Morgans slowly got up from a pile of rubble, clutching his head where a large bump had formed.
"What just happened? Why did I suddenly pass out?"
He muttered while holding his head.
"You're Big News Morgans, president of the World Economy News Paper, right?" A voice approached with footsteps. Morgans tensed up and stood, wings clenched into fists.
"Who are you?"
Morgans didn't recognize the man in front of him. As a media mogul, he rarely encountered someone unfamiliar.
"My name is Vegapunk," the man replied.
"What?! You're that Vegapunk?" Morgans exclaimed in shock.
"Yes."
"Is the war over?"
"It is."
"Who won?"
"The Marines have withdrawn."
"The Marines actually lost? What happened?"
"Nothing complicated. They simply choose not to continue fighting. Though the Big Mom's pirate crew showed up afterward, and now it seems even the Red-Haired Pirates have arrived. Egghead Island has never seen such chaos."
"What?! That many Emperors showed up? No way, I have to report this news immediately!"
Shaka watched as Morgans ran off in a frenzy, and couldn't help but admire the man's disregard for his own safety.
"Everyone has their own path and nature; if they stay true to it and the road is smooth, it becomes their life's journey."
Roy and Whitebeard sat off to the side as Marco and the others went to finish off the remnants. Charlotte Linlin had already been scared off by Roy's overwhelming power and had packed up and fled.
"One after another, this chaos just keeps coming," Whitebeard said with a scoff.
"It's your dear son who stirred this up. One thing led to another, and the whole situation spiraled out of control. Who would've thought it'd get this messy? The only one missing now is Kaido. Don't tell me he's on his way too," Roy replied, looking up at the sky. He scanned it carefully but found no trace of Kaido.
Red-Haired Shanks' Haki was already spiraling into the air as he approached. Marco and the others had regrouped defensively. After two back-to-back wars, they were completely exhausted, and none of them had expected Shanks to show up as well.
"Are… are we going to fight the Red-Haired Pirates too?" one of Whitebeard's crewmate panted.
"Probably not. Shanks isn't that kind of guy," Marco responded.
"First Marines, then Big Mom, now Shanks? When does it end?" Izou sighed.
"Looking at Pops and Big Bro, they don't look like they're preparing for battle," Jozu observed.
Shanks approached with his top three commanders, heading straight for Roy and Whitebeard.
"Long time no see, Mr. Roy," Shanks greeted, but instead of addressing Whitebeard, he spoke directly to Roy.
"You've grown a lot. When I first saw you, you were just a brat," Roy recalled.
"Yeah, it's been a while," Shanks smiled.
"I heard you went to block Kaido. Honestly, it wasn't necessary. Even if he came, nothing would've changed," Roy said.
"I just didn't want the situation to spiral further out of control," Shanks replied.
"Heh. Blocking Kaido… sounds like someone suggested that to you," Roy smirked.
"Mr. Roy is as sharp as ever. You figured that out, too," Shanks said in a low voice.
"Your hair reminds me of someone… a nightmare from my past. I nearly died at his hands. And the scar on Newgate's chest? That was from him, too," Roy said, glancing at Whitebeard.
Shanks said nothing, eyes deep and fixed on Roy.
Boom!
In an instant, two overwhelming waves of Conqueror's Haki collided, black and red lightning crackling violently between them.
The pressure was immense. The two forces tore at each other, fighting for dominance.
At first, Shanks' commanders remained calm, but they quickly realized something was wrong.
"No way!!" Yasopp froze.
"Boss's Conqueror's Haki… is being suppressed?!" Lucky Roux stared, meat hanging from his mouth.
"There's actually someone who can match Shanks in Haki… no, he's not equal, he's dominating." Ben Beckman narrowed his eyes, hand slowly moving toward his gun.
Roy's Haki was like a devouring beast, swallowing Shanks' Haki. The clash didn't last long. Shanks' Haki was shattered, the impact shaking the entire island.
"You have natural talent, no doubt. Your bloodline gives you an edge. But unfortunately for you, you ran into me. When it comes to Haki, there's no one in the world I fear," Roy said, spreading his hands.
That's what it's like when you're "cheating", invincible.
Four more years of sign-ins, and who knew how broken he'd become?
Right now, his Haki alone places him among the pinnacle of power in the world.
Shanks' Haki might be among the strongest on the seas, but compared to Roy, it still fell short.
That's why Charlotte Linlin fled when she felt his Conqueror's Haki. Combined with Whitebeard, the two could've killed her.
Armament Haki infused with Conqueror's could tear her otherwise invulnerable body apart, cripple her, even kill her.
"I didn't expect Mr. Roy's Haki to be so powerful. No wonder Rayleigh always spoke highly of you," Shanks said with a smile.
"You're not bad either. If we really fought, you'd probably win," Roy replied.
But Haki alone isn't enough. Experience, sheer courage, technique, and willpower are what determine victory.
Luffy proved that winning against impossible odds through sheer willpower.
Call it what it is, but one thing is certain: he never gives up.
No matter how strong the enemy is, if they block his way, he throws a punch.
Doesn't matter who you are.
Even if you're a Celestial Dragon.
He'll still hit you.
That's where Roy falls short. If he had been more decisive and captured the Celestial Dragon at Sabaody, maybe things wouldn't have spiraled out of control.
But then again, the consequences would've been worse because messing with the Celestial Dragons is dangerous.
Who knows what tricks they have up their sleeves? If not him, maybe they'd go after his family.
Once a man has attachments, fear inevitably follows.
"You're joking, Mr. Roy. I thought I'd be walking into an all-out war. But now it looks like everything's settled," Shanks said.
"If you'd come a little earlier, maybe Charlotte Linlin could've kept both eyes. Now she's blind in one and probably hates me to death," Roy replied.
"I see. Sorry, I should've arrived sooner," Shanks said with a chuckle.
"You still got business here?"
Roy stared calmly at Shanks.
The people behind Shanks tensed. Roy's gaze was dangerous, like he was ready to attack.
"Could it be…?"
Shanks murmured as he looked at Roy, the corner of his mouth curling up.
"Hahaha! Let's have a party! To celebrate the Whitebeard Pirates' great victory!" Roy laughed.
The atmosphere froze for a second. Everyone's eyes widened.
"Gurararara! Red-Haired brat, I'm sure you've brought some booze, right?" Whitebeard laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! Of course! My ship might run out of everything else, but never booze!"
"THEN WHAT ARE WE WAITING FOR?!" Whitebeard roared. "START THE FEAST!"
...
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu