https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1133-How-About-You-Give-Me-a-Favor-/13541426/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1135-Firing-the-Cannon-at-Old-Man-/13541428/
Chapter 1134: The New 'Edd War'
Chapter 1134: The New 'Edd War'
The sensation of Red-Haired Shanks's sword strike sent a shiver down Kuro's spine.
It felt eerily similar to something he'd experienced exactly a year ago—when he first returned to the past and clashed with Roger. That sword of Roger's had carried the same overwhelming sense of Haki. Now, Red-Haired Shanks was giving him the exact same feeling.
"Odd... do you know my captain? But wait", Red-Haired Shanks narrowed his eyes, his voice laced with skepticism. "When Captain died, you couldn't have been more than two or three years old?"
Kuro responded with just two words, causing Red-Haired Shanks's pupils to contract sharply.
"Divine Evasion." Kuro said flatly.
"How do you know about that?!" Red-Haired Shanks exclaimed, his voice rising. "Captain had been bedridden by illness for years before his arrest. He hadn't demonstrated his combat prowess in ages. You shouldn't have even been old enough to remember him, let alone know his techniques!"
"Did you forget your own memories?" Kuro smirked faintly. "Twenty years ago, your old captain's sword nearly broke you, didn't it?"
Red-Haired Shanks froze, then his expression shifted as if recalling something impossible. His eyes widened. "It was you?! But twenty years ago, how could you possibly—"
He suddenly stopped himself, realization dawning. "Ah. Your ability. That explains everything. Now I understand why Barthelemew ambushed G-3 before he even disembarked. He kept ranting about hunting you down and defeating you back then. If not for that single slash of yours, Captain would never have discovered his terminal illness."
Kuro scoffed, "What nonsense are you spewing? My sword doesn't carry diseases or plagues. Your old captain was already dying. His illness was just discovered early—that's all."
"Watch your tone!" Red-Haired Shanks's voice turned icy. "You won't speak that way about Captain."
Griffin tightened in his grip, the pirate's stance suddenly aggressive. "Old Man is Navy", Kuro grinned, teeth flashing. "Criticizing pirates is my right by birth."
"Then a pirate fighting Navy is also only natural", Red-Haired Shanks shot back, blade rising.
"Indeed." Kuro slowly turned Autumn Water, the blade gleaming. "I wonder—without your ability, how exactly do you plan to fight me?"
Simple Haki? Even if Red-Haired Shanks could recreate Roger's 'Divine Evasion,' what could he achieve? Conqueror's Haki Infusion was still just Encasement. Without an ability, he couldn't combine it with other techniques. No Full Power form meant a fatal disadvantage.
Dracule Mihawk was the same—World's Greatest Swordsman, not World's Greatest Strongest. The title honored his swordsmanship, not his raw power.
When they'd fought before, it was about claiming the title of World's Greatest Swordsman, not a true measure of strength. Back then, after facing Kaido and Big Mom, Kuro had already surpassed Mihawk in sheer combat power.
Red-Haired Shanks was no different. Kuro had always questioned his status as a Four Emperor. He'd held the title for only ten years—barely longer than Marshall D. Teach, whom Kuro had personally tested and nearly lost to.
Marshall D. Teach had the strength to claim his title. Given enough time lurking in the shadows, he would naturally have become one of the Four Emperors, both in power and influence.
Two Devil Fruits, the ability to plunder others' powers—Teach had every qualification. But Red-Haired Shanks? A question mark.
He never showed his full strength. He'd even lost an arm in the East Blue—a scandalous joke of a misstep no one else would dare commit.
Kuro raised Autumn Water horizontally, the blade's glow reflecting in his eyes. His body flickered—a sudden blur. Red-Haired Shanks reacted instantly, swinging Griffin's Rapier to block a shower of sparks.
Clang!
A wisp of Black Radiance intercepted the Rapier mid-swing. The blade jammed against the sword's body. Kuro materialized behind it—while the 'Kuro' behind him dissolved like rippling water.
Afterimage Slash!
"You lost an arm in the East Blue", Kuro taunted, one hand pressing Autumn Water downward. The sheer force pushed Red-Haired Shanks back a step—just enough for Kuro to vanish, reappearing low beneath the blade. Autumn Water slid down Griffin's edge with a screeching metallic shriek before stabbing straight at Shanks's abdomen.
Shanks twisted his body. The Rapier snapped back like lightning, rising just in time to intercept the strike.
Clang!
The blade blocked Autumn Water once more.
"The East Blue?" Red-Haired Shanks scoffed. "Who could predict such a thing? Just a limb—what's one arm to me? I'm still Red-Haired Shanks, the 'Shanks' Red-Haired Shanks."
With a sudden burst of force, he shoved Autumn Water aside. The Rapier carved a 'Z' shaped trajectory toward Kuro's head.
Kuro didn't flinch. He simply tilted his head, dodging the attack with ease. "You'd better improve, missing an arm, red hair—your characteristics. In the new era, someone just like you exists. Same Conqueror's Haki, but a Devil Fruit user. If he has that innate talent, your position will vanish."
"Just as you replaced Shanks, Kuro?" Red-Haired Shanks stepped back, suddenly laughing. "I believe in Captain. I admire him. I see myself as his successor—just as he gave me his hat. You replaced Shanks... so does this make us a new 'Edd War'?"
"Hah!" Kuro bared his teeth in mockery. "You dare compare? You and I are nothing alike. You never surpassed your dead captain. As for Old Man Garp? He truly defeated that golden-haired bald rudder bastard in a fair fight. 'Edd War'? You think changing metaphors will let you win? Storms?"
Kuro pointed skyward. The dark clouds stirred by Red-Haired Shanks's Conqueror's Haki split open with a single gesture, revealing a patch of clear blue. The storm's swirling mass began dissipating from that hole outward.
"I won't allow even rain to fall from the sky!" Kuro snarled. "How dare you speak of storms? Shanks made mistakes I've never committed. I lack his arrogance. Compared to you? You've grown far too confident, playing savior and guide to change the world. If the world was so easy to change, I would've done it decades ago. Who needs you—a worthless pirate—to play hero now? Drop your damn pride."
(End of Chapter)
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