New World, G-5 Sea Region.
The weather today was almost too perfect.
A clear, cloudless sky stretched endlessly, the blue as pure as if freshly washed. A gentle breeze brushed across the ocean, like a soft, comforting hand stroking the sea.
For the marines of G-5, it was the perfect day to join Admiral Renzo in a collective afternoon nap.
However, that peace was violently torn apart at noon by a sudden, overwhelming presence, one so terrifying it felt as if it could crush the very heavens.
"Gulp…"
A marine stationed in the harbor watchtower dropped his telescope with a clatter.
His legs trembled uncontrollably, his pupils shrank to pinpoints, and though his mouth was wide open, no sound came out.
Because at the far edge of his vision, the once-blue ocean had turned into a horrifying shade of black and red.
No, that wasn't the sea's color.
It was the reflection of the sky and ocean being dyed by a tangible, overwhelmingly domineering Conqueror's Haki!
"Th-that ship…"
A massive sailing vessel with a striking red dragon figurehead was cutting through the waves.
It wasn't moving fast; if anything, it seemed leisurely, but with every step forward, the surrounding waves behaved as if they had encountered a king: parting, bowing, calming themselves.
On the main mast, a skull flag fluttered in the wind. The three scars over its left eye looked like an ancient curse, suffocating anyone who saw it.
"It's… it's a Yonko!!"
The lookout finally found his voice and screamed in terror:
"Red Hair!! It's Red-Haired Shanks' Red Force!!!"
BOOM!!!
Before any alarm could even be sounded, that terrifying Conqueror's Haki slammed into G-5's outer defenses.
No attack. No cannon fire.
Just that presence alone.
Thud, thud, thud.
The elite G-5 marines stationed outside the harbor, men who usually fought sea kings without hesitation, dropped like flies hit by insecticide, rolling their eyes back, foaming at the mouth, and losing consciousness.
This was the "greeting" of the man who possessed the strongest Conqueror's Haki, Red-Haired Shanks.
…
Deep within G-5 Base, the Eden Special Zone.
By the luxurious infinity pool dusted with gold powder,
Crack.
The peeled, premium grape in Renzo's hand was suddenly crushed.
Purple juice ran down his fingers, dripping onto his expensive silk robe.
"…."
Renzo paused.
His half-closed, sleepy eyes slowly opened into a narrow slit.
Within those gray eyes flickered a dense irritation, like someone rudely awakened.
"So noisy…"
Renzo muttered.
"This scalp-tingling static… did someone turn the AC up too high?"
He raised an eyebrow, finally sitting up.
He casually grabbed a towel, wiped the grape juice off his hand, and his expression turned annoyed.
"Which idiot is it this time?"
"In the middle of the day, instead of letting people sleep, they're out here flexing their presence?"
"Trying to prove their lung capacity or something?"
At that moment, a black figure appeared beside the pool like a teleportation.
Mihawk.
The world's greatest swordsman was holding a pair of gardening shears. He had been trimming the garden, but his golden hawk-like eyes were locked firmly toward the harbor.
"That red-haired bastard is here."
His tone remained calm, though there was a rare hint of annoyance, like an inconvenient acquaintance showing up uninvited.
"Renzo, looks like your nap is over."
"Red Hair?"
Renzo paused, then reacted.
"Oh… that one-armed guy."
He glanced toward Uta, who was in the Cloud Sound Pavilion, wearing headphones, eyes closed, completely immersed in her singing practice.
"Tch."
Renzo clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"What kind of father lacks this much awareness? Doesn't he know it's working hours? And visiting without bringing a gift, just showing up blasting Haki?"
"So rude."
"Rehn!"
Renzo called out.
Crackle!
A bolt of golden lightning condensed in front of him, forming the plump figure in a black tailcoat.
"Im is here, Lord Renzo!"
Rehn knelt on one knee, his face trembling with excitement or anger.
"That red-haired bastard! Using such a crude method to disturb your rest! This is a declaration of war against 'efficiency' and 'tranquility'!!"
"I'll go turn him into a fried afro right now!"
"Relax."
Renzo lay back down, pulling an eye mask over his face.
"Since he's Uta's dad, show him some courtesy."
"Go," Renzo pointed toward the harbor, "ask what he wants."
"If he's here for a visit, make him pay a 'visitation fee' and wait in line."
"If he's here to cause trouble…"
Renzo yawned.
"Tell him I'm sleepy."
"If he has something to say, let him finish his nonsense there and then get lost."
"Understood!!"
Rehn's eyes gleamed.
He stood up, adjusted his bowtie, and puffed out his chest.
"Rest assured, Lord Renzo!"
"I will 'politely' and 'efficiently'… receive this Mr. Red Hair!"
BOOM!!
Rehn turned into a streak of golden lightning and shot toward the harbor!
…
G-5 Harbor.
The Red Force had docked.
The Red-Haired Pirates' officers, Benn Beckman, Lucky Roux, Yasopp, stood in formation, their expressions serious and filled with killing intent.
At the very front, standing on the prow, was the man in a black cloak, with one arm and flaming red hair.
Shanks.
Gone was his usual carefree grin. The three scars across his face looked especially vicious under the sun.
Though he had slightly restRehnd his Conqueror's Haki, it still weighed on the air like a physical force, making it thick and oppressive.
"Boss, something's off."
Beckman spoke in a low voice, cigarette in his mouth.
"This base… it's too quiet."
