"Whether it's reckless or not, we'll only know once we try!
And I want to know where I stand now..." Shanks had already vanished from his spot.
It was not elemental movement like a Logia user's, but a burst of pure physical prowess.
Combined with the foresight of top-tier Observation Haki, it let him close in on Gern's centerline as though he had teleported!
Whoosh! Griffon tore through the air, dark red arcs of Conqueror's Haki coiling around its blade. It unleashed no massive Flying Slash.
Instead, all its power condensed along the blade's edge, driving straight toward Gern's throat!
"...when I'm facing you!!"
Watching the incoming blade, Gern's pupils contracted almost imperceptibly, while a trace of intrigued satisfaction crossed his face, as if to say, Just as I thought.
Then his right hand, gripping Eight Desolations, moved almost simultaneously!
Clang!!!
A deafening metallic crash erupted, drowning out the thunder rumbling in the distance!
Moving second but arriving first, the blade of Eight Desolations, wrapped in Disintegration bandages, precisely intercepted Griffon's thrust.
At the point where the tip met the blade, two colors of Conqueror's Haki clashed violently.
Countless fine arcs of Haki scattered in every direction like a swarm of snakes running wild.
With his strike blocked, Shanks did not hesitate for an instant. Using the collision's recoil, he swept Griffon downward, turning the thrust into a slicing strike aimed at Gern's sword hand!
Gern snorted coldly. Rather than retreating, he advanced, lashing out with his Armament Haki-coated left leg to kick Shanks in the shin and force him to defend.
Then Eight Desolations shuddered, vibration particles traveling along its blade.
Hum! The air gave a low, mournful cry.
Griffon's slicing strike hit what felt like an invisible barrier vibrating constantly at high frequency. Not only was the force