Just then, Thorne Ashveil walked out of his room, looking clearly annoyed.
"I'm telling you guys, can you please quiet down for a bit? I finally got some sleep, and you woke me up again," Ashveil said irritably.
Red-Haired Shanks had previously read about Ashveil in the World Economic Journal. This, however, was his first time meeting him in person. As he studied the man before him, Shanks sighed inwardly. He didn't look strong at all. Forget defeating Fleet Admiral Kong and destroying Marineford—even an ordinary pirate looked tougher than Ashveil at first glance.
"You… are Ashveil?" Red-Haired Shanks asked, narrowing his eyes with suspicion.
"Uh, you're Shanks, right? You really don't need to be here. The Marines are already defeated by our Whitebeard Pirates," Ashveil replied casually, clearly uninterested. He noticed Shanks only now and didn't bother entertaining what he considered a foolish question. His indifferent tone carried an unmistakable air of superiority.
Feeling the disrespect, Shanks' expression darkened slightly. When Whitebeard spoke to him bluntly, it was different—they were both Emperors of the Sea. But for one of Whitebeard's captains to talk to him in such a tone?
The members of the Red-Haired Pirates noticed too. Their captain had come to assist the Whitebeard Pirates, yet this young man spoke to him without the slightest trace of respect or gratitude.
"Hey, you brat! Watch your tone when speaking to our Captain!" Lucky Roux barked angrily.
Ashveil rolled his eyes. He had always spoken this way—no one's title or reputation intimidated him. Not even Red-Haired Shanks.
Shanks raised his hand, stopping his men. He took two steps forward, speaking slowly and calmly.
"I heard from the Whitebeard Pirates that you're very strong—strong enough to destroy Marineford. Impressive. How about we test that strength in a little spar?" Shanks said, his tone deceptively polite, eyes sharp.
As one of the Four Emperors, Shanks' pride and strength were unmatched by ordinary pirates. Though irritated, he wasn't about to lose his composure—he would simply prove his superiority through combat.
Ashveil, however, sighed impatiently. Why were these strong men always the same? First Dracule Mihawk, now Shanks. Both seemed obsessed with testing their strength against him.
"You're too weak, Shanks. I'm not interested," Ashveil replied bluntly.
Every member of the Red-Haired Pirates froze. A Four Emperor—called weak?
Even Shanks' mouth twitched. Was this man truly that arrogant?
"Hey, kid, don't be too cocky! The man standing before you is Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, equal in power to your own captain, Whitebeard!" Yasopp shouted in disbelief.
But the next words out of Ashveil's mouth made Shanks lose what little composure he had left.
"I know who he is. But he's still too weak to be my opponent," Ashveil said coolly. He wouldn't have minded sparring if it were Imu or one of the Gorosei—beings whose powers remained unknown even to him. But Shanks? He knew exactly how strong he was. A powerful Emperor, yes—but nowhere near the level of the Pirate King.
"If you want to challenge me, at least be at the level of the Pirate King. That's not too much to ask, right?" Ashveil added, his tone dripping with casual arrogance.
Shanks went silent, a dark vein bulging on his forehead. Speaking to this man was pointless. He turned sharply toward Whitebeard, trying to keep his frustration in check.
"Hey, Whitebeard, aren't you going to discipline your subordinates?" Shanks demanded.
Whitebeard only laughed heartily, his massive chest rumbling.
"Gurararararara! Sorry, Shanks, but I can't help you there!" he said, amusement clear in his voice. "Ashveil is our ship's lucky star. I won't blame him for anything he says!"
Shanks' anger finally boiled over. "Alright, Whitebeard! You said it yourself!" He leapt onto the deck of the Moby Dick, releasing a terrifying surge of Conqueror's Haki. The overwhelming pressure cracked the ship's deck as waves of energy rippled outward.
Several of Whitebeard's crewmates collapsed instantly, overwhelmed by the Emperor's presence. Shanks smirked slightly, pleased to have regained some pride. Even Whitebeard's own Conqueror's Haki had never intimidated him. His crew followed him aboard, cheering loudly for their captain's display of dominance.
Shanks' sharp gaze locked onto Ashveil.
"Ashveil! I'll be having that spar with you whether you like it or not!" he declared, his voice booming. "If you refuse, then it only proves that all the stories about you—defeating Kong, destroying Marineford—were nothing but lies!"
He sneered. "And when the seas start mocking your name, don't say I didn't warn you."
The surrounding Red-Haired Pirates immediately joined in, taunting loudly.
"Our Captain is giving you a huge honor by challenging you!"
"Yeah! What, are you scared of losing, Ashveil?"
"Hahaha! He's just making excuses! Afraid of getting embarrassed, huh?"
The mocking chorus filled the deck. Marco, watching from the sidelines, only shook his head with a tired sigh. These fools had no idea what kind of monster they were provoking.
"Ashveil," Marco said quietly, glancing at him, "maybe you should stretch your legs a little?"
Ashveil smiled faintly, his sharp eyes flickering with amusement.