Van Augur's face turned deathly pale instantly.
Heavenly Dao Emperor Roy.
That monster with a bounty exceeding 2.5 billion.
That terrifying being who just wiped out the Big Dog Pirates.
At that moment, she stood not far in front of him, with a half-smile on her face.
Van Augur felt his back instantly soaked with cold sweat.
Damn it!
They were definitely after me!
Countless thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant—
run?
Which way to run?
The power that man just displayed—a thousand-meter-long water dragon that destroyed a boat—even if I ran as fast as I could, could I outrun that kind of power?
Van Augur instinctively took a half step back, trying to find an escape route.
However, Roy's gaze remained fixed on him, and that half-smiling face felt like a mountain pressing down on his heart.
Van Augur's feet could no longer take a second step.
He stood still, motionless, like a frog being stared at by a snake.
"Um?"
Shanks sensed the unusual atmosphere and followed Van Augur's gaze.
His pupils contracted slightly when he saw the young man emerging from the woods.
Roy!
That person I had crossed paths with a few times when I was still a member of Roger Pirates!
That monster who now commands respect in the New World and is on par with Whitebeard, Kaido, and others!
A slow smile crept onto Shanks ' lips.
interesting.
That's interesting.
To encounter someone of this caliber in a place like the West Blue is truly astonishing.
Ben Beckman reacted the fastest.
Almost the instant Roy appeared, he put down the cigarette he was holding, his eyes suddenly sharpening.
Those deep eyes were fixed on Roy, as if trying to see through the man's every move.
His hand was already on the flintlock pistol at his waist.
Yasopp is even more direct!
He suddenly raised his spear, pointing the muzzle at Roy!
The excited expression that had just been on his face as he fought Van Augur to the death was instantly replaced by a serious look!
As a top-notch sniper, he knew better than anyone just how dangerous this seemingly overly young man was!
That was a terrifying existence capable of crushing the entire West Blue!
Lucky Roux also reacted swiftly!
The big, fat man who was always smiling as he ate meat suddenly stopped smiling, and his obese body became surprisingly agile as he blocked Shanks's path!
He had somehow acquired a pistol in his hand, a chicken leg in his other hand, and the pistol was pointed directly at Roy!
The other members of the Red Hair Pirates also raised their weapons, watching Roy warily!
The atmosphere instantly became tense!
Lafitte's eyes narrowed, and without hesitation, he flashed to Roy's side!
He spread his arms, shielding Roy behind him, placed his hands on his staff and sword, and stared coldly at the group of people in front of him!
Although I know that my strength is probably not enough in front of these people.
But he knew even more that having joined the Roy Pirates, he was now the captain's shield and his sword!
It's only right to stand in front of the captain!
Roy watched Lafitte's retreating figure, a hint of satisfaction flashing in his eyes.
This guy is really good.
He is quick-witted, insightful, and courageous.
Moreover, they know when to do what.
" Lafitte."
Roy patted Lafitte on the shoulder and said in a calm voice,
"Get out of the way."
Lafitte was taken aback.
"But... Captain..."
Roy waved his hand dismissively.
"Fine."
Lafitte hesitated for a moment, but ultimately stepped aside.
But he didn't back down; instead, he stood beside Roy, still watching the group of people warily.
Roy stepped forward, his gaze passing over the Red Hair Pirates who were holding weapons, and landing on a young man with Red Hair at the back of the crowd.
Shanks.
Red-Haired Shanks.
One of the future Four Emperors, Roger's successor, the man revered by countless pirates.
At this moment, he was still young, with a touch of immaturity on his face, but his eyes were already as deep as the ocean.
However, it won't be so easy for him to gain a foothold in the New World now.
Their eyes met in mid-air.
Shanks grinned and slowly stepped forward.
He raised his hand, signaling his crew to lower their weapons.
"Take it easy."
His voice was relaxed and casual.
"We're friends."
Ben Beckman frowned slightly.
" Shanks..."
Shanks waved his hand.
"Fine."
"We've known each other for a long time."
"Back then, this guy wasn't as famous as he is now."
Shanks pressed down on Beckman's weapon and looked at Roy.
"Right, Roy?"
A faint smile curved Roy's lips.
Shanks, it's been a long time.
The two stared at each other, and it seemed as if invisible sparks were dancing in the air.
Sudden--
Shanks's expression changed!
That previously relaxed and casual gaze instantly turned as sharp as a knife!
An invisible sense of oppression suddenly erupted from him!
Dark red arcs of electricity danced around Shanks!
That aura of dominance, powerful enough to intimidate all things, swept towards Roy like a raging storm!
The surrounding air seemed to freeze!
Ben Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the others all changed their expressions!
They were all too familiar with Shanks ' Conqueror's Haki!
That was a terrifying pressure that could make an ordinary person faint instantly!
However, Roy stood still, motionless.
It was as if that Conqueror's Haki, powerful enough to terrify all things, was merely a gentle breeze brushing past.
His smile deepened.
Is that how pirates greet each other with Conqueror's Haki? That's quite typical of how they greet each other.
The next moment--
boom!!!
Roy's eyes narrowed, and his Conqueror's Haki erupted fiercely!
The dark red arcs of electricity were more violent, more dense, and more terrifying!
Two Conqueror's Haki clashed fiercely in the arena!
boom--!!!
An invisible shockwave spread wildly from the two of them!
The ground was shattered inch by inch!
The air was violently distorted!
The surrounding trees were struck by the shockwave and snapped in half instantly!
The once calm sea surface was suddenly churned up with huge waves!
Ben Beckman's expression changed drastically!
Without hesitation, he grabbed Lucky Roux beside him and yanked backward!
Yasopp reacted just as quickly, flashing away dozens of meters!
The other members of the Red Hair Pirates also retreated, moving away from that terrifying area!
Lafitte's expression also changed drastically!
The Conqueror's Haki aura he felt almost suffocated him!
But he gritted his teeth, resisting the oppressive feeling, and quickly retreated!
He knew that this level of confrontation was beyond his reach!
Van Augur turned deathly pale!
He was originally standing at the edge of the battlefield when he was swept by the aftershocks of the two Conqueror's Haki, and almost fell to his knees!
That oppressive feeling, that imposing aura, that power that seemed capable of crushing everything—
Is this... the power of the strong in the New World?
He struggled with all his might, retreating step by step until he reached a safe distance, then gasped for breath, staring in horror at the two people in the arena.
Inside the arena, the two Conqueror's Haki were still clashing violently!
Dark red arcs of electricity, like countless mad snakes, writhed wildly in the air!
Each collision generates invisible shockwaves!
Each impact shattered the surrounding ground even further!