Chapter 78: Shanks
Chapter 78: Shanks
Who was Shanks? A legendary pirate from the previous era, one of the most renowned. Even Roger, the Pirate King, had never claimed anyone could rival Shanks before defeating him.
Powerful, domineering, arrogant, bold—Shanks possessed all the virtues and vices of a formidable warrior.
Three Navy recruits sneaking onto his island?
Hardly worth his attention.
The only figures he truly watched were the current World’s Greatest Swordsman and old comrades like Sengokugarp, the Four Emperors—Whitebeard, Kaido, Big Mom. As for the "Red-Haired" pirate? That brat from Roger’s crew who’d recently joined the Four Emperors? Shanks still dismissed him outright.
His true battleground now was the World Government and Marine Headquarters.
"Roger could never be defeated!" Shanks snarled from his throne, gaze fixed on the East Blue projected before him, eyes blazing with fury. "Cursed World Government! Cursed Marines! You used underhanded tricks, so now I’ll raze the East Blue and declare war on you!"
The S.I.Q reserves were nearly complete. All that remained was gathering more feral beasts—the island’s stock was insufficient. He’d need to return to the Grand Line soon to hunt stronger creatures and finalize his plans.
Just a few days more. His scheme would—
Whoosh!
A sudden gust tore through the palace. Scientists monitoring weather instruments froze, their eyes rolling white before collapsing, unconscious.
Shanks stiffened, pupils contracting. He shot to his feet. "Killing Intent?!"
This murderous aura was overwhelming. Who could wield such concentrated malice?
Kaido? No—he relied more on battle aura.
Big Mom? Her intent lacked this chilling purity.
Then… who?
On the edge of the central island, Kuro’s blade flashed downward. The floating isles’ creatures collapsed under his Killing Intent, while those resisting it numbered pitifully few.
His Transponder Snail rang persistently. Kuro clung to hope—Lucius Kro answering now might tilt the odds. But deep down, he knew.
The ringing faded unanswered. With a sigh, Kuro hung up, tossing the device to Lida.
"If we don’t take this seriously, we’ll die."
He cracked his neck, stretched, and assumed a sword-drawing stance. Observation Haki locked onto the lunatic exuding lion-like madness in the distant palace.
Armored Haki surged into Huazhou, black aura coiling like a meteor’s tail.
Shing!
The blade sang. A horizontal black-gold crescent slashed toward the palace.
One clean strike to end Shanks—
Kuro’s fantasy shattered as the palace exploded outward. A vertical black-gold crescent intercepted his attack.
Boom!!!
The earth trembled. Dust hung suspended midair as the collision’s shockwave rippled skyward. Even Skypiea lurched downward.
"Move out, Lida, Klah."
The pair split left and right, targeting the palace. Shanks might scoff at them, but they’d handle the "small fry."
Kuro didn’t recall the name of the island’s beast-enhancing drug, but he knew it existed. Better to destroy it swiftly.
Shanks’ figure soared, diving toward Kuro. Soon, the legendary pirate descended, landing with a flourish.
Kuro looked up, finally facing the legendary swordsman.
Twin swords strapped to his legs replaced his lost limb. A ship’s wheel crowned his head. Golden hair cascaded to his waist—enviably thick.
Shanks smirked, cigar dangling.
"I’m Shanks, a pirate. Impressive Killing Intent for a Navyman. But clearing the underlings won’t win you this fight."
He wasn’t naive—Killing Intent was just an aura, useful for scattering grunts.
He kicked his leg-sword, deflecting Kuro’s sudden strike.
"Refusing my offer, then."
Kuro’s eyes flashed red. "I tread carefully as a Navyman—piracy? No thanks. Time to retire, old man."
But this was Shanks—the real fight began now.
Not like testing Hawk-Eye or sparring with Lucius Kro. This was blade-to-blade, swordsman-to-swordsman, life-or-death.
Careless even a second, and death would claim him.
Huazhou rasped against Shanks’ sword, sparks flying.
Shanks leapt, stabbing downward. Kuro deflected, then countered with Armored Haki-wreathed fist.
"Eye Sword!"
Kuro’s Killing Intent solidified. Shanks laughed.
"That won’t work on me!"
He kicked Kuro away, then lunged. Twin blades blurred like stars.
Kuro backflipped, blocking each strike. Sparks rained as steel met steel.
Clang! Clang!
Shanks’ foot-sword struck. Kuro caught it, left arm bulking with power, hurling Shanks backward.
"Slash!"
A black-gold crescent roared outward.
Shanks dove, evading with a smirk. His foot-sword spat a counter-attack.
"Slash Wave!"
"One Sword Style!"
Kuro sheathed, vanishing. A black-gold line erupted, bisecting Shanks’ attack mid-flight. Trees shattered; the land scorched clean.
Shanks turned, seeing Kuro resheath his blade.
"Iaijutsu, huh?"
(End of Chapter)
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