"Monster!"
This was the word etched in the hearts of countless pirates when they thought of Rowen.
As they watched the figures repeatedly vanish and reappear, clashing in the void with sparks igniting at every collision, both pirates and Marines were awestruck, unable to hide their shock. Their faces betrayed genuine reverence for the terrifying combat prowess displayed by both fighters.
The air surged violently, and the sea roared in fury.
Scattered sparks and the screech of relentless collisions melded with the dazzling lightning that filled the skies, resembling a scene torn straight from a natural disaster.
Shanks was reminded of a time long ago, back when Ace first set sail. He and Rayleigh had teamed up to trap Garp at Sabaody.
He could still hear Garp's words from that day: "He'll be a Marine worthy of his title! This era will end in his hands!"
Back then, even if Shanks felt cautious, he didn't believe there was much chance of that statement coming true.
After all, this world never lacks geniuses or pioneers— there are always a few in every era.
But now, looking at the current state of the seas...
BIG MOM and Whitebeard had both fallen.
The Marines' G-11 branch had established a stronghold in the New World.
The Fleet's strength grew daily, their power shaking the very oceans.
The Thunder-Lightning Stimulation Device had dramatically enhanced military might.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption rooted out corruption across the ranks.
And mysterious weapons such as the Pacifistas, Super Electromagnetic Cannons, and numerous other advanced war machines had spread across their forces.
The pirates had lost all ability to compete with the Marines.
Even the waves of young adventurers setting out to sea had been largely stifled. In the past two years, the only notable surge was after Mihawk's defeat, when a wave of swordsmen had been inspired to take to the seas.
Now, only the New World— thanks to the presence of Shanks and Kaido— remained as the last bastion pirates called their "homeland."
"Marine Year One" was no longer just a slogan shouted by a select few. It had become a concrete and undeniable reality.
"But… even so, there will always be those who rise and press forward!"
Suddenly, Shanks gripped Griffin tightly, his eyes shining with resolute determination.
But just as this thought steadied him, a streak of black lightning descended from above, slamming into the distracted Shanks and sending him flying.
Crash!!
'Heaven-Resisting Thunder Cry – Third Style!'
Boom!!
Rowen's form erupted into a bolt of lightning, his obsidian thunder halberd streaking forward, trailing droplets of blood.
Shanks managed to intercept it, using his sword to deflect the crescent blade, which only barely pierced his chest, slicing into his muscles but sparing his vital organs.
"You're distracted while fighting me? That's a bit rude, Akagami (Red Hair)."
Rowen sneered coldly, his left hand manipulating the painted pole, twisting it in a wide arc. The crescent blade now acted as a hook, ruthlessly pulling toward Shanks' neck.
The halberd— a long weapon by nature— offered versatility in combat. Its unique construction allowed for nearly a hundred different offensive techniques: thrusting, slashing, hooking, locking, stabbing, and sweeping.
Combined with the speed granted by the Goro Goro no Mi (Thunder-Thunder Fruit), it was an even more suitable weapon for Rowen than the Thunder Cloud Dragon Blade he once wielded.
Through countless battles against powerful opponents, Rowen had honed his skills with the halberd to the point of instinctual mastery, becoming a ferociously precise fighter.
Swish!
In the nick of time, Shanks ducked, narrowly avoiding the deadly hook blade. The razor-sharp edge grazed his scalp, slicing off a few strands of blood-red hair.
While dodging, Shanks didn't hesitate— he lashed out with a powerful front kick.
Boom!!!
His sandaled foot clashed with Rowen's massive, thunder-enhanced fist. The collision of their Haoshoku (Conqueror's Haki) sparked violet-black lightning in the air, an awe-inspiring display of power.
'Awakening Technique – Titan Mode!'
'Military Wrist Style – Thunder God Eight-Gate Cannon!'
Rowen didn't flinch as his first punch was deflected. If Shanks couldn't even handle that, he'd have no right to call himself a Yonko.
But this first "cannonball" punch was the weakest of the set.
There were still seven more to come!
Now that his enlarged thunder halberd had become cumbersome, Rowen discarded it without hesitation. He clenched his right fist and unleashed another devastating blow.
Clang!
Shanks quickly got to his feet, using his famed blade, Griffin, to deflect the second punch.
Then came the third, the fourth, and the fifth punch.
Thunderous clanging filled the skies as their blows collided. The sheer force of their clash created shockwaves that widened the distance between Shanks' Red Force and Rowen's Qilin, creating a no-man's land that no one dared to intrude upon.
