The enlarged spear, engulfed by lightning, struck the sea instantly, mingling with gale and flame, combining like a Lightning Cannon, transforming into huge beams of light which instinctively made people in the water cover their eyes.
But actually, it makes no difference whether they cover them or not.
Because the moment those beams appear represents the end of their fate.
Anyway, since everything will go dark, better to embrace the complete darkness.
The sea formed gigantic vortices, welcoming the arrival of the beams, turning the surrounding area into a blinding light curtain, making it impossible to perceive anything other than a strong aura of destruction.
"Kamusari!"
"Kamusari!!"
"Kamusari!!!"
Under the light curtain, red slashes seemed to tear through space, like a brush painting with red pigment, sketching out colors in the light curtain.
But the light curtain was too enormous, and Red Hair's slashes were too insignificant.
"Retreat! Everyone retreat! Hurry up and retreat!!"
Red Hair slashed the descending beams with one sword but didn't even have time to look back, only shouting frantically.
Things are completely different!
The previous move with lightning-beams was strong, but could still be blocked with Haki at the time; as long as the ship was agile enough, he could evade with his crew.
Back then, Red Hair didn't care much, whether they were Pirates or Navy, he was quite tolerant, not minding wins or losses.
Like when he found Bartolomeo, who burned his village, he didn't care much; since Bartolomeo chose Luffy between poison and Luffy, he let it be.
But he could let it go, but his crew couldn't; the authority of the Four Emperors still needed to be maintained.
Thus Yasopp fired a shot to blow up the ship.
As for life and death, it was left to fate.
Similarly, he wasn't bothered by being ridiculed by everyone for fleeing from Sage.
Because he had confidence, he didn't take these matters seriously.
But now, things are different.
The ship is gone, his men lack the means to retreat, and most importantly... Sage's move has greatly strengthened!
The power is manageable, but the range is too vast, not something he alone can completely block.
Moreover...
"It's too late already!"
Just as Red Hair was about to swing another sword, Sage's arrogant voice resonated outside the light curtain.
As the light curtain gradually disappeared, revealing vast vortices on the sea, apart from the vortices, there were only the remaining intact remnants of reefs.
Standing atop them were three individuals, the 'Three Musketeers' of the Red Hair Pirates.
As well as the evasive movements of Red Hair in the air.
"Oh..."
Sage feigned surprise: "Where are the people? The Pirates of the Red Hair Pirates are all elites, none of them ate fruits, each can swim well, could they have dived underwater and avoided my technique?"
"Sage!"
Red Hair landed on a piece of reef, pointed with his sword, and said word by word: "I want to duel with you!"
"You only thought of dueling now? What was before, mere amusement? I'm the one whose collections were exposed publicly because of you and Teach, you bastards!"
Sage sneered, his fingers twitching, "The ship is gone, most of your men are dead, your Pirate days are over. Shouldn't you consider asking Kizaru to save you? You're a Heavenly Celestial Dragon after all."
"You..."
Red Hair's pupils contracted, instinctively gripping his weapon.
"Oh~ you even know about that?" Kizaru exclaimed in surprise: "I thought it was a deeply buried secret."
"A secret is only there to be discovered."
Sage turned back smiling: "Every secret in this world will eventually be known, some things are better left unhidden; when hidden too deeply, problems arise. Right, Figarland Shanks."
"I am just Shanks, compared to Mary Geoise, I prefer the unrestricted freedom of the sea." Red Hair said solemnly.
"Actually, on the sea, I don't dislike anyone, even those who attacked O'hara. If it weren't for your involvement, perhaps I would have lost a batch of men to Teach, I don't dislike him either."
Sage laughed: "But disliking someone is different from admiring or liking them. From a factual standpoint, according to reports from my men, you indeed held back, and I acknowledge that, so I'll repay the favor. But from a preference standpoint, I don't dislike Pirates, but I absolutely won't befriend you, Red Hair."
"As a Pirate, either it's about interests or morals. I partake in both aspects, so it's possible that if Teach offers significant enough benefits, I'd overlook the intrusion into O'hara and my men being gravely injured, and collaborate."
"Similarly, if the World Government provides substantial benefits, I'm willing to keep playing on this chessboard, so right now I can coexist peacefully with the Navy Admiral here."
"But people like you, who speak of neither interests nor morals, absolutely have no possibility for collaboration."
Sage laughed: "With someone like you, I can't figure out what exactly you want to do."
Red-haired Shanks is the one among all the Four Emperors that Sage finds most perplexing and disregarding.
In his view, Big Mom steadfastly pursues her ideals and is about to achieve them, although her methods might be wrong, she still strives towards them.
In some ways, the living standards in Totto Land were even higher than those in O'hara before.
O'hara stresses on hope, everyone exchanges labor for rewards, boosting productivity and production value, jointly creating their prosperity.
Sage sets standards, enjoying the material and satisfaction brought by the flourishing prosperity.