In truth, facing an opponent head-on is the greatest sign of respect one can show a legendary warrior.
"If that's the case, then I want to see for myself—just how much strength someone imprisoned in Impel Down for twenty years has left!" Shanks declared, unsheathing his sword in a single motion.
In an instant, a flash of sword light streaked across the deck of the ship. At the same time, dark clouds gathered above, casting a foreboding shadow over the entire area.
"Your opponent is me, Shanks!" shouted Douglas Barrett, unable to suppress his anticipation upon witnessing this dramatic scene. He had long been eager to test the strength of the man who had once been nothing more than an intern aboard the Roger Pirates.
Barrett's entire body was suddenly cloaked in Armament Haki. With a roar, he charged forward, closing the distance to Shanks in the blink of an eye.
Shanks's expression changed as he saw the brute force coming at him. He raised his blade, Gryphon, and with a mighty swing, released a blazing red sword wave.
Barrett didn't even attempt to dodge. He crossed his arms in front of him to block the attack head-on.
But he had gravely underestimated Shanks.
As one of the Four Emperors, Shanks had a bounty worth billions of Berries. The power behind his slash was tremendous.
BOOM!
The sword wave slammed into Barrett's Haki-covered arms, forcing him back several steps until he nearly hit the ship's railing.
His Armament Haki was shattered, his skin bloodied and raw.
Shanks had won that round decisively.
"Damn, big guy! He's not some rookie like Arlong! Don't just throw your face into his fist!" Renji Kai yelled from a distance, clearly exasperated.
He hadn't expected Barrett to be so reckless. Even the toughest Haki is no match for overwhelming force.
"Haha! I was just testing him. Who would've thought the Roger Pirates' intern would grow into someone this powerful? I like it!" Barrett bellowed with laughter.
He wasn't particularly obsessed with treasure. What he sought was to stand atop the world.
And to do that, he needed to crush every formidable opponent in his way. Shanks was one of them.
Everyone watching was dumbfounded. For Barrett to block one of Shanks's attacks with his bare hands?
They knew how powerful Shanks was. Not even Marine Admirals would dare block his strikes directly. Barrett clearly had the strength to back up his name.
"Alright, time to transform. Kid, watch closely!" Barrett said calmly.
Suddenly, a dark purple aura began swirling around his body.
This aura fused with his Armament Haki, and his entire body began to glow with a sinister purple light.
"What the hell? Devil form?!" Renji Kai exclaimed.
The mention of "Devil Form" made Shanks freeze. Then he immediately shouted to his crew:
"Everyone, spread out! Don't come near me!"
Barrett's Devil Form was a unique combat transformation. He merged his demonic energy with Haki, gaining a massive boost in strength and speed. Like a demon from the depths of hell, this terrifying power was one of the reasons he earned the title "Heir of the Devil."
It was also proof that Barrett was taking this battle seriously.
Barrett launched forward like a rocket.
"Devil Form: Ultimate Fist!"
He charged at Shanks with unmatched momentum.
But Shanks, a true Emperor of the Sea, stood his ground. He raised his Western sword once more.
Suddenly, lightning cracked through the sky.
A bolt of lightning struck Shanks's blade, and from it erupted a thunderous dragon-shaped surge of electricity!
The lightning dragon roared toward Barrett, who responded by throwing his strongest punch.
BOOOOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed across the sky. The ocean below erupted into monstrous waves that slammed against the deck.
The impact released a massive shockwave that sent several nearby crew members flying overboard.
When the energy dissipated, two figures still stood at the center of the battlefield.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Barrett, having dispersed the lightning dragon with a punch, had teleported beside Shanks.
The two began exchanging fierce blows—blade against fist.
Barrett suddenly lunged with a heavy punch aimed at Shanks's face.
Shanks parried with his sword, but...
CRACK!
The collision caused a loud, sharp crack. The deck beneath them began to split and shatter.
"Damn it, this is bad! Even if we win, the whole damn ship's going to sink at this rate!" Renji Kai muttered.
He quickly opened the system store.
Now was the time to find a flashy character that could end this fight with style.