Marineford War: I Will Stand in the Sky

With a furious shout from Kaido, the power unleashed by the "Light Speed ​​Kick" instantly caused an explosion within the Beasts Pirates.

"boom!"

As a massive cloud of smoke billowed up, Borsalino retreated swiftly, crossing his arms in front of his chest, unleashing dazzling light blasts that engulfed the entire Beasts Pirates like a torrential downpour.

"The Eight-Foot Jade Curved Jewel!"

However, the Beasts Pirates are not on the same level as the pirate crews outside the island that were previously driven away by the Navy in a very sorry state.

With Admiral Borsalino, the Navy's top combatant, personally taking action, the Beasts Pirates, a crew that reveres violence and war, were thoroughly enraged.

"Damn it, how dare you..."

"Kill that bastard Kizaru."

Tear him apart!

In an instant, a large number of the Beasts Pirates' officers used their Devil Fruit abilities to transform into various terrifying beast forms, ferociously rushing towards Borsalino, who was launching a solo attack.

"Ya da ya da..."

Amid Borsalino's nonsensical voice, several Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals draped in cloaks of justice landed beside Borsalino, blocking the counterattacks launched by the Beasts Pirates' officers.

As for the elite naval soldiers at the edge of the pit, they also began to do their best to encircle and annihilate the largest "Beasts Pirates" crew, constantly firing and bombarding them.

The sounds of fighting, explosions, and roars mingled together as the war between the Navy and the Beasts Pirates officially began.

[Chapter 491 Give Me Some Face (Third Update)]

Upon seeing this, the expressions of the Red-Haired Pirates changed slightly, completely unexpected that the Navy would take action without hesitation.

However, to the surprise of the Red-Haired Pirates, the Navy only targeted the Beasts Pirates and did not launch an attack on the Red-Haired Pirates.

This, ironically, stirred up the thoughts of many pirates in the "Red-Haired Pirates".

It seems... this is a good opportunity to break through.

Just as the true purpose of the navy is to maintain peace and justice on the seas, not to pursue mutual destruction with pirates at all costs.

For pirates, fighting the Navy offers no real benefit and only leads to their own losses, so in most cases, pirates choose to flee when pursued by the Navy.

However, just as some of the Red-Haired Pirates' officers were about to suggest a breakout and escape, Ben Beckman, the vice-captain, leaned close to Shanks' ear and suggested something while hanging down with one arm.

"Shanks, the Navy's objectives and strength are unclear. Running away rashly could very well lead us into a trap. Help the Beasts Pirates relieve some of the pressure and assess the situation before making any decisions."

However, Shanks, who always obeyed Ben Beckman's suggestion, remained motionless, merely staring intently ahead.

Beckman followed Shanks' gaze, and his eyes froze slightly.

The newly appointed "Naval Hero" Vice Admiral Yann stood in front of the "Red-Haired Pirates" with a sword in hand, his expression gentle and lazy, looking quite harmless.

However, for Beckman, Lieutenant General Yann was far more dangerous than Borsalino.

After all, Beckman knew Borsalino's combat strength very well.

However, this Lieutenant General Yann is a rather mysterious figure. The information Beckman collected about his combat capabilities was quite scattered and somewhat contradictory.

Yan stood alone in front of the entire "Red-Haired Pirates," with the battlefield between the Navy and the "Beasts Pirates" raging behind him, yet he showed no sign of tension.

Meeting Beckman's wary and scrutinizing gaze, Yann even took the initiative to wave and greet him.

Good afternoon, everyone.

At this moment, after a day and a night of fighting, Shanks, whose clothes were somewhat tattered, placed his hand on the hilt of the "Famous Sword Griffin" and asked with an air of dominance.

"Vice Admiral Yann, I know your name. Do you intend to hold off our entire pirate crew by yourself?"

Yann scratched the back of his head and said in a relaxed tone.

"Don't say such terrible things. After this battle, the name 'Red-Haired' Shanks will surely spread throughout the entire sea, and he will undoubtedly ascend to the throne of 'Emperor of the Sea,' creating a situation of 'Four Emperors' in the 'New World'."

"I'm just an ordinary Marine Vice Admiral, how could I possibly stand up to a pirate crew at the level of a Yonko?"

After a pause, Yann shrugged and explained.

"I'm just here to explain that this naval operation is because my old man thinks there are too many Yonko and they're getting in the way, so he plans to kick 'Kaido of the Beasts' out of the game."

"However, there is absolutely no intention to target your 'Red-Haired Pirates', so everyone can eat and drink as usual, take a break, and don't be nervous."

These words, spoken by Vice Admiral Yann, a "naval hero," instantly caused the corners of many members of the "Red-Haired Pirates" to twitch slightly.

Does this guy really think he can fool them like they're idiots?

If the Navy successfully wiped out the Beasts Pirates on this island, it's highly unlikely they would allow the Red-Haired Pirates to leave the island unscathed.

Faced with Yann's words, which were more of a hoax than nonsense, "Red-Haired" Shanks shook his head and spoke.

“Vice Admiral Yann, your navy should not have come to the ‘New World’ waters. Once your entire naval fleet is destroyed here, the navy, having lost its deterrent power, will be unable to maintain the stability and balance of the sea. At that time, this sea will fall into even more terrible chaos.”

Yaen, whose intention was simply to stall for time, rubbed his stubble-covered chin, seemingly lost in thought.

After a moment, Yann looked up and spoke, as if suddenly realizing something.

"I never expected Lord Shanks to possess such a broad-minded perspective. From my standpoint as a peace enthusiast, I quite agree with his remarks..."

After a pause, Yann spoke in a very serious tone.

"So, I wonder if Lord Shanks would be willing to join the Navy and contribute his own strength to the cause of peace on the seas?"

"Your Excellency Shanks can rest assured that the Navy's internal promotion mechanism is well-established and there will be no backdoors or underhanded tactics. The emphasis is on fairness, impartiality, and transparency. With Your Excellency Shanks' abilities, I believe that you may very well be promoted to the next Fleet Admiral in the future."

"At that time, the peace and justice of the sea will be entrusted to Lord Shanks to protect personally."

???

The Red-Haired Pirates.

While it's not forbidden for the Navy to recruit some pirates with special talents, such blatant recruitment as Yann's, even directly offering the position of Fleet Admiral as a pie in the sky, is truly outrageous.

Moreover, "Red-Haired" Shanks is not some pirate lackey or anything like that.

As the newly crowned "Emperor of the Sea," Shanks, given his status and ideals, would never be willing to join the Navy.

"Thank you for your kind offer, Lieutenant General Yann, but Shanks is just used to being free and easy," Shanks replied, somewhat puzzled by Yann's intentions.

Ya'en's expression was quite sincere, and he spoke with an attitude of eagerly seeking talent.

"The definition of freedom is always relative. Here, Mr. Shanks, don't rush to refuse. Let's discuss the various benefits, salaries, and other perks of the Navy. I believe you will reconsider after listening to our discussion."

"Red-haired" Shanks frowned slightly and spoke.

"No need, Vice Admiral Yann. If you have truly considered what I just said, please let the Navy end this war directly."

After a pause, the redhead continued.

"Kaido the Beasts is not so easy to defeat. If the Navy rashly starts this war, it will only drag this Navy fleet into the quagmire of war, and eventually be destroyed in the counterattack of pirates in the entire New World, leading to an increasingly chaotic era for the sea."

"So, please give me face and end this war. I will help the Navy hold off the 'Beasts Pirates' counterattack and let you leave the 'New World' waters safely."

Upon hearing this, Yan smiled gently, but his smile slowly faded as he calmly spoke.

"You're just a pirate; you don't seem to deserve the respect I should give you."

