Ian was montarily stunned.
Then he couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Golden flas suddenly wrapped around his body, and in the next mont, Ian had entered his Human-Beast Form.
The surge of power made Shanks's expression change slightly as he was sent flying with a single sword strike.
Golden wings fluttered behind Ian, and he streaked forward like a golden teor, chasing after the flying-backwards Shanks.
His blazing greatsword crashed down with a thunderous strike.
Boom!!
Dark lightning shot up into the sky like a pillar of black light piercing through the clouds.
The icy plain below shattered instantly, and Shanks was cut by Ian's sword all the way into the sea floor.
"What overwhelming power!!"
Lucky Roux felt his mouth go dry.
This guy Ian is ridiculously strong!
"Captain, are you really okay? Aren't you pushing too hard?"
In the next mont, the icy plain exploded again as a magnificent black and red slash surged up violently from beneath the sea.
Ian swung his sword in a reverse arc, shattering the slash.
Imdiately, a shadow burst out of the roaring sea and soared into the sky, creating a massive hole in the ocean.
Shanks shot upward like a missile launched from a submarine, slicing through the air.
Boom!!
The two swords clashed again, like nuclear bombs exploding midair. Their terrifying, overwhelming auras collided, and a black sun seed to bloom in the sky.
The raging wind blew down from above, making the people on both ships' clothes flutter wildly.
"Didn't you just say there was nothing more to say?" Ian chuckled lightly, gathering his strength in his arms, and struck Shanks down once more.
With a casual swing of his sword, golden flas cut through the air in blazing slashes.
Shanks dashed across the icy plain, evading the descending slashes as he launched himself into the air. Mid-flight, he collided once again with Ian.
"I was just joking earlier. Don't take it seriously," he said, a teasing grin still playing on his lips despite the fierce battle raging between them.
Struggling to parry Ian's sword strikes, he continued, "Ian, can you help send Uta back? Back to Elegia?"
Ian opened his mouth and unleashed a laser-like stream of fire, blasting Shanks away.
But Ian didn't pause. Between bursts of fla, he surged forward and slamd a vicious strike against Shanks's sword, who barely managed to defend himself.
"So, what's the real reason?" Ian asked.
Gritting his teeth, Shanks was struck and sent flying once more.
The power was overwhelming.
Could the strength boost of a Mythical Beast-type be this incredible?
He was utterly unable to stand against Ian head-on now, only able to endure being relentlessly chased and struck.
Ian imdiately pressed the attack again.
Shanks fought back with difficulty, murmuring, "I can't tell you the reason, but Uta can't co with anymore!"
"So, is that girl special in so way?" Ian chuckled lightly. "The more you explain, the more curious I get."
And who could bla him?
Shanks really felt stuck.
This whole situation was already bad enough.
He was carrying the weight of all the sins alone.
To ensure Uta could live a peaceful life.
But everything changed completely once Ian got involved.
Ian raised Laevateinn's sword and with a reverse punch, struck Shanks's stomach.
The punch hit like a battering ram, turning Shanks into a ss of bruised flesh as he rocketed skyward like a cannonball.
While pursuing, Ian said, "But… is this really the right choice? Leaving a nine-year-old girl to live all alone on a deserted island?"
"What about her future? Don't you think that's a bit too harsh, Shanks?"
The pain in his stomach was nothing compared to the heartbreak Shanks felt at that mont.
Indeed, burdened by hatred against himself, living isolated on a lonely island—what kind of future could Uta possibly have?
She was supposed to be in the brightest, happiest, most lively years of her youth—how was she supposed to get through this?
A smirk curled on Ian's lips. "If that's the case, then let that girl co with to Hive Island."
Shanks's eyes suddenly widened in shock.
Seizing yet another opening, Ian slashed through the fad blade Griffin with one stroke, then followed up with a powerful whip-like kick to Shanks's ribs.
Blood splattered from the corner of his mouth as he was sent flying once again.
Entrusting Uta to Ian?
The physical pain couldn't stop Shanks's thoughts from racing.
He was imdiately torn apart by indecision.
Ian was definitely a dangerous man.
Only sixteen years old, yet already one of the very few standing at the pinnacle of the world.
To be honest, even Shanks couldn't fully understand Ian's true intentions.
But one thing was certain—before long, Ian would completely unify the entire Beasts Pirates.
He planned to unite the powers of Wano Country and Hive Island as one.
By that ti, the Beasts Pirates under his command would beco the strongest pirate force in the entire world!
And at that point, if he wanted to go even further, the only thing left would probably be to challenge the World Governnt itself.
Entrusting Uta to him was truly a dangerous thing to do.
But—
Shanks Shanks let out a bitter laugh.
At this point, it seed like refusing was no longer an option.
This guy had taken an interest in Uta.
If that was the case—
Shanks lowered his brows.
Maybe entrusting Uta to him wasn't such a bad thing after all.
Everyone in the New World knew that under Ian's command, many rookies ran wild on Hive Island.
That kid Ace was even there.
More importantly, Ian genuinely seed to like gathering talented children and treating them well.
Even if Ian were to do sothing crazy in the future, dragging Uta into trouble, Shanks could always save her later.
With a deep sigh, Shanks braced himself and blocked Ian's next strike with difficulty.
At this point, it seed there was no other choice.
Captain Roger, I'm starting to believe in a power called fate.
Just like how you and I t by fate, I have fatefully encountered Uta.
And now, like you, I must fatefully entrust this child to soone who should be called an enemy.
"Ian, then I'm counting on you!"
Shanks said seriously.
"Is that so?"
Ian smiled with interest, "To have gone this far, it seems sothing really unavoidable must have happened."
"Don't tell Uta anything, Ian!"
Shanks, bleeding from the corner of his mouth after being hit by Ian, pleaded earnestly, "I'm begging you!"
Ian nodded gently, "Of course, I wouldn't stoop so low as to trample on a father's resolve."
That was your own words, Shanks.
I would never break a promise made at a mont like this.
After all, everyone on the seas knows that I'm a man who values his word above all else.
At that mont, Shanks sighed with relief.
He looked seriously at Ian, who was once again charging at him, "If that's the case, I truly thank you, Ian."
Ian nearly laughed out loud.
Look at that—he's even thanking .
"No need."
Ian said casually, "Actually, I should be the one thanking you."
Ian's thanks were sincere.
He really had to thank Shanks for raising little Uta so well.
"Is that how you show thanks?"
Shanks grit his teeth and responded, only to be cut down by Ian's sword and fall into the sea again.
"Since we're already fighting, we might as well settle this."
Ian flapped his wings lightly and landed on the frozen ground below, which Yamato had frozen again.
With a flick of his right hand, the flaming sword in his grasp turned a deep crimson.
"I think this can end here."
Shanks struggled out of the sea, brushing his wet hair back and muttering quietly.
By now, who on this vast ocean doesn't know?
Ian's crimson flas, capable of destroying everything.
"This strike will be the last, Shanks."
Ian suddenly shattered the ice beneath him and leapt forward like lightning, the crimson sword in his hand leaving a red trail in the air.
"Heaven and Earth Ashes!"
The crimson sword's light ca rushing straight at him.
Shanks couldn't help but admire the na Ian gave this move.
It was truly fitting—just like the na itself, if struck, everything in existence would turn to ash.
So, he couldn't get hit.
A red glow flickered in Shanks's eyes.
His body instantly recoiled backward.
**********
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