In truth, dealing with the beast-like Shanks was actually easier now than before.
There was no real need to use an unstoppable killing technique like "Absolute Void Slash."
However, Finn was willing to show Shanks some respect. Although his current strength seemed quite weak, at least he'd demonstrated power that could be called world-class.
Then it was reasonable for Finn to "honor" him properly.
As Finn's palm brushed across the tip of Shindokutō's blade, the entire sword turned pitch black.
In the next second, Shanks' beast-like figure lunged again, fist flying toward Finn.
Finn didn't evade. He swung his arm, the blade tracing a dark arc through the air, slashing directly at the incoming attack.
Perhaps instinctively sensing the threat, even in his mindless state, Shanks abruptly stopped his motion and forcibly retracted his fist.
A flash of crimson appeared. Shindokutō's blade swept across his chest. The extremely powerful Conqueror's Haki coating proved completely useless, cut open directly by Shindokutō, followed by flesh and blood.
If not for that instinctive halt, this blow would have nearly killed him outright.
Perhaps the intense pain stimulated Shanks, or perhaps the dangerous aura jolted his consciousness.
In any case, after the blade fell, Shanks' rolled-back eyes quickly returned to normal. He cried out in pain, raising his hand to cover the thirty-centimeter wound across his chest.
"Oh? You're awake?" Finn said with a slight smile.
However, he was somewhat surprised that after Shanks regained consciousness, the Conqueror's Haki wrapped around him didn't dissipate. It continued venting uncontrollably.
Shanks pressed his hands against his chest, but he couldn't stop the bleeding at all. After the initial shock of pain subsided, he looked at his palms in surprise.
Conqueror's Haki infusion?
Looking more closely, why was it covering his entire body?
And he didn't feel tired at all?
"What is this?" Shanks looked at Finn, confusion evident in his tone.
Finn seemed to be in a good mood. He even explained.
"Perhaps you activated your instincts while unconscious? Talent? Or maybe you overdrew from some deep reserve? Who knows? But the power of your Conqueror's Haki is genuinely extraordinary. In terms of total volume, it's even greater than Whitebeard's when I faced him. It's just that you seem unable to control this power properly. Otherwise, your strength could genuinely be called top-tier," Finn said pleasantly.
"Really?" Shanks murmured, then said, "In any case, it was under your overwhelming pressure that I awakened this power. Thank you."
"You're welcome. Enjoy experiencing this power while you can, because this might be the last time you use it," Finn said with a calm smile.
"That remains to be seen..." Shanks muttered quietly, then looked toward Gryphon lying on the ground not far away.
Finn noticed his gaze. Holding Shindokutō wreathed in black light in one hand, he casually waved his other hand. "Go ahead."
"Thank you." Shanks nodded, then took several steps and retrieved his blade.
Although he knew Finn wasn't in any hurry to capture him, he still appreciated Finn's magnanimity.
After gripping Gryphon firmly, Shanks squeezed hard. The Conqueror's Haki quickly wrapped around the blade's edge.
With a light swing, Gryphon's edge swept across the ground, the tremendous force carving a smooth cut through the earth.
"Are you ready?" Finn, seeing this, even asked politely.
Shanks' expression shifted subtly. "It seems you're still very confident you can defeat me?"
"To be honest, yes," Finn nodded simply.
"Is it because of your pitch-black blade?" Shanks looked at Shindokutō in Finn's hand.
Compared to before, Finn was obviously stronger now, or rather, the duration he could maintain the technique "Absolute Void Slash" had grown longer.
That's why he could chat so calmly with Shanks while holding this ultimate technique active, instead of rushing to finish him immediately.
"This sword is called Shindokutō, known as the strongest demon blade. The black light coating it is called Absolute Void Slash, transformed through my ability. This should be your first time seeing it. After all, I rarely use it. So far, no one—whether Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, or even the strongest man Whitebeard—can block this technique." Finn paused deliberately. "The reason I've given you so much time and spoken with you so calmly is because I believe you won't be able to block the next strike either."
"Shindokutō... Absolute Void Slash." Shanks murmured softly. Then a fierce gleam flashed through his eyes. He ignored the blood flowing from the wound on his chest, gripped his blade's hilt with both hands, and said, "I think I might block it!"
The moment he finished speaking, the Conqueror's Haki wrapped around his body rapidly concentrated onto Gryphon. This man was genuinely gifted. In just these brief moments, he'd begun to initially control the power erupting from within him.
Neither side spoke again. As their momentum built, the atmosphere around them grew increasingly oppressive.
Finally, Shanks lost patience first. He stomped hard and rushed toward Finn. Simultaneously, Gryphon in his hands emitted piercing light and overwhelming Haki.
"Gryphon Breaker: Wind Slash!" Shanks roared.
There were no fancy techniques, just a simple, devastating overhead strike descending toward Finn.
Finn made no unnecessary movements. No dodging, no blocking. He simply raised his demon blade. With a single motion, he met Shanks' Gryphon head-on.
"To save others and yourself, first save the heart..." Finn said softly.
The two blades collided instantly. Then, in Shanks' disbelieving eyes, he watched Finn's Shindokutō completely ignore the powerful Conqueror's Haki coating his blade.
