Chapter 251-255

Chapter 251: The Straw Hat Pirates' Mastermind, Benn Beckman!?

Inside the cabin, Diarmuid was holding a book and reading it. In his other hand, two small stones orbited one another, suspended by the power of gravity. It was a bizarre sight.

"Admiral!"

Just then, Hina opened the cabin door and called out.

Diarmuid looked up at Hina. “Hold on, Hina. This isn’t my office in Marineford. What if I were doing something embarrassing? You bust in and then what? Do I kill you to keep you quiet, or…?”

“Or I could just let you see me doing something embarrassing, too. With dirt on each other, neither of us has to worry about the other spilling secrets,” Hina said in a frank manner.

A look of surprise appeared in Diarmuid's eyes. “What’s with you? You’re getting more and more shameless.”

Was she openly flirting?

Hina said nonchalantly, “I learned it from you, Admiral. To get strong, you first have to be shameless.”

“Makes sense,” Diarmuid nodded.

Hina then quickly continued, “Admiral, Vice Admiral Onigumo’s ship has spotted the uninhabited island.”

Diarmuid's eyes lit up. He stood and said, “Good. Success or failure depends on this!”

Meanwhile, on the uninhabited island, Benn Beckman was perched at the top of a tree, holding a spyglass and looking out at the sea.

Just as Onigumo had spotted the island, Beckman had also seen the ships gradually appearing on the horizon.

“A merchant fleet in a dump like this?” Beckman chewed on a piece of gum, muttering to himself as he lowered the spyglass.

He didn't think much of it.

It was a bit strange. The two islands to the east and west of them, which were only a three-day journey away, had bustling smuggling rings and black markets. Any merchant fleet would normally choose to go there first. Why would they come to a desolate place like this?

He didn't overthink it, though. He just assumed the group was trying to take a shortcut through the Calm Belt, gambling for a huge profit.

This kind of thing was common. Although the Calm Belt was dangerous, with the lure of huge profits, many merchants were willing to take the risk.

Just as Beckman was about to climb down the tree, he suddenly paused, a deep frown on his face. He picked up his spyglass again and looked at the merchant fleet appearing on the horizon.

He observed them carefully but found nothing out of the ordinary. So where did the faint sense of unease come from?

“Is it just my imagination?” Beckman murmured.

Just as he was about to dismiss the absurd thought, he noticed a small detail. His expression changed instantly. “Yasopp!”

Yasopp, who was leaning against another tree trunk and sleeping, was startled by Beckman's shout and nearly fell.

"What is it?" Yasopp asked quickly.

“See those ships over there? I suspect they’re Marines. Take a shot and see what happens!” Beckman said in a low voice.

Yasopp quickly raised his spyglass to look, then mumbled, “They look like merchant ships. How can you tell they’re Marines?”

However, as he spoke, he dismantled his pistol and assembled it into a long-barreled sniper rifle.

“On the surface, there's nothing wrong, but look closely at their sailing formation. Does it look familiar?” a glint of intelligence shone in Beckman’s eyes.

Yasopp froze for a moment. He looked closer, then said in surprise, “You’re right. It looks a bit like a Marine Headquarters fleet formation…”

“It's not ‘a bit like it,’ it is it! They’re most likely Marines, and they’re probably coming for us. Take the shot!” Beckman said without hesitation.

Beckman's intelligence was undeniable. Even with Vice Admiral Onigumo’s nearly perfect disguise, Beckman had spotted the oddity in the fleet's formation.

This was a detail that would be instinctively overlooked by most people. After all, who would pay attention to how a fleet was arranged?

Not even Diarmuid had noticed this flaw.

On the deck, Vice Admiral Onigumo, dressed as a merchant captain, was directing his men, disguised as sailors, to navigate the ships toward the uninhabited island.

Suddenly, Onigumo stiffened. His hair instinctively transformed into an arm, reaching out and grabbing a bullet in mid-air.

His expression instantly changed. He knew his action had likely exposed something.

On the island, Yasopp put away his rifle. “They’re definitely Marines. A person’s instincts are hard to hide… The guy probably used a Rokushiki secret art called Life Return?”

“Let’s go, we need to inform Shanks!” Beckman had no time to ponder these questions. He immediately jumped down from the tree.

Soon, Beckman and Yasopp disappeared.

At the same time, on the merchant fleet, Diarmuid received a Den Den Mushi call from Vice Admiral Onigumo.

“It was just a natural reaction. Don't blame yourself. Since we’ve been discovered, there's no need to hide anymore. Give the order: full-speed ahead for the whole fleet!” Diarmuid didn't scold Onigumo but simply gave his orders.

Soon, the small fleet of armed merchant ships began to accelerate, heading toward the uninhabited island.

Meanwhile, on the island, Beckman and Yasopp found Shanks.

“What? The Marines?” Shanks was taken aback. “How did they find us here?”

“How they found us isn't the problem right now. The question is, do we fight or retreat?” Beckman interrupted Shanks’ confusion and asked directly.

Shanks pondered for a moment, then said, “Let’s retreat. We camped here specifically so we could quickly retreat into the Calm Belt and escape a pursuit if we were ever discovered. Even though it's the Marines instead of the Big Mom Pirates, it’s basically the same thing. There’s no need for us to fight a death match here. We'll just circle back through the Calm Belt.”

Shanks was the captain, and his orders were absolute. Once he spoke, the members of the Straw Hat Pirates quickly gathered their important belongings and began boarding the ship, leaving the miscellaneous stuff behind.

But just as the pirates were about to board, Beckman grabbed Shanks. “We’ll go first. You hide on the island and stay put.”

“What do you mean?” Shanks asked, confused.

Was this the captain providing cover while the crew escaped?

Hadn’t they gotten it backward? Wasn’t he supposed to run first while Beckman and the others provided cover?

“The Marines disguised themselves as a merchant fleet and found our exact location. It’s clearly a well-organized and premeditated attack. When Yasopp tested them, that guy was able to instinctively grab a bullet from that far away. He’s at least a Vice Admiral. And based on the formation, I predict there might even be a Marine Admiral hidden in that fleet. Over a month ago, Admiral Diarmuid made a high-profile entrance into the New World and then went quiet. I thought he was just watching to see what the Big Mom Pirates and Kaido were up to. Now, it looks like he might be on one of those ships…” Beckman said in a serious tone.

Shanks’ expression hardened in shock. “Diarmuid? He’s a tough one…”

“That’s why we’re splitting up. We'll take the ship into the Calm Belt. The Marines will probably think we all fled inside since we only have one ship. They’ll likely all follow us in. This way, you’ll be much safer here. Once we’ve shaken off the Marines, we'll come back for you,” Beckman said calmly.

