Translator: PapaSmurf0700
On the deck of the Moby Dick, only two figures remained—two of the most formidable men of the seas, each bearing their scars and memories. Whitebeard gazed at Shanks, a faint smirk crossing his face as he recalled their first encounter. Back then, Shanks was just a greenhorn, a young crewmate on Roger's ship, yet bold enough to stand before him in battle.
"Back then, you were just a kid on Roger's crew, but I remembered you," Whitebeard chuckled, his laughter rumbling across the deck. "Gurara! And that funny red-nosed kid you used to run with—what happened to him? Did he kick the bucket?"
Shanks laughed, shaking his head. "You mean Buggy? I miss that guy. After the captain was executed, we parted ways in Loguetown. Haven't seen him since." His voice softened with nostalgia. "But I heard he's still out there in the East Blue, raising his own ruckus."
Whitebeard took a long swig of sake, his gaze sharp. "So, you went to that weak sea and came back with only one arm? For someone at your level to come back from the East Blue missing a limb… it's hard to believe. Who did that to you, brat?"
Shanks's hand instinctively touched his empty shoulder, a small smile pulling at his lips. "I gave it up willingly—for a bet on the new era."
Whitebeard looked at him thoughtfully but didn't press further. "Oh? Betting on the new era, huh?" He waved it off with a casual shrug. "Well, so long as you don't regret it."
Shanks's words about the "new era" didn't faze Whitebeard. Whether it was the old era or the new, it made no difference to him.
Because he was Whitebeard—the strongest man in the world.
Whitebeard downed his drink, the liquor burning a fierce trail down his throat. Wiping his mouth with satisfaction, he looked at Shanks with a glint of interest. Sensing the timing, Red-Haired Shanks got to the point.
"I've been through countless battles," Shanks said, his voice serious. "I've earned my share of scars, but…" He paused, pointing to the deep, claw-like mark across his left eye. "This one still aches. And the one who gave it to me—was your former crewmate, Blackbeard Teach."
Whitebeard's expression hardened at the mention of that name. He remained silent, his gaze steady and unreadable as Shanks continued.
"You know what I'm saying, Whitebeard. Teach isn't what you think he is. He's been hiding under your shadow, biding his time. The moment he gets a taste of power, he'll make his move." Shanks's tone grew urgent. "He's aiming for the top, and he'll stop at nothing. One day, he'll come after you and try to take your place."
Shanks took a deep breath and finished, "Whitebeard, please. Stop Ace from chasing him. Ace is strong, no doubt—he's earned his place as your Second Division Commander. But it's not the right time for him to face Teach. I'm just asking you for this one thing."
Whitebeard listened without a word, his face impassive as Shanks spoke. After a long silence, he took another swig from his bottle, then spoke, his voice carrying a hint of disdain.
"Roger, Garp, Sengoku… all those who knew the sea in my time have started to fade." Whitebeard's gaze fixed on Shanks. "Even you—a brat I once saw tagging along behind Roger—now you're up here, calling yourself one of the Four Emperors."
He leaned forward, his eyes blazing as he looked directly at Shanks. "But don't get ahead of yourself. Do you really think you can stand on equal footing with me, brat?"
And with that, Whitebeard unleashed his Supreme King Haki, the overwhelming force of the strongest man alive bearing down on Shanks. The air grew thick with power, and the once-clear sky above darkened, clouds swirling ominously, as if responding to Whitebeard's indomitable will.
Whitebeard's voice thundered, laden with defiance. "Who gave you the delusion that this old man can halt my son's decisions, huh, Red-Haired brat?"
Boom!
With that, Shanks' haki surged outward, fierce and unwavering, clashing directly with Whitebeard's indomitable force. The very air crackled as their wills collided, creating a tension that seemed to weigh down on everyone around them.
Shanks slowly rose to his feet, meeting Whitebeard's piercing gaze. "You just drank my wine, and now you're this riled up, old man?" he said, though the light-hearted grin he wore moments ago had vanished, replaced with a hardened resolve. His own haki flared, his voice firm. "I'm doing this for the balance of the sea. If this course can't be stopped, then the next era will be one of chaos, a fury no one can contain."
With those words, Shanks drew his cherished saber, Gryphon, his expression unyielding. "If it's a fight you want…" He stepped forward, eyes locked on Whitebeard, his own haki surging once more. "Then I'm more than ready to meet you!"
The sky rumbled, a raw, powerful force crackling as their Supreme King Haki clashed, stirring the heavens. Overhead, a deafening roar sounded, as if the very universe echoed the might of these two titans.
On the deck of the Red Force, Lucky Roux glanced up, still chomping on a drumstick, but his usual carefree expression turned serious. Above the Moby Dick, where Whitebeard and Shanks stood toe-to-toe, the dark clouds split open with a massive crack. It was as if—
The sky itself was tearing apart.
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As the World Government grapples with the chaos stirred up by the Straw Hat Pirates in Paradise, the seas of the New World are poised for even greater upheaval. But while storms brew elsewhere, the Straw Hats are ready to embark on their next adventure.
Sky Island – Upper Yard
On the very ground that once served as an altar under Enel's rule, where countless lives had been sacrificed, something new and remarkable has taken shape. This transformed altar has become the birthplace of the Straw Hats' next great vessel, crafted by Franky himself.
One by one, the crew arrived, drawn to the platform by the news that the ship was complete. Luffy, practically bursting with excitement, waved his arms wildly as he spotted Franky standing on the platform in front of a massive, shrouded ship. "Franky! You said it's ready—show us already!" His eyes were fixed intently on the colossal, cloth-covered silhouette of the new ship.
The other crew members mirrored his enthusiasm, buzzing with amazement. Franky's relentless dedication had shaved more than ten days off the project timeline—an astonishing feat.
With his back turned, Franky struck his iconic pose, exclaiming, "Aww!!" His deep voice filled the air as he began, "The legendary ship that once carried the Roger Pirates across the Grand Line was my master Tom's greatest pride. He saw it as the ultimate creation."
He paused, his voice thick with emotion. "For the longest time, my dream was to build a ship that incredible." Then, with a fierce conviction, he added, "But!! Now I know I've made something even greater."
His voice swelled as he proclaimed, "A ship that can conquer any sea! A ship that can soar to the highest skies! A ship that can carry you all the way to the ends of the world!"
With a grand flourish, Franky yanked off the white covering, revealing the ship in all its glory.
"Presenting the Straw Hat Pirates' new ship—"
"The Super Merry!!"