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...
Two hours later!
The lively oden-cooking ceremony concluded. The members of the Whitebeard Pirates packed their belongings and, accompanied by Ian and Hiyori, made their way to the coast of Kuri to see them off. They boarded the Moby Dick, preparing to set sail!
At the same time, at the entrance waterfall of Wano Country in Kuri, multicolored giant carp leaped over the Dragon Gate, bringing a large red-hued pirate ship to Kuri!
On the ship's mast hung a flag featuring a face and crossed swords, representing their identity,
The Red Hair Pirates of the Yonko!!
...
Wano Country, Kuri, Itachi Port!
"Uncle Whitebeard, Uncle Marco, everyone, are you really leaving? Can't you stay a few more days?" Kozuki Hiyori pleaded, reluctant to see them go.
"Little Hiyori, there's nothing more we can do for this country. From here on, you'll have to protect it yourselves. Without Kaido of the Beasts and Charlotte Linlin, I believe no one will want to trouble Wano Country. Moreover, Ian-dono has become your Guardian Wise King and has allowed you to use his flag!"
"Pops even admits that Ian-dono is the world's strongest man!" Marco laughed.
"That's right, that's right. We'll have chances to meet again in the future!" Diamond Jozu, Vista, and others chimed in.
Suddenly, as if sensing something, Whitebeard and others on the Moby Dick...
Also noticed a powerful aura approaching!
"Pops! Pops! Something big is happening!"
"Red Hair... Red Hair is here!!!"
The lookout on the crow's nest of the Whitebeard Pirates shouted in alarm. As his words fell, the Moby Dick erupted in astonishment. They couldn't understand why Red Hair had come here too!
In just a few days, four Yonko of the sea had descended upon this unopened country. What's going on?
"Gurararara, that red-haired Kid, huh? Let him come over!" Whitebeard agreed. Regarding his purpose, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates could somewhat guess.
"Red-Haired Shanks, huh? Interesting!"
Ian grinned now, stepping onto the deck of the Moby Dick with Hiyori, who was curious about the mysterious identity of Red Hair. He was also quite intrigued.
A few minutes later, the Red Force, the pirate ship of the Red Hair Pirates, docked alongside the Moby Dick. Footsteps echoed across the gangway connecting the ships!
"Red Hair is coming!"
Third Division Commander Diamond Jozu reminded.
"Step back. Your bodies won't be able to withstand 'it'!" Marco waved his hand, dismissing the crowd. However, it was already too late!
Only the sound of a single footstep, 'tap,' was heard.
Those closest to the connecting bridge didn't even groan before their eyes rolled back, and they fell unconscious. As Red-Haired Shanks' footsteps sounded again, another group collapsed!
By the time Red-Haired Shanks fully appeared on the deck, people were already lying all over the Moby Dick!
"With half-hearted mental resilience, you can't stay conscious in front of that man. Still as full of dominance as ever, Red Hair!"
Jozu spoke solemnly. Finally, the Yonko Red-Haired Shanks stood firmly in the center of the deck!
"Forgive me. Coming aboard an enemy ship and making This display, but I have no intention of fighting. I just have some matters to discuss with you."
Red-Haired Shanks spoke calmly, his gaze sweeping over the towering Whitebeard, then locking onto the man and woman standing to Whitebeard's right!
Looking at Ian, the calm expression on Shanks' face showed slight fluctuation!
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard's hearty laughter snapped Shanks out of his shock and contemplation!
"Is that something a man exuding dominance should say? Compared to you, Ian was much more direct back then!" Whitebeard said. Marco and the others smiled knowingly, all recalling the day when Ian boarded the Moby Dick.
He was similarly imposing, even directly challenging Whitebeard to a fight. But to avoid alerting Kaido of the Beasts and others before the battle in Wano Country, they didn't fight.
After the battle ended, he realized he was no longer a match for Ian, which became a regret for Whitebeard.
"Is that so? So you're the famed Black-Winged Devil; we finally meet!"
Red-Haired Shanks laughed joyfully.