Shanks’ expression became serious. “How can I? I’m the captain! There's no way I'm going to hide here alone while you all take the risk!”

“There’s no time for you to be so sentimental! If you feel that bad about it, we’ll leave you a lifeboat. Once the Marine ships have passed, you can follow them and maybe launch a pincer attack from behind…” Beckman said without hesitation.

“I think…” Shanks was about to say more.

Beckman cut him off. “I don’t care what you think, I care about what I think!”

After saying this, he ignored Shanks and quickly went to make the arrangements.

Shanks was completely bewildered. Who was the captain here, him or Beckman?

But there really was no time for bickering. After thinking it over, Beckman’s plan, though a bit risky, was the best way to ensure Shanks’ safety. He had even planned a backup pincer attack. Given Shanks’ strength, if he suddenly attacked the fleet from behind once they had confirmed their location with a Den Den Mushi, he could probably sink a few ships and turn the tide of the battle.

Soon, under the observation of the Marine fleet, the Red Force of the Straw Hat Pirates sailed out from the uninhabited island and headed for the Calm Belt in the distance.

Upon receiving the news, Sakazuki immediately ordered Onigumo to give chase.

Diarmuid's ship, at the very back of the fleet, had just emerged from the horizon.

As his ship passed the uninhabited island, Diarmuid stood on the deck, looking at the lush greenery. He suddenly said, “Bring me my sword.”

A short while later, Hina came over, holding Diarmuid’s cursed sword, Kokorowatari.

Diarmuid didn't take the sword from her but instead grabbed the hilt directly. While Hina held the sheath, he drew Kokorowatari.

A strange, eerie, and dark cursed aura instantly spread from his hand, forcing Hina to take two steps back.

“Admiral, what are you going to do?” Hina asked with a hint of curiosity.

“Our ships can't catch the Red Force. Their ship is much faster than our ordinary armed merchant ships. So, to corner the Red Hair Pirates, no, the Straw Hat Pirates, we have to keep them on the run, turning this into a long chase. We're well-stocked, but who knows how long their ship can last? Before that, I’ll cut off their escape route and lock them inside the Calm Belt,” Diarmuid said.

He paused for a moment, then smiled. “Besides, who knows what’s hiding on that island?”

As he spoke, Diarmuid swung the sharp blade of Kokorowatari toward the uninhabited island.

An invisible slash, powered by gravity and air pressure, instantly cut through the sea. The moment it touched the island’s shore, it sliced the coast in two. The force of the slash didn't diminish at all; it continued to cut into the ground, extending deep into the island.

It seemed as if Diarmuid's single strike was meant to split the entire island in half.

At the same time, a massive shadow fell from the sky.

“Tengai Shinsei…” Diarmuid murmured softly.

Two giant meteors descended from the heavens, aimed directly at the island.

After he was finished, Diarmuid casually slid Kokorowatari back into the sheath Hina was holding.

He was just making a statement, firing the first shot of this chase and warming up. There was no true hidden meaning.

But the very next second, as he put the sword back, an incredibly powerful aura erupted from the island. Then, two slashes shot up into the sky, cutting the falling meteors in half.

Diarmuid froze and looked toward the island.

Hina’s eyes gleamed with excitement and admiration. “Admiral, you're amazing! You were able to predict that?”

Predict what?

Oh, did I just say that someone might be hiding on the island?

Composing his shocked expression, Diarmuid adopted a look that said "I knew it all along" and calmly waved his hand. “It’s nothing. This is just a basic operation for a Marine Admiral. There’s no need to be surprised. Follow me closely and learn. Once you've mastered a third of my skill, I’ll feel confident in sending you out to sea.”

“Yes, Admiral!” Hina replied excitedly.

Chapter 252: Diarmuid: You're Still a Long Way Off, Shanks!

As soon as Diarmuid made his move, a huge commotion erupted on the island. The pursuing fleet and the Straw Hat Pirates' Red Force naturally noticed it.

On the Red Force, Benn Beckman's expression changed instantly. He said in a deep voice, "Meteors… It really is Marine Admiral Rodriguez Diarmuid!"

“Beckman, what do we do now?” Yasopp asked, his voice low.

Although he was one of the first to join Shanks's crew, Beckman was the first mate of the Straw Hat Pirates.

Shanks had somehow managed to find this guy in the North Blue. Before Beckman set sail, no one knew there was such a powerful expert hiding there. He wasn't just incredibly strong; he was also very intelligent.

But thinking about it, it was normal. Like Fujitora, Beckman was probably a folk hero before this, someone without a name in the public eye.

While Fujitora was directly drafted and made a Marine Admiral, Beckman chose to join the pirate side. That was the only difference.

Hearing Yasopp's question, Beckman thought for a moment. “We don’t have a choice. We have to turn back and clash with the Marines head-on.”

When you take a risky gamble, you have to accept the consequences.

If Beckman's plan had succeeded, not only would Shanks be safe, but they might have even outsmarted the Marines.

But now that it had failed, he had to accept the disadvantage of their captain being trapped behind enemy lines. They couldn't just abandon Shanks and escape, could they?

Wait, could they?

If they did that, who knows if Shanks would survive, but the rest of the Straw Hat Pirates would have a high chance of escaping.

But that was a choice that wasn’t even in Beckman’s mind.

Soon, the Red Force turned around, its cannons roaring as it began to exchange fire with the Marines’ armed merchant fleet.

To be honest, if this had been a fleet of standard Marine Headquarters warships, the Red Force wouldn't have had the firepower to fight them at a distance. One full broadside would have been enough to sink them.

But now, to conceal their movements, the Marines were using armed merchant ships. In terms of firepower, they really couldn't compare to the Red Force. Their performance in every aspect was inferior; they could only rely on their superior numbers.

For a time, the battle was surprisingly fierce and difficult to resolve.

At the same time, Diarmuid picked up his Den Den Mushi and called Sakazuki.

Before long, Sakazuki answered the call. “Diarmuid?”

“Sakazuki, you and your fleet, stay on the Red Force. Split the battlefield. Do not let them meet up with the guy on the island!” Diarmuid commanded in a low voice.

Both were Admirals, but on this mission, the command authority was in Diarmuid’s hands. Diarmuid also had more seniority as an Admiral.

Sakazuki did not argue and quickly replied, “I understand.”

Under Sakazuki's command, the formation of the fleet quickly changed. They shifted from a pursuit to a defensive stance, blocking the Red Force and preventing it from turning back.

Beckman's mood was extremely irritable. He looked at the Marine fleet ahead and murmured softly, “I’ve heard that Admiral Meitora is both wise and brave. I never thought our first clash would hit us where it hurts…”

Before setting out, Beckman had heard of Diarmuid’s reputation, and after they set sail, he often heard Shanks talk about him, which gave him an even better understanding.

