"Want to end the fight? Of course, it won't be that easy." Setsuna instantly opened the Seventh Gate, and simultaneously entered Sage Mode.
His fists transformed into a sky-filling storm of phantom punches. Each strike contained force sufficient to shatter mountains.
Shanks's swordsmanship differed from typical master swordsmen. Most swordsmen possessed powerful attacks but relatively weaker physiques. Shanks's Conqueror's Haki, however, compensated for his defensive shortcomings.
Facing Setsuna's fierce onslaught, Shanks didn't retreat an inch. Sword aura and fist impacts collided fiercely, producing deafening roars.
From just one clash, the central plaza of the palace was already devastated. The ground was covered in spiderweb-like cracks. And this was with them consciously holding back their power to prevent the shockwaves from spreading.
"This scene reminds me of Captain Roger's duel with Garp back in the day," Shanks said with a reminiscent look.
"It's not the same. You're much older than I am," Setsuna smiled slightly.
"Such a mood-killer," Shanks shook his head helplessly, launching another assault. His attacks poured down like a torrential rain.
The single-handed sword displayed astonishing flexibility in his grasp. Each thrust aimed precisely at weak points in Setsuna's defense.
The sword blade, entwined with Conqueror's Haki, traced black-red trails through the air. Wherever it passed, even space seemed to warp slightly.
Setsuna's fists constantly collided with the sword's edge, sparks flying.
His punches always targeted the opening created by Shanks's missing arm. But they were invariably blocked by an invisible barrier just before connecting.
"No Devil Fruit ability, not a monstrous physique like the other Emperors, even missing an arm... yet you still rank among the Emperors. Is it all because of this Conqueror's Haki that surpasses the other Emperors?" Setsuna's gaze was solemn.
Since awakening his Conqueror's Haki, this was the first time he encountered someone whose Conqueror's Haki surpassed his own.
"Compared to monsters like you, this is all I have to boast about," Shanks replied lightly, yet the attacks from his hand grew increasingly fierce and ruthless.
The blade of [Gryphon], with each slash, carried black-red Conqueror's Haki lightning, leaving deep, bone-exposing wounds on Setsuna's body.
'Good thing I fused with the Namekian cells. Otherwise, I'd probably lose quite miserably today,' Setsuna sighed inwardly. Shanks's raw power might be inferior to Kaido's, but he perfectly countered him.
His Armament Haki wasn't strong enough. During his fights with Akainu and Kaido, he had relied on his Conqueror's Haki for defense.
But Shanks's Conqueror's Haki was even stronger. His Conqueror's Haki defense, previously akin to the Bari Bari no Mi's barrier, was almost like a punctured bubble against a superior Conqueror's Haki.
However, similarly, Shanks's attacks were sharp but lacked overwhelming force. While they easily breached his defense, they couldn't inflict truly effective damage.
These wounds began healing the moment they appeared. Muscles squirmed. Skin regenerated.
"This kind of recovery... it's even more outrageous than Marco's Phoenix Fruit!" Yasopp's expression was grave. Just putting himself in his Captain's shoes, he already felt a sense of despair.
Ace and the others nearby were equally stunned. "Red-Haired's attacks can break through Captain's defense so easily?!"
Setsuna was drenched in blood but tirelessly launched attacks. His right fist, wrapped in golden flames, shot straight for Shanks' face.
Shanks neither dodged nor evaded. Gripping [Gryphon], he slashed diagonally upward.
Fist and sword collided. The shockwave exploded. The ground beneath their feet collapsed with a roar.
Shanks's eyes sharpened. His wrist turned slightly. The sword's edge shifted like a serpent, aiming for Setsuna's flank.
Setsuna's left fist hammered down, precisely striking the sword's flat, forcibly altering its trajectory. Simultaneously, his right fist once again smashed towards Shanks.
Shanks blocked horizontally with his sword. The fist struck the sword's surface. The rippling impact force sent him staggering back.
"This next move... no offense intended," Setsuna said, then manipulated the cancer cells within his body to proliferate two extra pairs of arms.
Shanks' face darkened slightly, 'Picking on me for having only one arm, huh?'
Setsuna's six fists rained down in a frenzy. Each punch carried terrifying power and speed. Shadowy fist impacts poured down like a downpour.
Shanks's expression turned serious. Though he could see the future, no matter how far he foresaw, one arm couldn't simultaneously intercept six arms' attacks.
He simply gave up on blocking entirely, focusing purely on offense.
The sound of metal clashing became incessant. The ground was constantly fractured by the residual shockwaves.
Although both consciously controlled the fight to prevent leakage, the battlefield beneath their feet still turned into ruins.
Doflamingo's face was gloomy. Though he had long known he likely wasn't an Emperor's match, judging by the current fight, he probably couldn't withstand a single move from Shanks or Setsuna.
The battle lasted from evening into the next night. Shanks's breathing was slightly labored.
Though his one-handed sword grip remained steady, he clearly understood: in terms of stamina consumption, he couldn't compare to these physical combat monsters.
"Beckman, take everyone and evacuate the palace grounds. For the next move... I can't precisely control its destructive range either." Shanks returned [Gryphon] to his waist. Black-red Conqueror's Haki lightning madly crackled along the blade, emitting a heart-palpitating hum.
The clouds above the entire palace were stirred by this power, forming a massive vortex.
"Get away from here, now!" Beckman urgently led the Red Hair Pirates in retreat.
"Ace, you all should leave too," Setsuna also began gathering power. A small-scale storm formed around him.
In truth, his warning was unnecessary. Ace and the others, along with Doflamingo, had already sensed the danger and were retreating to safe distances.
"Divine Departure!"
"Spear of Elbaf: Hakoku - Day Tiger!"
Two world-destroying forces collided head-on.
Blinding light instantly engulfed the entire palace. When the intense glare faded, the once-majestic complex of buildings had vanished without a trace, as if erased from the map by a giant eraser.
"As expected... still not enough," Shanks sighed inwardly.
He clearly sensed Setsuna's aura hadn't diminished in the slightest. A thought of retreat sprouted in his mind.
Yet, Setsuna pressed the attack relentlessly, continuously hammering at Shanks' barrier.
"It's useless," Shanks shook his head slightly. "Unless your Conqueror's Haki surpasses mine, this is an absolute defense."
"I don't believe in any absolute defense!" Setsuna's speed suddenly increased. His fists became almost afterimages, furiously pounding against Shanks' defensive barrier. "If it can't be broken, it's only because my fists… aren't heavy enough yet!"
Setsuna constantly squeezed his body's potential. Each heavy blow caused the invisible barrier formed by Conqueror's Haki to tremble violently, rippling with visible waves of energy.
'This guy's power and speed are still increasing?!' Shanks's expression finally changed.
When the phantom fist impacts accumulated to a certain critical point, the Conqueror's Haki barrier shattered open.
The moment Setsuna's heavy fist was about to strike Shanks, Shanks, as if anticipating it, shifted his body and easily evaded the lethal blow.
"Haha! You are indeed strong. Worthy of the title [Supreme Warlord]. Let's call it a day here," Shanks laughed loudly, trying to mask his awkwardness.
Though his Future Sight couldn't withstand Setsuna's ferocious assault, using it to maneuver was still possible.
Setsuna shook his head helplessly. Though he broke through the Conqueror's Haki limitation with all his might, facing Shanks's nearly cheat-like [Future Sight] ability, even if they fought for ten days and ten nights, it would probably be hard to determine a winner.