"Normally, when a Yonko arrives, at least someone at Admiral level should come out to face us."
"No matter who it is."
Shanks slowly placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, Gryphon.
His voice was low, filled with suppressed fury.
"Anyone who dares kidnap Uta… even if it's Marine Headquarters, I'll turn it upside down."
"Heh heh heh~"
"What a big mouth for a… disabled man."
A mocking, irritating voice came from the sky.
CRACK, BOOM!!
A massive golden lightning bolt crashed down onto the dock in front of the Red Force!
As the lightning faded, a plump man in a tailcoat appeared, holding a cup of steaming tea.
Rehn.
"Who are you?"
Shanks narrowed his eyes. He could feel the violent lightning power within this man.
'So this was the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user?'
'Thunder God Rehn?'
"I am Rehn."
Rehn elegantly sipped his tea, then pointed at Shanks with his pinky raised.
"The chief butler of Lord Renzo, the supreme commander of G-5, Marine Admiral, savior of the world, and god of efficiency."
"Red-Haired Shanks, was it?"
Rehn adjusted his monocle, his gaze full of disdain.
"Do you realize that your so-called Haki just severely polluted the air quality of G-5?"
"And you knocked out our cleaners and porters, reducing base efficiency by 0.03 percent."
"How do you plan to compensate for that?"
The Red-Haired Pirates were stunned.
'Was this guy insane?'
'Facing a Yonko and instead of fear, he's asking for compensation?!'
"Cut the crap!"
Shanks had no patience for this. His Conqueror's Haki surged again, pressing directly onto Rehn!
"Where's Uta?! Hand her over!!"
"If a single hair on her head is harmed, I'll sink this entire base into the sea!!"
"Oh? Miss Uta?"
Faced with the crushing Haki, Rehn merely swayed slightly, his fat rippling once before effortlessly neutralizing the pressure.
He set down his teacup, his face forming a strange, suggestive, almost lewd grin.
"Oh, you don't need to worry."
"She's doing very well right now."
"Very well?" Shanks froze. "You didn't do anything to her?"
"Do anything?"
Rehn waved his hand exaggeratedly.
"Ah, come now. Lord Renzo is a man who truly understands how to cherish beauty."
He stepped closer to the dock's edge, lowering his voice like he was sharing a secret.
"To be honest, Mr. Red Hair…"
"Your daughter, Miss Uta…"
"Her job now is very important. Very… central."
"Job?" Shanks frowned. "What did you make her do?!"
"Hehehe…"
Rehn let out an infuriating chuckle.
He raised two stubby fingers in a gesture.
"She's now specifically responsible for… serving Lord Renzo."
"Serving?!"
BOOM!
The deck beneath Shanks cracked.
"Explain yourself!! What do you mean by 'serving'?!"
Rehn's grin grew wider, twisted, delighted.
He knew it was time for the finishing blow.
"I mean exactly what it sounds like."
"Every night, in the dead of night…"
"In Lord Renzo's bedroom…"
"On that biggest, softest bed…"
With every sentence, Shanks' face darkened, and the air grew heavier.
"Miss Uta uses her… that part…"
Rehn pointed to his throat, but the gesture looked extremely suggestive.
"…to produce the most beautiful sounds, making Lord Renzo feel… completely relaxed and satisfied."
"And…"
Rehn delivered the final strike.
Looking straight into Shanks' blazing eyes, he said clearly, word by word:
"Your daughter…"
"My lord… is very satisfied with using her."
"She's… very good."
"…."
Silence. Absolute silence.
Even the wind seemed to stop.
The sea froze.
The clouds halted.
Every member of the Red-Haired Pirates, Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, their jaws dropped to the deck.
Only one thought echoed in their minds:
"Very… good?!"
'What kind of insane thing is that to say to a father?!'
'And that father is a Yonko?!'
Crack.
The sword Gryphon at Shanks' waist let out a strained cry.
He was gripping it too tightly.
Shanks lowered his head.
His red hair shadowed his eyes, hiding his expression.
But his black cloak began to billow wildly, without wind.
Black-red lightning crackled violently around him.
The sky darkened instantly.
The clear heavens split apart from sheer fury.
"…What… did you just say?"
Shanks slowly raised his head.
His face was expressionless.
But his eyes…
Those once carefree eyes now held nothing but,
Endless, devouring killing intent.
"Very… good?"
"Very… satisfied?"
"RENZO!!!"
His roar was like a thousand thunderclaps.
The entire sea boiled.
"I'LL TEAR YOU INTO PIECES!!!"
BOOM!!!
His overwhelming Conqueror's Haki surged like a tsunami toward Rehn and the G-5 base!
And yet, faced with such terrifying pressure, Rehn didn't move.
He even licked his lips.
"Oh my, why so angry?"
Golden lightning erupted from his body, clashing against the black-red Haki.
His grin turned savage, almost ecstatic.
"I'm just stating facts."
"Miss Uta's voice really does soothe the throat… and the soul."
"My lord truly enjoys it."
"As her… father, ah no, her father, shouldn't you be happy?"
"YOU'RE DEAD!!!"
Shanks could no longer hold back!
He drew his sword!
A slash capable of splitting an island, carrying boundless fury, tore toward Rehn!
And Rehn, instead of retreating, charged forward!
"Perfect timing!!"
"Let me see whether a so-called Yonko… can actually disturb Lord Renzo's nap!!"
....
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu