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The coast was unusually quiet.
Facing Daichi's soul-piercing question, the entire Red Hair Pirates, including Shanks himself, had darkened faces and remained silent.
It was too embarrassing.
They couldn't bring themselves to say it!
"Gulp!"
Rockstar swallowed hard. Since it wasn't his first time being embarrassed, he cautiously asked, "How about I do it?"
The officers glared at him all at once, almost scaring him enough to wet himself.
What trouble was a rookie trying to stir up!
Daichi crossed his arms, looking at the Red Hair Pirates with clear disdain.
Setting everything else aside, he couldn't lose when it came to presence!
However, he was quite puzzled.
"Why did this guy come to find me?" Daichi muttered to himself.
He did have the intention to provoke when he asked Rockstar to deliver the message, but according to his expectations, Red-Haired Shanks shouldn't have been angered by it.
Although he hoped Shanks would attack him.
In his memory, Red Hair was the most unpredictable enemy, with completely unclear motives.
Before the Summit War, Shanks had sought out Whitebeard to prevent Ace from going after Blackbeard. Later, when the war broke out, he stopped the Beast Pirates from taking advantage of the chaos and, at the last moment, brought the war to a halt.
Two years ago, Shanks specifically captured Loki, the prince of Elbaf, who was causing chaos everywhere. Also, whenever major conflicts occurred between various forces, Shanks would get involved.
In short, he was constantly playing peacekeeper.
If one were to describe him, he would probably be positioned as an "Ocean Mediator" or a balance-keeper. Even the Marines and the World Government had to give Red Hair respect.
The more so, the more terrifying!
Daichi was very sure that Shanks was definitely the Beast Pirates' greatest threat.
No one else!
In the future, if he and Kaido were to launch the world's largest war, Shanks would definitely intervene to stop it.
Just like the God Valley incident back then.
Even the Rocks Pirates, filled with powerful individuals, were defeated!
When that day truly arrived, Shanks would likely make the same choice as Roger, uniting with the World Government to wipe out the Beast Pirates.
The key was that he could actually do it!
This guy had Celestial Dragon blood, and his status among the Celestial Dragons was not low. He was the son of the leader of the Holy Knights.
Unlike Doflamingo's father, Shanks was forcibly abandoned in the lower world back then, and the Celestial Dragons were willing to accept him back.
Moreover, Shanks was already fully developed, and the Celestial Dragons had to treat him well and wouldn't use overly harsh methods.
Therefore, he was the number one enemy!
"Clang!"
Daichi's gaze turned cold, and he raised his hand to draw the massive sword from his back. "Since you can't say it, then this is clearly an invasion!"
Shanks's face darkened, and he gripped his sword tightly.
He felt the killing intent radiating from Daichi!
The problematic newcomer before him was even more aggressive than he had anticipated, showing no signs of backing down even against a Yonko.
He even wanted to start a fight!
It was unbelievable. Even the three All-Stars of the Beast Pirates wouldn't rashly start a fight against him.
It was as if he had been waiting for this moment!
Connecting it to the Beast Pirates' recent actions, he confirmed one thing: the opponent had immense ambition, far beyond simply being a pirate.
The last person who made him this worried was Blackbeard!
"Boss!" Lucky Roux nervously called out.
They were, after all, in Beast Pirates territory. If they started a fight here, the Beast Pirates' main force would arrive shortly.
It would be troublesome then.
"Don't worry, it won't take too long."
Shanks held his sword horizontally, the bright blade reflecting in his eyes, and his cold gaze indicated that he was ready to kill.
Seeing this, Daichi grinned, his arm muscles bulging, and he charged towards Shanks without hesitation, swinging his massive sword with all his might!
Shanks also swung his blade!
"Clang!!!"
The clash of steel rang out, and a storm-like shockwave swept across the beach!
"Whoa ah ah ah!!!"
The Beast Pirates couldn't withstand the impact and screamed as they flew into the sky. Only a few officers managed to keep their footing.
The officers looked on in horror.
Captain Daichi was actually fighting a Yonko!
"Quick, notify Kaido-sama!"
Even with all their confidence in Daichi, they had to notify Kaido now. The opponent was Red Hair, one of the Yonko!
