Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

After all, even though Luffy's growth rate far exceeded Shanks' expectations, he still seemed a little inexperienced. Not only had he not truly mastered the power of that fruit, but he also failed to learn "Conqueror's Domain" in battle.

Therefore, the situation in this sea area must be maintained as much as possible.

As for now... it should still be barely in time. By using the Celestial Dragons' privileges to cross the Red Line in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, they can arrive at Marine Headquarters Mary Geoise before the Whitebeard Pirates.

However, just as "Red-Haired" Shanks was about to take his first step away...

"Halt, Shanks..."

Luffy's weak voice rang out, but Shanks did not stop. Instead, he spoke calmly with his back to Luffy.

"Luffy, this sea won't change simply because of human will; it requires effort and action..."

Luffy gritted his teeth, trying his best to get into a fighting stance, and shouted at Shanks.

"No, Shanks..."

“I promised my partner that I would get the ‘Road Patch History Text’.”

"Stop, I still have strength..."

"I called you..."

As Shanks walked further and further away, Luffy almost instinctively unleashed his Conqueror's Haki and roared, "Stop!!!"

At that moment, the Conqueror's Haki that erupted from Luffy seemed to undergo some kind of invisible change, causing Shanks to suddenly stop, abruptly turn his head to look at Luffy, and mutter to himself.

"The...Dominator's Territory?"

After Shanks examined it carefully, he said definitively, "That's right, although it's still a bit rough around the edges, it can't be wrong!"

More importantly, Shanks realized that Luffy was instinctively using "Conqueror's Domain" to control his body, intending to forcefully continue fighting, which was already a sign of "standing at the pinnacle of the pirate world".

"Wait a minute, Shanks..."

Luffy, seeing Shanks had stopped, was completely unaware of what was happening and showed a look of surprise and joy, excitedly saying, "Shanks, I can still fight! I haven't lost yet! Let's go again!"

Immediately, Shanks abandoned his "standing at the pinnacle of piracy" stance, sat down wearily on the ground, shook his head, and laughed heartily, saying...

"No, it's not necessary..."

"Huh?" Luffy was a little confused.

"This is enough for the fight. If we keep going, I'll be seriously injured," Shanks replied with a smile.

"Why? I didn't even have the ability to fight back just now," Luffy said blankly.

"Luffy, this is a side effect of 'standing at the pinnacle of piracy,' and even my body can't hold up for long."

Hearing Shanks' words from afar, Yann couldn't help but smile.

As Shanks' former rival, Yann knew Shanks' limits all too well, and it was still a long way from the point where Shanks' body truly couldn't take it anymore.

'It seems Shanks is deliberately displaying this 'top-tier pirate' stance to intentionally teach Luffy a lesson?'

Yann's eyes narrowed slightly, but he already had a vague answer in his mind. Otherwise, Shanks would have been too obvious in his actions.

Luffy, who had just been beaten up, was still in a daze and said in confusion, "But...but we haven't decided who's the winner yet."

Shanks shook his head and said helplessly, "Even if I lose, I'll hand over the 'Road Poneglyph' to you."

"Really?" Luffy asked in surprise.

"Of course, it's hidden in a hull compartment of my ship..."

Then, Shanks held up three fingers and said.

"However, to truly find the location of the 'final island' Laugh Tale, we need four 'Road Poneglyphs' and someone who can fully decipher the ancient text on the 'Road Poneglyphs'."

"As far as I know, the remaining Poneglyphs are located in Charlotte Linlin's Whole Cake Island, Wano Country, and Zou Island. I suggest you go to Zou Island and Wano Country first, and then try to find a way to go to Whole Cake Island..."

After a pause, Shanks said with some distress.

"However, the most troublesome thing is finding someone who can decipher the ancient script. The island of Ohara has been destroyed, and the only surviving scholar, Nico Robin, has been missing in the sea for more than ten years. She may have been secretly erased by the World Government."

"So, Luffy, you should try to find the Kozuki clan in Wano Country. There's a good chance they still have..."

[Chapter 786. Shanks, Dead?]

However, before Shanks could finish speaking, Luffy interrupted him with a smile.

"Don't worry, Shanks. Sora can decipher ancient texts, and I've already obtained the other three Road Poneglyphs. I'm just missing your last one."

Shanks' expression froze completely, then his mouth slowly opened wide in disbelief...

"What???!!!"

The next moment, Shanks, who had just been lying on the ground pretending to be dead and looked exhausted, suddenly rushed in front of Luffy, grabbed Luffy's shoulders with both hands, and questioned him.

"What's going on? Didn't you just arrive in the 'New World' seas? Why do you have three other Poneglyphs in your hand, and what's with that empty one? Can it decipher ancient texts?"

"Lulu lulu..."

With his body already at its limit, Luffy was suddenly jolted awake by Shanks, almost losing consciousness completely, and bubbles started coming out of his mouth.

Seeing this, Shanks simply slapped the unconscious Luffy repeatedly, one hand on each side.

"Hey, Luffy, don't faint, wake up..."

"Stop fighting. Luffy doesn't know much. If you have any questions, I'd be happy to answer them for you."

Just then, a calm voice sounded behind Shanks, and the slightly familiar voice made Shanks' eyes widen suddenly.

Shanks quickly turned around, his hand instinctively gripping the "Famous Sword Griffin," his eyes fixed on the man before him—a seemingly gentle and righteous man in a white robe and glasses.

Naval hero – Terfim Yarn!

"You bastard, weren't you dead? Could this be a Navy conspiracy?" Shanks said in shock.

However, Yann gave Shanks an answer that surprised him greatly without any attempt to hide anything.

"No, the Navy Headquarters did indeed think I was dead."

At that moment, Shanks instantly connected many things and linked together the various things that had puzzled him before, and said with a gloomy expression.

"So, you're the one secretly orchestrating all of this?"

Yern adjusted his glasses and said, "If you're referring to the impending war in Marineford, then that's not wrong."

"You... do you want to destroy this world?" Shanks asked with a dark look in his eyes.

"What difference would it make if such a world were destroyed?" Yaen replied casually.

"You bastard!! Where's Luffy?"

Shanks demanded, "What exactly did you do to Luffy?"

"Luffy?"

Yann glanced at Luffy and then said, "I'm just fulfilling a child's dream on the side, letting Luffy find the 'final island' Laugh Tale a little earlier."

"Is it you who wants to use Luffy to get the things and secrets of Laugh Tale?"

Shanks gently placed Luffy on the ground, then stood up, facing Yaon directly, and said, "Tefimo Yaon, I will absolutely not let you succeed."

"Ah……"

Yann chuckled softly and said.

"You made a very good point just now, Shanks. This ocean won't change simply because of human will; it requires effort and action..."

After a pause, Yann's usually gentle eyes revealed a hint of disdain as he spoke.

"If this were ten years ago, I would have been wary of your words, but now, ten years later, your boastful words only make me laugh."

Immediately, Yann slowly drew the Zanpakuto from his waist and said, "No matter who it is, if they stand in my way, I will eliminate them without hesitation."

"Of the so-called 'Four Emperors,' Kaido has already been sealed away by me, Charlotte Linlin has been completely dealt with, and Whitebeard has begun to act according to my plan. Only you remain, Shanks..."

Upon hearing this, Shanks's pupils shrank, and he finally understood why Charlotte Linlin had remained completely silent throughout.

So, the woman known as the "Iron Balloon" has been quietly eliminated?

Has Terfim Yarn really become this terrifying?

For a moment, Shanks, who was known as "the most domineering man in the sea," felt a sense of fear, as if the entire sea had been completely manipulated by the man in front of him without him even realizing it.

However, the next moment, Shanks' eyes regained their firmness, his sharp and domineering gaze fixed on Arn.

"Oh? Are you prepared to fight to the death?" Yann asked.

“That’s right, even if it costs me my life, I will stop you here and expose your conspiracy to the entire sea,” Shanks said firmly.

"Oh hahaha..."

Yann, however, spoke as if he had heard the funniest joke in the world.

"What gives you the right to slander a naval hero who has already gloriously sacrificed his life? Is it because of your status as one of the Four Emperors? Or because of your Celestial Dragon bloodline?"

"No matter what you say, you can't sway me." As Shanks spoke, he began to release his "Dominator's Domain".

However, Yann's next words made Shanks freeze in his tracks.

"Even if Luffy dies here, it won't matter, will it?"

Shanks gritted his teeth, glaring angrily at the chuckling Yaon, and roared, "As a dignified naval hero representing justice, have you stooped so low as to threaten other pirates with pirates?"

"As expected, Shanks, in your opinion, Luffy's importance is unparalleled."

Yann, however, seemed to have confirmed the matter, and chuckled softly.

The next moment, Yann's eyes sharpened, his gaze seemingly piercing through Shanks's soul, and he said, "Is it because the will of Gol D. Roger, whom you respect, still resides within Luffy?"

Shanks' face immediately showed intense emotion, and he looked at Yann with shock in his eyes.

"Bankai: God Slayer Spear!"

It was at that very moment that Yann's Zanpakuto, which seemed to be pointing at Shanks unintentionally, suddenly extended and, in a single instant, pierced through Shanks' chest.

Shanks' eyes widened as he looked down at the blade piercing his chest and murmured.

"Your ability... it really isn't the 'Cherry Blossom Fruit'..."

The next moment, Shanks suddenly felt something spreading wildly from the wound that pierced his chest, and his consciousness quickly disappeared from his body, a feeling of helplessness enveloping him.

"Sizzle~"

"boom……"