Calm Belt!
At this time, Shiro stepped on Fire Fist Ace, pinning him down with his sword at Ace's neck, a playful tone in his voice.
"Let go of me! You sneak attacked me. If we fought head-on, I wouldn't have lost so quickly!" Ace was clearly dissatisfied, struggling frantically.
But now, he was bound by three elemental abilities, coupled with the suppression of powerful Haki and the coercion of terrifying sword energy. He couldn't break free from Shiro's grip with his own strength, not even able to turn into his elemental form!
"Sneak attack?"
"Forget it. I'm too lazy to argue with you. Be honest with yourself—how long could you last against me in a head-on fight?"
Shiro smiled.
He didn't mean to target Ace, but since Whitebeard had specifically requested him to humble Ace, he didn't mind helping out.
Ace carried too many burdens in his heart, and his strong beliefs made his character rigid. But the more rigid something is, the easier it is to break. Unlike Luffy, Ace didn't have the same level of 'perseverance' or the incredible luck.
"You..." Ace was stunned by Shiro's words, unable to retort.
Yeah.
Even in a head-on battle, how long could he hold out against Shiro?
Throughout his years at sea, Ace had established his own pirate crew, received an invitation to join the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and eventually joined the Whitebeard Pirates, encountering numerous formidable enemies along the way.
But none of those guys could compare to the man in front of him.
At such a young age, he destroyed the Navy Headquarter on his own, shook the very foundations of the Navy, and openly became an enemy of the World Government.
It was even said that he beheaded a Celestial Dragon!
This was the first time Ace had seen such a ruthless man.
Ace had his own pride, but he had to admit it. His pride was nothing in front of Shiro.
Although they were the same age, the gap between them was enormous.
As Shiro said, if Ace didn't even have the ability to protect his own life, who was he to aspire to be a king?
"How is Whitebeard's health now?"
Shiro, noticing the gradual shift in Ace's mentality, naturally changed the subject.
"He suffered some minor injuries during the war. Although it's not serious, Dad has too many old wounds. I'm afraid he can't withstand more battles."
Ace stopped struggling, resigning himself to whatever Shiro would say or do.
"You know, the era of Whitebeard is over. He can't, and never wanted to be the Pirate King—that was never his goal. On the contrary, compared to his own life, what he values more is you, Fire Fist Ace!"
Shiro's words struck Ace deeply, his pupils continuously contracting and expanding.
"Go back and give Whitebeard a message. Within half a year, I'll take over Fish-Man Island. I hope you'll take over, Ace!"
After saying the last sentence, Shiro let go of Ace.
"Next time we meet, I'll defeat you!"
After a moment of silence, the confidence that Ace once had returned to his face. After leaving behind some harsh words, he jumped off the island and left.
Shiro watched Ace's departing figure, shaking his head helplessly.
Defeat him?
Even if the three brothers of the East Blue teamed up, they wouldn't stand a chance against him at this time.
[Ding, congratulations to the host for completing the second choice of the same task within 1 hour. Reward: a small spaceship, which has been stored in the system space.]
It worked!
Hearing the system notification, Shiro couldn't help but feel delighted. He hadn't expected to exploit this bug, though there seemed to be a one-hour limit!?
After sending Ace away, Shiro wasn't in a hurry to return to Amazon Lily to find Hancock.
He was about to go to sea, and there were things he needed to tell Casey and Kay.
After giving his instructions, Shiro returned to Amazon Lily.
Before setting out to sea, the most important task was to battle Hancock for three days and three nights!
Because for this journey, Shiro intended to act alone.
After all, it wasn't a pleasure cruise.
He didn't know whether the World Government and the Navy Headquarter had prepared any targeted actions against him.
His actions shouldn't be too flashy, and Amazon Lily and Center Island couldn't be left unattended.
Especially Amazon Lily—after mining the Golden Mountain, the island was developing rapidly, and someone needed to be in charge.
Hancock was the best and only choice.
If anything happened, with Shiro's speed and the ultra-fast submarine, he could definitely return at the fastest speed.
. . .
Three days later.
At the port of Amazon Lily.
Supported by Sandersonia and Marigold, the world's most beautiful Pirate Empress looked pitifully at the figure of Shiro, who was about to leave, her beautiful eyes wet with tears.
No way.
She was very reluctant to let Shiro go, but she couldn't even stand on her own legs now.
They hadn't slept for three days and three nights!
The man she loved was truly powerful, and even she, the Pirate Empress, could only bow to him.
"Don't worry, Hancock, I'll be back soon. Take a good rest during this time!"
Shiro hugged the weakened Hancock, then swiftly boarded the ultra-fast submarine.
After a final farewell, the submarine gradually submerged and disappeared beneath the water.
After a while, Hancock reluctantly prepared to return to the palace.
"Master Hebihime-sama, are you sick? Should we call Gloriosa?"
"Sick? How could I be sick?"
"Then why do the sisters in the Snake Guard say that for the past three days and three nights, your shouting never stopped?"
. . .
Outside the Calm Belt.
In a short period of time, Shiro drove the ultra-fast submarine and left the Calm Belt from Amazon Lily, traveling under the sea.
The speed of this ultra-fast submarine really astonished Shiro.
Although it couldn't match the terrifying speed of him and Admiral Borsalino, it was definitely not slow—far exceeding the speed of ordinary Rokushiki's Soru.
After exiting the Calm Belt, Shiro wasn't in a hurry to move on. Instead, he looked at the sea surface through the submarine's periscope.
Sure enough, he spotted CP agents from the World Government.
This was one of the reasons why Shiro chose to travel by submarine.
It's crucial to maintain the element of surprise.
Now the World Government is eager to figure out all his abilities, but Shiro was determined not to let them succeed.
This time, he was going to sea to recruit powerful cadres.
Shiro didn't plan to make too much noise—it would be best if the World Government and the Navy Headquarter knew nothing, or found out later.
That's how you make a surprise.
As for the first target for recruitment.
Shiro had already made up his mind.
Of course, it would be the world's greatest swordsman, Hawk Eyes Mihawk!
The title of Seven Warlords of the Sea wouldn't last much longer.
The world's greatest swordsman who enjoyed his freedom!
With Hawk Eyes joining, their strength would be more than sufficient.
As for the other candidates for cadres.
Shiro had plans.
And for some reason, he also needed to borrow a member of the Straw Hat Pirates for two years!
. . .
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+60 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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