"Clang—"
The sword Gryphon flashed free from its sheath in Shanks's hand, the blade angled toward the ground, his eyes locked coldly on Leno. The warmth that usually lingered in his gaze was gone, replaced by a deadly chill.
"Adventurer Leno, you will not take Uta without my permission today!"
He had already made up his mind—even if Uta resented him later, that was better than watching his daughter step willingly into a wolf's den.
"You—"
"Uta~ just leave this to the big idiot. We have to trust him!"
Seeing Shanks act so overbearing, Uta was about to argue, but Nami stopped her, calm-faced and full of faith in Leno.
"But Shanks, he—"
Uta, who remembered Shanks's terrifying strength from her childhood, wanted to stop him. She didn't want her newly met companion hurt because of her. Yet when she saw the unwavering light of trust in Nami's eyes, the words died in her throat.
"No matter if it's a 'Yonko' or whatever else, that big idiot… he's not going to lose."
Nami's eyes were firm as she looked at Leno's back—full of trust, dependence, and belief.
Uta blinked, scanning the others around her. She saw that every one of their gazes mirrored Nami's—focused on the same man. Some eyes even carried unmistakable affection, making Uta's cheeks flush.
Turning back to Leno's silhouette, she felt lost. What is it about this man that draws such faith from everyone around him?
Across from them, Shanks's face was dark and cold. Leno, however, wore a faint, teasing smile.
"Those words sound awfully familiar."
"I know, I know! That bastard Kaido said the same thing, and you beat him until he looked like a pig's head!"
Yamato jumped in eagerly, eager to back him up, the memory still vivid.
"Pfft~"
Nojiko and Robin couldn't hold back their laughter.
This "dutiful daughter" roasted her old man without the slightest hesitation, her tone laced with gleeful malice. The ones who knew Yamato best were barely holding it together.
"Brat!"
"Whoosh—"
The mocking laughter was like a slap across Shanks's face. His anger boiled over. With a flash, he swung Gryphon, sending a brilliant slash slicing through the air straight at Leno.
"Clang—"
The slash struck in an instant, shrieking through the air, but Leno was ready. With Huangquan in hand, he met the attack head-on, deflecting it with an explosive clash.
The force erupted behind him, winds howling so violently that the onlookers could barely keep their eyes open.
Moments later, the attack shattered. Leno exhaled slowly, looking across the distance with a relaxed expression—but his tone was commanding.
"Yamato~"
"On it!"
Yamato leapt eagerly onto the railing, kanabo resting on her shoulder as she glared ahead.
"You old geezers on the other side—someone come out and fight me!"
"..."
Ben Beckman, Lucky Roux, and the others went dark-faced at the jab.
This damn brat—couldn't she phrase it differently? We're mature, not old!
Leno rubbed his temples, exasperated.
"What are you doing? I told you to set up the battlefield, not lead the charge."
"Huh? Oh… right."
Looking confused, Yamato obeyed, activating her power and freezing the sea's surface into solid ice.
Once everything was ready, Leno vaulted from the ship's bow, Huangquan in hand, pointing it straight at Shanks.
"Red-Hair, don't say I'm bullying the disabled. I'll let you take the first move!"
"Dis… disabled…"
Shanks's face turned pitch black. In a blur, he landed on the ice, Gryphon in hand, advancing slowly toward Leno.
With every step, crimson lightning arced around him, and behind his back, a massive scarlet griffin unfurled its wings.
Leno grinned, showing his white teeth. His Conqueror's Haki flared, and violet lightning surged behind him, coalescing into the head of a great dragon that lunged at the red-haired man.
The crimson griffin and the violet dragon collided midair.
"Vwoom! Vwoom!"
"Crack! Crack!"
The air itself screamed as explosions of color tore the sky apart—red and purple light split the heavens while the ice beneath them shattered, shockwaves rippling outward from their clash.
Lightning rained down from above—scarlet and violet bolts crashing around them like a divine storm.
Onboard the Gale, the unleashed Haki storm struck hard.
Kuina, Yamato, and Hancock combined their own Conqueror's Haki to shield the crew behind them.
Even so, Kaya, Uta, and the others went pale with terror, trembling as they stared at the apocalyptic sight.
"W-what… what is that?!"
Olga screamed, nearly collapsing under the pressure in her chest.
"It's a Conqueror's Haki clash! This is exciting! Hahaha!"
Yamato's eyes shone with wild energy, her blood boiling.
"That's…!!!"
Across the battlefield, Ben Beckman and Yasopp's calm expressions finally cracked.
"There are three users of Conqueror's Haki on Leno's ship?!"
A bead of cold sweat slid down Beckman's face, the cigarette at his lips dropping unnoticed.
"You've gotta be kidding me—four Conquerors in one crew?! What kind of monster lineup is that~?"
"We really underestimated the Adventurer's crew," Yasopp muttered, unable to hide his shock.
"This setup's insane… If they ever fully grow into that potential…"
"They already have~"
Lucky Roux had dropped his meat bone, his face showing open fear.
"With Captain Leno leading the charge, the rest have all the time they need to grow. We've been too focused on him… and missed everything else."
Yes. Leno's brilliance had blinded them to the truth—his crew were never just ornaments.
He had been buying them time all along.
At the center of the storm, both Shanks and Leno stepped forward simultaneously, their Haki surging even wilder.
They glared at one another, each trying to overpower the other completely.
Then—
"Boom!"
The two auras exploded apart, clearing the heavens in an instant.
Leno exhaled, glancing around, then smirked at his opponent.
"As expected of a 'Yonko.' That Haki of yours is terrifying~"
"..."
Shanks narrowed his eyes, and killing intent flowed from him.
With the opponent provoking him repeatedly, even a man with a good temper could no longer remain calm.