https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1139-When-Did-You-Learn-Dracule-Mihawk-s-Swordsmanship-/13541440/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-1141-Before-Fighting-the-Boss-First-Eliminate-the-Minions/13541442/
Chapter 1140: The Most Balanced 'Iron Wall'
Chapter 1140: The Most Balanced 'Iron Wall'
"No wonder Dracule Mihawk said your swordsmanship innate talent was extraordinary", Red-Haired Shanks said, staring upward at Kuro as he slowly spoke. "Now that I see it myself, as expected, you bastard... back during the Marineford-scale war, we shouldn't have let you run wild like that."
"Don't talk big—you were practically dying back then!" Kuro scoffed, swinging his Yokai Blade through the air. "Lion!"
Swish! Swish! Swish!
A barrage of crescent-shaped Hakislash nearly turned the sky into a black-gold curtain, like the heavens themselves were unleashing waves of moonlight to form slash pillars that stormed toward Red-Haired Shanks and his crew.
"Try this!" Kuro's crimson eyes glinted with bloodlust.
This overwhelming aerial dominance—how exhilarating!
Against Kaido or Big Mom, they could fly and chase him relentlessly. He'd been forced to fight head-on. As for Marshall D. Teach, that bastard could even pull him in, leaving no chance to escape flight entirely.
But here? Against the Four Emperors, Kuro could finally pour out his strength without restraint, without fearing retaliation—not here, on the open sea, in the skies where his enemies had no way to pursue him!
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The slashes roared downward, their sheer number blinding everyone, the resulting waves swallowing the ocean's surface in foam.
Kuro tightened his grip on the Yokai Blade's hilt and smirked. "Must be teamwork."
The slashes dissipated, revealing the scene below.
The Red Hair Pirates' officers, led by Ben Beckman, stood defiantly in front of Shanks, their bodies radiating Haki, their eyes glaring upward with unyielding arrogance.
They'd blocked every slash.
But this wasn't surprising. After all, they were known as the most balanced pirate crew among the Four Emperors—their officers' strength was undeniable. Unlike Kaido and Big Mom's crews, where only a handful of subordinates were truly formidable, every single one of Shanks' officers was exceptional.
"Even though we're at a disadvantage right now", Red-Haired Shanks muttered, using his small boat like a surfboard to glide forward, positioning himself beside his officers. His lips curled into a grin. "Let this Admiral see the true might of the 'Red Hair Pirates'! My men—let's show him!"
"Oooh!" The officers roared in unison, their eyes blazing with battle fury.
Since entering the New World, they'd faced far more perilous situations on the path to making their captain a Four Emperors. And yet, they still stood here, alive.
This time would be no different!
They would win!
Red-Haired Shanks inhaled deeply, then suddenly flared his eyes wide open. A crimson aura exploded across his entire body, his Conqueror's Haki Encasement merging with his Haki, revealing intricate patterns across his arms, neck, and exposed chest. The dark red lines of Armament Haki coursed like molten lava through stone cracks, radiating scorching heat.
Even his rapier blade darkened, its surface glowing with fiery red patterns.
"Full Power form, huh?" Kuro narrowed his eyes but suddenly shifted focus to Beckman.
The first mate exhaled a torrent of turbulent energy, like steam erupting from his body. His Haki-covered form revealed white lightning-like patterns surging across his skin. His gun transformed, its surface now etched with blinding white thunder sigils.
Another Full Power form—this time with Conqueror's Haki!
Ben Beckman, the only 'Vice Emperor' among the Four Emperors. No wonder his strength far surpassed ordinary officers.
One by one, the officers' weapons and arms began glowing—swirling winds, crackling lightning, blazing fire. Special effects galore!
All manifestations of Unified Haki!
As they poured their strength into Full Power, even the fragile boats beneath their feet hardened under Haki reinforcement. Kuro abandoned any hope of destroying their platforms and sending them plummeting into the ocean depths.
"So this is a Four Emperors crew..." Kuro muttered, his lips curling into a faint pout. "Truly terrifying."
Every officer wielded Unified Haki! Their captain and first mate could even fully encase themselves in Conqueror's Haki. Without relying on Devil Fruits, their collective strength made them the most balanced 'Iron Wall' among the Four Emperors.
Who was the strongest individual among the Four Emperors? Kuro didn't know. But in terms of overall crew quality, Red-Haired Shanks' crew clearly reigned supreme.
Combat wasn't about one-on-one duels. If it were, why did the Navy need so many troops? One strongman per region would suffice!
No wonder Shanks had dared challenge the Navy during the Top War, declaring they'd be crushed if they didn't retreat. He truly had the confidence!
Red-Haired Shanks pointed his sword at Kuro. "Let's have a fair battle, Kuro!"
"You've got some nerve saying 'fair' with all these guys behind you!" Kuro exploded.
In terms of raw strength, even the Navy couldn't match this crew!
The Navy's elite forces were limited to a few top Vice Admirals. Even Kuro himself—though he'd gathered many subordinates—only had Lida, Moer, and recently Klah (who still lagged behind) as reliable assets.
Fighting them head-on now would be like throwing a clay brick against an iron wall—shattered instantly.
But—
Kuro inhaled sharply, his gaze sharpening. His pupils darkened, white energy surging from his body like a shadow flickering in a breeze. Haki enveloped him, forming a cross mark between his brows and tear streaks beneath his eyes.
His body swelled, those straight tear marks curving upward from his eyes to his cheeks. The Haki then receded, replaced by black-red shoulder guards emerging from his frame. Haki expanded outward, forming a twisted samurai armor etched with a Twisted Sun Mark across his chest. Six blood-red ribbons extended from his shoulders, waist, and thigh roots, fluttering like hellish deity's robes.
A divine figure—yet one fallen from heaven to hell, a god-demon hybrid.
"I'll admit your crew's quality surpasses mine", Kuro tightened his grip on the Yokai Blade, his eyes gleaming with gruesome delight. "But that doesn't mean I don't have advantages..."
"Let's pick them off one by one!"
On the airborne Golden Lion, Moer peered through a telescope. "Did it really have to come to this?"
At this altitude, only a telescope could offer a clear view. The naked eye couldn't penetrate the chaos below.
"The Red Hair Pirates truly deserve being Four Emperors..." Klah muttered, swallowing hard. He felt a cold sweat.
Thankfully, Kuro had destroyed their ship and lifted the Golden Lion into the sky in time. If the Red Hair Pirates had managed to board their vessel, few—if any—of their Navy forces would have survived.
He might live, but Sazil and the others would certainly be crushed by such overwhelming power.
(End of Chapter)
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