Strong!
Strong in every single way!
Though the sword fight seemed evenly matched, Griffin, who was in the midst of it, could fully feel the dominating level of suppression coming from Shanks.
...
The three most important components of Griffin's combat power were his Devil Fruit, his Ice Release, and his Sharingan.
The Snowfall White Wolf ability was highly compatible with his Ice Release, allowing him to manipulate natural elements in a way that mimicked a Mythical Zoan user.
When using his fruit's ability, the structure of his pupils would shift to resemble those of a wolf.
Moreover, this form had another benefit.
The structure of a wolf's pupil is different from a human's. The reason they can glow at night is due to a unique membrane and a reflective mechanism of crystalline dots on the pupil.
To put it simply...
While concealing the existence of his Sharingan, it could also amplify its Eye Power to a certain extent!
That's right, from the very beginning, Griffin had activated his Sharingan!
The enhancement to his physical abilities from the Devil Fruit, coupled with the supreme perceptive power of the Sharingan.
This was his strongest state, one in which he could even defeat some Rear Admirals!
But against Shanks, every all-out attack was silently dismantled and nullified.
...
Whether in physical prowess or swordsmanship, an insurmountable chasm existed between him and Shanks.
The gap between them wasn't just in age, but also in real combat experience.
Shanks was someone who had joined the Roger Pirate Crew as a child and clashed with countless powerful Pirates!
Just a few minutes of ultra-high-intensity combat made Griffin feel his stamina draining away like a flood.
And Shanks, on the other hand... he hadn't even used Haki yet.
...
"Marine, you're very strong," Shanks said seriously, not mockingly.
"But... this stage is still too early for you. Stop while you're ahead. I don't have time to play around with you."
"Run!"
What Shanks hoped for was balance. Before that time came, it was better for the seas not to be too chaotic.
Shanks had never held any killing intent towards the Marines who maintained order.
Just like his old captain, Roger, when encountering Marine warships, he followed the Pirate Code: run if you can, and reduce conflict.
Besides, he had just stolen the Gomu-Gomu Fruit and needed to take it to the East Blue to find the person his captain had spoken of...
CP9 didn't know the importance of that fruit, but the World Government behind them certainly did. They wouldn't give up, and their pursuit forces were probably already on their way.
...
Shanks hadn't landed a single slash on Griffin's body, but the mere clash of their weapons had caused internal injuries to Griffin.
He wiped the trace of blood from the corner of his mouth with his palm.
"Don't be ridiculous..."
"I'm a Marine..."
"What kind of logic is it for a soldier to see a thief and run away instead?!"
ROAR!!
The white wolf howled furiously, its sharp claws tearing a piercing shriek from the very air!
...
To fight on, knowing you are no match, was indeed a foolish act.
But the world doesn't wait until you're perfectly prepared before arranging an opponent you can easily defeat.
There has never been a battle with a guaranteed victory!
Unexpected disasters striking one after another—that is the normal state of the world.
If you retreat once, there will be a second time, and a third, until there is no room left to retreat.
Once that fighting spirit dissipates, there will truly be nothing left!
Griffin wouldn't be foolish enough to declare war on the World Government right now, but if he didn't even dare to draw his sword against a Celestial Dragon masquerading as a Pirate...
Then he would have died long ago on that snowy plain!
He wasn't betting that Shanks would show mercy and not kill him.
Before coming here, he had already prepared for the possibility of death!
...
I want to live, but not just to survive.
What I want is to find life in the face of death!
—
...
...
"Truly... stubborn."
Crack—!
A majestic aura erupted from Shanks's body, generating tangible black lightning.
The aura alone shattered the phantom of the white wolf!
Conqueror's Haki!!
A suffocating pressure rushed towards him, making Griffin's thoughts turn sluggish.
Chakra circulated wildly within his body, attempting to resist this pressure, but to little effect.
"It's over."
Shanks let out a soft cry, raised his sword Gryphon high, and swung, unleashing a powerful and swift slash of sword energy.
Griffin's body, however, was suppressed by the Conqueror's Haki, his movements slow. He could only watch as the sword energy drew closer and closer.
As long as he didn't resist the Conqueror's Haki's suppression, he could pass out and avoid it.
But...
At the very last moment, Griffin did not dodge. Instead, he raised his sword to meet the attack head-on!
Me, shy away from your blade?!!
—
—
Crack—
The Marine longsword, like a fragile piece of paper, was instantly split in two.
The slash landed heavily on Griffin's chest.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—
With a series of massive rumbles, Griffin was sent flying backward like a kite with a snapped string, crashing through one building after another and kicking up a huge cloud of dust.
There was no suspense. This battle ended in Griffin's crushing defeat.
"Griffin!!"
Ignoring Beckman's intimidating presence, Doll ran at top speed toward the spot where Griffin had landed.
...
Shanks did not press his advantage. Sheathing his sword, he leaped up onto the ship's bow.
In the process of leaping, he took a sheepskin pouch from his waist and threw it down.
"All my money is in there. If it's not enough, just put it on my tab! I'll pay you back next time I'm here~"
"Beckman, let's go!"
...
On the deck, the crew members who had been watching gathered around.
"Boss, if you're out of money, I'm not buying you a drink!"
"Hahaha! Getting extorted by a little Marine brat, how embarrassing, Boss!"
"That was a pretty heavy blow... Boss, is that kid dead?"
Shanks shook his head and laughed heartily, "He'll probably be laid up for a long time. It'd be a real shame to kill a guy like that, hahahahaha!"
"Oh, right!"
Shanks slapped his forehead. "I forgot to ask his name!"
...
"Uchiha Griffin. I asked," Beckman said, exhaling a puff of smoke.
"Is that so? Beckman, you also think that guy will grow into someone incredible, don't you!"
"It's obvious..." Beckman chuckled lightly. "If we don't get rid of him now, the Pirates of the future are going to have a real headache."
"Hahahahaha! Then let them have a headache!"
"Men, set sail!"
"OOOHHH!!!"
—
—
"Griffin! Griffin!!"
Amidst the ruins, Griffin sat slumped with his head bowed, the front of his body soaked in crimson blood that spread out half a meter around him.
Doll ran to his side, her knees slamming hard onto the ground without her even noticing. Her trembling hands touched Griffin's blood-soaked lapels, her fingertips shaking.
Nothing...
There was no breathing...
"Hey... you're not dead, are you..."
Gently shaking his shoulder, Doll's voice took on a barely perceptible hoarseness.
"Don't fall asleep... We agreed to have another match next month. If you lost, you'd let me be the Base Commander..."
"Hey! Don't fall asleep! You bastard!!"
Thud—
A hand with long, slender fingers pressed down on the back of Doll's hand, stopping her movements.
A weak voice sounded.
"If you keep shaking me... I'm really going to die."
"Your teammate is seriously injured and you don't call a military doctor... Have you been training that pig brain of yours for decades for nothing..."
...
The familiar sharp tongue suppressed the fear welling up in Doll's heart.
She hurriedly took out a Den Den Mushi, just about to dial...
...
"As for the doctors, I've already brought them."
The tone was laced with a certain laziness, yet also a reassuring steadiness.
A tall figure set down two trembling branch base medics, walked over to Griffin, and slowly knelt down.
"Colonel Griffin, you did very well."
That iconic bright yellow suit and sunglasses, that distinctive face you'd never forget after seeing it once...
Doll had seen this face more than once in the internal Marine newspapers!
Known to the world as a Marine monster, the strongest Logia-type ability user, the Glint-Glint Fruit user, the man of light...
"Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral! Borsalino!!"
In her extreme agitation, Doll even forgot to add his honorific title.
...
At this time, Shanks had not yet become one of the Four Emperors, and Kizaru was only a Vice Admiral.
But Doll knew some internal intelligence. She had heard that the higher-ups were already preparing for Kizaru's promotion to Admiral.
As long as a certain matter was resolved, they might even see the grand event of the Marines adding another top-tier combatant to their ranks within the year!
Griffin struggled to lift his eyelids, the corner of his mouth twitching. "Vice Adm
iral Kizaru, for you to appear here... you must have received the mission to pursue the Red-Haired Pirate Crew."
"Very smart, little guy."
Kizaru's fingertips touched the brim of his hat, lifting it slightly. His tone was as lazy as ever. "Chasing that guy is dangerous. So scary~"
"And..."
"Compared to pursuing a Pirate, I think protecting the future of the Marines is more important."