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Chapter 273: Who's the Cripple? Red Hair's Diversion
However, on the edge of this chaotic battlefield, there was one person who appeared exceptionally leisurely.
Red-Haired Shanks.
This Emperor who reigned over the New World was currently holding a bottle of booze, smiling as he watched the fierce battles in the arena. He even offered commentary from time to time.
"Oh, Yasopp's shot was a bit off there."
"Tsk, tsk, that move of Onigumo's is interesting. Looks like a giant windmill."
He seemed completely unconcerned that his crewmate might lose. That confidence and composure, seeping from his very bones, commanded respect.
Suddenly, Shanks seemed to remember something. He turned his head and looked not far away.
There, a group of Marine officers was tensely watching the battle.
Leading them was the peerless Marine Admiral Candidate, "Momousagi" Gion. She wore her Justice coat draped over her shoulders, her hand resting on Konpira. Her long, beautiful legs stood straight, and her exquisite face was filled with gravity.
Although she hadn't entered the fray, her aura was not the slightest bit weaker than anyone fighting!
In fact... it was stronger!
Shanks tilted his head back and took a swig of alcohol.
Then, he grinned at Gion, revealing a mouthful of pearly white teeth. The smile held three parts drunkenness and seven parts teasing.
"Hey, beautiful Vice Admiral over there."
Shanks' voice wasn't loud, but it clearly reached Gion's ears.
"Your colleagues are fighting so livelily."
"As their superior, are you just going to stand there and watch?"
Gion's willow-leaf brows furrowed slightly. She turned her head and shot Shanks a cold glance.
"Red Hair."
Gion's voice was light, but it carried an unquestionable haughtiness.
"Don't give me that cheeky smile."
"Although I disdain bullying your subordinates..."
"If it's you, the 'Four Emperors,' personally stepping onto the field..."
Gion's slender fingers gently caressed the hilt of her sword. In her eyes, a flash of eager, manic battle intent sparked.
"I would be very happy to test the sharpness of this blade!"
Boom!
The moment her voice fell, a terrifying aura abruptly exploded from Gion's body! The surrounding air seemed to solidify in that instant!
Yasopp and Lucky Roux's expressions changed. Benn Beckman's motion of smoking his cigarette froze.
Strong!
This woman was even stronger than they had imagined! This oppressive pressure had faintly touched the threshold of legend!
However, facing Gion's naked invitation to battle, Shanks acted as if nothing had happened, tilting his head back for another swig of rum.
"Hah—!"
He exhaled the fumes of alcohol in satisfaction, then spread his hands with a look of innocence. The empty left sleeve of his shirt appeared particularly glaring in the sea breeze.
"Hey, hey, I say, beautiful Vice Admiral."
"Aren't you being a bit unreasonable?"
Shanks pointed at his severed arm, a shameless expression of "I am weak and helpless" plastered on his face.
"Look clearly."
"I'm a disabled person!"
"If word gets out that you beat up a cripple, would the Marines have any face left?"
The corners of Gion's mouth twitched violently. The veins on her forehead throbbed.
Shameless!
Too shameless!
Was this the Red-Haired Emperor who shook the New World? This was simply an old hooligan running a scam on the street! If you are a disabled person, are there any normal people left on this sea?!
"Red Hair!"
"Stop playing the fool!"
Gion gritted her teeth, Konpira already half-unsheathed in her hand.
"If you don't dare to fight, then shut your mouth!"
"Don't disturb my supervision of this duel!"
"Oh, don't be so angry."
Shanks waved his hand with a grin, but a cunning glint flashed in his single eye.
"Although I'm a disabled person and can't fight anymore, aren't there others here?"
As he spoke, Shanks turned around, raised his right hand, and pointed to the other side of the plaza.
There, a group of tall pirates with imposing auras stood with arms crossed, watching.
The man in the lead stood among the crowd like a towering mountain. That iconic crescent-shaped white mustache trembled slightly in the wind.
"Since you want to find an expert to test your blade."
"How about him?"
The corners of Shanks' mouth hooked into a playful arc.
"Edward Newgate."
"The man known as 'The Strongest Man in the World,' Whitebeard!"
"His health has just recovered, and he's worrying about having nowhere to vent his energy."
"Go chop at him. It'll definitely be more interesting than chopping at me!"
Swish!
Following the direction of Shanks' finger, Gion's gaze instantly locked onto that demon-god-like man!
Whitebeard!
The World's Strongest!
If it were the past, Gion might have felt apprehension facing a monster of this level.
But now... feeling the endless power of the Horse Talisman surging in her body, as if it would never run dry, and the Rabbit Talisman's extreme speed that could tear through space at any moment...
Gion's heart began to beat violently!
A flame named "Ambition" burned fiercely in her eyes!
Challenge the strongest!
If she could fight Whitebeard here, under the gaze of everyone... then her name, "Momousagi," would thoroughly resound throughout the world!
"Gurarararara..."
Seeming to sense Gion's battle-hungry gaze, Whitebeard grinned, letting out a heroic laugh. The Supreme Grade Blade "Murakumogiri" in his hand slammed heavily into the ground!
Boom!
The earth trembled! A domineering aura instantly swept across the venue!
"Red-Haired brat."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, looking at the bastard who was diverting the trouble onto him.
"Trying to use this old man as a shield?"
"However..."
Whitebeard glanced at Gion, his eyes holding a trace of disdain, but also a trace of expectation.
"If you really have the guts."
"This old man doesn't mind playing a game of house with you!"
Dominance!
Arrogance!
This was the confidence of the World's Strongest Man!
Gion took a deep breath, her fingers tightening around her sword hilt. Even from this distance, she could feel the terrifying oppression radiating from that man! That was the pressure of an Emperor forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood!
Just as Gion hesitated on whether to truly go up and challenge this legendary monster...
"Wait!"
Shanks suddenly spoke again. He rubbed the stubble on his chin, looking as if he were pondering some great life question.
"No, that's not right."
"Letting you fight Whitebeard seems a bit like bullying."
"After all, even though the old man's health is better, his age is still there. It wouldn't be good if he threw out his back."
Whitebeard: "..."
Marco: "..."
Veins popped out on Whitebeard's forehead. Murakumogiri nearly swung directly at Shanks! This red-haired brat couldn't spit out a single ivory tusk from his dog mouth!
"Besides, you might not be the old man's match."
Shanks shook his head, wearing a sincere expression of "I'm thinking for your sake."
"How about this."
"I'll recommend a more suitable candidate for you."
═════ To Be Continued ═════
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