To be honest, Beckman had a bit of an arrogant streak, especially when it came to being "wise and brave." He felt that he was no different.

But in this first clash, Rodriguez Diarmuid had seen right through his plan. He hadn't stopped the Red Force from leaving the island, but instead waited until they were a certain distance away before attacking the island, forcing Shanks out.

Now, if he wanted to go back and rescue Shanks, it would be extremely difficult. He would have to fight through the Marine blockade. What was once an advantage had become a disadvantage, and the battlefield had been split. It was a very uncomfortable situation.

Thinking that his plan had been seen through so easily, and even used against him, Beckman felt a deep sense of caution.

He didn't know that Diarmuid hadn’t thought about it that much. It was more like a wild guess that actually paid off. He had just made a quick test and it worked.

Now the battlefield was split. Sakazuki and the main fleet held back the Straw Hat Pirates, led by Beckman.

Diarmuid’s armed merchant ship slowly docked at the island’s natural deep-water port.

Diarmuid had already changed into a Marine Admiral uniform. The coat with the “Justice” insignia on the back swayed in the wind. He wore a white short-sleeved shirt, black pants tucked into high-top military boots. He looked dashing.

The cursed sword, Kokorowatari, which Hina had been holding, was now at his waist.

Stepping onto the ground, Diarmuid's gaze fell on the figure walking out of the distant jungle.

He was wearing a familiar straw hat. Under the brim, his hair was a short, reddish-wine color. His clothes were a bit sloppy—a captain’s coat over a pair of flowery shorts, with a simple pair of flip-flops on his feet.

The only thing that stood out was the sword at his waist. It was a Western-style sword, one of the Meito, named Gryphon.

Without a doubt, this was the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, Straw Hat… Shanks.

Compared to when they met a few years ago in the East Blue, Shanks looked much more mature, with less of the youthful innocence. For example, he had a bit of stubble.

“Red-Haired…” Diarmuid said softly.

The moment he said that, Shanks's face showed his annoyance. “After all this time, you still call me ‘Red-Haired’?”

Shanks knew very well that he was originally known as “Red-Haired,” but the Marines had deliberately turned his name into “Straw Hat.” And who was behind all of that? Diarmuid.

Now, this jerk was pretending to be polite, calling him “Red-Haired.” What was he doing? Wasn’t he just being a pain?

Diarmuid burst into laughter. “Hahahaha, you're right. Now I should call you Straw Hat Boy. Do you remember what I told you back then?”

Shanks was displeased by the name “Straw Hat Boy” and was also confused. What did you say to me back then?

Seeing Shanks’s confused expression, Diarmuid smiled again. “Of course, you don’t remember. Back in the East Blue, I warned you that if you ever dared to become a pirate, the next time we met, I would burn your straw hat. It seems you've forgotten my advice…”

“Hey, don’t think I’m scared of you just because you’re a Marine Admiral!” Shanks said suddenly.

“Tch…” Diarmuid clicked his tongue, then placed his hand on the hilt of Kokorowatari. “Surrender, or fight?”

Without waiting for Shanks to answer, Diarmuid continued, “If you surrender, I can at least let you keep some of your dignity. If we fight, I won’t hold back.”

“Funny, because I won’t hold back either!” Shanks said with a laugh.

After he said that, Diarmuid remained silent, and Shanks didn't say anything else. They just looked at each other for about ten seconds. As a sea breeze blew by, causing Diarmuid’s coat to billow behind him, he moved. He used Soru to propel himself, his body becoming weightless as he suddenly vanished from Shanks's sight.

Shanks couldn’t track Diarmuid's movements, but as someone who had fought countless battles since childhood with Roger, he instinctively drew Gryphon and slashed forward.

In the next instant, a murky, gloomy, and cursed aura rushed toward him. His body felt heavy, and his flip-flops sunk into the ground.

The muscles in his arm bulged. Diarmuid's cursed sword, Kokorowatari, was now directly on his Gryphon.

“Tiger’s Roar…” Diarmuid whispered.

Before Shanks could react, a powerful wave of gravity erupted from Kokorowatari, morphing into a roaring tiger that enveloped Shanks and instantly sent him flying.

Shanks's body was agile. He flipped in the air and sent a flying slash toward Diarmuid. He used the moment to regain his posture and land safely. He wasn't seriously hurt, only a faint feeling of pressure in his chest.

Diarmuid, on the other hand, simply raised his arm and deflected the slash with the flat of Kokorowatari’s blade.

After only one exchange, Shanks's expression turned incredibly serious. Both men had a sense of the other's power from this brief test.

Diarmuid could clearly feel that Shanks's strength was far below his own.

Shanks, however, couldn't perceive his opponent's strength as clearly as Diarmuid could. He was on the weaker side, but he could tell by comparing him to Charlotte Linlin. He even thought Diarmuid might be a little stronger than her.

Not daring to think any further, Shanks infused Haki into his sword, and Gryphon instantly became a black blade. He stomped his flip-flops hard on the ground, combining his waist and horse stance, and roared, “Divine Departure!!!”

As he said the words, he unleashed a single slash.

When Diarmuid saw the attack, a flash of surprise appeared in his eyes. The slash was remarkable, and the name of the technique sounded familiar.

Then he remembered: it was Roger’s technique!

It seemed this kid Shanks had inherited a lot from Roger.

But if Roger had used this attack, Diarmuid might have had to evade it. It was, after all, Divine Departure.

But coming from Shanks, while it was powerful, it was not on a level that Diarmuid couldn't handle.

Diarmuid tightened his grip on the hilt of Kokorowatari. A dark black Armament Haki instantly coated the blade. At the same time, he slashed forward to meet the incoming Divine Departure slash.

“One Sword Style: Tiger Slayer!” Diarmuid grunted.

Shanks's Divine Departure was cut in half by Diarmuid's single strike. Two sharp slashes flew past Diarmuid's sides.

Shaking the Haki off his sword, Diarmuid grinned. “You’re still a long way off, kid!”

“You’re not in a position to call me 'kid'!” Shanks roared. He stomped his foot and shot forward.

Anger filled his eyes and pupils. Gryphon reflected the sunlight, casting a blinding light that hit Diarmuid's eyes, causing him to instinctively close them.

It was in that moment that an extremely powerful aura flowed from Shanks's hand—not Armament Haki, but Conqueror’s Haki!

This Conqueror's Haki wrapped around Gryphon. As Diarmuid's eyes opened, Shanks's figure had already arrived, and he unleashed a powerful slash!

“Counter Fang!!!” Shanks bellowed.

In that moment, he and Gryphon seemed to become one, a single fang piercing toward Diarmuid.

