In the New World, within the Red Hair Pirates' territory.
On the deck of the red force, the atmosphere was so oppressive it was suffocating.
Shanks walked onto the ship with a solemn expression, followed silently by Benn Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and other core cadres.
As soon as he found his footing, Shanks suddenly stopped, turned around, and his gaze swept over familiar faces.
"You don't need to follow," his voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable weight, "This is my private matter."
"Most importantly, the place I'm going is Holy Land Mary Geoise. If you follow and appear in the Holy Land, things will only get worse."
"Boss!" Lucky Roux stopped chewing his meat leg, he rarely put away his smile, and stepped forward, "Saint Ian taking Uta to the Holy Land is clearly a trap, the purpose is to lure you there! Aren't you walking into a trap by going alone?"
Shanks shook his head, his gaze sweeping past everyone towards the Red Line, and said with a firm expression: "Even if it's a trap, I must go."
"Over the years, I've owed Uta too much. I absolutely cannot let her fall into the hands of that Saint Ian. You don't know what kind of person Saint Ian is, but I know very well!"
Benn Beckman, with a cigarette in his mouth, took a deep puff and said calmly: "Saint Ian taking Uta at this critical juncture is clearly for the upcoming Marineford War. If you go with him, it will only escalate the conflict and put Shanks in a passive position."
After a slight pause, Beckman looked at Shanks, "Him going alone is the best choice."
As soon as he finished speaking, Yasopp suddenly stepped out.
"Boss, let me go with you!" His voice trembled slightly, "The news from the Holy Land isn't just about Uta... my son, Usopp, is also imprisoned in the Holy Land now!"
Shanks's gaze fell on Yasopp, and after a moment of silence, he said decisively: "Beckman made it very clear, only I can go this time. Any one of you following could incur the wrath of Saint Ian. His status is far beyond what any Celestial Dragons can compare to, and few in the current Grand Line can withstand his wrath!"
Saying that, Shanks walked up to Yasopp, placed his hand on his shoulder, and said with absolute certainty: "Don't worry, even if I can't bring Uta back, I will definitely get Usopp out of the Holy Land."
Beckman no longer delayed, and ordered in a deep voice: "Set sail!"
The red force quickly sailed away from the coast, its bow like a sharp sword, cutting through the waves and rushing towards the Red Line at the fastest speed... In the evening, the setting sun dyed the sea a golden red.
The red force slowly docked at the port of the New World G1 Marine Branch.
The entire G1 Branch had already entered a state of maximum alert, with countless dark cannon muzzles protruding from the fortress, all aimed squarely at the legendary pirate ship.
The Marine Vice Admiral in charge of the area stood in front of the dock, fine beads of sweat seeping from his temples. He had long since received orders from the Holy Land — to allow the red force to pass, but only Shanks could go through.
Watching the red force slowly approaching the shore, the Vice Admiral felt his heart almost leap out of his throat. The Marine soldiers behind him were even more nervous, their palms sweating, their muzzles aimed tightly at the ship's hull. If the other party made the slightest move, they would unleash all their firepower without hesitation.
Shanks walked down the deck alone, turned back, and waved to his companions on the ship.
"Go back, trust me."
The red force did not linger, immediately turned its bow, rode the wind and waves, and sailed away.
It wasn't until the skull flag completely disappeared below the horizon that the Vice Admiral of the G1 Branch and all the Marines breathed a sigh of relief, secretly relaxing.
Although they were prepared to fight the Red Hair Pirates at any time, they knew deep down that once war broke out, the combat power of the base alone would be unable to stop the Red Hair crew, known as the "Iron Wall Pirates."
Shanks glanced at the Marine Vice Admiral opposite him, and without further ado, got straight to the point.
"I believe you have already received your orders. There's no need for us to make things difficult for each other. Just take me directly to the Holy Land, and you can complete your mission smoothly."
The Vice Admiral nodded and said curtly: "Follow me."
The two walked one after another into the elevator leading to the Holy Land.
When the elevator reached its destination and delivered Shanks to the entrance of the Holy Land, the Vice Admiral did not dare to stay for another second and immediately returned the way he came.
As the elevator descended, Shanks, standing at the entrance of the Holy Land, did not immediately step out.
Because in front of him, two figures had already been waiting for a long time.
It was his father, the supreme commander of the God's Knights, Figarland Gringu-sei, and his elder brother, Shamrock Saint.
Looking at Shanks opposite him, Gringo let out a cold snort, his tone neither warm nor cold: "If the Young Master hadn't brought Uta back, were you planning never to return home for the rest of your life?"
Shanks didn't even lift an eyelid, and asked directly: "Where is Uta? You'd better pray that Saint Ian hasn't harmed her, otherwise, I will overturn this place at all costs."
"Don't worry," Gringo waved his hand, a smile rising on his face, "Uta is now a member of my Figarland Family, my biological granddaughter. The Young Master, for my sake, naturally won't make things difficult for her."
Shanks's pupils suddenly contracted.
"What do you mean? When did Uta become a member of the Figarland Family?"
Gringo shrugged, looking as if it was a matter of course: "She is your daughter, so naturally she is my granddaughter. You left her on Music Island without care, how could I, as her grandfather, let her wander outside? Speaking of which, we all have to thank the Young Master, if it weren't for him, I wouldn't have known I had such a beautiful granddaughter."
Shanks's fists instantly clenched, and he said in a deep voice: "Uta is my daughter, that's true, but she is not of the Figarland Family bloodline!"
"Heh heh," Gringo grinned, his smile 'kindly' saying: "You don't decide. Whether she is a member of the Figarland Family or not is for the Young Master to decide."
Before he finished speaking, Gringo stopped talking nonsense, turned decisively, and said: "Let's go, since you're back, go home first. Tomorrow morning I'll accompany you to see the Young Master."
As Gringo turned, Shanks placed one hand on the hilt of his sword and took a step forward.
The moment his foot landed, an invisible wave of air erupted!
Terrifying and unparalleled Conqueror's Haki, like an awakened ancient beast, swept out frantically with him at its center!
Black and red lightning tore through the air, making sizzling electrical sounds, and the clouds above the entire Pangu City seemed to be churned to pieces!
The surrounding buildings groaned under the overwhelming pressure, and the ground cracked inch by inch!
Gringo and Shamrock's expressions changed drastically. In the face of this Haki, even they, as core members of the God's Knights, suddenly felt an invisible mountain pressing down on them, making even breathing incredibly difficult!
Shanks, who had released his Haki, did not hesitate for a moment. He immediately looked up and shouted with a voice like rolling thunder: "Saint Ian!"
"Didn't you want to see me?"
"I'm here!!"
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