Defeating an opponent head-on was the greatest show of respect one could offer a warrior.
"If that's the case, then I'd like to see for myself—just how strong is a man who spent twenty years locked away in Impel Down?"
With those words, Shanks gripped the hilt of his sword and drew it from its sheath.
A brilliant slash of sword light flashed across the deck.
At the same time, the sky darkened, thick clouds rolling in ominously.
"Your opponent is me, Shanks!"
Douglas Bullet, standing beside Alex, grinned eagerly.
He had been waiting for this.
He wanted to test how powerful this former apprentice of the Roger Pirates had become.
His entire body darkened as it was coated in Armament Haki. Then, with explosive force, he launched himself forward.
In an instant, he closed the distance.
Shanks' eyes narrowed. He lifted Gryphon, his famed saber.
A crimson slash burst forth.
But Bullet didn't even try to dodge.
He crossed his arms in front of him, preparing to block it head-on.
A mistake.
He had underestimated Shanks.
One of the Four Emperors of the sea, Shanks carried a bounty in the billions. His power was immeasurable.
"BOOM!"
The sword energy crashed into Bullet's arms, wrapped in Armament Haki.
Yet he was sent skidding back.
His feet dug into the deck, leaving a deep trail, and he barely stopped himself before hitting the ship's railing.
His Haki-coated arms trembled—black armor cracking.
Blood seeped from his skin.
Shanks had completely overpowered him.
"Damn, bro! This isn't some small-fry like Arlong! Don't go catching swords with your face!"
Alex called out from the side, exasperated.
He hadn't expected Bullet to be this reckless. Even the hardest Haki meant nothing in the face of overwhelming strength.
But Bullet only laughed.
"Hah! I was just testing him out. Didn't expect Roger's little apprentice to become this strong. I like it!"
He wasn't interested in treasure or fame.
His goal was simple—defeat every powerful opponent that stood between him and the pinnacle of the world.
And Shanks was one of them.
The surrounding pirates stared in disbelief.
Bullet had taken a direct hit from Shanks' sword—and survived.
Even Marine Admirals wouldn't dare block that blade barehanded.
"Alright. Time to get serious. Watch closely, kid!"
Bullet's voice was calm.
Then—purple energy began to swirl around his body.
It wrapped around his Armament Haki, fusing with it.
The air around him shimmered as his body glowed a menacing shade of violet.
Alex's eyes widened.
"Holy shit. Demon Mode?"
At those words, even Shanks' expression tensed.
"Everyone, get back! Now!"
Bullet's Demon Mode—his signature combat state.
By merging his Haki with his own raw fighting spirit, he became a monstrous force of nature.
A devil incarnate.
It was the reason people called him The Demon Heir.
And now, he was unleashing it.
With a sudden burst of speed, Bullet moved.
"DEMON MODE: STRONGEST FIST!"
He rocketed forward, tearing through the air like a meteor.
Shanks didn't flinch.
His grip on Gryphon tightened.
Then, the sky cracked.
Thunder rumbled.
Lightning streaked down, striking Shanks' sword.
A dragon-shaped bolt of lightning coiled around his blade, roaring as if it had a will of its own.
Then, he swung.
"BOOM!"
The dragon-shaped lightning shot forward, baring its fangs.
Bullet's fist met it head-on.
The impact detonated like a bomb.
A massive shockwave erupted, sending violent waves crashing against the ship.
Crew members near the blast were thrown off their feet—some straight into the ocean.
And when the dust settled—
Two figures still stood at the center of the battlefield.
"CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!"
Bullet had punched through the lightning dragon.
In a blur, he appeared beside Shanks.
The two clashed at full speed—fist against sword.
Bullet threw a devastating punch.
Shanks countered with his saber, blocking just in time.
"CRACK!"
The deck groaned under the force of their battle.
A sharp snapping sound followed—
And then, cracks spread across the wooden planks.
"Shit! If this keeps up, the damn ship's gonna sink even if we win!"
Alex cursed under his breath.
Then, without hesitation, he opened his system shop.
It was time to pull out a trump card and end this fight in style.