Battle of Long-Held Wishes (IV)

Apple Sea.

"Mom! Get out of my way... Willow Mochi!!"

"That won't do. If I just let you leave so easily, wouldn't that make me lose face... Turbulence."

Clang, clang... Faced with the countless mochi spikes sprouting from Katakuri's legs, Shanks's expression turned grave. With his left hand, he sent out a ripple of sword energy that blocked them all. His black cape fluttered as he rapidly closed the distance, raising his hand to unleash a dense barrage of slashes.

"You sure talk big. What the hell is the face of a nobody like you worth..."

Katakuri swung the trident called Mogura, suppressing Shanks's fierce assault with wide, savage movements. Vast amounts of flowing mochi began to surge from his body. "Mochi Thrust!"

The white mochi wrapped around Katakuri's arm continuously spiraled, coating his trident and transforming into a formidable drilling spear... Shanks was not angered by the scorn. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Then remember this. I'm Shanks, captain of the Red Hair Pirates. Today, I'll defeat you... Hard Slash!"

Shanks took a step back, his right hand gripping the hilt while his left foot stomped heavily against the deck. The instant his astonishing aura burst forth, he drew his sword in a diagonal slash. The hardened mochi shell coating the outside split in two, while the heavy blade continued onward, striking directly into the gap between the trident's prongs... Buzz!

Drawn by that domineering presence, Katakuri, who had blocked Shanks's attack, released his own Conqueror's Haki. His face dark as ink, he stared fixedly at that vivid, blood-red hair. "Brats who haven't even dried behind the ears, every last one of you is far too arrogant. As your senior, it's my duty to teach you what humility is—Unstoppable Donuts!"

Gurgle, gurgle... Katakuri swept Shanks back with a powerful strike,