The Other Side
On a white sunny beach, Rob is leisurely drinking iced juice, wearing sunglasses, and enjoying the warm and hot climate of the island, with the coolness slowly coming from the sea.
"Ni-chan!"
While Rob was enjoying himself, Uta, in a cute kid's swimsuit, ran over, took off from a distance, and jumped directly into Rob's arms.
Boom!
Uta landed hard on Rob's stomach, causing him to spit out his juice with a "poof."
Rubbing Uta's little head with a speechless expression, Rob said, "You little...!"
Uta smiled sweetly, enjoying the head pats, and said, "Onee-chan asked me to tell you, the captain of the Red Hair Pirates—Shanks—called and said he wants to meet you and has something to discuss with you!"
Rob frowned in surprise. "Shanks? Looks like he's back from somewhere! What does he want to talk to me about? The 'New Era' he values? Interesting!"
After thinking for a moment, Rob nodded casually. "Got it! Go ahead and play! Be safe and don't get hurt! Got it?"
Uta nodded and then jumped off Rob, running back to where she came from. "I see!" she shouted as she ran.
Watching Uta run away, Rob had a smile on his face, his expression doting. "In the blink of an eye, Uta is almost eleven years old! How time flies!"
In just over a month, Rob will celebrate his twentieth birthday, marking almost fifteen years since he traveled to this world. It's not that he was completely unaware of the passing of time, but still, it felt like just yesterday he had arrived.
"The redhead came to me and wants to do something?" Rob's eyes flickered slightly, full of contemplation.
"Fight me one more time? Want to beat me again? Or is he about to reach the top and wants my help? Not at all, maybe he learned something from Luffy and wants to brag to me about him?"
The redhead Shanks, who Rob would meet this time, had most likely lost his left hand, which he was most used to using, and had become a one-armed man. That Devil Fruit, the one with strong self-awareness, had been eaten by Luffy.
But whatever it is, it's fine.
Since Shanks wants to see him, let's meet him!
Ten Days Later
On another island where they agreed to meet, the Red Hair Pirates, who arrived earlier, had already set up a temporary camp.
While waiting, the members of the Red Hair Pirates who were on guard duty held binoculars in their hands.
Suddenly, one of them shouted, "Boss! Platinum Angel has been found! 'World's Strongest'—Rob is here!"
This announcement caused a chain reaction in the Red Hair Pirates' camp. Many of the newcomers looked forward to it, their faces showing anticipation, some anxiety, and nervousness.
Common sense on the sea: when big shots meet, there's bound to be a clash!
Shanks' current bounty is 1.5 billion berries, making him one of the top bounty holder among the New World Great Pirates, second only to the Yonko. He is a top-tier boss.
And Rob—he is the biggest boss among the big bosses!
Although there is much information showing that Rob and the Red Hair Pirates have a good relationship, a good relationship doesn't mean there won't be any action. The new members of the Red Hair Pirates couldn't help but feel some fear and anxiety.
Noticing the fear and insecurity of the new members, the old members smiled and comforted them.
"Don't be nervous, newbies! There will be more scenes like this in the future. Get used to it as soon as possible! Hahaha..."
"And you can rest assured that even if it is a battle, it will end soon."
Hearing this, the newcomers were puzzled. "Huh? Why?"
Shaking their heads, some old members laughed but said nothing. "There won't be any fights! Even if we do fight, it won't last long! Rob is a friend of our Red Hair Pirates. When we meet, it's just a matter of saying hello!"
After hearing the old members' words, the newcomers felt relieved. It would be better if there was no fight.
Soon, under the restlessness of the Red Hair Pirates, the Angel slowly docked on the shore.
Rob, still dressed in his casual clothes and with a sword pinned to his waist, appeared at the bow of the Angel with a relaxed expression. He took a look at the location of the Red Hair Pirates' camp.
Swish!
A red light flashed in his eyes as he saw some interesting images of the future. "They're coming?"
As if in response to his words, a figure leaped out of the Red Hair Pirates' camp at extreme speed. Wearing a black cloak, with red hair hanging down his back and an expression full of fighting spirit, Shanks rushed directly towards the Angel on the shore at lightning speed.
Stare--
Seeing Shanks approaching, Rob moved even faster, closing the distance between them in seconds.
"Long time no see, Rob!" Shanks grinned and greeted Rob while drawing the Saber from his waist. The original blade had turned black, emitting a unique cold light. Over the years, it had absorbed Shanks' powerful Haki, officially becoming a black blade and a Supreme Grade Sword.
Prickly
Shanks released his powerful Conqueror's Haki, wrapping it around the blade. He smashed the ground with his footsteps, leaping into the air in front of Rob, and then slashed directly at him with Conqueror's Haki-infused blade.
"Divine Avoidance!"
Rob's forward steps stopped, and he adopted a lunge posture. His aura exploded suddenly as he looked at Shanks, who was attacking him, and also used the "Divine Avoidance" technique. A smile formed on his face. "Impressive! You've mastered it? Then let me see your 'Divine Avoidance'."
Choke--
As his voice fell, Rob grasped the sword at his waist. Red light lit up in his eyes as he released his own Conqueror's Haki, compressing it onto his sword. Facing Shanks' fierce attack, he swung his blade directly!
Zheng
The sharp blade light combined with the domineering Conqueror's Haki, and the power of Rob's strike, made those not strong enough in mind and spirit feel suffocated instantly!
Rob's Conqueror's Haki-infused black blade clashed with the Supreme Grade Sword - Gryphon, wrapped in Shanks' Conqueror's Haki. Two peerless weapons, two sea titans, head to head once again.
Boom!
The attacks of the two directly collided in the air, and the violent impact, centered on them, swept towards the surroundings at an extremely fast speed.
Bang——
Amidst the roar of the ground collapsing, the hurricane formed by the impact of Conqueror's Haki overturned many things, and the black lightning formed by the collision of Conqueror's Haki crackled violently!
The wind howled.
The earth crumbled.
The sea churned.
And finally, the sky seemed to explode!
Inside the camp of the Red Hair Pirates, some rookies who were not strong enough rolled their eyes and lost consciousness when hit by the berserk Conqueror's Haki. Others were left kneeling on the ground weakly, though still conscious.
Of course, the Red Hair Pirates are an elite group of pirates, known for their balanced strength. Only a small number of people fainted or were unable to remain standing. Most rookies, although feeling the terrible pressure and sweating profusely, did not lose consciousness or strength and retained their fighting capability.
The newcomers looked at each other in blank dismay.
"Is this... Mr. Rob's greeting?"
"In such a terrifying situation, it's just a greeting?"
"What a monster!"
The idea that this is how the sea's bosses and "top" greet each other was terrifying to the newcomers, who couldn't help but complain in their hearts.
Meanwhile, Shanks' face was serious, the veins on his right hand bulging, and the blood rising to his face. His tough and handsome features showed a calm yet strained expression, indicating that he was going all out.
However, no matter how hard Shanks tried, he couldn't push the sword in his hand even a little bit, let alone suppress Rob's attack at all!
On the other side, Rob, holding Shinto with one hand, remained relaxed.
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