Diarmuid felt a menacing force from this slash. As expected, Conqueror’s Haki coating was not to be underestimated, no matter who used it.

In that instant, Diarmuid, seeing the attack, suddenly had an inspiration. His mind went blank for a moment, and the dark Armament Haki on his sword had, at some point, transformed into a cloud-like, formless power. If one were to look at it, they would see it had a power that could intimidate people.

Conqueror’s Haki coating!?

He didn't think about it; he simply responded instinctively to Shanks's descending slash with a slash of his own.

The two incredible Conqueror's Haki clashed. The sky changed color, and an invisible force and shockwave instantly spread from the two of them. The air around them crackled with black and purple lightning.

“Break!” Diarmuid suddenly roared.

The two forces were at a stalemate for only a moment. As Diarmuid’s roar subsided, Shanks’s figure was sent flying with a single slash.

“Like I said, you’re still a long way off, Shanks!” Diarmuid laughed loudly.

Chapter 253: The Strongest Conqueror's Haki!?

The moment Shanks landed, the ground beneath his feet shattered. His eyes were half-rolled back; a direct hit from Conqueror's Haki coating could knock a person unconscious.

But in the next instant, Shanks's eyes returned to normal, and his stumbling body steadied.

However, a closer look would reveal blood at the corner of his mouth.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood away, his eyes fixed on Diarmuid with a look of apprehension.

He could sense that Diarmuid’s Conqueror's Haki coating was very unrefined; it seemed he hadn’t used it much, or perhaps it was his first time using this power.

Yet, despite that, the person who was knocked back was Shanks.

What did that mean? It meant that in terms of raw power, Diarmuid was more than one level above him!

The truth was, Shanks had yet to reach his peak. Even with Mihawk’s help in "training," the gap in their strength was clear.

In the original story, it was six years later that Shanks truly became a Yonko.

For now, just as Diarmuid had said, he was still a long way off!

Diarmuid, having injured Shanks, didn't press his advantage. Instead, he took a moment to fully experience the Conqueror's Haki coating that had just appeared out of nowhere.

But if you asked him to explain the experience or the principle behind it, he really couldn't.

That feeling was something that could only be understood, not articulated.

After a brief period of thought, Diarmuid gave up on the idea and instead looked out at the sea, where the Red Force was clashing with the Marine armed merchant fleet.

Sakazuki's magma had begun to erupt everywhere, and the Red Force, instead of breaking through the blockade, was desperately trying to escape.

Considering the situation, Diarmuid decided to hold back his attack for a moment to see if he could capture the entire Straw Hat Pirates in one swoop.

If he were to quickly defeat Shanks, what would stop Beckman from gritting his teeth, stomping his foot, and turning tail with the rest of the crew?

The Calm Belt was right there, and the Red Force's performance was superior to the armed merchant ships. Without any hesitation, they could flee like mad and might actually get away.

So Diarmuid decided to wait. He would keep Shanks occupied here. As long as Shanks wasn't defeated, there was no way the Straw Hat Pirates would abandon their captain, right?

He would hold them off, giving Sakazuki enough time to deal with the Red Force.

Shanks had been on high alert, waiting for Diarmuid to make his move.

Instead, he saw Diarmuid ignoring him and watching the naval battle in the distance. He was confused.

But soon, he understood. Although he wasn’t as smart as Beckman, Shanks wasn't an idiot. Diarmuid's scheme was too obvious, and he instantly caught on.

But now, there was nothing he could do to break out of this situation.

Shanks just thought for a moment, and then a look of firm resolve appeared in his eyes.

He would attack Diarmuid with all his strength, regardless of the consequences. If he was lucky enough to defeat him, he would seize the ship and pincer the Marine fleet from the front and back.

He would then join up with Beckman and the others and hide in the Calm Belt.

Of course, that was the best-case scenario. If he still couldn't defeat Diarmuid after a full-strength assault, there was nothing he could do. The situation was a stalemate. He would force Diarmuid to end the battle as quickly as possible, sacrificing himself to warn Beckman and the others to leave him behind and escape!

His end might be miserable, but at least the Straw Hat Pirates would be safe, and maybe there would be a chance for a comeback in the future.

Shanks was a decisive and courageous man. Once he made up his mind, he didn't hesitate.

He wiped the blood from his mouth again, took a deep breath, and his aura began to surge. He looked at Diarmuid and said, “Don’t you dare… look down on me!”

As soon as he spoke, a fierce glint appeared in Shanks's eyes. He crouched low and shot toward Diarmuid like a startled rabbit.

A look of resignation appeared in Diarmuid's eyes. He knew the kid had seen through his plan.

But it didn't matter. If he could just take down Shanks, the Straw Hat Pirates would be a non-factor. Although Beckman was strong and intelligent, he lacked Shanks's charisma. Without Shanks, the crew would be nothing to worry about.

With that thought, Diarmuid no longer hesitated. He swung Kokorowatari, shouting, “Gravity Blade: Ferocious Tiger!”

Years ago, this was his main attack. Now, it was little more than a regular strike.

A powerful burst of gravity shot from the blade, but Shanks ignored it completely. He slashed, creating a small opening, and charged right through it. In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Diarmuid.

“Gryphon's Cry!” Shanks grunted, following up with another slash.

Diarmuid swung his sword back to block the attack. In that same instant, Shanks let go of his grip, and the great sword Gryphon slipped from his hand. At the same time, a murderous intent flashed in his eyes, and a flowing Haki instantly coated his hands as he lunged toward Diarmuid’s chest.

It was as if he wanted to tear Diarmuid’s heart out.

Diarmuid had never fought Shanks before. He had always assumed Shanks was a swordsman who relied on his Haki and blade. For a moment, he was genuinely surprised that the kid would suddenly give up his sword.

And why did this technique look so familiar? Wasn't this the Black Tiger’s heart-prying technique?

“Gryphon's Tear!” Shanks roared, his hands turning into talons like a griffin’s as he lunged for Diarmuid’s chest.

At that moment, Diarmuid’s Kokorowatari fell from his hand, its sharp tip piercing the ground, supporting the blade as it stood upright.

At the same time, Diarmuid pulled his arms back and coated them with Haki, blocking his chest.

In the next second, Shanks's claws struck Diarmuid’s forearms.

They were stopped by the force of the Haki and could not move an inch.

Diarmuid’s swordsmanship was only half-assed. His true strengths were his Devil Fruit abilities, Haki, and physical combat. Many people noticed his Devil Fruit powers were strong, but few realized how talented he was with Haki and physical combat.

This was mainly because when facing top-tier fighters like Whitebeard, they were all on a similar level, so his skills didn't stand out.

And against weaker opponents, he didn’t even need to use them.

This was why his reputation was not well-known.

