"Since you are aware of that matter, I won't beat around the bush."
After stating his position, Shanks continued: "Although what you did at Mary Geoise was very satisfying, you must never underestimate the Celestial Dragons.
The reason you were able to escape from there this time was because they never imagined anyone would dare to cause trouble there, let alone kill a Celestial Dragon... just like Fisher Tiger, who liberated the slaves back then."
"The Holy Knights? I've heard those Celestial Dragons mention them."
"Exactly." Shanks nodded.
"Given the resources the Celestial Dragons possess, how could they all be a bunch of extravagant and useless fools? The true elites of the Celestial Dragons are all in those Holy Knights.
Their authority is also much greater than that of ordinary Celestial Dragons. The Five Elders, who hold the highest power in the World Government, are selected from the Holy Knights."
"I came to find you this time mainly to warn you: don't underestimate the Celestial Dragons because of what happened before, especially the Holy Knights."
"Ah..."
Sherwin scratched his cheek with some surprise.
Originally, he had thought Shanks came to see him to preach that "maintaining the stability of the sea" philosophy again.
The reason he had been intentionally cheeky earlier and hadn't used Luffy or Ace to build a connection with Red-Hair—aside from the annoyance of having his whereabouts exposed—was partly because of this.
Sherwin didn't really agree with the so-called "stability maintenance."
But now...
Doesn't it make me look a bit ungrateful?
Thus, it was Sherwin turn to feel embarrassed.
"But you don't need to worry too much," Shanks comforted him, seeing Sherwin "difficult expression."
"With your current strength, as long as you aren't careless, it won't be difficult to deal with them. Moreover, the Holy Knights generally do not take action easily you'll mainly have to deal with the Navy Admirals."
"The Navy Admirals are already plenty of trouble..." Sherwin couldn't help but complain. "Especially that guy Akainu. True to his nickname, he like a mad dog."
"Hahaha," Shanks, who also didn't particularly like Akainu, laughed. "If it really doesn't work out, just run. I don't think there a ship right now that can catch up to you."
As he spoke, he looked at the Dodo Advance on the shore with a bit of envy.
Although his Red Force was also great, anyone—even Shanks—would find it impossible to refuse a super pirate ship like the Dodo Advance that could go to the sky and under the sea.
Sherwin curled his lip noncommittally. Usually, he would try to avoid the Navy to stay out of trouble, but if Akainu really came knocking, he didn't plan on running. At the very least, he intended to cut off that guy other leg!
After Shanks retracted his gaze from the Dodo Advance, he looked back at Sherwin. "Next is the second matter..."
He placed his remaining right hand on the hilt of his saber, Gryphon, his eyes filled with battle intent.
"I heard from Mihawk that your swordsmanship is very interesting. Could you let me see it?"
"Oh?" Sherwin paused for a moment, then also drew his Longsword with surging battle intent.
"Actually, even if you hadn't mentioned it, I wanted to have a fight with you... Aside from Whitebeard, who is in poor health, I've fought the other two Emperors. It the perfect chance to see exactly what the differences are between you Emperors."
"Hahahahaha! I think I won't disappoint you!"
Shanks burst into laughter, and his Conqueror Haki, which felt even slightly superior to Whitebeard, surged toward Sherwin once more like a mountain-toppling wave...
Then Sherwin was seen calmly picking up the two little Felynes from his shoulders and letting them retreat to the side.
"Good luck, Sherwin big brother, meow!"
(=`=)
"Humph! If you get hurt, I will definitely use the Satan Potion to treat you, meow!"
(=`へ=)
After Klee Meow and Haibara Meow gave Sherwin their respective forms of encouragement, they obediently ran to the side of the other Felynes.
Shanks looked at the two completely unaffected little Felynes with some bewilderment.
It was expected that Sherwin could withstand his Conqueror Haki, but it was somewhat incredible that these two Felynes, who looked like children, didn't react at all.
One had to know that he had just directed most of his Conqueror Haki onto Sherwin in such a situation, even a Marine Admiral might not be able to shoulder it as if nothing were happening...
If it weren't for the fact that Baby-5 and some of the weaker members of the Red Hair Pirates had just been knocked unconscious by the Conqueror Haki, Shanks would have doubted if there was something wrong with the Haki he was so proud of.
A good opportunity!
Just as Shanks was slightly distracted, Sherwin eyes lit up, and he immediately launched a righteous sneak attack.
Link Time, start!
Hunter Style: Spirit Possession!
Hunter Style: Hunter Art: Devouring Demon!
Hunter Style: Ultimate Move: Crimson Dragon Slash!
Facing one of the Four Emperors, Sherwin naturally had no intention of holding back. In the blink of an eye, he rushed in front of Shanks, raising the Longsword high in his hands and hacking down at the opponent head!
"Clang—!"
In the nick of time, Shanks reacted, raising Gryphon with one hand to block Sherwin strike.
However, Shanks ultimately lacked that split second of preparation. Although he blocked Sherwin Crimson Sky Dragon Slay, the lack of bracing caused him to be sent flying backward by the force of the blow.
"Ohhh! Brother Sherwin is the greatest, meow!"
(=＞＜=)
Klee Meow, the lead cheerleader of the Felyne Investigation Team, immediately jumped up, dancing and cheering from the sidelines.
As for the members of the Red Hair Pirates, none of them showed much surprise...
After all, Sherwin bounty was arguably second only to the Four Emperors such a performance was hardly unexpected.
Far from being shocked, they reacted as they usually did, loudly mocking their own captain.
"Hahahaha! Captain, you look pathetic!"
"Is it because you didn't eat lunch?"
"I think it because he hasn't had a drink yet!"
"Go for it, Sherwin! Give our captain a real lesson!"
Yasopp, who had just received a favor from Sherwin, even went as far as to cheer for him.
"You're a member of the Four Emperors... yet you don't seem to have much dignity, do you?"
Although the Hunter also lacked a high status within the investigation team, the Felynes were giving him plenty of face right now by cheering for him, giving Sherwin the confidence to tease Shanks.
"You bastards! All of you, shut up!"
Shanks first roared at his jeering subordinates with a dark expression, then turned to Sherwin with an excited look. "Mihawk was right, your swordsmanship really is special!"
He lowered his stance slightly, shifting into a sprinting posture, and gave a serious warning: "Next, I'll let you witness my swordsmanship... be careful, or you might just die..."
"Divine Departure!"