Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

Luffy shook his head and said, "What I look forward to is the adventure during the voyage, but for the sake of my crew, I have to speed up."

Shanks' expression froze slightly for a moment, then he smiled again and said.

"Luffy, you should know the rules among pirates, right? Even if it's you, I can't just hand over the 'Road Poneglyph' in my hand. You can only get it by defeating me. You're probably already prepared for that, aren't you?"

Luffy placed his straw hat on a nearby blue stone and then said earnestly, "Of course, I won't lose!"

Immediately, Shanks raised his wine bowl to Luffy, and the two drank it down in one gulp...

"boom!"

The next moment, Shanks and Luffy leaped into the air simultaneously, their fists colliding and creating a shockwave. Then, while fighting, they moved the battlefield to the high mountain to the north.

Just then, Mihawk, who had been keeping his eyes closed, slowly opened them, his incredibly sharp gaze locking onto Ying's direction, and coldly asked.

"Homa, are you ready to challenge for the title of 'World's Greatest Swordsman'?"

"certainly……"

Ying, standing out from the crowd, wielded the "Famous Sword: Sakura Ten" and walked up to Mihawk.

[Chapter 782. All-Around Clash Between Pirate Crews]

Mihawk glanced at Ying, who was now sporting her usual princess-cut hairstyle for the first time and dressed in a more combat-appropriate kendo outfit. He sensed a sharper aura emanating from Ying than when they met in the East Blue.

Ying slowly drew her "Famous Sword: Sakura Ten" and said, "Mihawk, the throne of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' is now in my hands."

Mihawk chuckled softly, his entire being gradually radiating an incomparably vigorous fighting spirit, and spoke.

"If you want it, then just come and take it. I've always been sitting on the throne of 'World's Greatest Swordsman' waiting for you."

"So... I've come..."

As Ying finished speaking, the "Famous Sword: Sakura Ten" shone with a light as beautiful as a bright moon and enveloped Mihawk.

"Ding!!!"

The initial clash between the "Famous Sword: Sakura Ten" and the "Black Sword: Night" resulted in a devastating slash that almost instantly flattened the tree canopy within a radius of one mile.

Ying looked directly into the pair of sharp eyes that were almost touching hers and said, "Mihawk, let's fight to the south!"

"as you wish!"

Mihawk agreed almost without hesitation, and the two of them headed straight for the plains and grasslands on the south side of the deserted island.

That place... will become the battlefield for the battle to claim the title of "World's Greatest Swordsman"!

In an instant, massive battles erupted on both the north and south sides of this deserted island...

Of course, compared to the fierce battle in the north where fists clashed repeatedly, the sword duels in the south were far more dangerous.

Ben Beckman, who remained where he was, smiled and said as he looked at the Straw Hat crew, whose faces mostly showed subconscious concern.

"This is a battle between two pirate crews, not just a simple captain's duel. Instead of worrying about your crewmates, you should think about how to defeat your opponent."

Seeing this, Kong pushed up his glasses, stepped forward somewhat helplessly, and replied.

"The first mate, Ben Beckman, who is known as 'Red-Haired' Shanks' right-hand man? I've heard so much about him. If you need a worthy opponent, then let me, who is also a first mate, take your place."

"Oh?"

Ben Beckman sized up the man in front of him, who exuded an aura somewhat similar to that of Lieutenant General Yann, whom he had met before, and his eyes revealed a mixture of caution and interest.

Generally speaking, in a pirate crew like Shanks or Luffy, the true brains are often the vice-captains.

In other words, the Straw Hat Pirates' challenge to the Red-Haired Pirates might very well be the decision made by this kid in front of us?

But just then, Zoro stopped Sora and said, "Sora, wait, you're not good at fighting. Let me be this guy's opponent."

"It's alright..."

Sora chuckled, pushed Zoro's arm away, and said, "Often, being bad at something is only relative. Don't forget, I'm that man's child..."

At this point, Kong suddenly unleashed an extremely terrifying Conqueror's Haki, and... it was powerful enough to interfere with reality, even causing a small number of the weaker Red-Haired Pirates officers to fall into a state of dizziness.

more important……

Ben Beckman's expression twitched slightly as he looked at the black and red lightning coiled around the "Famous Sword - Withered Wood" in his empty hand.

"Conqueror's Haki? When did this become such a common ability? This is troublesome! This pirate crew made up of kids actually has the fighting power to challenge the Four Emperors..."

In an instant, as the battle between Ben Beckman and Sora began, the Straw Hat Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates' executives almost started fighting one-on-one.

Yasopp versus Usopp; Lucky Roux versus Sanji; Drogon versus Zoro; Snake versus Reiju; and Benk Punch and his monkey versus Chopper…

Almost every duel is a clash between two sides excelling in the same area, and the intensity of the battles varies from person to person.

Compared to the fact that Ku, who was using his most proficient Conqueror's Haki, was steadily suppressing Ben Beckman, the battle between Sanji, Zoro, and Reiju was a true evenly matched contest. The battle between Yasopp and Usopp, the father and son, was more like a family reunion and various flashbacks, with a sniping tutorial in the meantime.

Aside from that, the entire battle process felt more like a tutorial, including the fight between "Red-Haired" Shanks and Luffy!

At this moment, Luffy, maintaining his recently mastered "Gear Fourth," engaged in a frenzied exchange of blows with Shanks, who was only using his fists. Amidst exhilarating laughter, they continued to clash with each punch.

As their fighting spirit continued to rise, Luffy's "Ryuo" Haki, which he had not yet fully mastered, became increasingly fluid.

However, Shanks only has one arm. Even though Shanks' fighting skills are among the best in the world, he is starting to lose his grip on Luffy as Shanks puts pressure on him. Luffy is now showing signs of building up his strength and unleashing his full potential.

"Luffy, it seems you've indeed grown, but... if that's all there is to it, it's too early!!!"

"Red-Haired" Shanks shouted, and began to use his most proficient Conqueror's Haki. His fist, wrapped in black and red lightning, almost broke through Luffy's defense and slammed into Luffy's stomach.

"Whoosh..."

Under the heavy blow from "Red-Haired" Shanks, Luffy almost immediately coughed up a mouthful of blood, and his consciousness went blank for a moment. He was sent flying backward hundreds of meters away.

"boom!"

Dust and smoke filled the area where Luffy crashed...

However, Luffy, who was in Gear Fourth, quickly stood up again, wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, and said.

"Is it the Conqueror's Haki? Only by experiencing it deeply with your own body can you truly understand..."

Then, under the slightly surprised gaze of "Red-Haired" Shanks, Luffy's clenched fist began to be wrapped with faint black and red lightning.

"Interesting, Luffy, as expected of you..."

Shanks wasn't the only one to utter this exclamation. Arn, who was observing the deserted island in the Mirror World, slightly raised his lowered eyelids, revealing a hint of interest, and also uttered this exclamation, a smile appearing on his lips as he spoke.

"As expected, guiding Luffy to challenge Shanks directly was the right thing to do. Shanks is definitely Luffy's best teacher, and there's no need to worry about Luffy being accidentally killed."

More importantly, Yann clearly saw that Shanks was working hard to develop Luffy's power, which indirectly confirmed one of Yann's past guesses—everything Shanks did was definitely to wait for Luffy!

[Chapter 783. The Reappearance of Standing at the Pinnacle of Pirates]

"I've waited so long for this moment, Luffy... Come on!!!"

"Red-Haired" Shanks stared at Luffy in front of him, his heart also surging with excitement!

'But it's still a little short, just a little short, Luffy, if it's only at this level, it's still a little short!'

Shanks' eyes narrowed, and a surge of Conqueror's Haki rushed towards Luffy like a storm.

Luffy instinctively unleashed his Conqueror's Haki in response to Shanks, as if declaring his growth and determination to "Red-Haired" Shanks!

"boom!"

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle..."

The massive amounts of lightning generated by the clash of Conqueror's Haki continued to intertwine and flash!

The next moment, Shanks and Luffy were fighting each other again!

This time, however, Shanks, who deeply understood the extent of Luffy's growth, did not hesitate to draw his sword, Griffin, and use his most proficient Haki and swordsmanship to fight Luffy.

This is a clash of fists and a renowned sword, an intertwining of the old and the new era, and also a passing down of dreams...

Under the deliberate guidance of "Red-Haired" Shanks, Luffy's accumulated potential is being developed at an incredible speed!

As the battle intensified, Luffy gradually mastered Gear Fourth, Ryuo, and Conqueror's Haki, reaching a level where even Shanks, the "Red-Haired" master, dared not be careless in the slightest.

"boom!!"

Finally, Shanks, the "Red-Haired" man, took a heavy punch to the face from Luffy, and was sent flying nearly a hundred meters away.

This... left Luffy, who had been almost completely suppressed by "Red-Haired" Shanks for half a day, somewhat stunned. He subconsciously looked at his fist and uttered a questioning sound.

"Huh?!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Meanwhile, Shanks, who was still lying on the ground, let out a hearty laugh and said...

"Luffy, what's with that confused look on your face? Your current strength is comparable to that of a Marine Admiral. Even if you knocked me away, there's no need to be so shocked, is there?"

"Uh……"

Luffy scratched the back of his head, then seemed to realize what was happening and quickly asked, "Hey, Shanks, are you alright?"

"Tsk..."

Shanks, the "Red-Haired," slowly stood up and said with a hint of helplessness.

"I seem to have been underestimated, Luffy. Even if your growth rate is somewhat surprising, you're still far from being able to defeat me."

Seeing that "Red-Haired" Shanks was unharmed, Luffy felt relieved, but then resolutely assumed an attack stance again and said.

"Shanks, I will not give up. I will definitely gain your approval and obtain the Road Poneglyph. Even if it means defeating you, I will do it. This is a promise I have made to my important comrade."

Shanks, the "Red-Haired," subtly raised an eyebrow, asking as if it were casual, "An important ally? Who is it?"

"that is……"

Luffy's voice suddenly paused, then he shook his head and said, "No, it's a secret, Shanks."

"I see..."

"Red-Haired" Shanks scratched his head in annoyance, then said, "That's up to you. Luffy, you're a captain now, I'm sure you have your own judgment..."

After a pause, Shanks's gaze gradually turned solemn as he asked.

"I only have one question, Luffy. You came up to me and were determined to go to the 'final island' Laugh Tale. This is all your will, isn't it?"

"Of course!"

Luffy answered without hesitation, "I'm going to be the Pirate King!"

"Ha ha ha ha……"