The moment Shanks's claws grabbed Diarmuid's arms, Diarmuid did the opposite of what was expected; he advanced. He took a step forward, closing the half-meter gap and pressing against Shanks. Because Shanks's arms were extended forward like claws, his chest was completely exposed and defenseless.

Just as Diarmuid had no experience fighting Shanks, Shanks had no experience fighting Diarmuid.

Diarmuid's sudden change in tactics caught him completely off guard.

“Tiger Descends!” Diarmuid laughed loudly.

He lowered his shoulder and elbow, using his height advantage to get close to Shanks's chest. In the next second, all the power in his body erupted at once. With a bang, the moment his shoulder and elbow made contact with Shanks's chest, a powerful force sent Shanks flying.

However, just as Shanks was sent back half a meter, he felt a sharp pain in his arm. Spitting out blood, he looked down and saw that Diarmuid had taken a step, grabbed his arm with one hand, and stopped his backward momentum.

“My Style: Tiger’s Roar Cannon!” Diarmuid grunted.

At the same time, Shanks’s body was pulled back toward him, and Diarmuid placed his other hand on Shanks's chest.

Just like Rob Lucci's secret Rokushiki technique, Rokuogan, a powerful shockwave carrying a gravity-infused Haki exploded from Diarmuid's palm.

Shanks felt a sharp pain in his chest, so much so that he couldn’t tell how many ribs were broken. A mouthful of black blood gushed out, staining Diarmuid's white shirt. Vague bits of shattered organs were mixed in with the blood.

Diarmuid then released his grip on Shanks. Without the force pulling him back, Shanks was sent flying backward by Diarmuid's attack, creating a three-foot-deep trench in the ground before he finally came to a stop a dozen meters away.

Before Shanks could recover from the barrage of attacks, Diarmuid extended his hand toward him. A faint, dark purple energy, almost black, seeped from between his fingers.

“Abyssal Lock,” Diarmuid said in a low voice.

As soon as he said that, the dirt and rocks on the ground around Shanks instantly stuck to his body. Before he could struggle, he was completely enveloped, turning into a rectangular, coffin-like shape. A pale purple energy shimmered on the surface, tightly sealing Shanks inside.

“He really is a bit weak…” Diarmuid clicked his tongue, watching the scene unfold.

He had thought that Shanks hadn't yet reached his peak, but he never expected Shanks would be completely unable to fight back. He was weak in a way that just didn't make sense.

Barring some unforeseen event, how was this man going to become a Yonko in six years with just his Haki and swordsmanship?

How was he going to contend with monsters like Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, and Whitebeard?

With his current strength, he couldn’t even beat Sakazuki!

It was bizarre…

Diarmuid thought to himself.

“Did everyone just give him a free pass?” Diarmuid muttered to himself.

As Diarmuid was lost in his thoughts, a force trying to break free of the seal subtly emanated from the black coffin.

Before Diarmuid could increase the pressure, the black coffin suddenly shattered. Shanks's battered body emerged from the dust.

Compared to before, the man was in a terrible state, but a significant change had taken place.

First, his eyes were rolled back, as if he had lost consciousness. His clothes were in tatters, and his straw hat was crumpled on the ground.

But despite his condition, a powerful Haki was constantly emanating from his body. And this Haki was unmistakably Conqueror’s Haki!

What was even more shocking was that he had completely coated his entire body in Conqueror's Haki, as if it were a limitless supply.

“This is…” Diarmuid murmured softly.

In his memories from his past life, someone had once speculated that Kaido had the strongest durability, Whitebeard had the strongest attack, and Charlotte Linlin had the strongest defense. It seemed that each Yonko had a distinct, dominant advantage, and for Shanks, it was likely the strongest Conqueror's Haki.

Now, it seemed that this was actually the case!

Shanks had completely lost his senses. He let out a mindless roar at Diarmuid, like a wild beast.

The Conqueror's Haki on his body truly seemed limitless. The stones and rocks on the ground were quivering with the Haki's force, some even floating in the air.

Before Diarmuid could observe any further, Shanks stomped his foot and lunged at him. As he moved, he was like an irrational beast. He even got down on all fours to increase his speed.

In the blink of an eye, he was in front of Diarmuid, throwing two punches. A concentrated burst of Conqueror’s Haki blasted toward him.

Diarmuid didn't try to block. He weaved back and forth, dodging Shanks's attacks just before they landed.

A look of understanding appeared in his eyes. He murmured softly, “In the end, he couldn’t control the power within himself and became a person ruled by that power?”

There was no doubt that the Conqueror's Haki within Shanks was truly powerful and immense, whether it was because of an innate talent or some other reason. The sheer volume was so great that he could use it luxuriously.

But he had yet to master this power. Every time he used it, it was based purely on instinct. So while it was strong, it was still "nothing special."

Perhaps six years later, after he had fully mastered this power, he would be able to contend with the other three monsters with just his Haki and swordsmanship.

After dodging a few more attacks, Diarmuid extended his hand. The cursed sword Kokorowatari, which had been a distance away, flew into his hand, pulled by his gravitational power.

At the same time, Diarmuid ran his free hand over Kokorowatari’s blade. An immense power, emitting a pure black light, coated the edge.

“Rend the flesh, sever the soul… Abyssal Devourer,” Diarmuid said quietly.

Chapter 254: Blade Slashes Shanks, Arm Severed?!

In reality, dealing with Shanks in this current, beast-like state was actually somewhat easier than before.

There was no real need to use an unstoppable killing move like the 'Abyssal Devourer.'

However, Diarmuid was still willing to give Shanks some respect. Although Shanks felt weak right now, he had at least demonstrated a power that could be called world-class.

Therefore, 'entertaining' him a little was only reasonable.

When Diarmuid's palm brushed the tip of Kokorowatari's blade, the entire sword turned jet black. The next second, Shanks's beast-like figure lunged forward again, throwing three punches at Diarmuid.

Diarmuid didn't indulge him. With a flick of Kokorowatari, he executed a black, blossoming slash and cut straight out.

Perhaps instinctively sensing a threat, Shanks paused his movements even without his sanity. He forcibly withdrew the fist he had thrown.

Then, a flash of blood appeared. The blade of Kokorowatari sliced across his chest. The incomparably powerful Conqueror's Haki coating was completely useless, being directly cut through by Kokorowatari, followed by his flesh and blood.

Had his instincts not made him pause, this single strike would have been enough to kill him.

Perhaps the intense pain had stimulated Shanks, or perhaps the dangerous aura had shocked him.

In any case, after this slash landed, the wild, rolled-back look in Shanks's eyes rapidly returned to normal. He cried out in pain and raised his hand to cover the roughly thirty-centimeter wound across his chest.

"Oh, are you awake now?" Diarmuid said with a smile.

