The Self-Proclaimed Guardian of Balance

Red Force Deck

"Boom--!"

The sea churned, the wind howled, Red Force, like a red beast, tore through the waves, speeding toward the crumbling Deserted Island!

The lingering Conqueror's Haki in the air was still raging, causing the deck to tremble slightly!

Benn Beckman stood on the ship's railing, his cigarette butt flickering, the ash swept away by the sea breeze. His brow was furrowed, his eyes fixed on the distant, apocalyptic Battlefield.

"I didn't expect... that guy actually overpowered Kaido and Whitebeard."

"A battle of this magnitude is almost unbearable to watch."

Yasopp stood beside him, gripping his Sniper Rifle tightly, cold sweat beading on his forehead, his voice low and menacing. "Kaido was actually forced into this situation? That's... the 'Strongest Creature'!"

"The intelligence we received indicates that Kaido had previously fought Zephyr and even clashed with Whitebeard."

"Even so, this is still outrageous... He's practically beaten to death now, isn't he?"

Lucky Roux stood to the side, his face filled with shock. He had half-eaten a piece of meat in his hand and forgot to chew it. He mumbled indistinctly, "If the captain had been any later, Kaido might really be dead..."

The air on the deck was stagnant, like iron.

Shanks stood at the bow of the ship, his one arm lightly resting on the hilt of Griffon's sword. His Red-Hair flew like fire in the gale, and he looked like a sharp sword about to be drawn, exuding a commanding presence!

He gazed at the figure high above the Deserted Island, his expression cold and stern, his eyes swirling with a hint of killing intent and a complex mix of emotions.

"Roy..."

"What exactly do you want to do...?"

Shanks' voice wasn't loud, but it seemed to travel through the wind and sea, shaking everyone's hearts.

High in the sky, Roy hovered in the heavens, his eyes cold.

He straightened up, his gaze fixed on Shanks across the distance, a slow, mocking smile playing on his lips, "Ha... self-proclaimed 'Guardian of Balance'..."

Two gazes clashed fiercely in the air, a battle of wits beginning without a word, and a surge of energy erupted!

Whitebeard gazed at the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he looked between Roy and Shanks: "... The brats from Roger's ship?"

"They've actually grown to this level...?"

He murmured to himself, thinking of his sons, his tone a mixture of relief, wariness, and a vague unease.

Murakumogiri into the Scorched Earth beneath his feet, slightly reducing the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit in his fist, but his aura remained as heavy as a mountain!

Deep in the Deserted Island, between rock crevices

Just as everyone's attention was focused on Red-Haired Shanks' appearance--

A dark shadow silently swept across the cracked ground!

Covered in wounds, Jin transformed into Pteranodon Form and silently slipped into a fissure in the ground.

Amidst the broken rock layers, lay a colossal dragon's body, paralyzed.

"Brother Kaido--!"

King's pupils contracted sharply. He saw that Kaido's body was covered in blood and gore, his dragon scales were almost completely peeled off, his sternum was collapsed, and his broken dragon horn was stuck in the ground. The entire dragon-shaped behemoth looked as if it would stop breathing completely at any moment!

That once-feared king of the New World is now too weak to even lift his head!

"Damn it... How could this be...!"

Despite the excruciating pain in his body, King desperately raised his dragon wings and tremblingly lifted Kaido's mangled body, his voice hoarse yet filled with the will of death:

"I'll take you away... even if I'm shattered to pieces, I'll bring you back to Onigashima!!"

Roy's senses spread like a spider web, quickly locking onto two auras underground!

"... King and Kaido?"

A cold glint Flash in his eyes, and his fist slowly clenched. "Trying to escape?"

He shifted slightly, but in the next instant, he suddenly sensed two overwhelming Conqueror's Haki descending upon him simultaneously!

"!!!"

In the distance, Shanks' figure had already broken through the air, Griffon was drawn, and the blade was wrapped with red and black lightning that Sky Splitter!

His entire being resembled a blood-red comet, radiating murderous intent!

On the ground, Whitebeard roared, and the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit suddenly gathered. Murakumogiri the ground, and the entire Deserted Island trembled!

The air is vibrating, space is collapsing!

"Oh no..."

Roy's eyes narrowed, his body stiffened, but his expression remained cold and hard. "Your stamina is already at its limit... Continuing to fight will be disadvantageous for me..."

