He emphasized the last sentence, killing intent chilling.
Clearly not joking, in Red Hair's current state, killing Shanks wouldn't be much harder than killing Shamrock.
"..."
Shanks stood silently, staring at Shamrock's head by his feet.
The sound of rain grew louder, and the storm resumed its roar, blood washed by rain, flowing on the muddy ground.
"Explanation?"
He finally looked up and spoke hoarsely, "I indeed owe you an explanation."
"I know you have a problem with me, but trust me, everything I've done is for the future of this world."
"You underestimate the strength of the World Government, the Five Elders, the Three Great Admirals... these are just the powers on the surface, you haven't seen that person, that terrifying figure, you don't really know how terrifying he truly is..."
"Before obtaining Nika's power, shaking the balance will only bury yourself, bury power that could have been useful..."
Pa!
Shanks stopped abruptly, not because he couldn't continue, but because his neck was gripped by Shano, lifted forcefully.
"Enough."
Disgust filled Shano's eyes, speaking coldly:
"Since our meeting in Black Stone City, you have nagged in front of me about balance, about future, about structure, like an incessant old lady."
"I thought this time you'd have something new to say, but it's still this crap!"
"Saying I disrupted the balance, what, should I continue like you, knowing everything but doing nothing! Hmm?"
"Answer me! Your so-called balance, is it watching countless civilians hunted by the Heavenly Celestial Dragon? Watching the World Government domineer and bully everyone!"
"As for that 'terrifying presence' you mentioned, what, is it Voldemort? You don't even dare to say the name Imu! An old dog living for eight hundred years but can't set foot in Holy Land, so what if he's strong? Doing nothing out of fear, watching this world continue rotting away?"
Shano's grip tightened, Shanks began struggling to breathe, face turning red from lack of oxygen.
"Yeah, you can endure, but I can't, and the result?"
The rain fell harder, Shano opened his mouth wide, laughing wildly amidst the downpour!
"Hahahahaha! The result- those haughty beings calling themselves gods, they fear me! they dread me!"
"Seeing the flag of Endgame alarms them, seeing my face makes them flee in panic! Cursing themselves for provoking me, cursing Lord Imu for not giving them extra legs, not running fast enough!"
"On the contrary, compromising you, waiting you, doing nothing you, became a pushover; if it weren't for me, you would have been crushed here like a wild dog long ago!"
"If you're still obsessed with fate, doesn't that mean, this is your fate."
Shano finally let go, tossing Shanks to the ground, sneering:
"A pathetic worm waiting desperately for Nika, only to wait themselves to death without a savior."
Red Hair clutched his chest, coughing violently, complexion turning pale.
Every word from Shano was like a dagger, stabbing mercilessly into his heart.
Through the rain, he looked up at the figure appearing even more arrogant amidst the thunder and lightning.
Wanting to refute but unable to say anything, even fleetingly between the haze, he vaguely felt his belief wavering.
If fate truly cannot be defied, if this man truly shouldn't act...
Then perhaps he really should die here today?
Is this meant to be?
"Remember, Red Hair, there never was any savior!"
"If everyone in this world only knows to wait for a savior, then this world, from my perspective, isn't worth saving."
Shano coldly left one last sentence:
"This is your last chance, if I find you pulling stunts in the dark again, or hindering my plans..."
"Then there will no longer be a Red Hair Pirates upon the sea."
After saying this.
Shano turned and strode away, casually using the Mount Myoboku Summoning Skill, summoning Angewomon, to deal with the six members of the Divine Knight Order.
As for how he was able to kill Shamrock earlier.
It's because after Masamune Sword ate the Cloud-Cloud Fruit, a small cavity could be created within it, temporarily storing Angewomon's Divine Power.
But the storage is extremely limited, only usable once.
Shamrock, as the captain of the Divine Knight, received this treatment, and now, the remaining six members of the Divine Knight Order, were handed over to the summoned Angewomon, cleansing them one by one with Divine Power.
Holy radiance blossomed, as the six members of the Divine Knight Order turned to ash and dissipated amidst harsh wails.
Shano didn't even glance, directly approached Jack.
"Hey, can you still stand up?" Shano asked.
"Of course I can!"
Jack gritted his teeth and struggled to stand, although wobbling, he straightened his back, hammered his chest firmly:
"Boss, I'm fine!"
Though actually, the issue is significant.
Even this strike almost sent him off on the spot.
But after witnessing the shocking scenes of the boss driving off Garling, killing Shamrock, and intimidating Red Hair.
He felt honored as a subordinate, thrilled to the point of breathlessness, and with the determination not to shame the boss, he stood up as if on a high.
"Alright, let's go."
Shano smiled and patted his back, called over Angewomon who had finished dealing with the battlefield, and turned towards the coast.
Jack's face was grim, forcibly lifting his leg, moving stiffly like a puppet to follow.
Meanwhile, Red-haired Shanks was still half-kneeling where he was, head bowed.
Raindrops trickled down his red hair, indistinguishable from the rain or something else.
He stared at Shamrock's head, then looked blankly at Shano's departing figure, his fist slowly clenching, only to slump open.
A deeply rooted belief cracked at that moment.
"Have I... really made a mistake?"
He closed his eyes and murmured to himself.
To wait for Nika, or to become Nika?
The wind howled, the rain poured, there was no answer.
...
Meanwhile.
The Holy Land Mary Geoise, at Saint Garling's residence.
"Saint Garling!"
Several CP0 agents guarding the door heard a commotion, hurriedly pushed open the door and burst into the room, staring at the blood-soaked, bedraggled Saint Garling in shock, their legs weakened in fear.
Saint Garling, what... what happened out there?
Lord Shamrock?
And why are the elite members of the Divine Knight Order all missing?
"Get out!"
Saint Garling roared in fury, sweeping all the documents off the table.
The CP0 agents scrambled out of the room, while Saint Garling covered his face, a cold and sinister look visible through his fingers.
"Shano..."
He murmured quietly, his voice filled with searing hatred and... a hint of fear that had unknowingly grown.
Damn beast!
This operation should have been flawless.
Using his own daughter's information to bait Shanks, then eliminate him with thunderous fury.
Clearing the ranks while cutting off the Endgame's assistance.
Who could have predicted...
That damned Mammoth would unexpectedly intervene and disrupt!
Even less did he expect Shano to arrive in person and display an even more terrifying power than anticipated!
Remembering the power of that punch, Saint Garling's chest twinged in pain again.
How many years has it been...
How many years!
Since the battle of Divine Valley, since witnessing that arrogant man who called himself the Sea Dominator, fall under the control of Master Black Turn and perish amidst the siege...
He hadn't felt this kind of life-and-death crisis in a long time!
Could it be that this kid's strength has reached the magnitude of Rocks's?!
Garling paced irritably in the living room, and Shamrock that guy still hadn't returned with a report, didn't he know to learn from oneself and sacrifice pawns to save the king?
For this son, he felt no affection.
But the situation was becoming more treacherous, and those old men were not aligned with him, he still needed a good dog like this.
Knock knock.
Just then, a low knock on the door suddenly appeared.
"Didn't I tell you to get out!"
Garling raised his head in anger, "Who's knocking, courting death!"
"Saint Garling."
An elegant young woman's voice came through, "The master summons you, please proceed to Flowers Room promptly."
Saint Garling trembled all over, his face instantly turning pale.
He hurriedly tidied his disheveled robes, opened the door, and forced a respectful smile:
"Yes, I'm heading there now."