However, he was somewhat surprised that after Shanks regained consciousness, the Conqueror's Haki power shrouding his body didn't dissipate; it continued to flare out recklessly.

Shanks pressed his hand against his chest, but he couldn't stop the gushing blood. Yet, after the initial pain, he looked at his own hand in astonishment.

Conqueror's Haki coating?

He looked again, realizing it was coating his entire body.

And yet, he felt absolutely no fatigue?

"What is this?" Shanks looked at Diarmuid and asked, his voice full of confusion.

Diarmuid seemed to be in a good mood and even offered an explanation.

"It seems that during your unconsciousness, you activated your instincts? Talent? Or perhaps an overdraft? Who knows. But your Conqueror's Haki power is indeed very strong. In terms of overall amount, it's even more formidable than what I witnessed from Whitebeard back then. It's just that you still can't control this power. Otherwise, your strength could truly be considered top-tier and formidable," Diarmuid said with a cheerful smile.

"Is that so?" Shanks muttered softly, then said, "No matter what, it was under your pressure that I awakened this power. Thank you!"

"Don't mention it. Go on and experience this power well, because it might be the last time you ever get to use it..." Diarmuid still smiled with composure.

"That's hard to say..." Shanks whispered to himself, then looked toward Gryphon, which had fallen to the ground nearby.

Diarmuid also noticed his gaze. Holding the black-glowing Kokorowatari in one hand, he casually waved the other. "Please."

"Thank you," Shanks nodded. He walked a few steps, picked up his sword, Gryphon.

Although he knew Diarmuid wasn't in a hurry to defeat him, he still thanked Diarmuid for his magnanimity. Gripping Gryphon, Shanks suddenly tightened his hold, and Conqueror's Haki swiftly coated the blade.

With a light flick, Gryphon's edge sliced across the ground, and the powerful surge of Haki carved a clean, smooth cut into the earth.

"Are you ready?" Diarmuid saw this and was even polite enough to ask.

Shanks's expression shifted slightly. He said in a deep voice, "It seems you're still extremely confident that you can defeat me?"

"To be honest, yes," Diarmuid nodded.

"Is it because of that jet-black sword of yours?" Shanks's eyes focused on the Kokorowatari in Diarmuid's hand as he asked.

Compared to before, Diarmuid was clearly stronger, or perhaps the duration for which he could use 'Abyssal Devourer' had grown longer.

That was why he could hold 'Abyssal Devourer' and converse so calmly with Shanks instead of being eager to finish him off.

"This sword is called Kokorowatari, hailed as the strongest cursed sword, and this black light attached to its blade is called 'Abyssal Devourer,' a manifestation of my ability. This is likely your first time seeing it, as I rarely use it. To this day, whether it's Kaido, Charlotte Linlin, or the Strongest Man, Whitebeard, none of them could block this attack... The reason I've given you so much time to talk is because I believe you won't be able to block the next strike either," Diarmuid said softly.

"Kokorowatari... Abyssal Devourer..." Shanks murmured the words, then a sharp light flashed in his eyes. He stopped worrying about the blood flowing from his chest wound, gripped Gryphon's hilt with both hands, and said, "I don't think so!"

The moment his words fell, the Conqueror's Haki surrounding him swiftly converged onto Gryphon. This man was truly a prodigy; in just a brief moment, he was already beginning to gain initial control over the explosive power within him.

At this point, neither of them spoke again. As their Haki converged, the surrounding atmosphere grew increasingly oppressive.

Ultimately, it was Shanks who couldn't hold back first. He forcefully stomped the ground and charged toward Diarmuid. At the same time, Gryphon was raised, carrying a sharp radiance and the power of his Haki.

"Dragonbreaker: Gale Pierce!!!" Shanks roared.

There were no flashy techniques, just a simple, head-on strike aimed directly at Diarmuid.

Diarmuid, likewise, made no superfluous movements. He didn't dodge, didn't resist; he simply raised the cursed sword Kokorowatari and met Shanks's Gryphon with a single, straightforward slash.

"To guide others and oneself, first guide the heart..." Diarmuid whispered.

The two swords instantly clashed. Then, to Shanks's astonishment, he saw Diarmuid's Kokorowatari virtually ignore the powerful Conqueror's Haki coating on his blade.

The moment they touched, the black light seemed to devour the Conqueror's Haki. With no resistance whatsoever, Kokorowatari cut through the Haki and struck the blade of Gryphon.

The next moment, Gryphon felt like anything but a legendary sword. Words like 'fake,' 'paper-mâché,' and similar terms flooded Shanks's mind.

Because his Gryphon was instantly cut in half by Kokorowatari!

Shanks had never imagined such a thing would happen. Now he understood: Diarmuid's words just moments ago were not boasting.

In this world, probably no one could block that slash. Charlotte Linlin couldn't, Kaido couldn't, Whitebeard couldn't, and naturally, he, Shanks, couldn't either!

The sudden turn of events shocked Shanks somewhat, and the effortless way Gryphon was severed was completely unexpected, leaving him unable to react for a moment.

The next second, Shanks snapped back to his senses. Trembling with dread, he instinctively took a step back. He clearly understood that this strike couldn't be blocked; it could only be dodged.

But at this moment, he only managed to half-dodge. Had he not taken that step, Diarmuid's strike would have killed him instantly. Though the step avoided death, it was ultimately a fraction of a second too slow.

A piercing pain shot through his arm. Then, two clattering sounds hit the ground: first, the severed blade of the great sword Gryphon, and second, an arm, cut cleanly off at the shoulder.

That's right. Shanks ultimately could not escape his fate of losing an arm. Without that boy Luffy to interfere, he had met Diarmuid.

The 'Abyssal Devourer,' even his absolute Conqueror's Haki, still couldn't stop it.

His arm, along with Gryphon, was directly severed by Diarmuid!

"Ugh..." Shanks gripped his stump, his expression utterly ferocious. The pain stimulated his brain, turning his eyes bloodshot.

Suffering such a severe blow, compounded by his inability to truly control the overflowing Conqueror's Haki, the Haki enveloping him quickly dissipated after that cry of pain.

Simultaneously, Diarmuid sharply flicked Kokorowatari, and the black light attached to the blade also vanished.

Then, Diarmuid executed a graceful flourish and returned Kokorowatari to its sheath.

His slightly mocking tone entered Shanks's ears.

"See? You couldn't block it, could you?"

Shanks clutched his severed arm, staring intently at Diarmuid. Diarmuid's gaze, however, was completely relaxed. He smiled and said, "I told you from the start that if you surrendered, I could let you keep some dignity, but you just wouldn't listen... You said I underestimated you. Well, do you know now? You're still a long way off."

