"Then you shall have your wish, Shanks."
Lorne clenched his fists, golden lightning instantly bursting between his fingers and palms.
He stood at the bow of the Fearless, his platinum hair whipping wildly in the wind, the Justice cloak behind him snapping loudly.
Shanks watched the lightning surging over Lorne and laughed aloud.
"What impressive spirit!"
"But if we fight in these waters, our ships won't withstand the punishment."
He pointed toward the waters to the right with his sole remaining arm.
The outline of a barren island was faintly visible there.
"How about that deserted island?"
Shanks's voice cut clearly through the wind and waves, reaching Lorne's ears.
"Just what I had in mind."
Lorne's expression remained calm. He shifted slightly, and the golden lightning on his skin withdrew into his body.
The two ships sailed toward the deserted island.
The atmosphere over the sea grew unbearably oppressive.
Shanks stood at the bow of the Red Force and called to Lorne across several dozen meters of sea.
"Young Marine, do you know that once you cross this line, the balance of the New World will collapse completely?"
"Kaido and Charlotte Linlin won't sit back and watch you keep growing."
"When that happens, the entire New World will be engulfed in war."
Lorne sneered.
His voice echoed in the sea breeze.
"Balance?"
"That's only your pirates' balance. It has nothing to do with me."
"I only do what I want to do."
"Whatever stands in my way, whether it's the Four Emperors or anyone else, I'll smash it with these fists."
Shanks sighed, his gaze deep.
"You're too young, Lorne."
"In the war you envision, it's always the innocent civilians who suffer."
"The collapse of the New World would bring unimaginable disaster."
"Everything I do is to keep this era