https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1137-Why-Not-Just-Surrender-and-Be-Ground-to-Death-/13541433/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1139-When-Did-You-Learn-Dracule-Mihawk-s-Swordsmanship-/13541440/
Chapter 1138: Ready to Die?
Chapter 1138: Ready to Die?
Divine Evasion
That was Roger’s technique, but even Roger had only used Armament Haki back then. Now, Red-Haired Shanks had infused his attack with Conqueror’s Haki, making it powerful enough to shatter his opponent’s will entirely.
If not for the Black Tortoise defense blocking the initial strike, Kuro might’ve been seriously wounded by that sudden slash.
But the advantage of attacking from above was undeniable.
“This is just flailing about in desperation!” Kuro roared. As he spoke, he maneuvered the Golden Lion higher into the sky, shrinking his figure into a mere speck in the eyes of those below.
Yet within the gloomy clouds, countless black dots began appearing.
“Come on—entertain me!” Kuro bellowed.
Down on the small boats, the men’s pupils constricted in alarm. The dots streaked closer, transforming into a storm of blades, spears, and Black Guns raining down from the heavens.
Bang!
Ben Beckman fired first, shattering a blade midair. But against the sheer volume of weapons darkening the sky, his shots—though powerful—could only destroy one at a time.
There were just too many!
“Red-Haired Shanks!” Beckman shouted.
“I know,” Shanks replied grimly.
He nodded, took a deep breath, and drew in his Conqueror’s Haki once more. Black threads of energy concentrated around his blade.
“Divine Evasion!”
He slashed again. The sky-falling weapons shattered like glass, mountains of steel vanishing in an instant. But the gaps were immediately filled by more incoming weapons.
Shanks swung his sword sideways again, annihilating the new wave with another devastating slash.
Kuro glanced upward. A golden streak descended from the heavens—a long, massive ingot floating before him.
The ingot coated the Yokai Blade!
At the sight, both Shanks and Beckman’s expressions turned grave.
If Kuro activated that weapon, the situation would turn dire.
But Kuro wasn’t in a rush.
Against Four Emperors-level opponents, patience was key. This was a battle of attrition.
But one thing was clear—this time, Red-Haired Shanks wouldn’t escape.
“Tch, how much stamina do you have?” Kuro sneered, raising his hand again. The weapons rained down once more, targeting Shanks’ position.
How many times could he replicate this technique?
To put it accurately—how long could he keep this up for days?
Kuro had all the time in the world.
“Wrong!”
Kuro’s eyes narrowed as he fixed his gaze on Shanks. “You’re mocking me? You think you can stall me long enough to stop me reaching Wano Country?”
Shanks slashed again, obliterating another wave of falling weapons. He smiled upward. “I believe in Luffy—he’ll win.”
“Hmph, denying you’re a babysitter, yet you’ve taken it to extremes. But listen, Red-Haired Shanks—”
Kuro’s expression turned serious as he reached toward the golden ingot. “You’re going to die!”
“The world changes, but dreams endure. You think my death ends it all, but I believe this will lives on forever,” Shanks declared gravely.
“Spouting nonsense,” Kuro sighed. “I don’t want to kill you, really. Out of everyone, you’re the one I’d rather not fight. As a pirate, you’ve always known your limits. If all pirates were as manageable as you, the Navy would sleep easier. But pirates are pirates—they must disappear in the eyes of the Navy. What’s stopping me from killing you now and proceeding to Wano Country?”
Yet Kuro couldn’t deny—he’d been played.
This was a brilliant, inescapable trap.
Shanks had intercepted him, prepared to sacrifice himself for time. Even if he won, he’d emerge weakened. After all, his opponent was a Four Emperors-level warlord.
The Four Emperors’ combat power was unquestionable.
Shanks had drained his strength—making Kuro’s arrival at Wano Country riskier.
The best move now would be to bypass Shanks with his ability and head directly to Wano Country.
But that wouldn’t work. If he retreated, Shanks would pursue. On land, Shanks would be even more dangerous—Kuro wouldn’t have the aerial advantage he held now.
And besides...
“You’ve figured out my nature, haven’t you? You think I won’t just bypass you?” Kuro asked.
Shanks slightly tilted his head, smirking. “Who knows?”
Kuro stared at him for a moment, then shook his head. His arm stretched toward the golden ingot as it spiraled open, revealing its dark golden hilt.
“Boroboroboro!”
Suddenly, the Transponder Snail on his wrist rang.
Kuro frowned, glancing at the wristwatch Transponder Snail before shifting his gaze to Shanks.
“You going to answer that?” Shanks teased.
“Persistent, aren’t you?” Kuro muttered, flipping open the wristwatch cover to connect the call.
“Kuro!” boomed a deep, resonant voice through the Transponder Snail—a familiar tone he’d heard recently.
One of the Five Elders. The elderly man with the map-like pattern on his head.
“Abandon this confrontation with Shanks—he’s still useful to us!” the Map-Head Elder commanded.
“Sigh...” Kuro exhaled, watching Red-Haired Shanks’ confident smile. “I’m afraid that’s impossible. He’s blocking my path to Wano Country—a route you set. Now you want me to abandon my mission?”
“That’s not an option, but don’t entangle yourself with Shanks. Fighting him is pointless,” another voice interjected—the Bearded Elder.
“He’s blocking my path now, which makes it meaningful. I won’t get through unless I defeat him head-on. You know this—this fool believes in the new era, while I’m here to destroy it.”
Kuro continued, “If I bypass him carelessly, he’ll become an even greater nuisance.”
“He has a deal with us, Kuro,” the Curly-Haired Elder spoke up. “The world’s balance would collapse entirely without him.”
“That balance shattered long ago. Face reality. Ever since Luffy entered the New World, the balance has been crumbling. Our job isn’t to preserve it—it’s to fix the mess. Why not start now? Let me kill him and reset the world order.”
The Transponder Snail fell silent.
After a long pause, a sharper, more resolute voice finally spoke—the Blade-Wielding Elder. “Just understand the consequences.”
“I know how to handle this,” Kuro snapped, cutting the call. His gaze returned to Shanks. “Using the Five Elders against me? You’ve miscalculated. I know your deals with the World Government. I know you promised them to stop Kaido during the Marineford War. But what did it achieve? The Navy faced him head-on. We maintained the world’s peace, not you!”
Kuro’s fingers clenched around the dark golden hilt. “The world must change—but it’s better if the Navy leads that change rather than being swept along. And most importantly, you had the audacity to play your little tricks while blocking my path. I hate being forced into the loser’s position.”
“Red-Haired Shanks… are you ready to die?”
(End of Chapter)
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