Face is something that can be given by others, but you also have to earn it yourself. — Lucilfer Kuro
Shanks looked up at Kuro, who was looking down at him, smiled slightly, drew his 'Griffin' from his waist, swung it down, and said, "Can't you really make an exception, Kuro, no, Golden Lion?"
As they spoke, the gloom in the sky seemed to deepen, turning into rolling dark clouds.
Kuro moved the cigar from the left to the right corner of his mouth, took a bite, and exhaled a puff of smoke. "I knew you were deliberately trying to stop me. Sorry, I can't let you pass."
With his abilities, the simplest way to bypass Shanks is to fly.
But that is also a different kind of 'avoidance'.
When two ships meet on a narrow path, the brave will prevail. After encountering Shanks, flying and taking detours became things to avoid. As a Marine, especially as a Marine Admiral, Kuro had only one attitude to make: the Marines will not back down when they encounter pirates.
This is not simply a matter of the Navy and pirates encountering each other; it is a political event because both represent extremely high positions in two camps: one is an Admiral, and the other is one of the Four Emperors. They will be held responsible for any problems that arise.
There is only one outcome: Shanks will back down. Kuro will not back down, nor will he change course; he will only sail forward.
Whoever takes the initiative to back down means that they have chosen to give up in this operation.
Shanks wanted to save face, and Kuro naturally wanted to as well.
"Why are you blocking my way? If you want to be a babysitter so badly, go to Wano Country."
Kuro didn't even want to ask Shanks what he was doing here. Shanks was one of the Four Emperors, and the most low-key one at that. The fact that he was blocking his way meant that Shanks clearly knew what they were up to.
But what he couldn't understand was, if they were so worried about the Straw Hat, why didn't they just go to Wano Country and start a war? With him on the team, the Straw Hat might actually be able to win in Wano Country.
"Everyone has their own experiences, and I naturally won't interfere. Of course, I also won't let irrelevant people disrupt the existing order. Let the pirates handle their own affairs."
Shanks's face gradually turned solemn as he gripped his rapier tightly. "Kuro, I won't let you pass."
Boom!
A muffled rumble of thunder echoed across the sky, as if the sky above Kuro and Shanks were divided in two. Kuro's half of the sky was clear and bright, while Shanks' half was covered in dark clouds and resounded with bursts of thunder.
Ben Beckman, smoking a cigarette, took the gun off his waist and casually gripped the barrel.
Yes, the gun barrel. He was a gunman, that's true, but he also often used the gun barrel as a knife handle and hit people with the butt of the gun.
Lucky Roux stood on Shanks' other side, biting into a piece of meat with bone in one hand and holding a pistol in the other.
Behind them, Yasopp took the spear off his back and smirked.
Further on, all the officers of the Red-Haired Pirates stood on the deck, looking very excited and confident.
Unlike last time, this time the Red Guards seemed to have brought all the cadres with them.
The first three are the elite of the elite.
It's strange, but the other four emperors have "three calamities," "three generals," or "four generals," while Shanks' side only has "three musketeers" as their main officers, and the captain is a swordsman, which is quite absurd.
But that's not important.
The important thing is that Red Hair is now blocking him.
"I knew it. I don't know which traitor tipped you off. I haven't even gathered the Seven Warlords of the Sea yet. Who the hell gave you the information?"
Click...
The sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath.
Kuro slowly drew Shusui, flicked it to his side, and sunlight shone on the black blade, reflecting a metallic gleam.
Behind them, Crow and Lida stood on either side, while Moore, Sazel, Kikyo, and Fanny were all waiting in ambush.
"Ah...this is not good. Are you really not going back? Do me a favor, considering I watched you fight and witnessed you become the world's greatest swordsman." Shanks was still a little unwilling to give up.
Kuro pointed at Shusui and said to Shanks, "You still have the nerve to say that? I thought about it after I got back, and you were setting me up. You think I'd give you face? How about you give me one? Now, get out of my way!"
"That won't do..."
Shanks shook his head with a wry smile. "Looks like we're going to have to fight today."
"fire!"
Kuro didn't bother with any more words to Shanks and simply shouted, "Throw them into the sea!"
"emission!!"
Boom! Boom!
The Marines, who had already taken their battle positions upon seeing Shanks, heard Kuro's voice. At the command of a Rear Admiral, the fortifications aboard the Golden Lion lowered their guns and unleashed a barrage of dense shells.
At the same time, Kuro clenched his relaxed left hand tightly, shouting, "Lion's Might - Sea Roll Earthly Treasure!"
On the high seas, no one can rival Kuro, not even the Four Emperors.
This place is his home turf!
The firing was just a ruse; let's take down Shanks' ship first!
"I can't let you succeed!"
A smile appeared on Shanks' lips, as if he had expected it. After Kuro gave the order, he swung his right arm forward, and the rapier in his hand directly unleashed a wave of energy that swept out a half-circle of shockwaves, which struck the launched cannonballs.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The shells exploded directly above the deck, kicking up a huge cloud of smoke.
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