In the center of the battlefield.
Daichi's veins bulged all over his body, his arms constantly trembling, and the door-sized sword was slowly being lifted by the opponent's blade.
He couldn't hold it anymore!
It wasn't a pure test of strength, but a clash of Haki. His Haki was rapidly collapsing!
"Sizzle~ sizzle~"
Red Haki lightning spread from Shanks's blade, quickly extending to Daichi's side, even invading his body.
"My body... can't move!"
"This is the Haki of Red Hair, a Yonko!"
Daichi's eyes were fierce, his body surged with power, and he instantly transformed into his hybrid form. The violent power surging within him instantly dispelled Shanks's Haki!
His body was under his control!
"Oh oh oh!!!"
Daichi roared as he swung his sword. After transforming, not only did his strength increase, but his Haki intensity also improved significantly.
So what if he was a Yonko!
His goal was for everyone in the world to pay him tribute!
Their capacities were different!
"Clang clang clang!!!"
Swords and blades clashed fiercely!
Winds rose and clouds gathered, waves churned!
Just the aftermath of their battle destroyed everything around them.
Shanks parried the incoming massive sword with ease, feeling no great pressure, but his heart was slowly sinking.
Very strong!
And he felt Daichi's violent Conqueror's Haki. Although he hadn't fully mastered its use, at his age, he would undoubtedly reach the pinnacle in due time.
The title of "Strongest Newcomer" wasn't an exaggeration from Whitebeard. The opponent indeed possessed comparable potential and power.
"Clang!!!"
The massive sword was swept aside!
Shanks took a fierce step forward, positioning himself directly beneath Daichi. He gripped his sword in his right hand, placing it on his left side to gather strength, and his Conqueror's Haki surged out wildly.
Like a spreading griffin!
Daichi's pupils contracted, and he brought his massive sword back to guard in front of him.
The next moment, a crimson Conqueror's Haki slash swept across his body!
"Divine Departure!!!"
"Pfft!"
Daichi spat out blood, his massive sword broke into two pieces, and under an indescribable impact, his body flew backward. "Boom! Boom! Boom!"
Trees, rocks...
Daichi's body, carrying tremendous force, shattered everything in its path, finally crashing like a meteor into the nearest mountain!
"Boom!!!"
A red streak of light flashed, and the entire mountaintop exploded!
"Captain Daichi!" The pirates turned pale with fright.
On Shanks's side, the officers were also somewhat startled.
"Boss, you went too far!"
"Are we going to war with the Beast Pirates?"
"Is that guy dead?!"
If Daichi the Destroyer was killed, Kaido would never let it go.
"Sorry, I went a little overboard." Shanks slowly sheathed his sword and turned to leave.
"Let's go."
"Right!" The officers immediately followed.
On the Beast Pirates' side, the crew surrounded Yamato, anxiously asking, "Yamato-sama, what should we do?"
"Wait first." Yamato looked at the smoke-shrouded mountain.
Although she was worried, she believed Daichi wouldn't be defeated that easily. Her father would arrive soon.
The Red Force hoisted its sails and began to set sail with the wind.
However, the clouds suddenly dissipated.
The wind also stopped.
Shanks and his officers' faces changed dramatically, and they all turned back to look at the island. A gigantic red monster burst out of the mountain!
"Roar roar!!!"
Groudon stood on the flattened mountaintop, roaring angrily at the sky, then its crimson eyes fixed on the Red Force, and a dazzling light gathered in its mouth!
"Good grief!" Foreseeing a future of destruction, Shanks immediately rushed to the stern, leaped onto the deck, and sprang into mid-air, drawing his sword and swinging it with all his might!
Almost at the same time, a massive energy beam streaked across the island, curving towards the Red Force, its dazzling light completely engulfing the ship!
"Clang!!"
The beam, centered on the ship, split into two on either side!
"Boom boom boom!!!"
The sea exploded, and two massive trenches extended as far as the eye could see!
The energy beam gradually faded after a full three seconds.
"Gurgle~"
The waves churned like muffled thunder.
Shanks landed on the deck, staring at the gigantic red monster on the island, seawater mixed with sweat sliding down his forehead.
What a terrifying newcomer!