And on the opposite side.
Almost like a mirror reflection, Shano was also gasping heavily, his left arm twisted at an oddly unnatural angle.
"Twelve hours! From yesterday evening to now, the sky is almost bright!"
Shano laughed heartily, indifferent to his left arm's injury: "It seems that to determine the winner of this duel, it would take at least several days and nights of fighting! I don't mind, but someone might not be able to hold out!"
"..."
Akainu's face was ominous, offering no reply.
He understood well what Shano meant; in the gaps of their battle, he witnessed the results of sea battles in three distant directions.
But what could he do?
In a match of this level, there was no room for distraction. He could only watch as those divisions suffered defeat after defeat, growing increasingly anxious inside.
This operation, it was indeed reckless of him!
He hadn't anticipated the Endgame Pirates had grown so formidable, nor that their members were all so powerful…
The most crucial element he didn't foresee was Shano's strength reaching such heights that even he could only fight to a draw, unable to gain any upper hand!
"Don't get so complacent!"
Magma once again engulfed his right arm, and Akainu roared, his expression fierce: "This time the losses are indeed great, but if I can take your head, then these losses will be worth it!"
"You're so cold-blooded."
Shano shook his head. Before his words fell silent, his figure vanished instantly. Akainu, sensing danger, quickly employed Elementalization to evade—but he was still a step too late!
Crack!
A punch entwining Supreme King Haki suddenly struck his shoulder. He grunted heavily, driven into the sea surface, coughing up large mouthfuls of blood.
"Couldn't even take this punch, you're distracted, old dog."
Shano's voice carried a hint of mockery, "Getting distracted at a time like this, are you just putting on a brave face while really thinking of how to retreat gracefully since earlier, hmm?"
"Don't use a pirate's despicable mindset to judge me, brat!"
Akainu's gaze was icy as he threw a punch at Shano.
Was he seen through?
At fifty years of age, he wasn't some hot-blooded fool who disregarded life and death.
The Endgame's members had freed themselves up; though they seemed disinterested in intervening now, what about later?
If the battle continued, Akainu doubted these pirates would remain spectators.
Even if they posed little threat to him directly, just having to divert his focus to deal with them could provide Shano the chance to slowly push him into a disadvantage.
So, a chance to retreat had to be found!
But leaving directly would be too disgraceful; that's not something he could bring himself to do. It must be…
"Hmm?"
Akainu suddenly frowned, looking up at the sky.
Almost at the next moment, Shano abruptly halted his movements, raising his head.
"This is…" Shano narrowed his eyes, feeling a chill creeping across his skin, as if sensing a presence of immense discomfort.
This aura…
Felt as if it emanated from the depths of Hell, twisted, filled with malice and desire, not belonging to this world, this sea.
Crack!
The next instant, a massive black thunderbolt suddenly struck down on the sea surface, within the towering waves it raised, seemingly revealing some kind of black intricate patterns.
Yet it vanished in an instant, as if an illusion.
An illusion?
No, the three figures suddenly appearing, striding slowly in this direction on the sea, declared it wasn't just an illusion.
The three were entirely shrouded in black robes; though much of that uncomfortable aura had dissipated, a portion still emanated from their bodies.
"Hey, hey, hey."
Akainu visibly recognized the newcomers, snorting coldly, "What's this, does the upper hand think I can't hold on till reinforcements arrive, needing to alert these guys?"
"Watch your tone, Sakazuki."
A detached voice sounded, the leading figure in black robes reaching up to pull down his hood, revealing a face very familiar to Shano.
"Red Hair?"
Shano was momentarily stunned, but then quickly realized, squinting slightly.
No, this wasn't Red Hair.
Though he hadn't kept up with the latest manga chapters before crossing over, he still had some knowledge of important information.
It was that guy, right?
The captain of the Divine Knight Order, the biological son of Saint Figarland Garling, and also Red Hair's twin brother—
Fijalando Shamrock.
Except for lacking the three scars on his face, he looked identical to Red Hair, without the slightest difference.
Yet his aura was entirely different, lacking Red Hair's free and unrestrained manner, replaced by a cold arrogance overlooking all beings.
Since Saturn wasn't dead yet, and Saint Figarland Garling was still serving as the captain of the Divine Knight Order, this guy should still be the vice captain now?
"It's quite noteworthy for such an important figure to come in person."
Akainu was evidently surprised upon seeing his face, "Heh… Am I so honored?"
"I owe Sengoku a favor; he requested me this time, so I came personally."
Saint Shamrock spoke calmly, his gaze pausing momentarily on Shano, then turning to Akainu, "Sakazuki, you can retreat. Leave the rest here to us."
"Retreat?"
Akainu's expression turned grim, "What logic is this? Since you're personally involved, isn't the most beneficial now for us to join hands and deal with this guy?"
"That benefits your Navy, nothing to do with me."
Saint Shamrock's face was expressionless, "As soldiers, obeying orders is paramount. Sakazuki, I'll say it again, leave immediately. In my presence, you have no right to question."
This guy!
Akainu's breathing suddenly became much heavier, fists clenched and unclenched, finally snorting coldly, he turned and left using Moonwalk.
Before leaving, he cast a deep look at Shano, eyes filled with unwillingness.
Shano also stared coldly back, without showing any intention to obstruct.
This Shamrock, his aura was strong, very strong… It was already Shano's limit facing Akainu alone; there was no way to contend with these three unknowable figures simultaneously.
"The pesky guy's finally gone, so now…"
Shamrock turned to Shano, placing his right hand on the sword at his waist, speaking calmly, "Are you Shano? The rookie who has only been at sea for half a year, causing much commotion?"
"That's me."
Shano grinned, flexing his already recovered left arm, "So, are you here to replace Akainu, and have a good fight with me?"
"I have no interest in that."
Shamrock shook his head, "I advise you to calm down and not overthink. Though I said I came to repay Sengoku's favor to Akainu, this reason alone wasn't enough to draw me here personally."
"Then what's your real purpose?" Shano squinted his eyes.
"To invite you."
Shamrock said blandly, "Our names are not for you to know; you only need to know we are members of the Divine Knight Order. We're here to invite you to join us, to join the Divine Knight Order."
"More precisely, to become one of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon."
A short figure behind him added coldly, "The Divine Knight Order is the internal organization of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon, above ordinary Heavenly Celestial Dragon. If you join, even without the bloodline of the Divine Race, you will automatically become one of them."
The voice was cold yet held a playful timbre. Though hidden by a cloak, preventing a clear view of her face, it sounded like a young girl.
"Got it."
Shano listened intently, then smiled, "The explanation by this young lady is indeed clear. So, what benefits will I get from it?"
"Did you really understand?"
The girl called Ikuko raised her head, looking at him with disbelief, "Don't you realize, mortal, the benefit you get is becoming one of the Heavenly Celestial Dragon!"