Advanced Conqueror's Peak (3/5)

A sudden system notification echoed in Finn's mind.

A sly grin stretched across his face.

Ha! One sentence to unlock high-level Conqueror's Haki? That's like wishing for the moon and getting it!

Without hesitation, Finn smirked and taunted, "Give you face? Heh, who do you think you are in front of me?"

Ding! Congratulations, Host! Reward: Advanced Conqueror's Haki!

Well, well, isn't this a treat? Finn could feel a surge of power coursing through him, a dominance that made him feel like an emperor among men. A newfound aura radiated from him, turning into a tangible force that he could wield at will. With just a thought, he knew he could convert this Haki into a destructive attack.

So this is what it means to be at the top, Finn mused. If Shanks' Conqueror's Haki is anything like this, it must be at an advanced level too. But I've surpassed even that. Just one step away from the pinnacle!

The members of the Red Hair Pirates stared in disbelief.

Did this kid just mock our captain?

The murmurs grew.

Does he not realize who he's dealing with? In this sea, disrespecting Shanks is a death sentence!

Shanks' face darkened, his usual calm shattered like a storm on the horizon. His gaze locked onto Finn, his voice low and menacing, "Finn, are you sure you're awake right now?"

Finn scoffed, crossing his arms. "What, you think your title as one of the Four Emperors means anything to me? When you dragged Yasopp away to join your crew, did you spare a thought for the family he left behind? You were so busy building your strength, but did you ever consider the fate of his wife and child?"

Yasopp, standing nearby, clenched his fists. "I went to sea willingly! The Pirate Flag called me, not the other way around!"

"Shut it, Yasopp!" Finn cut him off harshly. "You abandoned your family for a fantasy. Don't pretend it was anything noble."

A tension filled the air as Finn turned his sharp gaze back to Shanks. "You're all the same. Pirates like you think you're free to pursue love? That's a joke! You don't deserve the word."

Finn's taunts struck deep. Shanks' fist trembled with barely restrained rage. "Pirates have the right to love too!" he shouted, his voice raw with anger.

"Love? Ha!" Finn laughed coldly. "You don't even understand responsibility. You abandon those you claim to love at the drop of a hat, chasing dreams that leave nothing but pain in their wake."

A hush fell over the deck, broken only by the sound of Finn's voice, steady and unyielding. "Shanks, you're a hypocrite. You talk about dreams and freedom, but all you do is leave destruction in your path."

Shanks' patience snapped. "Finn, let go of Makino, or I swear, not even your grandfather Garp can save you."

Finn's eyes sparkled with defiance. "Worry about yourself, Shanks. If you can't handle your own mess, maybe the deep-sea prison is where you belong."

A chilling silence settled as Finn's challenge hung in the air. Shanks has connections even the World Government respects... If I can break him, what message does that send?

Finn's mind whirred, recalling how Shanks had once sacrificed his arm to inspire Luffy. He didn't need to lose that arm. There were countless ways to heal it. He just wanted to manipulate Luffy into becoming a pirate!

Shanks' patience had worn thin. "Finn, I've had enough!" he roared, drawing his famed sword, Griffin.

Finn laughed, his voice dripping with contempt. "Your patience may have limits, but mine doesn't. You want respect? Earn it! Show me if you can take it from me!"

Finn struck first, his fist surging forward with raw power. "Let's see if the Four Emperors can handle a punch from someone who doesn't give a damn about your titles!"

The clash was explosive. The air crackled as their Haki collided, sending shockwaves across the deck. Finn's fist, infused with the Seventh Gate's strength and the precision of the Gentle Fist technique, overwhelmed Shanks' defenses.

Shanks staggered back, shock and pain flashing across his face. For the first time in years, someone had not just defied him but knocked him off balance.

"Boss!" The Red Hair Pirates surged forward, fury in their eyes.

"Stand down!" Shanks bellowed, pride wounded but unbroken. "This is between me and him."

Finn stood tall, unbothered by the crew's rage. "You like to be given face, Shanks? Then come take it yourself."

Shanks' grip tightened on Griffin, his eyes blazing. "Finn, you've signed your own death warrant!"

But Finn only grinned wider. "Bring it on."

The battle had only just begun, and the world would soon know the outcome of this clash between legends.