Shanks let out a hearty laugh, the sound surprisingly jovial considering the mass extinction event that had just occurred. He looked away from the furious Admiral.
"I am here to stop the war," Shanks declared, his voice cutting through the heavy air, "and gather the remains of a friend."
Leo's tense shoulders immediately slumped. Yes, yes! Quickly end this hell! I wanna go from here! He just needed the war to be officially called off so he could use the chaos for cover. He glanced down at his wrist, the cooldown timer ticking relentlessly. Forty-eight hours remaining on that stupid shield. Just forty-eight hours left of me being useless.
Before the Marine officers could process the word 'ceasefire,' the air tore.
SHING!
A wave of concentrated pressure—so fast it was invisible, so sharp it felt like a cold flame—sliced through the space between Shanks and Akainu, carving a deep, surgical line straight through the already devastated plaza. It hit the ground with the force of a small meteorite, kicking up smoke and debris.
"Naani?!" Leo gasped, the single word slipping out in pure anime shock.
Shanks effortlessly swung Gryphon up, deflecting the invisible attack with a sound like thunder snapping.
Leo followed the attack's trajectory. Standing on a remnant of a mast, his imposing silhouette framed against the smoke, was a lone figure wearing a feather-plumed hat. In his hand was the strongest black blade, the Yoru.
It was Dracule Mihawk, the World's Greatest Swordsman.
A Marine officer stammered, "Mihawk attacked Shanks?! Their rivalry is legendary.
Leo's eyes were wide with a new kind of panic. What? Mihawk attacked Shanks? The story is completely broken! Mihawk always retreats without a fight here! But no, he attacked!
Shanks grinned, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. "Oh, you wanna fight, then?"
With two blur-like movements, the two legends launched themselves into the air. The distance between them vanished instantly.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The sound of Gryphon and Yoru clashing high above the plaza was not just sound; it was physical force. The shockwaves were monumental. Every exchange of blows sent ripples of Conqueror's Haki cascading outward, making the Marines below struggle to even stand.
Leo threw himself behind a piece of rubble, his ears ringing. They are too strong! Too strong! He felt a perverse mix of terror and awe. It is the dream of every Shanks and Mihawk fan to see them clash, even in a flashback, yet here I am witnessing it live!
While the two distracted everyone, another, equally tense standoff was unfolding near the bay where the rescue party was fleeing.
Buggy the Clown, still carrying his precious cargo, looked up at the clashing titans. "W-What are those monsters doing?!
Jinbe, drenched in sweat, continued to carry the unconscious Luffy, his gaze fixed on the danger. He gritted his teeth, focused only on getting the boy to Law's submarine.
Kizaru, who had momentarily been shocked by the shield incident, used the distraction to flash toward the rescue party. "Ohhh, look what we have here. Too slow, pirates."
But before Kizaru could deliver his light-speed lasers, a powerful voice cut him off, a voice heavy with authority.
"Don't do anything, Kizaru."
It was Ben Beckman.
Kizaru immediately put his hands up, a look of lazy annoyance on his face. "Oh, oh. Ben Beckman. You're no fun."
High above, the clash finally stopped. Shanks and Mihawk landed lightly back on the battlefield, their swords sheathed.
A Marine officer, utterly confused, shouted, "Hey, Mihawk! Where are you going?! You need to fight Shanks!"
Mihawk's golden eyes were cold. "This is not in the agreement. I was just fighting him for something else." He spoke the words with absolute finality, turned his back on the war, and flew off in the direction of his tiny boat, leaving the battle entirely.
Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, finally let his tension go. He looked at Shanks, then at the destruction, and knew the fight was truly finished.
Shanks walked back toward Leo, who was still trying to process the chaos. He pulled Luffy's straw hat from his cloak—the item Leo knew was the most sacred in the entire series—and placed it carefully into Leo's trembling hands.
"Young man," Shanks said, his eyes conveying deep respect. "You showed real courage today. Can you do me a favor? Give this to the young boy there, once he wakes up."
Leo felt the familiar, sacred texture of the straw hat. The scent of straw and sea salt filled his nose. He knew this was it—his final quest item and his ticket out.
"Yes, yes!" Leo practically yelled, clutching the hat like a lifeline. This is it! The chance! I can go with Law and far away from this island!
Shanks gave him a final, knowing smile. Thank you.
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