Hearing this, Shanks spat out a mouthful of blood. He knew Diarmuid was deliberately saying this to break his will, but the words were also profoundly true.

Not long ago, he had defeated Charlotte Linlin with Beckman and the others, and even though it was a group effort, Shanks had felt a surge of confidence and happiness.

But today, Diarmuid had summarily, with a few effortless movements, cut off an arm, completely shattering that confidence.

How could he not feel depressed?

"Universal Pull..." Diarmuid slowly extended his arm and made a grabbing motion toward Shanks.

Shanks instantly felt his body lose control, and a tremendous force began pulling him toward Diarmuid.

Before he could prepare himself, Diarmuid had already clamped his hand around Shanks's throat.

"By the authority of Marine Headquarters Admiral Rodriguez Diarmuid, I declare you arrested, 'Straw Hat' Shanks. Congratulations, your remaining life will be spent enjoying special single-room accommodations in Impel Down..." Diarmuid said with a chuckle.

"Kill me..." Shanks choked out a low growl, his neck in Diarmuid's grip.

"Go tell the judges at Enies Lobby that. I am a Marine Admiral of Justice," Diarmuid said dismissively, then tightened his grip, causing Shanks to suffocate.

A moment later, due to the anoxic unconsciousness caused by suffocation, Shanks completely lost the ability to resist. Diarmuid held him by the neck, lifted him, and turned toward the merchant ship docked at the shore.

However, after a few steps, Diarmuid seemed to remember something. He turned back, searched for a moment, and then reached out and pulled in a certain direction.

The straw hat, which had fallen to the ground and was now crumpled, flew out from where it lay and landed in Diarmuid's hand.

He had originally intended to pull out a lighter and burn it, but after a moment's thought, Diarmuid smiled and said softly, "I still haven't given Luffy a gift. I'll keep this for now..."

Carrying the half-dead Shanks onto the deck, Diarmuid looked at Hina, who was waiting there. "Contact Sakazuki. Tell them we've finished up here. 'Straw Hat' Shanks has been captured by me. Move quickly, and completely annihilate the Straw Hat Pirates!"

"Yes, Admiral!"

Hina glanced at the wretched-looking Shanks and immediately saluted.

After a slight pause, Hina looked at Shanks and said, "I thought you were going to kill him, Admiral..."

"Hahaha, I initially intended to, but this guy is too weak. I lost interest. Besides, this guy is a former crewmate of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. All the other Roger Pirates are in hiding, and he's the only one constantly stirring things up. We'll take him back and see if Admiral Sengoku and the Fleet Admiral can use him to lure out some bigger fish. If not, so be it. Moreover... a living man is always more valuable than a dead one. You never know when he might come in handy." Diarmuid said with a laugh.

And, perhaps this Shanks guy knows something about the missing fourth Road Poneglyph?

Chapter 255: My King's Aura Dispersed, and He Pledged Fealty?!

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

In Admiral Sengoku's office, he was currently speaking with someone on a Den Den Mushi.

"The Amber Lead Disease?" Sengoku sounded confused.

After a slight pause, he addressed the person on the Den Den Mushi: "Why is the Amber Lead Disease suddenly an issue? Is it really contagious? Or is there truly a problem with the finished lead products?"

Thinking of this, Sengoku looked at the amber lead coffee cup on his desk, one piece of the set Diarmuid had given him years ago, and felt a little uneasy. That guy wouldn't actually screw us over, would he?

"No, Admiral, it's about a survivor from Flevance, and he's just a child," a male voice replied from the other end. If Diarmuid were here, he might recognize the voice as that of Rosinante.

"Is that so?" Sengoku sighed in relief.

He then remained silent for a moment before saying, "In other words, you want to save that child?"

"Mm," Rosinante answered softly on his end.

"That's difficult to manage. As far as I know, the World Government once summoned famous doctors from all over the world to consult on this disease. The final conclusion was that it's terminal and incurable," Sengoku said, his tone sounding somewhat helpless.

Truthfully, if the Amber Lead Disease had any possibility of being cured, the World Government wouldn't have simply stood by and allowed Flevance to be destroyed.

While the destruction of Flevance allowed the World Government, the big market manipulator behind the scenes, to make a huge profit, they would have had continuous, massive revenue if the kingdom hadn't collapsed. Unless they were short-sighted, the choice was obvious.

"Difficult means there's still a possibility, right?" Rosinante suddenly asked.

"This..." Sengoku hesitated, then continued, "I can only suggest you inquire at the Drum Kingdom. The doctors there are very skilled."

"The World's Medical Powerhouse?" Rosinante was silent for a moment.

Then he chuckled and continued, "Alright, I understand. Thank you."

"Don't hold out too much hope," Sengoku cautioned him again.

Sengoku wasn't deceiving Rosinante. After the World Government's consultation, the case files and data were transferred to the Drum Kingdom. After all, for the medical community, every terminal illness is a new discovery.

Perhaps the doctors in Drum Kingdom were still researching the Amber Lead Disease these past couple of years. What if there was a breakthrough?

It was worth a shot, regardless of the outcome.

Without continuing the topic, Rosinante suddenly asked, "How is Diarmuid-nii lately? I haven't heard much about him."

"He went to the New World to capture the Straw Hat Pirates. Not sure what the situation is yet," Sengoku said quite calmly.

His words showed the extent of his trust in Rosinante.

"I miss him a bit, it's been so many years," Rosinante said with a wistful tone.

"Hahaha, why don't you just wrap up your mission and come back?" Sengoku laughed heartily.

In fact, due to Diarmuid's deterrence, combined with Doflamingo's own considerations, the man hadn't really opposed the Marines. On the contrary, the Marines even had some low-level business dealings with him.

Therefore, Marine Headquarters had no intention of doing anything about Doflamingo for now. Rosinante's continued infiltration of the Donquixote Family was practically useless at this point.

Rosinante himself found it odd. He remembered his older brother as the type who should have completely lost his mind, but over the past few years, Doflamingo seemed to have rapidly changed.

He hadn't started any chaotic nonsense. Despite flying a pirate flag, he wasn't plundering places or opposing the Marines. Instead, he dedicated himself to the underworld, steadily expanding the Donquixote Family's business.

However, there wasn't much to report about the underworld; after all, none of the people there were good guys. Whatever Doflamingo did in that sphere wasn't worth pursuing.

This made Rosinante feel miserable. He had been undercover in the Donquixote Family for years, and aside from occasionally reporting on Doflamingo's business and whereabouts, he had virtually no vital intelligence to send back.

What is the point of my infiltration?

Therefore, after Sengoku said what he did, Rosinante was tempted. But after thinking it over, he still replied, "At least let me resolve the problem with this child first."

