haired Shanks."
The inheritor of the Pirate King's will. One of the future Four Emperors. A man whose reputation would shake the seas.
And right now, Liam had to challenge him because that's what his accursed system demanded.
A digital chime echoed in his mind.
Ding!
Mission Triggered: Challenge Red-Haired Shanks using only swordsmanship. Survive for five minutes without defeat.
Reward: Mystery Chest.
Failure Penalty: Transformation Punishment Glamorous Bikini Outfit for one day.
Liam's expression froze.
"…Are you kidding me?"
This system had no mercy. Last time it disabled his elemental powers. Now, it threatened to humiliate him in front of an emperor-level pirate.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright… looks like I'll have to take this seriously."
If Shanks used his full power, Liam wouldn't last five seconds. But maybe just maybe he could negotiate some kind of fair duel.
"I'll call it… a 'gentleman's agreement.' No Haki, just swordsmanship."
At that thought, another explosion rocked the deck.
"Boom!"
The Vice Admiral was thrown backward, landing hard on his own warship. His uniform was torn, his face grim. He glared at Shanks, but behind that fury was something else hesitation.
For a brief moment during their duel, Shanks had him wide open. Yet the pirate had chosen not to strike the killing blow.
"Why didn't he finish it?" Spider thought, his jaw tightening. "He could've cut me down easily…"
"Vice Admiral," Shanks said, resting Griffin on his shoulder with a calm smile. "Is there really any point in continuing this?"
"You think I'll just let you go?" Spider spat. "You were one of the Pirate King's crew! Your destiny is Impel Down!"
Shanks chuckled softly. "My destiny is not imprisonment. It's the open sea."
Then he raised his free hand to his chest and offered a knightly salute. "Until next time, Vice Admiral."
Before anyone could react, Shanks leapt effortlessly back onto his own ship. His crew gathered around him, their laughter echoing over the waves.
"Damn it! Don't let them escape!" Spider roared.
But before his men could move, a suffocating pressure filled the air.
Thud! Thud!
One after another, Marines collapsed where they stood, overwhelmed by the sheer force of Shanks' Conqueror's Haki.
Liam's instincts screamed at him to move. He activated his perfect invisibility skill just in time, slipping away from the ship unseen.
By the time the pressure lifted, the Red-Haired Pirates were already fading into the horizon.
"Monsters…" Spider muttered under his breath, fists clenched.
A few minutes later, laughter and music echoed from Shanks' ship.
"Ha! That was a blast! You should've seen those Marines' faces!" a blond gunman roared.
"Don't forget, my swordsmanship's coming along nicely too," another bragged.
"Oh please," came a teasing voice. "You couldn't cut seaweed cleanly if your life depended on it."
Their banter filled the ship until Shanks himself burst out laughing. "Alright, that's enough. Beckman! Let's have a feast tonight!"
"Can I join in?"
A new voice spoke up from the edge of the deck.
Instantly, weapons were drawn. Ben Beckman and Yasopp aimed their flintlocks at the newcomer Liam Ross, now disguised in plain clothes.
"Who the hell are you?" Beckman demanded.
Shanks tilted his head, blinking curiously. "Huh? How'd you get on my ship?"
Liam raised his hands slowly. "I'm not here to fight. Just passing through."
Shanks grinned. "Doesn't matter. We're having a party want to join?"
Everyone turned to stare at their captain.
Beckman sighed. "You're too trusting, you know that?"
Liam chuckled despite himself. "Fine. But before that, Shanks, I'd like to challenge you… to a duel of swordsmanship."
"A duel?" Shanks raised an eyebrow. "You're a swordsman?"
"From the East Blue," Liam replied. "Your duel with that Vice Admiral inspired me. I can't leave without testing myself against you."
He smiled faintly, concealing his nervousness. "Just swordsmanship. No Haki."
Shanks studied him for a long moment, then nodded. "Alright then. Just blades."
The crew cleared space on deck.
As Liam borrowed a spare sword, Shanks twirled Griffin and said lightly, "Tell me your name, stranger."
Liam smiled. "Remember this name, Captain Shanks. I'm Liam Ross… from the East Blue."
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