[Chapter 492 Shanks' Purpose]

It must be said that Yann had previously harbored considerable apprehension towards Shanks, the "Red-Haired" who had accompanied the "Pirate King" Roger to the "Final Island, Laugh Tale".

Unlike the three "Emperors of the Sea"—Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and Kaido—whose goals are already very clear, neither the Navy nor the Revolutionary Army has been able to further analyze Shanks' true objective.

However, after the conversation, Yann was not only somewhat disappointed by Shanks' naivety, but also confused about his stance.

The Navy launched this war at such a high cost, and the General Staff had already analyzed the risks countless times. How could the Navy not be aware of them?

However, Shanks, the "Red-Haired" man, uttered such naive words, seemingly out of a desire to maintain the balance and stability of the sea.

'Is Shanks, who's so dedicated to maintaining the balance and stability of the seas, really just waiting for his chosen one, Monkey D. Luffy, to set sail?'

Is it related to the will of the Pirate King? Or does Monkey D. Luffy harbor some great secret that can change the seas?

Despite having some information asymmetry, Yann's expression remained unchanged, but he became thoroughly vigilant.

After all, given the relationship between Yann and Dragon, Monkey D. Luffy is, in a sense, Yann's nephew.

If he really sets sail with that pure dream of becoming the "Pirate King," Yann will just treat it as a child's game.

If Luffy remained as pure as in his original trajectory and didn't engage in acts of arson, murder, and plunder, even if he ran into Aon, it wouldn't be unreasonable for Aon, as an elder, to go easy on him.

After all, Yann did not follow the "absolute justice" of Sakazuki, who wanted to exterminate all pirates.

In the Revolutionary Army's original development plan, Yann did not take Monkey D. Luffy, who would not set sail for another five or six years, into consideration at all.

However, considering Shanks' current strange stance and incomprehensible actions, Yann has a feeling that Luffy's encounter with Shanks is not as simple as a coincidence, and that Shanks' feelings for Luffy may not be purely admiration.

But what can Luffy change?

Not to mention now, even if it were Luffy at his peak strength in the future, as far as Aon remembered, Aon was confident that he could kill him within three strikes with his full strength.

These three strikes were taken into account the possibility that Luffy might break through his limit when facing the first strike, and then break through his limit again when facing the second strike.

'Looks like I'll have to keep an eye on that brat Luffy from now on. Even if Shanks has some strange stance or purpose, it's highly likely it's closely related to Luffy.'

Just as Yann was secretly making a mental note of this, Shanks' expression turned cold after Yann's blunt and calm words.

By now, "Red-Haired" Shanks has come to the complete understanding that there is no room for negotiation with "Sakura Dragon" Vice Admiral Yann, and that the other party will absolutely not consider his suggestions.

'This guy is probably just stalling for time this way!'

With this thought in mind, Shanks slowly drew the "famous sword Griffin" from his waist.

"In that case, Lieutenant General Yann..."

Instantly, a tangible surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted, making Shanks' physique, which bore a resemblance to Arn's, appear exceptionally imposing. The terrifying Conqueror's Haki crashed towards Arn like a surging tide.

however……

The next moment, amidst the shocked gazes of the many pirates in the "Red-Haired Pirates," a wave similar to that of "Red-Haired" Shanks erupted from the seemingly gentle and lazy Yann.

Conqueror's Haki?!

Moreover, it is an astonishingly powerful Conqueror's Haki.

"boom!"

Two completely different Conqueror's Haki clashed head-on, producing a deafening roar, and a large amount of black and red lightning generated by the "Conqueror's Haki collision" flashed continuously in the air.

"This guy..."

Shanks' eyes narrowed, and he took a step towards Yann. The Conqueror's Haki he released became even more terrifying, and almost instantly knocked the elite Marines at the edge of the deep pit behind the Red-Haired Pirates unconscious.