The Great Voyage Begins with the Celestial Dragons

"You've arrived!"

On the walls of the royal capital, Ace and Kuina stood there quietly.

"A swift and decisive victory."

Shanks and the others were not surprised that Ace would be there.

The World Government may have already been aware of them the moment they set foot on Alabasta, or rather, the moment they entered Fishman Island.

Both Shanks and Dragon firmly believe that the World Government has the capability.

Given that, it's only natural that Ace would be waiting here.

I'll stay.

Zoro stared at Kuina and spoke in a low voice.

"I'll stay too."

Shanks spoke first, his gaze fixed on Ace.

Rayleigh died at the hands of the enemy, and a large number of Roger's crewmates also died in the enemy's scheme. He always knew this.

He even knew the other person's true identity: the son of the captain he respected most.

As the one to whom Roger personally entrusted the straw hat, he felt obligated to stay.

"it is good!"

Without saying a word, Dorrag and the others resolutely continued their charge into the capital.

The World Government has set a trap in Alabasta, but there can't be many powerful individuals permanently stationed there. Each powerful individual has their own responsibilities and can't stay there indefinitely.

However, the Kingdom of Gaya is located near Alabasta, so there will inevitably be a few powerful figures remaining there.

Therefore, their time is extremely precious, and they must complete their established plans before reinforcements from the World Government arrive.

Ace simply watched Dragon and the others pass by without even lifting an eyelid.

At this moment, just as Shanks valued him, Shanks was all that remained in his eyes.

He had duties to perform during the battle at Enies Lobby and was unable to compete with the other side.

But now that we have this great opportunity, we have to give it a shot.

If Shanks is too weak, he might just kill his opponent right here...

Chapter 397 Chaos

Ding! ! !

Shanks and Ace clashed, their blades striking each other with a crisp sound.

hum! ! !

At the point of contact, a sudden burst of shockwave forced Shanks to retreat.

"The captain's bloodline, Shiki's sword, Whitebeard's Devil Fruit, the identity of a Marine Admiral, plus the rumor that he is destined to end the pirate era—don't you feel like your life has been arranged for you? What's wrong with inheriting the captain's will?"

With just one exchange of blows, Shanks realized how formidable Ace was.

After losing another one, the protracted battle became his weakness, and he devoted all his energy to attacking.

If he goes all out, he might be able to end the battle before Dragon and the others even come out.

But given Ace's physique, which was even more monstrous than Roger's, it was likely that he was severely injured and died.

Therefore, he had to resort to some underhanded tactics.

“From the very beginning, I accepted this fate. But compared to me, your fate seems more deliberate, Figarand Shanks!”

Ace looked at the other person with a half-smile.

After gaining the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit and undergoing two years of training, his strength reached near its peak.

It's no exaggeration to say that Shanks, who had been cut in half by Luther's Conqueror's Haki and lost an arm, would not be his match.

“Fegaland, I may have that surname, but I have nothing to do with them,” Shanks said nonchalantly.

Hearing this, Ace chuckled: "If you're unwilling to inherit the family business, then why blame me for not wanting to carry on that bastard's legacy? Besides, your father didn't even kill his own mother."

"I won't allow you to talk about the captain like that..."

Shanks' face suddenly darkened at Ace's words.

But Ace, standing opposite him, always felt that Shanks wasn't angry about how he addressed Roger.

Ace didn't delve into Shanks' family affairs, but instead said:

"Then what should I call him? The fool who caused the deaths of his companions and his wife to suffer the most painful experience in the world because of his stupidity?"

Ding! ! !

The blades clashed again, this time with even greater destructive force, causing the city wall beneath them to collapse.

After they separated, the two stood on opposite sides.

“You have no idea how great the captain is,” Shanks said in a hoarse voice.

"Then you understand even less about the greatness of my mother. I've never been able to understand whether you people have been brainwashed by so-called freedom, or what you think freedom truly is, Shanks!"

boom!!!

As Ace's expression darkened, a rumble resounded throughout the entire city wall area.

Even Zoro and his companion, who were simply competing in swordsmanship, were affected and had to move to a more peripheral area to fight again.

"Freedom, of course, means being able to do anything freely."

Shanks spoke his mind without hesitation, but added at the end:

"I admit that the world government is doing a good job, but there are some things I will never admit."

If his companions hadn't died back then, and if he hadn't inherited Roger's will, perhaps he would have been willing to become a member of the World Government today.

He loves freedom, but he hopes even more that the sea is in a state of balance.

Whether viewed from the outcome or the process, the balance that Luther has created is the best one in nearly a thousand years.

Unfortunately, pirates have no place in this balance, and coupled with the grudges formed by the deaths of his comrades, he can only fight as a pirate until the very end.

"Really? I thought you would be like Roger, indifferent to everything."

Ace raised an eyebrow in surprise, not expecting to receive such a fair evaluation from Shanks.

Even so, he didn't have a good impression of Shanks.

Whether it was the education he received from Luther since childhood or Roger's influence on him, he felt that pirates should not exist at sea.

Since the Great Pirate Era began with Roger, it will also end with him.

......

"Your sword is still lacking, Zoro!"

Kuina smiled as she blocked Zoro's sword, then skillfully offered him some feedback.

They are competitors, but also best friends.

Seeing Zoro catch up filled her with joy.

"I know, but I'll catch up with you soon."

Zoro held his three swords horizontally in front of him, a burning glint in his eyes.

Finally, Kuina was no longer out of reach in his eyes; he could see her background.

During those two years, he would occasionally receive instruction from Mihawk, but most of the time he spent with the Straw Hat Pirates as they fought their way through the New World.

Luffy is not up to the task; instead, he is always tasked with defeating the enemy's strongest fighter.

As for Dragon, he would only watch from the sidelines, occasionally offering some pointers to Luffy or Sabo.

Over the years, he hasn't developed a deep relationship with Luffy and the others, but he has a very good relationship with Sanji and the others.

He wouldn't even care if he were to betray the Straw Hat Pirates right now.

At most, he hoped that Ace and the others could save Sanji and the others; he didn't want them to die because of something like this.

"Again!"

Zoro, full of fighting spirit, charged towards Kuina once again.

......

Meanwhile, Teach, Dragon, and others continued to venture deeper into the heart of the royal capital.

As they continued forward, they were constantly stopped by people.

Upon seeing Stella, the current user of the Dark-Dark Fruit, Teach stopped and went to meet her.

The Dark-Dark Fruit was his lifelong ambition, and now that he has met a user with the corresponding ability, he at least wants to have a match with it.

Marco, Sabo, Usopp, and Doflamingo were ultimately stopped by Uta alone.

Under the power of the Song-Song Fruit, the group was almost in complete chaos, fighting each other in pairs.

Uta watched the battle below with a smile: Sabo versus Usopp, and Doflamingo versus Marco.

But in reality, she only controlled Doflamingo.

Usopp has been controlled by her before and has fought against the people she controls, so he can perfectly perform that feeling without any manipulation.

If needed, she could keep even more people on her own.

There's just no need for it.

Afterwards, Sanji was also dragged away by Reiju, and a battle between the siblings ensued.

Dragon, meanwhile, led Luffy and Vivi alone, his face grim, as he continued rushing into the palace.

Apart from Teach having the advantage against Stella, everyone else was at a disadvantage.

If he doesn't finish his mission quickly, they might all be left behind.

With only two Skyblades leading the charge, they were already struggling to hold their own, which further strengthened Dragon's determination to obtain Ravrud.