"Yonko Red-Haired Shanks, I've heard your name as well!" Ian replied with a smile, his gaze toward Red Hair growing bold, battle intent surging!
Shanks' expression momentarily froze. Under the watchful eyes of both the Whitebeard Pirates and the Red Hair Pirates, many couldn't help but take a deep breath, feeling a heavy weight in their hearts!
*Yonko Big Mom, Yonko Kaido of the Beasts... Now it's Yonko Red-Haired Shanks!*
This former Marine Vice Admiral, now Warlord of the Sea, the Black-Winged Devil, had already defeated two of the Yonko. The only ones left were Red-Haired Shanks and Whitebeard... Is there anyone who can stop his advance?!
Red-Haired Shanks had once tied with the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, and was a trainee on the Pirate King Roger's ship. Although he lost an arm in the East Blue, he still stood at the pinnacle of the world!
"Ian has defeated two of the Yonko consecutively; he's unstoppable. If Red-Haired Shanks is also defeated, then... only our Pops is left!"
Members of the Whitebeard Pirates looked at the tense Ian and Red-Haired Shanks, speaking with a tremor in their voices. On the other side, someone shook his head and said, "Each of the Yonko is strong, with different abilities!"
"Ian can kill Kaido of the Beasts; perhaps his attack power is stronger than Whitebeard's, but attack power isn't everything... Maybe he can't surpass Red Hair's swordsmanship. After all, Ian-dono and Pops jointly fought Kaido and Charlotte Linlin!"
They both blocked their combined attack; perhaps he's stronger than Pops, but no one knows by how much!
"That's right. On this sea, abilities counter each other. To consecutively defeat two of the Yonko is almost unbelievable. It might not be so easy for him to defeat our leader!" People within the Red Hair Pirates' territory were also discussing in hushed tones.
"But what if he really beats our leader... What if he defeats Whitebeard too?" Hearing this, the person who spoke earlier fell silent, then looked up at the distant sky.
"Then he would be the new... World's Strongest!"
Looking at Ian in white robes, exuding a deep and alarming aura like a Devil, some of the newcomers of the Red Hair Pirates showed disbelief.
"So he's the one who killed Kaido of the Beasts and defeated the Big Mom Pirates? His appearance is really intimidating, but he doesn't look particularly strong, and I can't sense anything..."
Many of the newcomers in the Red Hair Pirates watched Ian from afar, some even eager to try, but they were scolded by the veteran pirates beside them!
The officers of the Red Hair Pirates usually had a relationship with Shanks similar to Zoro, Sanji, and Luffy's, no distinctions of rank, like brothers, often joking around!
At this moment, all eyes were on Ian. Time seemed to freeze!
Even the officers of the Red Hair Pirates had sweat on their foreheads. As for the newcomers, they couldn't breathe. But in the next moment, the corners of Ian's mouth slightly curled up!
*Buzz!!!*
An invisible ripple emanated from Shanks. Dust and sand suddenly buzzed and trembled as the ripple spread out, not affecting anyone else but locking entirely onto Ian, crashing onto him!
*Conqueror's... Haki!*
Red-Haired Shanks' Conqueror's Haki is recognized as the strongest on the seas. As one of the Yonko, he's known as the most dominant man!
Feeling this Conqueror's Haki, the officers beside Shanks all showed slight changes in their expressions. Some even gripped their weapons, preparing for battle!
The previously clear sky suddenly stirred with winds and clouds. Although Conqueror's Haki is invisible to the naked eye, in terms of spiritual perception and aura, it surged like a landslide or tsunami!
Everyone who had directly faced Shanks' Conqueror's Haki held deep respect for him. Those who could withstand his Haki were all renowned strong individuals. Average people would instantly lose consciousness!
*This is Conqueror's Haki!*
*Overwhelming all, making everything submit!*
When this Conqueror's Haki fell upon Ian, it only caused his loose white robe to flutter slightly in the wind!
"Your Conqueror's Haki... is much stronger than Kaido of the Beasts, Big Mom, and even Whitebeard!"
Under the impact of Shanks' Conqueror's Haki, Ian instead slightly curled his lips, and a glint flashed in his eyes!
