Starting as the mastermind behind Naruto

Chapter 543 On the Eve of a Major Event: Shanks' Moves

Red-haired Shanks.

The youngest of the Four Emperors in the New World personally traveled to Whitebeard's waters and boarded the Whitebeard Pirates' flagship, the Moby Dick.

At this sensitive time when Portgas D. Ace has been captured by the World Government, Shanks's visit to the Whitebeard Pirates is bound to shake the world.

Whatever Shanks wants to say to Edward Newgate, even if it's a declaration of war or an alliance, it will change the course of the world.

Moby Dick.

The moment Shanks stepped onto the Moby Dick, he unleashed his Haki, the overwhelming power of which made it hard for anyone to breathe!

The deck of the Moby Dick is also crumbling inch by inch!

The current Shanks is completely different from the optimistic pirate he used to be. Now his expression has become solemn. At this moment, the red-haired Shanks finally puts on the posture that a sea emperor of the new world should have!

"Step back a bit, this guy's domineering aura is beyond your ability to handle."

Marco frowned as he noticed a group of Whitebeard Pirates members who were swaying and even fainting under the impact of Shanks' Conqueror's Haki.

Marco turned to Shanks and said coldly, "Hey, Shanks, are you trying to show off here?"

"No, I just wanted to talk to you about something..."

Shanks' expression gradually softened. Looking at Marco, who had opened his palm, he chuckled and said, "Speaking of which, Marco, would you like to join my crew...?"

"I'm not interested."

Marco ignored the redhead's attempts to recruit him.

Shanks wasn't the first person to recruit Marco.

Over the years, every one of the Four Emperors that Marco has encountered has extended an invitation to him; both Big Mom and Kaido of the Beasts have tried to recruit him.

No matter how much these Four Emperors lower themselves or how much they value Marco, Marco will never betray Whitebeard. All their efforts are in vain.

Shanks could only shake his head helplessly.

The next moment, Shanks' gaze slowly moved and landed on Uchiha Sasuke, whose wounds had just been bandaged, and his expression gradually became serious.

To be honest...

Shanks had never seen Sasuke Uchiha so disheveled!

Even when Sasuke Uchiha defeated Ben Beckman, the vice-captain of the Red-Haired Pirates, while he was with the Spade Pirates, he wasn't injured in that battle.

In recent years, the Whitebeard Pirates have had frequent clashes with other Yonko pirate crews. It's said that apart from Naruto Uzumaki of the Beasts Pirates, Sasuke Uchiha basically doesn't take any of the other Yonko pirate crews seriously...

"Sasuke's back too..."

Shanks' eyes narrowed slightly as he stared at the bandages on Sasuke's body. He said in a low voice, "It seems the enemy you've encountered is more troublesome than I imagined..."

Shanks, the Red-Haired, knows the whole story perfectly well.

When Sasuke Uchiha and Portgas D. Ace were chasing Marshall D. Teach, Shanks sent a message to Sasuke, hoping he would be careful of Teach, but he did not stop them from chasing Teach.

However, this led to the major incident where Ace was arrested and even faced public execution...

Moreover, Shanks received the news earlier than the official news, which is why he was able to arrive so quickly to meet Whitebeard. Shanks himself has some secret channels that allow him to obtain inside information about the World Government.

When Shanks received the news, he was somewhat surprised... that Kabuto Yakushi, whom the pirates and the Revolutionary Army hated so much, had actually developed the CP department to such an extent that he had recruited an agent who could injure Sasuke Uchiha!

"You don't need to worry about it."

Sasuke Uchiha glanced coldly at Shanks, tightened the bandages binding his body, and slowly picked up the Kusanagi sword beside him: "If you want to mock me, you're not in my league..."

Sasuke Uchiha never backs down when facing Shanks!

Even though Sasuke is injured now, he still doesn't feel like he's at a disadvantage, because Shanks lost an arm many years ago...

Even if they were to fight now…

Could this be considered a form of balance?

"Sasuke, this is not sarcasm."

Shanks slowly shook his head and said with a serious expression, "We are friends after all. After we finish talking, I need to go to Kaido's waters to visit Naruto. He has always been very concerned about you..."

"..."

Uchiha Sasuke's expression was subtle.

Although the friction between the Four Emperors has never stopped, in recent years, Shanks has become good friends with Naruto Uzumaki, who joined the Beasts Pirates.

These idiots…

They seem to be very sensitive when they find their own kind.

However, this kind of thing is quite normal.

Given Naruto's personality, even though they are enemies, it doesn't prevent them from gradually becoming friends with a straightforward man like Shanks.

Shanks' attitude towards Naruto was unusually friendly, and he even expressed his desire for Naruto to join his pirate crew more than once.

