After hearing Jerry's explanation, Shanks rubbed his temple thoughtfully and replied, "Of course, I originally thought you might elect two representatives, but three works fine too. It's entirely up to you."
Shanks' gaze swept over Jerry and Ace with obvious assessment. Clearly, he had assumed from the beginning that these two would be the primary combatants representing their crew.
Jerry understood Shanks' reasoning perfectly. As for the choice of participant numbers, he'd spoken casually without much strategic consideration. After a moment of reflection, he said, "Two people could work, but..."
Before he could finish his thought, Cavendish's voice cut in from the side with barely contained excitement. "Jerry, let's stick with three! I want to challenge him!"
As he spoke, Cavendish drew his sword and pointed it directly at Mihawk's position with unmistakable intent.
"Oh? Another challenge after your previous defeat?" A hint of genuine surprise flashed across Mihawk's normally impassive features.
Seeing this development, Shanks sighed helplessly while his crewmates beside him burst into amused laughter. "Hahaha! Kid, you've got serious courage, but Hawkeye isn't actually a member of our pirate crew."
Cavendish curled his lips dismissively. "I don't care about technicalities like that."
"Very well, Cavendish," Mihawk responded with solemn acceptance. "I acknowledge your challenge."
Seeing that the two swordsmen had arranged their own personal subplot, Jerry and Shanks looked at each other with mutual understanding, then turned back to exchange meaningful glances with their respective crews. Both captains could see the complete trust reflected in their comrades' eyes.
Jerry smiled confidently and met Shanks' gaze directly. "That settles it then—three against three, winner takes all!"
This decision was naturally based on the fact that Ace's injuries from Wano had completely healed by now. Although Cavendish still wore some bandages for dramatic effect, the wounds he'd sustained during the Onigashima battle would no longer affect his combat effectiveness in any meaningful way.
Hearing this proposal, Shanks remained silent for a long moment, apparently no longer concerned about Hawkeye's unofficial participation in what was technically a Red-Haired Pirates matter.
"Is this the drive and determination of the younger generation?" Shanks finally responded with serious respect. "If so, then let's do this properly!"
His expression grew more businesslike. "If we win, you simply need to hand over the Laugh Tale permanent pointer."
In response to Shanks' straightforward terms, Jerry replied with equal frankness. "Fair enough, but if we happen to win, then you... well, honestly I'm not sure what I should ask you to do. We'll figure that out when the time comes."
After establishing the basic terms, Jerry turned his head and nodded to Brook, who had been standing silently but keeping one hand ready on his sword hilt. "Brook, would you mind creating a proper battlefield for everyone?"
"No problem at all," Brook replied with enthusiastic agreement.
Without hesitation, he leaped gracefully from the Black Star and began running across the ocean's surface like a gust of supernatural wind.
"Yomi Yomi: Realm of Eternal Winter!"
Brook's skeletal figure flashed across the water with ghostly speed, and an icy cold aura that seemed capable of freezing the very essence of life suddenly erupted around him. Everyone present felt as though they'd been transported to the depths of the harshest winter imaginable.
The frigid energy swept outward as Brook moved, and within moments the entire sea area within a radius of several thousand meters had transformed into a solid ice field. The frozen surface continued spreading rapidly toward the horizon, as if it wouldn't stop until the entire world had been locked in permanent winter.
"There we go," Brook announced, suddenly appearing on the ice field directly in front of the Black Star. He sheathed his sword with practiced elegance and looked up at Jerry and the others. "Jerry-san, will this suffice? Even I'm getting goosebumps from the cold—though of course, I have no skin to speak of! Yohohoho!"
Seeing the dramatic transformation of their surroundings, Jerry's mouth twitched slightly with amusement.
He leaped confidently onto the ice field at a considerable distance from both ships, tested the surface carefully with his feet, and smiled with satisfaction. "Perfect—this won't interfere with my fighting style at all."
As he spoke, Jerry looked directly at the Red Force, which had also been frozen solidly in place by Brook's technique. He pulled out his fishing rod and pointed it challengingly at Shanks while shouting, "Let's go!"
Ace and Cavendish exchanged a quick glance, then appeared beside Jerry with fluid coordination. They faced the Red Force together, each raising their respective weapons—fists and sword—as they shouted in perfect unison, "Come on!"