Sengoku didn't have much hope for the child's Amber Lead Disease, so he didn't try to dissuade him, simply giving a casual reply.

Just then, there was a knock on his office door. His secretary entered and whispered, "Admiral, the Fleet Admiral is calling for you."

"I know," Sengoku responded. He then said to the Den Den Mushi, "In any case, be careful, and safety first, understood?"

"I know, Admiral," Rosinante chuckled.

"Alright, that's all then. I have things to attend to." Sengoku said with a laugh, and the two disconnected the Den Den Mushi.

It was clear that after chatting with Rosinante, Sengoku was in a very good mood. After all, he viewed Rosinante as his own son and had officially adopted him.

He was a man in his sixties, and he and Tsuru had no romantic entanglement. Even if they had some beautiful twilight years together someday, they couldn't possibly have children in their old age.

In Sengoku's eyes, Rosinante was his actual son, and he might even rely on him to look after him in his final years.

He was also very satisfied with Rosinante.

Putting away the Den Den Mushi, Sengoku grabbed the Marine coat hanging on the rack, draped it over his shoulders, and walked out of the office, heading toward Fleet Admiral Kong's location.

Sengoku was already the internally designated successor to the next Fleet Admiral, and barring any accidents, Kong was certain to move to Mariejois to become the Commander-in-Chief within two years.

Furthermore, Sengoku had already taken over many of the Fleet Admiral's duties; he didn't even need to knock before entering the Fleet Admiral's office.

As soon as he pushed the door open, he saw Kong laughing heartily while speaking into a Den Den Mushi.

Diarmuid's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

"A complete victory?" Kong asked with a loud laugh.

On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Diarmuid clicked his tongue and replied, "Not entirely complete. A few escaped, but the main heads are dealt with. 'Straw Hat' Shanks and Ben Beckman, one is the captain of the Straw Hat Pirates, and the other is the vice-captain, have both been captured. The remaining guys were lucky enough to escape."

"Excellent. Capturing the captain and vice-captain is already a decisive victory. Good, bring them back," Kong laughed heartily.

Indeed, the operation to capture the Straw Hat Pirates had gone very smoothly.

After Diarmuid dealt with Shanks, Sakazuki captured Ben Beckman. However, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and the others managed to flee into the Calm Belt thanks to Beckman's sacrifice and cover.

But without Shanks and Beckman, the Straw Hat Pirates essentially ceased to exist. Neither Yasopp nor Lucky Roux could shoulder the burden of reviving the crew.

"We are currently en route back," Diarmuid first replied, then asked, "By the way, Fleet Admiral, how should we handle this Shanks?"

"First, escort him to Impel Down. Once we have time, we'll try to use him to lure out all those hiding Roger Pirates bastards..." Kong said without hesitation.

Although the Marines were not currently conducting large-scale manhunts for the Roger Pirates' members, that was only because the Marines were focusing their attention on active pirates. They had temporarily postponed operations against those who had gone into hiding and were making no moves.

But this did not mean Kong intended to let them off. In his view, once the Marines had swept through the New World, they would eventually ferret all those people out and eliminate them.

You've spent so many years swaggering across the seas with a pirate flag, and now a simple 'retirement' is supposed to settle the score?

Where in the world do you find such a good deal?

"Understood, I'll proceed," Diarmuid replied again, then said, "Big Mom and Kaido really have teamed up now. I'm heading back, and everywhere I go, the air is thick with tension. The clouds of war are gathering over the New World, Fleet Admiral. Regarding this matter..."

"The plan remains the same: let them fight first," Kong said.

After a brief pause, he dismissed the topic and instead said, "By the way, Diarmuid, Commodore Boa Hancock of Marine Base G-7 has submitted an application for retirement, stating she will return to Amazon Lily to succeed the Empress throne..."

Diarmuid's mood was complex when he heard this news.

He couldn't help but feel like Hancock was the real main character. She was retiring to go back and inherit an Empress throne?

The Marines probably hadn't received a report like this in hundreds of years.

I want to inherit an Empress throne too. I wonder if anyone will abdicate to me?

"Is she of age yet?" Diarmuid asked, slightly surprised.

"Not yet, but soon. On the day of her coming-of-age ceremony, she will officially take the throne, so she needs to go back and prepare. The report was initially sent to Gion, but Gion went to the New World with you. Since she had been handling this matter, the report was eventually sent here to me," Kong said with a smile.

"Alright, I understand. Then, Fleet Admiral, please approve it for us. Let her return to Amazon Lily to inherit the throne first. Oh, and before her 'retirement,' assign her the rank of Rear Admiral," Diarmuid said with a chuckle.

Hancock's retirement was naturally not a true retirement, but a need for her to return and succeed the throne and the Kuja Pirates' position. Her public identity needed to be moved into the shadows.

After this, she would no longer be a Marine but the captain of the Kuja Pirates, sailing as the Empress of Amazon Lily. The Marines would also support her becoming one of the Warlords of the Sea.

After chatting for a few more minutes, Kong finally ended the call with Diarmuid and looked at Sengoku, who had already sat down on the sofa.

Sengoku asked with a hearty laugh, "Was that Diarmuid? It sounds like it went smoothly?"

"Yes, the Straw Hat Pirates are basically finished. Shanks and his vice-captain have both been captured," Kong nodded.

"That's no surprise. I always felt that as long as Diarmuid and his group could find the Straw Hat Pirates, this was the only possible outcome," Sengoku said with a chuckle.

"That's true," Kong agreed.

After a brief pause, Kong handed a document on his desk to Sengoku. "Political mission. Take a look."

Sengoku was stunned. He took the document, glanced at it, and said helplessly, "Isn't this just giving me trouble? This mission has been hanging for over twenty years without progress... The Op-Op Fruit. Where am I supposed to find it?"

"The reason this matter has been brought up again recently is because there seems to be news about the Op-Op Fruit. Not long ago, someone in the North Blue supposedly saw the fruit, but it's only a rumor. Anyway, the higher-ups want you to look into it," Kong said with a smile.

Sengoku didn't take it seriously, as the information was clearly based on speculation.

"There won't be any problems if I can't complete it, right?" Sengoku asked again.

"No, there won't," Kong waved his hand.

"Alright, I understand. I'll find a way to investigate," Sengoku nodded.

....

Meanwhile, in the New World, Smoker's tobacco city, Smoor, which was the territory of the Warlord of the Sea, 'White Hunter' Smoker, was easy to recognize.

Smoker was currently sitting on his throne, three cigars clenched in his mouth. He looked with a strange expression at the man kneeling not far away. "You want to join my subordinate ranks? What's your name?"

"Tesoro, Gild Tesoro!" the man quickly replied.

What is this? Smoker's king's aura dispersed, and Tesoro instantly knelt and submitted?