*Buzz!!!*
An even more Scary Conqueror's Haki suddenly erupted from Ian, surging in all directions. Instantly, cracks appeared on the deck beneath his feet, and the gathering dark clouds in the sky were blasted away by this aura, revealing the clear sky once again!
But in the next moment, the clash between the two Conqueror's Haki caused all the division commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates and the officers of the Red Hair Pirates to change their expressions drastically!
*Boom!!!*
The two Conqueror's Haki caused the air to twist and distort, as if two invisible fists collided violently!
*Crack! Crack!!!*
The deck between the two suddenly shattered. Countless fragments and fine sand rose between them. These fragments and sand didn't scatter randomly but seemed to be frozen in time, suspended in mid-air. Red-Haired Shanks' Conqueror's Haki!
It was clearly stronger than Kaido of the Beasts, Big Mom, and even Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki. His Haki could directly affect matter, even causing cracks in the ship's planks. The two Conqueror's Haki fell into a silent stalemate!
There was no scene of flying sand and rocks, but countless pebbles and sand were suspended in the air. At this moment, even normal people standing here could feel an extreme sense of oppression!
Under this oppressive aura, no one could speak, including the officers of the Red Hair Pirates, who had to focus all their energy to barely withstand this pressure!
Their eyes showed shock; they hadn't expected Ian's Conqueror's Haki to be so strong, capable of forming such a stalemate with Red-Haired Shanks' Haki!
At this moment, Shanks was also extremely shocked. He hadn't expected Ian's Conqueror's Haki to be so powerful!
Even stronger than anyone he had ever met, including his captain, the Pirate King Roger!
Between emperors, sometimes just by aura, they could understand what kind of person the other was. What Shanks felt from Ian was no sense of submission, only a pride that seemed to transcend everything, overlooking all!
It was as if nothing in this world could make Ian bow his head. If the Yonko were likened to the east, west, south, and north seas, and the Pirate King was the Grand Line or two seas, then Ian felt like the entire world pressing down from above!
Now, his fusion with Ulquiorra had reached 84%. Even in the Bleach world, he would only be weaker than the strongest Shinigami Yamamoto and Hōgyoku Aizen.
Hence, he feared no one!
He stood completely at the pinnacle of this Planet!
*Buzz!!!*
The stalemate between the two Conqueror's Haki didn't last long, just a few breaths. Finally, Red-Haired Shanks' Haki was violently shattered by Ian's Haki!
Even the Conqueror's Haki of the most dominant man in the world, Red-Haired Shanks, couldn't resist Ian's. After all, Ian had long since transcended this world. Perhaps only the so-called King of the World, Imu, could make him serious!
As Shanks' Conqueror's Haki showed signs of collapse, all the officers of the Red Hair Pirates knew things were bad but were powerless to do anything, nor could they.
*Victory is victory; defeat is defeat!*
*Boom!!*
At the moment Shanks' Conqueror's Haki collapsed, the deck beneath Ian's feet finally shattered and upheaved, along with the pebbles and sand suspended in the air, all exploding in all directions. Like meteors flashing by, the raised dust suddenly froze, then scattered to both sides!
After the dust dispersed, the world gradually returned to calm. Ian's Conqueror's Haki did not continue to spread but was instantly retracted!
The scene fell into silence!
Everyone's gaze fell upon Red-Haired Shanks, who was slightly lowering his head, and Ian, who stood calmly, gazing straight ahead. Their eyes still held disbelief!
If someone could surpass Red-Haired Shanks in strength, not many would be surprised, because this world had monsters like Kaido of the Beasts.
And the world's strongest man, Whitebeard Edward Newgate. But to surpass Red Hair in Conqueror's Haki, that made it hard for everyone to believe, because on this sea, no one had ever been more dominant than Shanks!
Shanks' Haki had always been recognized as the strongest on the sea, but now this strongest had been forcefully broken by Ian!
'This guy's Face-Face Fruit is strong; even I want to give him some face!'
Looking at Red-Haired Shanks, Ian thought of a joke from his previous life and couldn't help but chuckle.
...
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