Chapter 77: Edie Vs Shanks!

After collecting the Minks' blood, Edie departed silently. He had no vendetta against them, and his curiosity had been sated; thus, he spared their lives. His intentions were never to kill—merely to experiment and observe.

The next day, at dawn.

New World, Palm Island.

Palm Island, shaped like an open hand, served as one of the many strongholds of the Whitebeard Pirates. The massive Moby Dick rested along the shore, but it wasn't the only ship docked there that day. Beside the iconic white whale ship floated another vessel, flying a different flag—one depicting a skull with three scars slashed across the left eye and two crossed swords beneath it.

"The Red Hair Pirates..."

From high above, Edie quickly recognized the ship—the Red Force, Shanks' infamous vessel. Though he had never met the red-haired pirate in person, the pirate flag was unmistakable.

On the beach, a bonfire blazed as the Red Hair Pirates shared drinks with the Whitebeard Pirates. The red-haired Shanks strode up to Whitebeard, lugging a wine gourd larger than the average man.

"Long time no see, Whitebeard," Shanks greeted with a grin, holding up the gourd. "I brought the best wine from my hometown. Care to join me?"

Whitebeard, seated in his massive wicker chair, eyed Shanks thoughtfully, his gaze lingering on the straw hat hanging from Shanks' neck. He chuckled deeply, his laugh like rumbling thunder. "Gurarararara... Look at you. The brat from Roger's ship has grown up. Where's that red-nosed fool?"

Shanks chuckled nostalgically. "Buggy? He's off somewhere in Loguetown. I invited him to join my crew, but he turned me down. He's probably out there chasing treasure."

Whitebeard waved it off, his interest momentary, when suddenly his attention shifted to a small girl hiding behind Shanks, clutching at his pant leg. She had strikingly unusual hair—half white, half red.

Whitebeard raised an eyebrow. "Is this your daughter?"

Shanks patted the girl on the head affectionately. "Her name's Uta. Say hello, Uta."

Though clearly intimidated by Whitebeard's towering presence, Uta managed a polite greeting. "Hello, I am Uta, Shanks' daughter."

Whitebeard let out another booming laugh. "Gurarara! You've got yourself a family now, huh? Take good care of her, red-haired brat."

Shanks laughed heartily. "Of course!"

As they laughed, Shanks spotted Marco standing nearby. "Marco! Don't just stand there. Bring us some wine glasses!"

Marco glanced at Whitebeard for approval, and with a nod, he quickly fetched the wine cups—though calling them "cups" was an understatement. They were massive bowls, each with a diameter over a meter wide.

Soon, the banquet grew lively, with both pirate crews mingling, drinking, and laughing together. Shanks took a seat on the ground and downed his bowl of wine in a single gulp, letting out a satisfied sigh.

"Whitebeard, there's a rumor I've been hearing in the New World these past two years."

Whitebeard grunted in response, sipping directly from an enormous wine cask.

"I've heard that you, Kaido, and Big Mom all spend a fortune every year sponsoring a scientist in the Beehive. What's the deal with that?"

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed as he continued drinking. "What of it? What do you want with that information?"

Shanks tilted his head in disbelief. "Incredible... The Three Emperors of the New World—Kaido, Big Mom, and you—paying tribute to a single man? What kind of power does that scientist have that even someone like you is forced to pay him?"

Whitebeard's expression darkened, his gaze sharpening.

Before either of them could respond further, a voice suddenly cut through the air, causing both pirates to freeze.

"Would you like to sponsor me too, Red-Haired Shanks?"

Shanks' eyes widened as he looked up, spotting a figure floating in mid-air above the gathering. His shock deepened when he realized that this person had approached so closely without him sensing anything through his Haki. Even now, the man remained invisible to his observation.

"Are you the scientist?" Shanks asked warily, his tone turning serious.

"Edie," Whitebeard rumbled, his deep voice filled with recognition. "I didn't expect you to show up on my territory."

"Aren't I welcome?"

Edie descended gracefully, his figure landing near the bonfire. His gaze shifted from Whitebeard to Shanks, but it was the little girl hiding behind the red-haired pirate that caught his attention. Uta... the girl destined to become the world's greatest singer, and bearer of the Paramecia-type Song Fruit.

Whitebeard grinned, his deep voice booming. "Gurarara! You're a rare visitor indeed. Marco, get him our best wine!"

"I don't drink," Edie declined politely, his attention never leaving Shanks. "I'm not here for the Whitebeard Pirates," he said calmly. "I'm here for you."

Shanks raised an eyebrow, confused. "Me?" He had no past dealings with this man and couldn't understand why Edie would seek him out. Though far from the future "Emperor" he would become, Shanks was cautious. He didn't yet possess the audacity to treat Edie with disregard.

"What do you want from me?" Shanks asked.

"You have potential, Shanks. I foresee you becoming the fourth Sea Emperor someday," Edie smirked. "It would be wise to sponsor my research in advance."

Shanks was taken aback, and then, with a slow realization, it dawned on him. He had heard rumors—whispers that the Pirate Emperors of the New World all paid tribute to this man. Even the most fearsome rulers, Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard, were compelled to fund his experiments.

But to collect sponsorship from him before he had even risen to the title of Emperor?

"Hahahaha!" Shanks laughed, shaking his head. "We Red Hair Pirates are a poor crew. I don't have that kind of money."

Edie remained unfazed, his gaze drifting back to Uta. The little girl recoiled, sensing the growing intensity in his eyes. Uta's future, Edie knew, was tragic. Abandoned by her adoptive father in three years, isolated on a ruined island for a decade, only to meet a sorrowful end. Perhaps, Edie thought, it would be an act of mercy to take her now, spare her from that fate.

But Shanks' face darkened as he noticed Edie's gaze on his daughter. His hand moved instinctively toward the hilt of his sword, Gryphon. "I won't forgive anyone who tries to harm my daughter," Shanks growled.

Edie's expression turned playful, but his amusement carried a chilling undercurrent. Whitebeard coughed, attempting to diffuse the brewing tension. "Edie, let's not cause trouble on my island."

"This will be quick." Edie's voice dropped, and in an instant, his Haki surged forward, locking onto Shanks.

BOOM.

Red lightning erupted from Edie, crackling through the air like a living thing, coiling toward Shanks. The red-haired pirate's eyes widened in shock. Conqueror's Haki? No—this was something else entirely, far beyond the scope of any Conqueror's Haki he had ever encountered. It was as though the very force of Edie's will bore down on his soul, compelling him to his knees.

Shanks sprang up, pushing Uta behind him. "Uta, get back to the ship!" he ordered, his own Conqueror's Haki flaring to life as he stood his ground against Edie's overwhelming pressure.

The two clashing Haki energies filled the air, expanding like two opposing spheres fighting for dominance. But Shanks quickly realized something alarming—his Haki wasn't enough. Edie's will didn't just challenge his; it overpowered it, smothering his Conqueror's in an unrelenting grip. He was being utterly suppressed.

"Is that all?" Edie's tone carried a hint of disappointment. "You've got strength, but you're still lacking. You're on Oden's level—around 90 billion energy units. Impressive, but not enough for my purposes. You'll grow... but right now, you're simply too weak."

Edie's cold appraisal hit hard, but he wasn't done. He needed to give Shanks a push, to accelerate his growth. "Kneel."

BOOM.

Another wave of Haki crashed over Shanks, this time so intense that dark clouds gathered above Palm Island, blotting out the sun. The red lightning thickened, thrashing around like living snakes before they penetrated Shanks' Haki defenses entirely. With a sickening thud, Shanks felt his spirit buckle under the weight of Edie's power.

His knees gave out.

"What...?" Shanks' face was pale with disbelief. The world spun around him, and a wave of dizziness clouded his mind. He hadn't even been physically struck, yet his body refused to obey him. It was as though his soul had been crushed.

"Shanks!" Uta cried out in fear, her voice breaking through his haze. She had never seen her father like this—brought to his knees by nothing more than a gaze.

Shanks struggled to rise, but his body remained unresponsive. His Haki was formidable, but it paled in comparison to the mysterious power Edie wielded.

Edie walked slowly over, his steps deliberate, his eyes cold. "You don't understand Conqueror's Haki. Not truly. You're still using it primitively, without grasping its full potential."

"Stop it! Don't bully Shanks!" Uta rushed forward, standing between Edie and her father, her arms spread wide in defiance.

"Uta, go!" Shanks gasped, his voice strained.

Edie looked down at the small girl standing before him. She was trembling, but she was brave. He could see the fear in her eyes, yet she held her ground. For a moment, Edie considered her. There was something compelling about this child. But his cold demeanor returned as he looked back at Shanks, who was still struggling to regain control.

Taking a deep breath, Shanks lowered his head, placing his hands on the ground in a sign of submission. "Alright, Edie. I'll find the money... Just don't hurt my daughter."

Edie's eyes glinted with satisfaction. "It's not just about the money," he said quietly, looking down at Shanks. "It's about you being too weak. But don't worry. This should motivate you to get stronger."