Shanks looked at Beckman and Mihawk beside him and smiled with quiet confidence. "Let's go, gentlemen. We can't let these young people think we're going soft in our old age."
The three legendary pirates leaped gracefully from their ship, landed on the ice field with practiced ease, and formed up to face Jerry's trio.
At this moment, powerful auras began radiating from all six combatants as an epic confrontation prepared to unfold.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford
"Are you absolutely certain about this intelligence?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked with grave seriousness.
"Yes, sir," came the firm response. After a moment, the intelligence officer gently disconnected the Den Den Mushi call and looked up at Admiral Aokiji, who was seated across from Sengoku's desk. "We've received confirmed reports that the Red-Haired Pirates, Hawkeye Mihawk, and the Black Star Pirates are encountering each other in the waters near Elbaf. There's a high probability they'll clash over possession of that pointer."
Sengoku's expression grew increasingly troubled. "If the Red-Haired Pirates successfully obtain that pointer, they'll become completely unstoppable. As for the Black Star Pirates..." He paused meaningfully, sighed deeply, and turned his gaze in the direction of Mariejois without finishing his thought.
The implications were clear to everyone in the room—either outcome would create enormous problems for the World Government.
"Kuzan, I'm entrusting this situation to your judgment," Sengoku said finally.
Hearing this assignment, a determined gleam flashed across Aokiji's normally lazy eyes as he nodded with uncharacteristic intensity. "You can count on me, Fleet Admiral."
Mariejois—Among the Five Elders
The highest authorities in the World Government were conducting their own urgent discussion about recent developments.
"What exactly is Sengoku thinking, stepping back from active leadership at such a critical moment?" one Elder complained with obvious irritation.
"This transition has been something he's mentioned for quite some time," another responded pragmatically. "It's only been delayed until now because of these recent incidents involving the Black Star Pirates."
"Hmph! It's all because the Marines have proven themselves incompetent when it truly matters!" a third Elder declared with harsh judgment.
"We were originally optimistic about Sakazuki taking over leadership, but after his performance..." the discussion trailed off ominously.
"There's no helping it now. If it's Kuzan assuming command, that's at least acceptable."
"Regarding this confrontation between the Black Star Pirates and Red-Haired Shanks..."
The Battle Begins
A tremendous force that shook heaven and earth suddenly erupted across the ice field, accompanied by howling winds that seemed to change the very color of sky and sea. The massive shockwave swept outward in all directions, shattering vast sections of the frozen surface. Dense cracks spread like enormous spider webs, causing countless icebergs to break free and drift with the current.
Several figures launched themselves from the central conflict zone simultaneously, immediately engaging in separate duels across the transformed battlefield.
On the northern section of the ice field, Cavendish had activated his lightning armor, with violent electrical discharges dancing across his body in spectacular fashion. He had instantly merged with his Hakuba personality, surrounding Mihawk like a phantom made of pure speed and aggression. Sharp sword light cut through the air from every conceivable angle.
On the western portion of the battlefield, flames leaped and danced like living creatures, forming a magnificent coat of fire around Ace's entire body. He used the propulsive power of his flame jets to steady himself after being knocked backward by a devastating punch, his eyes fixed intently on the Red-Haired Pirates' vice-captain. Despite Beckman's calm demeanor, Ace could sense the extremely dangerous aura radiating from the man.
On the eastern side of the battlefield, two figures surrounded by crackling Haki energy were colliding at astonishing speeds. Every time they clashed, the powerful aftermath caused the thick ice field to shatter into countless fragments while storm clouds gathered ominously overhead.
"Are you looking down on me?" Jerry demanded with a crooked grin as his fishing rod clashed against Shanks' famous sword. He pressed forward with tremendous force, his voice carrying obvious provocation. "I don't need you to handicap yourself by fighting one-armed! I'm not afraid to tell you that I've already defeated fifty-six guys exactly like you!"
"Pfft! You really remind me of someone I used to know," Shanks replied with obvious amusement. After hearing Jerry's outrageous boast and seeing that mischievous expression, the Emperor couldn't help but roll his eyes with genuine entertainment.
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