The skies above the Grand Line stretched in ominous silence, broken only by the howling wind that whipped the sails of their commandeered Navy warship. Shun Kaien stood at the bow, his arms crossed, the tattered Marine insignia fluttering mockingly behind him. His eyes narrowed as a crimson blotch loomed on the horizon, its silhouette imposing against the churning sea.
The Red Force.
Even from this distance, its towering masts and proud sails exuded an aura of absolute dominance.
Bullet, standing at Shun's side, let out a derisive scoff, folding his arms.
"That damned flag… crossed sabers on a blood-red field. That's Shanks' ship," Bullet muttered, his voice thick with both disdain and grim nostalgia.
Shun's lips curved into a faint, knowing smirk.
"Red-Haired Shanks. The deck-scrubbing brat from Roger's ship turned Emperor of the Sea. I figured we'd cross paths eventually."
Bullet's scowl deepened, old grudges bubbling beneath his skin.
"Hah. That runt? When I knew him, he was a snot-nosed nobody. Now the seas bow to him? The world's grown soft."
Shun's gaze stayed fixed on the Red Force, his expression sharpening.
"Maybe... or maybe he's grown into something neither of us anticipated."
Bullet arched a brow.
"You suggesting we avoid him?"
Shun snorted softly, as if Bullet had just cracked a joke.
"On the contrary... I plan to pay our dear Emperor a visit."
A savage grin tugged at Bullet's lips.
"That's the Captain Kaien I like."
Shun didn't return the grin, his focus absolute.
"The Red Force will make a fine flagship for us. Our current ride is more suited to pigs than pirates. And besides..." He paused, a glint of malice flashing in his eye, "I've been wanting to test the so-called Emperor's mettle."
Bullet barked a laugh, cracking his knuckles eagerly.
"About damn time."
"Set our heading. Maximum speed," Shun ordered coldly.
The skeletal crew scrambled, their faces pale as they realized they were being ordered to charge straight at the Emperor's ship.
The warship groaned under the strain as it cut through the waves, charging like a spear toward the Red Force.
Shun stood tall at the bow, his coat whipping violently in the wind, his mind already weaving battle scenarios.
"You think he'll remember you, Bullet?" he asked idly.
Bullet sneered.
"Doesn't matter if he does or not. Once we crush his ship beneath our feet, he'll remember us both."
They sailed in silence, the distant roar of the sea masking the tension that hung thick in the air.
Shun glanced at Bullet, noting the faint twitch of his fingers. The man was eager for blood. Shun shared the sentiment.This was no chance encounter. This was the opening act of their declaration to the New World.
And no Emperor, no Navy Admiral, no Warlord would stand in their way.