"Shanks, are you just going to let them go?"
As the World Government's ships sailed away, Lucky Roux bit off a big, juicy piece of meat from the roast in his hand and swallowed it in a few gulps.
"What else? Since we promised not to trouble them if they told the truth, we need to keep our word."
Shanks rested his hand on the hilt of Gryphon and looked towards Wano Country. His expression was unusually serious—the information they had received from the CP0 agents had left him deeply unsettled.
Beside him, Ben Beckman took a drag from his cigarette, the flickering ember revealing his own shock.
The World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders, had extended an invitation to Nicolas. If he accepted, they were even willing to turn the Five Elders into the Six Elders and use the power of the Op-Op Fruit to grant him eternal life.
To be honest, when Beckman first heard this from the CP0 captain, he instinctively thought Nicolas would accept the offer. After all, power and immortality are highly tempting.
"Shanks, what do you think?"
Ben Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke and turned to Shanks. Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the others also looked at Shanks, awaiting his decision.
After all, they had come to find Nicolas, and if he sided with the World Government, they could end up in a fierce battle right in Wano Country, where he was based. Though they weren't afraid of a fight, they preferred to avoid a high-risk, low-reward conflict if possible.
"No worries, the plan stays the same. Whether Nicolas accepts or rejects their offer, we can just ask him directly."
Shanks said with a hearty laugh.
"Shanks..."
Ben Beckman walked over to him. "Are you sure about this? If a conflict breaks out in his territory, it could be very bad for us."
Shanks smiled slightly, looking up at the sky. "That guy isn't like that. Besides..."
In the sky before Shanks, two figures seemed to appear, smiling brightly at him, making him pause.
...
"Lord Nicolas, the patrol team has spotted the Red-Hair Pirates offshore!"
Just as Nicolas and his group were about to resume their celebrations after seeing off the CP0 agents, a figure hurried into the hall to report.
"Red-Hair? What's he doing here?" Simon asked, puzzled.
"Who knows? But since he's a Yonko, we should take him seriously," Brook said calmly.
"A Yonko, huh? I'm looking forward to this," Urouge said, downing his drink in one gulp.
"You? Forget it. Someone like Red-Hair is the perfect counter to your abilities," Katie said bluntly.
Bonney was completely overwhelmed by now. First, the Five Elders' invitation, and now, the arrival of Red-Hair Shanks in person. She just wanted to find Kuma and avoid getting involved in these big events!
"What does that shameless preacher want in Wano?"
Nicolas was puzzled. With Shanks already engaged in battles with Kaido and Whitebeard, why would he come to find him instead of making those two give him face?
"Shameless? Preacher?"
Katie looked confused.
"Yeah, that guy goes on and on about safeguarding the new era. He even bet his left arm on the East Blue, saying he was betting on the new era.
Can you believe that? He's in his early thirties, just became a Yonko, and his pirate career is booming. Everyone on the seas gives him respect.
He's so strong with just one arm; imagine how much further he could go if he hadn't lost the other one. And the kid he bet his arm on—did that kid even need him to place that bet? The kid's grandfather is a true big shot in the Navy, and his dad is the world government's top enemy, the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
If that kid ran into an unbeatable opponent, he could just name-drop his dad or granddad, and anyone with half a brain would leave immediately.
This guy is in his prime, but he's already pinning his hopes on the next generation. He's just like Roger, who also placed his hopes on the next generation. It's like they think their legacy will go on forever.
He might have come to Wano just to bet on me staying here. Who knows what goes on in the heads of these preachers?"
When it came to Shanks, Nicolas started rambling, never expecting that Shanks would eventually turn out to be such a preacher.
At that moment, a domineering aura swept in from the distance, startling everyone in the hall. Their eyes widened, and they stood up in unison.
"Damn, that's some arrogance!"
As Nicolas spoke, he suddenly disappeared, and with him, Vista's figure also vanished.
The others narrowed their eyes, staring intently at the small dot gradually approaching on the sea. They could clearly see the flag on the approaching ship—a skull with scars, crossed by two swords.
On the deck of the Red Force, Ben Beckman looked at Shanks, who was letting his Conqueror's Haki flow freely. Beckman hesitated before speaking up.
"Shanks, won't this make them think we're provoking them?"
"Relax, he'll give me some face."
Shanks smiled as he spoke.
"No way I'm giving you any face!"
Suddenly, Nicolas's voice echoed from above the Red Force. He was standing in the air, looking down at the Red-Hair Pirates.
"Give you face? What about mine?"
Nicolas drew his long sword and charged down, and Shanks's expression changed as Gryphon quickly left its sheath.
Clang!
The crisp sound of weapons clashing rang out, and then a surge of energy erupted from the crossed blades. The massive force from the clash caused the Red Force to groan, sinking deep into the ocean. The shockwave spread through the water, causing the surrounding sea to roil with waves.
The forceful clash created towering waves around the Red Force, the water surging as far as the eye could see.
Shanks felt the overwhelming power from Nicolas's blade, a power he had never encountered before. The massive force caused his arm to go numb, and blood started seeping from his hand, staining Gryphon's hilt.
"You know..."
"You might not want to be so hasty."
Ben Beckman raised his flintlock and aimed it at Nicolas, while Lucky Roux, Yasopp, Monster, and the others prepared for battle.
Before they could act, a terrifying wave of Conqueror's Haki washed over them, and Vista's cold voice rang in their ears. But the Red-Hair Pirates, known for their solid teamwork, weren't easily swayed by a single threat.
As they prepared for a fight, one member of the Red-Hair Pirates with a red afro and a pink shirt suddenly looked up at the sky in terror.
The others followed his gaze and saw a massive crack forming in the sky above. Dark clouds split apart and rolled, as if the sky itself had been torn open.
Shanks's sword, Gryphon, erupted with black and red lightning, forcing Nicolas back. But the immense backlash caused Shanks's hand to tremble, his palm splitting open and bleeding, staining Gryphon's hilt red.
Clearly, repelling Nicolas hadn't been easy for Shanks.
"Kid, impressive Conqueror's Haki and swordsmanship. No wonder you became a Yonko."
Nicolas looked at Shanks, who was cautiously holding his sword, and then let his long sword disappear. For Nicolas, he only wanted to teach Shanks a lesson. Now that his point was made, there was no need to continue.
Seeing Nicolas sheath his sword, Shanks also put Gryphon away.
Following their captain's lead, the rest of the Red-Hair Pirates relaxed and lowered their weapons.
"Hey, you didn't have to come at me so hard right off the bat."
After they had stopped fighting, Shanks returned to his usual carefree self, smiling as he spoke.
"Oh... weren't you the one who released Conqueror's Haki to provoke me first? Do you have any idea how much your Haki can affect ordinary people?"
Nicolas shot a glance at Shanks.
Realizing what Nicolas was implying, Shanks felt a bit embarrassed. After all, Conqueror's Haki was still a form of attack, especially a large-scale, indiscriminate one. While it might not bother strong fighters much, it could knock out regular people just by brushing against them.
[AN- So, Shanks' Haki at Wano was indeed outrageous. Even Green Bull was shocked, but the ordinary folks in Wano didn't even notice. Talk about watered-down Conqueror's Haki.]
"Hahaha, my bad, my bad. As compensation—men, start the party!"
Shanks laughed loudly and shouted, and the deck was soon filled with laughter and chatter as food and drinks were brought out.