Naruto Uzumaki, backed by the Akatsuki organization, naturally refused.

As their friendship deepened, Shanks gradually discovered Naruto's unique qualities, believing that Naruto possessed a charm similar to that of Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King.

This charisma is sure to attract many people to gather around him.

Shanks even mentioned to Kaido in front of many people that if Kaido were willing to let Naruto Uzumaki leave the Beasts Pirates, Naruto would definitely be able to become a captain on par with the Pirate King Gol D. Roger!

Although Shanks always believed he was telling the truth…

However, saying these things always carries the suspicion of sowing discord within the Beasts Pirates, after all, no one in the Red-Haired Pirates has yet been able to defeat Naruto Uzumaki…

Clearly, Shanks is plotting something.

The entire Beasts Pirates' hostility towards Shanks grew increasingly intense.

However, as one of the Four Emperors, and the freest pirate on the sea, Shanks naturally does whatever he wants, talking to himself and not caring about other people's opinions at all.

On the Moby Dick.

Shanks, still holding firm to his opinion, couldn't help but continue after mentioning Naruto, "Speaking of which, Sasuke, weren't you and Naruto comrades before? If the two of you could form a pirate crew..."

"Shut up."

Sasuke Uchiha interrupted Shanks, coldly saying, "My business with him is none of your concern!"

"What a pity..."

Shanks shook his head and sighed with some regret. He truly believed in the potential of the Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha combination.

"Alright, redhead."

Edward Newgate, the white-bearded man, interrupted their conversation, speaking in a deep voice, "What brings you here? We don't have time for guests..."

The atmosphere on the Moby Dick was somewhat somber because of Portgas D. Ace's arrest, and Whitebeard wanted to discuss with his sons the possibility of rescuing Ace.

Now, Whitebeard has no interest in entertaining anyone.

"Excuse me, please allow me to explain my purpose first."

Red-haired Shanks approached Whitebeard, his expression gradually turning serious: "I'm here... to assist you in rescuing Portgas D. Ace."

"unnecessary."

The white-bearded man lowered his head, his face full of displeasure, and coldly looked at Shanks: "Ace is my son, and I will save him. I don't need anyone else's interference!"

"No, this might be an exception..."

Red-Haired Shanks shook his head and said in a deep voice, "I know I shouldn't interfere in this matter. Although Ace is Captain Roger's son, after he joined the Whitebeard Pirates, everything should be decided by you, the captain..."

At this point, Shanks' tone shifted, his expression becoming increasingly serious: "I'm sorry, but this time is an exception. I've received concrete information that Ace's arrest was premeditated..."

Red-haired Shanks looked up at Whitebeard, his voice suddenly turning heavy: "This is a conspiracy against the world... orchestrated by Marshall D. Teach, or rather, Blackbeard!"

According to information obtained by Shanks, the capture of Portgas D. Ace was indeed a conspiracy by Marshall D. Teach, with the aim of provoking a war between the Whitebeard Pirates and the Navy.

certainly…

Teach's plot was simply a matter of chance.

Because the World Government does indeed have a plan to target the Four Emperors' pirate crews, this matter is entirely handled by the Marine Headquarters Inspector General and CP Division Supreme Commander Kabuto Yakushi.

Kabuto Yakushi's main objective was to target the Revolutionary Army, and incidentally, to lure a powerful force into action so that the weaker Revolutionary Army would take the initiative. Just then, Teach found Kabuto Yakushi and claimed that he would help the Navy capture Ace.

Teach's influence is evident everywhere in this matter.

The secret version circulating within the World Government is the same: Kabuto Yakushi hadn't yet decided which pirate crew to choose for his open scheme when Marshall D. Teach came knocking on his door, forcing Kabuto to send the CP department to target Ace.

After the Navy captured Ace, the World Government had no choice but to urge Kabuto Yakushi to push for the major event to happen step by step. The Navy was also mobilizing its forces to prepare for a world war.

"oh."

Whitebeard's expression remained unchanged.

Whitebeard had thought about this matter long ago. He didn't care whose conspiracy it was, even if it was aimed at him. So what?

Or rather, Whitebeard had no other choice!

Moreover, Whitebeard would have no other choice but to save Ace no matter what. How could a father abandon his son who was in dire straits?

"If you go to rescue Ace, you'll fall into Teach's trap. I don't know what he's planning yet, but I know he's lurking in the shadows, hiding his fangs..."

Red-haired Shanks, looking at the still calm white-bearded man, slowly made his request: "To avoid a war that could destroy the world, I hope you can hold back for the time being, lest the situation escalate further..."

As Shanks spoke, his pace quickened: "Before Ace is publicly executed, I will find a way to bring him back to you."

Third update!

(End of this chapter)