"This guy…"
After deflecting five consecutive punches, Shanks' expression turned grim.
It was rumored that BIG MOM had suffered greatly under this relentless assault in the past. The enormous crater in her abdomen— a stark contradiction to her "Steel Balloon" nickname— was a testament to the devastating power of this technique. Shanks had prepared extensively to defend against it.
Yet now, facing Rowen's enhanced strength, Shanks realized something shocking. By the fifth punch, his defensive stance was already on the verge of collapse.
And the sixth punch was already upon him.
Thunderstorms raged as colossal bolts entwined around Rowen's electrified giant arm. It resembled a massive drill imbued with the roar of a hurricane and the crackle of lightning, bearing down on Shanks with unrelenting ferocity.
In that moment, as the devastating fist closed in, Shanks came to a stark realization:
This chain of strikes couldn't be taken head-on. The increasing force of each punch grew geometrically stronger, culminating in a power that was nearly unstoppable!
The best way to counter this attack is to interrupt it while the initial punches are still weak— before the momentum of his full-on assault can build.
Not to handle it as perfectly as one believes, only to find oneself cornered.
But...
"I am Shanks!!!"
With no retreat available, there was no need to retreat further.
Behind him stood his crew. With his right hand, Shanks traced an arc across his chest with his sword, pressing the hilt against his left chest. Twisting his wrist, he pointed the blade's tip directly at the incoming Iron Fist.
"Hah!"
With a loud roar, Shanks channeled his entire Haki, coating both Griffin and his arm in a pitch-black sheen that gleamed like metal.
He thrust with full force!
Ssshh…
The sharp tip of the sword met the fist head-on. Shanks immediately felt a wave of numbness spread through his arm as the terrifying power of the impact reverberated through his bones, making him cough up blood.
But at the same time, he felt it—Griffin's blade tip seemed to sink into the fist like it was piercing a swamp, halting its advance.
This meant his blade had broken through the attack, tearing into the opponent's flesh and successfully halting the punch.
However, at that moment...
"Heh!"
A light chuckle came from within the storm of thunder. Rowen's left fist clenched tight and smashed sideways into Shanks' torso, landing a direct hit.
It was the seventh punch!
Bang! Crack!!
The crisp, sharp sound echoed as the surrounding air was forcibly pushed outward, forming a flat, plate-shaped cloud of dust and smoke. The terrifying shockwave rippled in all directions.
The two massive ships were instantly pushed over a thousand meters apart, shaking violently. The sea erupted into a misty white haze, obscuring any view of the battle's interior.
The enormous vessels swayed so intensely that the deck tilted over 60 degrees. Thankfully, the Qilin's balance system was robust; even at such a sharp angle, it managed to stabilize and return to the water's surface.
Rob Lucci leaped off a cabin wall to land back on the deck. Once steady, his eyes flickered with shock as he looked up and asked:
"Did the Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)… win?"
The power of that punch was incomprehensible! Even for Shanks, the former Yonko and now widely recognized as the "World's Greatest Pirate," it seemed unlikely he could have emerged unscathed.
"Win? You underestimate them, Lucci."
Despite the violent rocking of the ship, Zero's figure remained steady and unwavering.
Turning his head toward Lucci, he raised an eyebrow and said, "At the same age, even Whitebeard wasn't as terrifying as Shanks."
"That man is not someone who will fall so easily."
As if to confirm his words, a sudden surge of overwhelming Haki burst forth, tearing through the lingering white mist. The oppressive force scattered the fog like a physical shockwave, revealing the figures within.
There stood the giant, thunder-shrouded Rowen in his striking posture, mid-punch.
And opposite him, embedded into the deck by his feet but completely unmoved, was Shanks.
Griffin was still lodged in Rowen's right fist, though Shanks' hand no longer gripped its hilt.
Shanks maintained his outward punching stance as though leaning on a wall to catch his breath. Yet he had forcefully stopped the Iron Fist's advance, keeping it just outside his body!
"Cough, cough!"
Blood trickled from the corner of Shanks' mouth as he coughed twice, then lifted his head. A bold, unrestrained grin spread across his face, brimming with defiance.
"An impressive technique! But the power was just a little lacking..."
"Oh, is that so?"
Rowen remained unmoved, his icy gaze locked onto Shanks.
"Then let's continue!"
(End of Chapter)
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