Bringing Law aboard as the crew's doctor before this war—
had been the right call.
Otherwise, Shanks' counterattack just now would've forced Xia Te to withdraw early.
Even now, he was already close to his limit.
That underwater sneak attack had only worked once.
There was no way it would succeed a second time.
And against a Yonko-level opponent—
a fight like this could easily drag on for days and nights.
But what Xia Te truly had his eyes on—
was the Paramount War.
—
"Kaido! I've handed you the opportunity—whether you can take it is up to you!"
While being treated by Law, Xia Te shouted toward Kaido, who was currently being swarmed by Red-Haired officers in his dragon form.
Seeing Shanks injured—
Kaido instantly realized this was a golden opportunity.
He ignored the blades slashing into his body—
even one still lodged in his back.
Like a starving beast spotting prey—
he lunged straight at Shanks.
A finishing blow?
That was his specialty.
Wasn't that how he took down Kozuki Oden back then?
—
"Tch… figures…"
Shanks let out a dry laugh, trying to force himself up.
As someone with Perfect Conqueror's Haki, he wasn't naive enough to call Kaido dishonorable.
This was the sea.
Kill—or be killed.
"Wait! Boss, your wound isn't fully stitched—if you move now, it'll reopen!"
the ship doctor cried out anxiously.
"Sit still, idiot!"
Beckman swung his massive rifle onto his shoulder, eyes narrowing.
"We'll handle this."
"Hahaha! Sorry, sorry! Then I'll leave it to you!"
Shanks laughed, urging the doctor to hurry.
—
"Kaido-sama, I'll assist you!"
King the Wildfire, in his pteranodon form, soared beside Kaido—
flames flickering eerily behind him—
then dove down like a meteor.
"Don't waste the chance! You lot—prepare the gas bombs! Poison every last one of them!"
On another warship, Jack barked orders.
True to his nature—
"while you're sick, I'll finish you."
He had used this exact tactic in Zou.
—
"Stop getting in the way!"
Beckman clicked his tongue in annoyance.
His rifle, coated in Ryuo, fired a shot with power rivaling a great swordsman's slash—
blasting King away mid-dive, nearly knocking him into the sea.
Though both were right-hand men of Yonko—
King and Beckman clearly weren't on the same level.
—
"Yasopp! Lead the sniper unit and intercept Jack's gas bombs! The rest—turn the ship! Prepare to retreat!"
After forcing King back, Beckman decisively issued orders.
He had already judged—
this battle could not continue.
The reason?
Weevil and the others aboard the Maxim were already charging in.
—
"Can't we push a little longer? I'm almost done here."
Shanks muttered, slightly dissatisfied.
His waist wound had been stitched and tightly bandaged.
Though the situation wasn't favorable—
for an Iron Wall crew like theirs,
it wasn't impossible to hold.
"This was never a fight to the death. We came to stop them, not to win. Besides… I suspect the Red Force has already been—"
Before Beckman could finish—
SPLASH!!!
The Red Force suddenly rose out of the sea—
then flipped upside down like a slab of meat on a grill.
Several crew members were thrown straight into the ocean.
From afar, Xia Te stood on the Maxim—
a sinister grin on his face.
—
"So it's come to this…"
Beckman cursed.
Clearly—
their ship had been touched by Xia Te.
"When did that happen?! I didn't even notice!"
Shanks was shocked.
Back in the day, he had seen Golden Lion's ability firsthand.
Once your ship was touched—
it was as good as finished.
Even Roger had been wary of that during the Battle of Edd War, making sure Shiki never got close to the Oro Jackson.
"It must've been when he dove into the sea to ambush you—he touched the ship at the same time!"
Beckman quickly analyzed the situation.
Grabbing weaker crew members, he leapt into the air to keep them from falling into the sea.
Even though the Red-Haired Pirates didn't have many Devil Fruit users—
falling into the ocean would still make them easy targets.
—
"What a guy… never wasting a single opportunity."
Beckman gritted his teeth.
All his life, he had outmaneuvered enemies with superior strategy.
Yet now—
he'd been outplayed by someone half his age.
—
"Dirty tactics… but I like it!"
Kaido laughed viciously.
"I'd rather not hear the word 'dirty' from someone who backstabbed his way into ruling Wano."
Xia Te shot back coldly.
Then—
he prepared to slam the Red Force straight into the sea.
This move alone could eliminate all Devil Fruit users aboard.
—
"Captain! Multiple ships are approaching us!"
At that moment—
Enel, with his powerful Mantra and lightning-enhanced Observation Haki, suddenly reported.
"Hm?"
Xia Te immediately extended his own Observation Haki.
Turning to the rear—
he saw them.
Escorted by torpedo submarines—
a massive warship capable of carrying thousands was advancing rapidly.
"That symbol… it's the Neo Marines!"
Law recognized the emblem on the sails at a glance.
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