Was it more than ten years ago, when Kuro had just joined the Navy?

Most people simply thought that Kuro was just venting and trying to belittle Shanks.

Only Kro seemed lost in thought.

Unlike Lida, who was completely bewildered, he clearly understood the meaning behind Mr. Kuro's words.

Because he had seen it, he had experienced it, and now he was even acting alongside Mr. Kuro, all for his grand goal that would make all the men of the sea pale in comparison.

"That's a truly terrifying ability, especially since we're at sea right now."

Shanks looked up at the dark clouds in the sky that Kuro had parted with his finger, and shook his head with a wry smile: "To be honest, I don't really want to fight you, but..."

He really didn't want to fight Kuro. Back at Marineford, the stab Kuro gave him still caused him occasional, dull pain in his chest.

They're still at sea, just like the captain didn't want to fight Shiki at sea back then, but...

Shanks swung his rapier, the blade making a 'hum' as it touched the air. His expression gradually turned serious, and he said in a deep voice, "I believe in Luffy. He will definitely win Wano Country, so I won't let you go and disturb him. Young people are blossoming their future. Don't stifle the potential of young people, Kuro!"

"You speak just like Rayleigh, with such a smooth and logical way of speaking. No wonder you're from the same boat."

Kuro turned Shusui around, pointing the blade at Shanks, and said coldly, "Then I'll make sure you lose another leg, just like Rayleigh."

He's already missing an arm, so losing a leg wouldn't matter much.

"Rayleigh...?"

Shanks smiled and said, "I heard that you killed the first mate. I don't know if it's true. We really do have some old and new grudges."

The two that truly have the greatest grudge against pirates are the Navy and pirates.

One inherited Roger's will, and the other gained Shiki's power.

One wants to protect the next generation, the other wants to arrest the next generation.

He was once a crew member on one ship, but many of them have already been killed by another.

Rayleigh and Barrett, they were both old crew members...

Whether Rayleigh is dead or not is unknown, but Barrett is dead; they were all defeated by Kuro.

What they represent, their positions, and these events all indicate that they are the greatest enemies!

Kuro knew this too.

Therefore, he would rather fight Kaido and Big Big Wolf than fight Shanks, because fighting Shanks would easily turn into a life-or-death battle.

But now...

"The Navy and pirates are sworn enemies, Shanks."

Kuro flicked the blade away, raised his other hand, and clenched it tightly. "You're blocking my way!"

Splash!

Suddenly, a large number of raindrops, as big as fists, began to fall from the sky, crashing onto the pirate ship behind Shanks and in front of the Golden Lion.

"This isn't good..."

Ben Beckman reached out and caught the rain, and in an instant, Armament Haki appeared on his hand.

Shanks' pupils contracted, and just as he was about to rush forward, he saw a blur flash by.

when!

He instinctively used Griffin to defend himself, but was struck by a tremendous force and thrown backward, flying off the bow of the Golden Lion and landing back on his own ship.

"Azure Dragon Rain!"

At that very moment, Kuro opened his mouth and shouted, and the falling rain was like a blade, instantly tearing apart the sails of the Red Fox, followed by the mast, the bow, and all the way to the deck, all of which were torn to shreds.

On the high seas, those who navigate by ship are no match for Kuro, who can almost control the ocean.

"not good!"

Shanks instantly donned Armament Haki to defend against the sudden barrage of blades.

He could withstand it, and so could his elite crew, but some of the weaker crew members were eventually torn to shreds by the rain of blades and fell onto the increasingly dilapidated deck.

Once war breaks out, there will be absolutely no mercy!

"You bastard!"

Shanks looked towards the Golden Lion ahead and saw the enormous golden ship take flight, hovering high in the sky.

A figure dressed in a gold suit and wearing a cape also descended from the ship and floated just below the bow.

"You dare to stop me on the high seas? No one can stop me on the high seas, Shanks!"

Kuro's left hand rose and fell, his fingers dancing as if in a dance. The huge golden ship turned around, its bow pointing downwards, the golden lion's head aimed at the Red Fox, which was beginning to break apart under the raindrops.

He flicked his index finger upwards and arrogantly declared:

"So pray, wail, despair beneath the waves!"

boom!!

A massive tsunami emerged from around the dilapidated ship, its crest resembling a majestic lion's head, roaring and howling at the prey-like vessel below before crashing down upon it.

"What a...terrifying person!"

One of the Red-Haired Pirates' executives, wearing a hat with the pirate ship's insignia, long yellow hair, a red shirt, white gloves, a beige coat, and gray trousers, suddenly jumped up, grabbed the barrel of his spear, and slammed it forward with force.

Bang!

The massive tsunami was smashed open by this impact, but it was only an opening. Soon, the surging tsunami healed itself and continued its journey toward the Red Fosse.

The man with long yellow hair, having failed in his attack, jumped back onto the deck, but nearly fell over when he stepped into a gap in the broken deck, which had been damaged by the rain blades.

"Captain! This is beyond our control!" he roared.

Shanks, however, had no time to worry about anything else. His eyes were fixed on the tsunami, or more precisely, on the area behind it, where the Golden Lion had been hovering in the air. There seemed to be something there.

Ben Beckman also looked unusual.

"I'll do it!"

Beckman spat out the cigarette he was holding, raised the gun barrel with both hands, and his arms swelled up several sizes as a result.

"drink!!"

He roared, and the domineering aura of his arm flowed from the barrel to the butt of the gun, making it look like an iron rod as he swung it fiercely.

boom!!

The upper half of the tsunami was abruptly and completely cut off by this strike, but this also revealed the previously obscured scenery outside the tsunami.

The golden ship hovering in the sky now had its mouth wide open, and inside it, a large number of lasers were gathering!

Below the laser beam stood Kuro, cigar in mouth, head held high and a smug smile on his face. He exhaled a puff of smoke, bent his outstretched left hand downwards, and bared his teeth as he roared, "Fire the bastards!!!"

He simply refused to believe that once the laser cannon was fired, they would have nowhere to stand.