Chapter 73: Another Emperor, Red-Haired Shanks

"Em... Emperor! Another Emperor have appeared!"

At Naval Headquarter, Marineford.

On the edge of the battlefield.

When the Red Hair Pirates, one of the Four Emperors, made their appearance, the shocked cries of the Marines echoed across the battlefield, capturing the attention of everyone present.

After all, this is the same force as the Whitebeard Pirates—one of the Four Emperors of the New World!

At this moment, the Navy was particularly alarmed and worried. Due to Shiro's extraordinary performance, the current situation for the Navy was extremely dire.

Even with the combined efforts of the Naval hero Garp and Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, they could only prevent the situation from worsening.

But if another of the Four Emperors were to become the Navy's enemy at this moment, there would be no doubt—the Navy would face a devastating blow!

"Red-Haired Shanks, one of the Four Emperors, has finally arrived."

Shiro gazed from afar at the Red-Haired Shanks and his crew, sighing deeply.

He had been wondering if, amidst all the upheaval in the war, the red-haired crew would still appear.

It seems that both Red-Haired Shanks and the former Blackbeard Marshall D. Teach had not expected the war to take such a turn.

But when one thinks about it, prior to this war, none of the great pirates—whether the Four Emperors or the Seven Warlords of the Sea—could have imagined that a young Rear Admiral would be capable of stirring up the entire war by himself!

"Gu la la la, what's that red-haired brat doing here?"

Having just brutally beaten Akainu, Whitebeard was in a good mood. Fighting alongside Shiro had brought back the feeling of his prime years. For Whitebeard, this was a major victory.

Even now, he couldn't help but consider adopting Shiro as his 'son'. But he knew a rebellious spirit like Shiro would never join any faction. It wouldn't be long before the name Shiro would become a force to be reckoned with on the seas.

He looked forward to it.

As for Shanks, that brat was probably here to make peace.

Arrogant kid!

As the pirates and Marines across the battlefield were reeling from the appearance of the Red Hair Pirates, the man himself, Red-Haired Shanks, was just as confused.

What he saw before him didn't align with his expectations.

A Navy with countless top-tier fighters, a solid command structure—the entire Naval Headquarter was in ruins!?

Did Whitebeard do this!?

With just the strength of the Whitebeard Pirates, led by an old and injured Whitebeard!?

"Yo, boss, it looks like your judgment was off!"

Lucky Roux chomped down on a large piece of meat, grinning as he teased.

"Ah, I didn't expect things to turn out like this."

Red-Haired Shanks chuckled bitterly, but his expression quickly turned serious: "But it doesn't matter; we're here to end this war!"

...

With the appearance of the Red Hair Pirates, the dynamic of the war shifted.

Both the Marines and the pirates watched intently.

This war had raged on for a long time, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. The sudden arrival of the Red Hair Pirates could tip the scales decisively.

Everyone, whether Navy or Whitebeard Pirates, was on edge, trying to figure out the intentions of the Red Hair Pirates.

"Red-Haired brat, what's your business here? Are you here to mock me, Whitebeard?"

Whitebeard squinted coldly at the redhead who had entered the core of the battlefield. He couldn't fathom the purpose, but he doubted it was to cause trouble.

"Ah, Whitebeard, it seems my worries were misplaced. I really didn't expect the war to escalate like this."

"Did you destroy Navy Headquarter?"

As soon as Red-Haired Shanks arrived, he questioned Whitebeard. It was clear he didn't believe the Whitebeard Pirates alone could wreak such chaos in the Navy.

And along the way, he had made a startling discovery.

It seemed the Navy itself was divided!

Nearly half of the elite Navy soldiers no longer appeared to be part of the Navy's camp!

This revelation truly shocked Shanks.

If Whitebeard was still strong enough to rescue Fire Fist Ace with such power and destroy the Navy Headquarter, that might be within the realm of possibility.

But splitting the Navy in half, weakening it to this extent—this was not something Whitebeard could have done alone.

There had to be something more going on here!

"Hawk Eyes Mihawk, where are you going!?"

As Shanks and Whitebeard were talking, a Vice Admiral suddenly shouted.

"Red Hair is here, and the war is about to end. I only agreed to fight against the Emperor Whitebeard. There was no clause in the agreement to battle Red Hair. It's time to withdraw!"

At this moment, Hawk Eyes Mihawk sheathed his Supreme Sword Yoru and began to leave the Navy camp.

Before departing Marineford, the world's greatest swordsman made a point to approach Shiro.

"Shiro, don't forget our promised duel. You can come to Kuraigana Island to find me at any time. I hope your swordsmanship will be even sharper by then!"

Hawk Eyes Mihawk, his sharp yellow eyes gleaming with a trace of fervor, stared intently at Shiro.

In truth, he wanted to fight Shiro right then and there.

But now was not the time.

"Kuraigana Island? Alright, when the time comes, my sword will strike fear into you, Hawk Eyes!"

Shiro was momentarily taken aback by Hawk Eyes's words, but then he nodded in agreement.

Kuraigana Island.

If he remembered correctly, Roronoa Zoro of the Straw Hats and Princess Perona were currently residing on that island.

Princess Perona?

A gothic lolita with strange powers...

After receiving Shiro's affirmative response, the world's greatest swordsman turned and left, his gaze sharp as ever.

He had decided—when it came to swordsmanship, he would give Shiro a lesson.

This young man was certainly arrogant enough.

A sword that would strike fear into him...

No such blade had ever existed on these seas!

"Is that the man? If he's earned such high praise from you, he must be something special."

At this moment, Red-Haired Shanks heard Whitebeard once again praising Shiro.

He turned his gaze to Shiro.

Just in time to see the exchange between Hawk Eyes and Shiro.

With that, Shanks began to take Shiro seriously.

Whitebeard hadn't said as much, but it was clear—the young man, once hailed as the strongest Rear Admiral, had played a significant role in this war.

And judging by Hawk Eyes's behavior...

It was clear—Hawk Eyes wasn't one to exchange words with just anyone.

"Gu la la la, Red Hair, so what are you doing here!?"

"Ah, I'm here to end this war!"

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