At the moment of contact, the black light seemed to devour the Haki entirely. There was no resistance whatsoever. Shindokutō cut through the Haki's power and struck Gryphon's blade directly.
Then Gryphon, one of the great swords, seemed to become nothing more than a cheap imitation. Words like "toy" and "paper-made" filled Shanks' mind.
Because his Gryphon was cut cleanly in half by Shindokutō!
Shanks had never imagined such an outcome. Now he finally understood that what Finn had said wasn't an exaggeration.
In this world, perhaps no one could block this sword. Charlotte Linlin couldn't block it. Kaido couldn't block it. Whitebeard couldn't block it. And he, Shanks, naturally couldn't block it either!
The sudden change shocked Shanks deeply. That Gryphon had been severed so effortlessly was beyond his expectations, leaving him unable to react for a crucial instant.
The next moment, Shanks snapped back to awareness. Frightened, he instinctively stepped back. He understood clearly that he couldn't block this blade. He could only dodge.
But by then, he'd only managed to dodge halfway. If he hadn't taken that step back, Finn's sword would have killed him outright. Though he'd avoided death by retreating, he was still a fraction too slow.
Sharp pain shot through his arm. Then two distinct sounds rang out: Gryphon's broken blade hitting the ground, followed immediately by a section of his arm, severed at the shoulder.
That's right. Shanks couldn't escape the fate of losing his arm after all. Without Luffy to sacrifice it for, he'd met Finn again instead.
Even with his extraordinarily powerful Conqueror's Haki, he still couldn't stop Absolute Void Slash.
His arm, along with Gryphon's blade, had been cut off by Finn!
"Ahhh..." Shanks clutched his severed arm, his expression twisted in agony. The pain stimulated his brain, making his eyes bloodshot.
Suffering such a catastrophic blow, combined with his inability to truly control the overflowing Conqueror's Haki, after he cried out in pain, the Haki wrapped around him rapidly dissipated.
At the same time, Finn swung Shindokutō sharply. The black annihilation coating the blade disappeared.
Then Finn executed an elegant flourish and sheathed Shindokutō smoothly.
His slightly mocking tone reached Shanks' ears.
"See? You couldn't block it, could you?"
Shanks clutched his severed arm, staring intently at Finn. Finn's gaze remained relaxed. He smiled and said, "I told you from the very beginning that if you surrendered, I could preserve your dignity. But you wouldn't listen. You even said I was underestimating you. Now you understand, don't you? You're far from it."
Shanks spat out a mouthful of blood after hearing this. He knew Finn was trying to break his will, saying this deliberately, but the words rang painfully true.
He'd recently defeated Charlotte Linlin alongside Beckman and the others. Even though they'd had numerical advantage, Shanks had still felt confident and elated.
Now, today, Finn had effortlessly severed one of his arms, completely shattering that confidence.
How could he not feel devastated?
"Universal Pull." Finn slowly extended his arm and grasped toward Shanks through empty space.
Shanks instantly felt his body move beyond his control, pulled by an invisible force toward Finn.
Before he could prepare any defense, Finn had already seized his throat.
"In the name of Admiral Rodriguez Finn of Marine Headquarters, I declare you under arrest, Straw Hat Shanks. Congratulations, you can enjoy the special treatment of a private cell in Impel Down for the rest of your life," Finn said with a smile.
"Kill me..." Shanks growled through Finn's grip on his throat.
"Go tell that to the judges on Judicial Island. I'm an Admiral of Justice in the Marines," Finn said dismissively, then tightened his grip, choking Shanks.
Moments later, Shanks completely lost the ability to resist due to oxygen deprivation from strangulation. Finn gripped his neck with one hand, lifted him up, and turned to walk toward the merchant ship at the shore.
However, after walking several steps, Finn seemed to remember something. He turned around, looked about, and after searching briefly, reached out and pulled in a certain direction.
The straw hat that had fallen to the ground, twisted and crumpled, flew out from where it lay and landed in Finn's hand.
He considered taking out his lighter to burn it, but after thinking for a moment, Finn smiled and said softly, "Come to think of it, I haven't given Luffy any gifts yet. I'll keep this for now..."
After carrying the half-conscious Shanks onto the deck, Finn looked at Hina who was waiting there. "Contact Sakazuki. Tell him we've dealt with Straw Hat Shanks. I've captured him. Let's finish this quickly and wipe out the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"Yes, Admiral!" Hina glanced at the miserable Shanks and immediately saluted.
After a brief pause, Hina looked at Shanks. "I thought you would kill him, Admiral."
"Hahaha, that's what I originally intended, but this guy is too weak. I lost interest. However, he is a former member of the Pirate King Roger's crew. Now everyone from Roger's pirate group is in hiding, but he kept making waves. Let's return and consult with Admiral Sengoku and the Fleet Admiral to see if we can use him to hook some bigger fish. If not, fine. Besides..." Finn smiled meaningfully. "Being alive is always more valuable than being dead. You never know when he might prove useful."
Also, that missing fourth Road Poneglyph—perhaps Shanks knew something about it?
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