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Chapter 1133: How About You Give Me a Favor?
Chapter 1133: How About You Give Me a Favor?
Face is something that must be earned, not just given. — Lucius Kro
Red-Haired Shanks looked up at Kuro, who stood towering above him, and faintly smiled. He drew his sword 'Griffin' from his waist, then gestured downward with it. "Can't we just talk, Kuro? Or should I say, Golden Lion?"
As he spoke, the previously gloomy sky above grew darker, rolling thick clouds that swallowed the light.
Kuro shifted his cigar from the left to the right corner of his mouth, biting down sharply before exhaling a puff of smoke. "I know damn well you came here on purpose. Sorry, but I won't yield."
With his abilities, the simplest way for Kuro to bypass Shanks would be to fly. But doing so would be a form of retreat. For a Navy admiral like himself, this was a matter of principle. When Navy and pirate clashed, there was only one stance: no retreat. This wasn't just a chance encounter—it was a political statement. Both men represented the highest ranks of their factions: an Admiral against a Four Emperors. Any misstep would carry heavy responsibility.
There could only be one outcome: Shanks would have to back down. Kuro would not change course, nor would he yield an inch. Whoever retreated first would be seen as abandoning their position in this operation.
Shanks wanted to save face, but so did Kuro.
"Why block my path? If you're so eager to play babysitter, go to Wano Country instead."
Kuro didn't even ask what Shanks was doing here. As a Four Emperors, and the most reclusive among the Grand Line's titans, Shanks could only be here because he knew exactly what Kuro was planning. What puzzled Kuro was why— if protecting Luffy was his true concern—Shanks didn't just storm Wano Country directly. With his help, Luffy might actually stand a chance to win there.
"Everyone has their own path to walk. I won't interfere, but I also won't let outsiders disrupt the balance. Pirate affairs should be resolved by pirates themselves."
Shanks' expression turned solemn as he tightened his grip on the Rapier. "Kuro, I won't let you pass."
Boom!
A flash of lightning split the sky with a muffled crack of thunder. The heavens seemed to divide at the line between the two men. Kuro's half of the sky remained clear, while Shanks' half roiled with dark clouds and echoing thunderclaps.
Ben Beckman, cigarette dangling from his lips, unholstered his pistol and gripped the barrel.
That's right—Beckman was a gunman, but he'd just as often use his gun barrel as a hilt to smash faces with its stock.
Lucky Roux bit into a meaty bone with one hand while gripping a pistol in the other, standing at Shanks' other side.
Behind them, Jesus Burgess unslung his long spear, smirking slightly.
Further back, the officers of the Red Hair Pirates stood on deck, eyes gleaming with excitement and unshakable confidence.
Unlike last time, Shanks had brought his entire officer cadre this round. Among them, the three at the front were elites even among elites.
It was an odd sight—while other Four Emperors had titles like 'Triad Calamities' or 'Triad Star Generals,' Shanks' most notable officers were simply called 'Three Musketeers.' The absurdity only deepened since their captain was a swordsman.
But none of that mattered now.
What mattered was that Shanks stood in his way.
"I know some snake-in-the-grass tipped you off. I didn't even summon the Seven Warlords— who the hell gave you the news?"
Klah!
The sound of steel leaving its sheath.
Kuro slowly drew Autumn Water, slashing it once at his side. Sunlight reflected off the black blade's edge, glinting with metallic fury.
Behind him, Klah and Lida took flanking positions while Moer, Sazil, Ju Geng, and Fen Ni formed a defensive line.
"Ah, come on now", Shanks said with a grin, "won't you at least turn back? Do me a favor—remember how I watched you become the World's Greatest Swordsman?"
Kuro pointed Autumn Water straight at Shanks. "How dare you bring that up? The old man realized you set me up that day. You want me to yield? How about you give me a favor first? Move aside—don't block my path!"
"That won't work, I'm afraid", Shanks said with a bitter smile. "Looks like we'll have to settle this the hard way."
"Fire!"
Kuro cut straight to action. "Sink them into the sea!"
"Fire!!"
The Navy crews, already positioned at combat readiness the moment Shanks appeared, received the command. A Vice Admiral barked orders as the fortress cannons of the Golden Lion angled downward, unleashing a storm of cannonballs.
At the same time, Kuro's previously relaxed left hand clenched with tremendous force. "Lion's Might—Sea Whirl Hell!"
On the Grand Line, no one could match Kuro—not even the Four Emperors. This was his home ground.
Opening fire was just a distraction. First priority? Destroy Shanks' ship.
"That won't do at all!"
Shanks' lips curled into a knowing smile. As Kuro's command rang out, he swung his right arm forward. His Rapier cut through the air, unleashing a shockwave in a semi-circular arc that intercepted the incoming cannonballs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The cannonballs exploded mid-flight above the deck, sending smoke and dust billowing skyward.
The moment his blade met air, Shanks leapt upward into the smoke. As Kuro activated his ability almost simultaneously, Shanks descended from the cloud, Rapier slashing downward.
Clang!!
The clash of steel rang sharp and clear as Autumn Water met Griffin. Sparks erupted at the point of contact.
Buzzzz!!!
A massive aura erupted from the downward strike. A sudden, crushing pressure swept over the battlefield. The Grand Line itself seemed to convulse violently. A vortex formed beneath Shanks' ship, spiraling outward into a tsunami-like surge that crashed down like rain.
Most of the Navy crew collapsed unconscious, their eyes rolling back as they fell.
Conqueror's Haki!
That was the power of Conqueror's Haki!
Klah transformed into a half-human wolf, sweat beading on his forehead as he adopted a combat stance. "Such terrifying Haki?" he croaked.
Each Four Emperors had their own unique strength. Kaido and Big Mom needed no elaboration, but Shanks, the only non-Devil Fruit user among them, wielded the most overwhelming Conqueror's Haki.
Kuro had faced this level of Haki before. He shoved forward with his arm, forcing Shanks back. As their blades separated, Autumn Water flashed with Black Radiance, slashing toward Shanks' neck.
Shanks leaned backward, narrowly dodging the razor-fast strike. He flipped backward across the deck, creating distance between them.
Kuro missed his strike but immediately slashed Autumn Water again, narrowing his eyes. "Your swordplay carries the flair of your captain."
(End of Chapter)
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