Both Sides Badly Wounded!

"Cough... ptoo!"

On the lower deck, Ron coughed up a mouthful of bloody phlegm and rose from the ruins.

He had not expected Beckman's "throwing knife." Half his abdomen had been torn open, yet Beckman had still had the strength to launch such a powerful attack.

Otherwise, Prison Dragon Lock Heaven would have already struck Shanks and ended the battle.

Now, hearing Shanks's roar, Ron gave a cold smile and stomped heavily.

Boom!

The thick deck was smashed straight through as he landed on the upper level. Raising the Thunder Dragon Halberd, Ron calmly watched his opponent.

"Interesting!"

Those who killed would eventually be killed.

Wanting to adventure with his companions while refusing to let them get hurt—what kind of naive fantasy was that?!

"Since you stepped onto the battlefield, be prepared to die. Be prepared for anyone to die."

"Otherwise... why don't you go home and nurse children, Shanks?"

Hearing this, Shanks's gaze remained unchanged as he slowly bared his teeth.

"Sorry, I'm a pirate."

"Pirates are this greedy!!"

"Heh! Then let me see how much your anger is worth, pirate!"

As his words fell, Ron charged forward with his halberd.

Bang...!

Clang!!

The surging shockwave tore apart the Red Force's armor plating, which could withstand Cannonballs. Nearly half the bow was smashed to pieces as though explosives had been planted there, scattering across the sea.

Shanks frowned silently and slashed backward, forcing Ron to twist aside and evade.

Then—

Overlord Sword: Emperor's Arrival!!

Buzz!

The earth-shaking Conqueror's Haki surged once more, and the world turned gray. The sea roared wildly, venting its fury.

Amid the terrifying tremors, the Red Force was lifted upward by the seawater. Towering waves surrounded it, making it resemble a crown rising from the ocean, imposing beyond measure.

But now, Ron finally saw clearly