But!

His eyes suddenly sharpened, his killing intent like a blade. "You think you can just leave like that? No way!!"

"Whoosh--!"

His figure vanished in an instant!

"Don't even think about it!!"

With a loud shout, the Whitebeard slammed his right fist into the ground!

"Air Quake ·earth rupture!!"

Boom--!

The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit permeated the earth's strata, causing the underground rock layers to undulate like waves and collapse in an attempt to forcibly disrupt Roy's spatial orientation!

"Roy, how dare you?!"

High in the sky, Shanks' eyes narrowed, and Griffon transformed into a bolt of blood-red lightning that slashed down!

"Divine Departure!!"

"Whoosh--!"

A crimson blade Heaven Breaker like a meteor slicing through the sun, hurtling straight to the earth!

Between underground and fault lines

As King was dragging the dying Kaido away in a frantic escape, he suddenly felt the void around him tremble violently, and cold sweat instantly soaked his entire body!

"W-What happened?!"

A terrifying figure suddenly appeared before our eyes!

"Roy!?"

Jin's pupils constricted sharply, despair washing over him. "It's over!!"

"Bang--!"

At the critical moment, the killing intent of "Divine Departure" descended from the sky!

Roy whirled around, his Haki surging into his right fist!

"Boom--!"

The fist struck the blade, black and red lightning exploded, and the entire underground space seemed to be torn in two!

The Shockwave exploded, and Roy was thrown back several steps, the space beneath his feet shattering!

The aftershocks of "Divine Departure" blasted into the flank rock layers, tearing open a passage between life and death!

Upon spotting the breach, King flapped his wings without hesitation, carrying Kaido they transformed into black shadows and dashed into the depths of the sea like Inazuma!

"We must escape!! We must escape!! One more step and we're dead!!"

Roy reappeared, hovering above the ruins, his chest heaving and his breathing slightly disordered.

He coldly glanced down at the Whitebeard, then looked at Shanks who was attacking from the sky.

A cold smile curled at the corner of his lips, "If I keep chasing after them, I'm afraid I'll be leaving you two behind..."

Shanks landed slowly, Griffon sheathed his sword, and said in a low voice, "Roy, that's enough."

Whitebeard withdrew Tremor-Tremor power, his eyes turning icy, and he snorted coldly, "Kid... you've thought it through quite well."

However--

His gaze sharpened slightly, finally noticing something amiss. "Kid... your stamina seems off."

"That intimidating posture you were just putting on... was it all an act?!"

Whitebeard's expression grew cold, and he gritted his teeth, whispering, "So that move that redirected my shock slash... isn't something you can just use casually."

Roy didn't respond, but stood silently, his expression unchanged, though the subtle undulation of his shoulders betrayed him.

Shanks also slowly narrowed his eyes, a cold glint Flash in them.

He could also see that Roy was currently extremely exhausted.

"The emergence of a genius like Roy in the Navy... that's too much of a variable."

"At this rate of growth, if he's given a few more years..."

Shanks's gaze suddenly turned cold, his killing intent piercing the void like needles!

"Let's just kill him right here!"

"Whoosh!!"

Griffon drew his sword once more, unleashing his deadly intent!

Roy sensed the roar and his expression changed drastically!

"... You want to kill me? Just the two of you?!"

He roared coldly, his domineering Haki surging wildly, causing the space to tremble as if tearing silk!

Upon hearing this, Whitebeard burst into laughter, his fists clenching so tightly they cracked!

"Gurara~ You brat from the Navy, you're really arrogant beyond belief!!"

"Your bluffing... I almost believed you!"

Their fighting spirit was as high as a mountain, and killing intent was everywhere!

The three monsters' Haki swelled once more, darkening the sky and making the air almost solidify!

It felt as if the battle was about to erupt again at any moment!

Haha~

A lazy, nonchalant voice suddenly came from the air.

The three were stunned, for a dazzling golden light suddenly gathered in the sky!

A figure descended slowly with an air of nonchalance, hands in pockets, a smile playing on his lips, and a relaxed gait.

A golden cloak fluttered in the wind, and photons gathered beneath his feet to form a platform!

"Wow, that's awesome!"

"Want to gang up on our navy guy?"

"That's really... so unsportsmanlike!"

Kizaru Borsalino, one of the Navy 'Admiral top combatants, has arrived!!