"Shanks! This is too much!"
Yamato shouted angrily toward the Red Force ship. "Do you really want to kill Uta?"
Huh?
Law looked at Yamato in disbelief.
"What a despicable man—to go after a child, that's just too low!"
Hancock followed with a sharp comment, her tone filled with contempt aimed squarely at Shanks.
Law's lips twitched again.
Had I overestimated you all?
No wonder the fight dragged on with no conclusion—like two brilliant strategists canceling each other out.
Ian flicked his hand dismissively.
That damn Shanks is seriously committed with this strike.
"Sorry, Ian."
Shanks's voice was cold. "Please help me deliver a message to that brat."
"She is already something unwanted."
Almost all the pirates behind them clenched their fists and grit their teeth, afraid to voice any opposition.
At this moment, their minds were nearly united.
Captain! Is it really necessary to go this far?
Ian lowered his head, glancing at Uta lying on the deck.
The little girl stared blankly, her eyes unfocused. Though she was not yet ten years old, at this moment, she looked like a walking corpse.
Looks like I don't need to deliver the message after all.
Ian forced a slight smile.
As always, everything is under control.
But now, the act must continue.
Ian cleared his throat slightly.
"This is getting more and more intriguing."
"The Red-Haired Shanks I know is not a man like this."
Shanks' brow furrowed slightly, his eyelids drooping along with it.
"Are you trying to say you know me well?"
"At least, I'm very curious to understand now."
Ian twisted his neck.
"What kind of extraordinary thing could cause a man like you to change so much in such a short time?"
"Could it be that you really found some secret treasure in Elegia? Tell me, won't you?"
"Then let me tell you!"
In an instant, the bow of the Red Force ship slammed down hard, like a meteor crashing into the prow.
The next moment, Shanks shot forward like an arrow released from a bowstring, piercing through the air toward the Golden Dragon ship.
So it's come to this, has it? How did I predict this?
Ian had no doubt about Shanks' care for Uta.
Then let me join you in this act.
Ian launched himself forward as well.
"Surtur."
The little fire spirit, which had been lying motionless on his shoulder like a doll, suddenly floated into his hand.
In the blink of an eye, the small fire spirit transformed, becoming a blazing holy sword that shone with dazzling brilliance.
"Divine Departure!!"
On Shanks' blade, black and red lightning of Haki continuously flickered.
Ian's Conqueror's Haki was also infused into the blade, covering the shining sword surface with a layer of dark, ominous patterns, and thick black mist drifted from it.
"Laevateinn—Sunrise Blade!"
Boom!!
The clash of their Haki was earth-shaking.
The soaring surge of Haki naturally tore through the clouds in the sky once again.
Both crews on the ships below were no longer surprised by this.
It had become routine.
The ocean beneath was pressed down into a hollow by the terrifying power.
The overwhelming shockwave caused both ships to continuously be pushed backward.
"Can I take this as a challenge, Shanks?"
Facing the fierce wind, Ian smiled brightly.
Shanks remained silent, and the immense force of their clash sent both of them flying backward.
"Yamato!"
Ian shouted.
"Coming!"
A white figure descended from the sky. Yamato had transformed into a white werewolf and landed heavily on the ocean's surface.
In an instant, the surrounding sea for several kilometers was completely frozen, turning into a vast icy plain.
The landing point was instantly created.
Then Ian and Red-Haired Shanks both landed on the icy plain. Amid the biting cold wind, the two sword-wielders locked eyes.
"Are we fighting together too?"
Yamato asked eagerly, unable to hide her anticipation.
Ian replied casually, "That probably won't be necessary."
There was no need for the conflict to escalate into an all-out battle. That would only make things harder to resolve.
"Yamato of the Frozen Sea—she truly lives up to her name."
On the Red Force ship, Beckman took a deep drag from the cigarette clamped between his lips, then slowly exhaled a smoke ring.
"Those who hang around with Ian are definitely rare beasts."
"Beckman, is now really the time to admire the opponent?"
Yasopp sounded anxious. "What exactly is the captain doing? Are we seriously going to fight the Pirate King here?"
He couldn't help but cast his Observation Haki over to the Golden Dragon ship on the other side.
Honestly, he didn't feel there was any chance of winning.
Just the dozens of giant figures on the deck glaring fiercely were terrifying enough!
Besides the two giant leaders commanding them, almost all the other giants were ability users! Just looking at them was frightening.
"Shanks has his reasons."
Beckman remained unfazed by the looming crisis, calmly speaking and quietly puffing on his cigarette.
"Ugh!"
Yasopp scratched his head in frustration.
The Red-Haired Pirates weren't afraid of anyone, but Ian wasn't even here to fight, right? So why had it suddenly turned into a battle?
Yasopp suddenly felt a pang of sadness.
To make Uta hate us, do we really have to go this far, Captain?
"Since the swords are already drawn, I suppose the psychological preparation is done, Shanks."
Ian said calmly.
"At this point, what's left to say?"
A surge of Conqueror's Haki crackled violently along Shanks sword's blade, wildly sparking across the sky like furious black dragons dancing in the air.
"This guy's Conqueror's Haki is seriously over the top!"
Law shook his head hard. Even with Ian blocking, it still made him feel a bit dizzy.
"It's nothing worth mentioning compared to Big Brother Ian's level."
Jack sneered coldly.
But of course, no matter where in the world, no matter who it was, Red-Haired Shanks could never be dismissed as insignificant.
In the next instant, the two clashed again.
The swords clanged repeatedly, the dark lightning taking on a tangible form, ricocheting in all directions, ravaging the frozen plains around them.
At the very center of their collision, the ice shattered explosively, the broken chunks instantly dissolving into nothingness.
This guy, Shanks, has definitely gotten a lot stronger since the time in the Goa Kingdom.
Ian swung his sword while muttering to himself.
His Armament Haki is stronger than mine.
But my Conqueror's Haki is stronger.
After all, that kind of Haki is very straightforward—whoever is stronger will have a stronger Conqueror's Haki.
Overall, their Haki strength is pretty much even.
But this guy's swordsmanship is really good too. Though he can't compare to Mihawk, the power behind his slashes is still incredible.
If I want to defeat him, I'll have to get serious.
At the next moment, the two swords clashed again.
Suddenly, Ian heard Shanks's voice, "Ian, I have a request!"
**********
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