"Kishishishi... What terrifying power! Is this the captain of the Beast God Pirates, the leader of the two monstrous former Emperors? Fighting one against three and still crushing them—Blackbeard, you've finally met your reckoning! Absalom, who would've thought your vengeance would be delivered by the brother of my greatest enemy!"

On the frozen sea, countless pirate ships were trapped in the ice.

Some had been lifted to the top of the waves by the tsunami, while others were submerged and frozen deep within the ice, their crews desperately pounding the ice to break free.

"Please lend us a hand to rescue the pirates trapped in the ice! We'd be eternally grateful. They came to Totto Land as our guests—we can't let them die here without reason!"

Gifters rushed over, attempting to break the ice and save some of the pirate crews.

However, their strength was insufficient to easily shatter the thick ice, forcing them to seek help from the surrounding pirates.

"Kishishishi, I'll do it. No matter what, Caesar took out that bastard Shiryu, which avenged my Absalom. Consider this me repaying the favor."

Moria let out a grotesque laugh as he drew a massive pair of scissors from his waist, splitting them into two long swords.

With heavy chops, he hacked through the thick ice.

"Gecko Moria! We may not like you, but thanks for saving us," the rescued pirates bowed in gratitude.

"You ungrateful bastards. I'd love to take your shadows," Moria grumbled, clearly displeased.

"Is the battle over?" Crocodile hesitated before finally asking Hawkeye.

Hawkeye's sharp eyes, gleaming with a faint golden hue like the pupils of an eagle—or perhaps Caesar's golden bird eyes—remained fixed on Caesar's towering figure amidst the ruins of Banana Island.

"Not yet. Blackbeard and Red Count are still alive. Hmm? Something's about to happen."

Crocodile was taken aback.

"What do you mean?"

Bzzzt—!

From the direction of Whole Cake Island, a swift figure streaked across the sky like a meteor, crashing down before Caesar and shattering the ground into a spiderweb of cracks.

Dust and debris exploded in an instant.

"Caesar!! Wait!"

Through the billowing smoke emerged a man exuding overwhelming presence.

A Western-style sword hung at his waist, his red hair fluttering and three scars marked his left eye.

Caesar paused, looking down at the man who seemed intent on stopping him.

"Red-Haired Shanks? Are you here to stand in my way?"

The newcomer was none other than one of the Four Emperors—Red-Haired Shanks.

Shanks unleashed his formidable Observation Haki, scanning the surroundings.

Deep underground, Blackbeard panted heavily, his injuries severe.

Yet, his Dark-Dark Fruit's unique ability allowed him to absorb damage and his wounds were rapidly healing.

In a corner of the island, Patrick Redfield's face was deathly pale, his body withered, but his crimson eyes burned with unrelenting bloodlust and killing intent.

'Shiryu of the Rain… already dead? This Caesar is far more terrifying than expected. His physical prowess has likely surpassed even Kaido, making him the true strongest creature!'

Shanks frowned.

Though he despised Blackbeard, the man couldn't die—not yet.

The balance of power in the New World couldn't be disrupted at this moment.

If Teach perished here, Caesar would dominate the New world unchallenged, putting even the Red Hair Pirates at risk of annihilation.

After all, Buggy allegiance to Shanks couldn't remain hidden in the New World forever.

Without Blackbeard's restraint, it wouldn't be long before Caesar dominated the New World, surpassing all of his rivals and ruling the seas!

By that time, the New World would no longer be fragmented.

The World Government would clearly not tolerate such a threat and the course of the world would inevitably lead to instability!

'I can't let this happen. The world is already broken enough. If another massive war engulfs the entire world, it will bring untold suffering and destruction to all living beings!'

With this thought, Shanks hesitated no longer.

He made up his mind—he must save Blackbeard!

At the very least, even without the Four Emperors, the New World should maintain a fragile balance with three powers standing against each other!

Determined, Shanks took a deep breath and met Caesar's gaze squarely, speaking in a solemn voice.

"Caesar! Can you spare Teach? If only..."

Caesar was taken aback, eyeing Shanks with confusion.

"Aren't you sworn enemies with Blackbeard? And yet you want to save him?"

Below the ground, Blackbeard also sensed the commotion above and couldn't help but wear a look of utter bewilderment.

Shanks touched the three scars over his left eye and sighed.

"Teach can't die—at least not yet. If he dies, the balance of the seas will collapse, and a war that engulfs the world will arrive ahead of time!"

Caesar's expression gradually calmed, but a chilling glint appeared in his eyes.

From his massive frame, a deep crimson aura of overwhelming ferocity erupted, sweeping across the world!

"What does that have to do with me?!"

Shanks' expression darkened.

With that, he drew his rapier, Griffin and from his small stature, a majestic Conqueror's Haki exploded forth!

Caesar's Conqueror's Haki was like a boundless sea of blood, filled with endless savagery and bloodlust.

Shanks' Conqueror's Haki, in contrast, radiated regal grandeur, shimmering with a golden luster like pure gold.

The two overwhelming Conqueror's Haki clashed, stirring a colossal storm that connected to the sky.

Dark clouds churned above and thunder roared.

Thud! Thud!

All around, the pirates standing on the ice to watch the battle—including the Gifters of the Beast God Pirates—staggered, their eyes rolling back as foam spilled from their mouths before they collapsed to the ground.

Some of the weaker ones were directly killed with blood pouring from their orifices, dying instantly without a sound.

"Caesar! Don't... be so stubborn! These seas must remain peaceful!" Shanks roared angrily.

The blade of Griffin in his right hand was already coated in jet-black Armament Haki, while at its tip, a deep golden Conqueror's Haki shimmered like crystal under the sunlight.

"Bororororo!! Peaceful? Are you fucking kidding me! It's not pirates who disturb the seas—it's those damned Celestial Dragons who keep them in turmoil!"

Caesar's blade erupted with hundreds of crimson lightning bolts.

Behind his towering figure, a spectral purple shadow emerged—a long-tongued demon with four massive arms, each wielding a pair of black scissors instead of hands.

"Haki Infusion! Path of Hell! Yama's Judgment!"

Shanks swung his sword with unyielding force!

"Haki Infusion! Golden Age!"

BOOM!!

Two weapons of vastly disproportionate sizes collided with earth-shattering force!

On the ice, every pirate still standing involuntarily stepped back, watching as a fissure thousands of meters long tore across the sky.

The skies—had split open!

"Hahaha, a clash of haki? Is this the power of the world's pinnacle? This is the kind of strength I, Gin, crave—the power to shatter this world!"

Gin brandished two pitch-black iron hammers, charging forward instead of retreating.

His face was twisted with madness as he attempted to push through the terrifying storm of Conqueror's Haki, striving to reach the heart of the battlefield.

"Kishihihihi, is that brat insane? Rushing to his death in such a horrifying place—what does he think he can accomplish?"

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