One Piece: Almost Exposed That I Am Stronger Than Roger - Chapter 272
Chapter 272: Shanks’ Death
“No, no…”
Shanks clenched his teeth, his face contorting in pain. His eyes widened as he felt his strength slowly draining from his fist. On the other hand, Solo’s power not only didn’t weaken but continued to increase.
‘I… am no match for Solo in my current state.’
Boom!
In an instant, Shanks heard a loud explosion, and his arm bone broke. Unbearable pain surged through his body, and he was immediately struck by a powerful impact, sending him flying.
In this duel, Solo won without any suspense.
Slap.
Solo stood firmly on his feet, lightly shaking his arms.
“As expected of Shanks. If it were anyone else, they would have been thrown away by the impact of our clash. But you held on for half a minute. It shows your strength. It’s a pity… my power has reached its peak in this world. There’s no one left who can face me head-on, not even you, Shanks.”
“Red-haired Shanks… The apprentice of Pirate King Roger… The man who guides Luffy on his pirate journey… One of the Four Emperors in the New World…”
With a low voice, Solo approached Shanks step by step. The battle was over. Solo was no longer holding back. He grabbed his Zanpakuto with one hand and drew it out, releasing a murderous aura that swept in all directions.
Shanks felt the immense pressure, struggling to stand up but failing. The punch had not only shattered his arm but also caused a violent impact on his body. Shanks was on the verge of death.
The sight of Shanks in his weakened state filled the witnessing pirates with unprecedented despair.
“Even the Red-haired Shanks has been defeated. Is there anyone left who can stop the marine? What should we do now?”
The pirates’ eyes widened in disbelief. Some even fell to their knees, unable to accept what they were seeing. Today… not only Whitebeard but also two of the Four Emperors in the New World would be lost. Solo paid no attention to their reactions.
“Before you die, Shanks, do you have anything else to say?” Solo asked with a deep breath as if expecting Shanks to utter some final words. But what no one expected was…
Even in this desperate situation, Shanks smiled. It was a smile reminiscent of Roger, the Pirate King, facing his own death.
Just like Roger, Shanks faced his imminent demise with a smile. He had understood the reason why his former captain had smiled in his final moments.
Shanks took a deep breath, mustering his last bit of strength, and shouted loudly to everyone present, “The Great Secret Treasure is real!”
These words resounded like crashing waves, spreading in all directions, stunning both the Marines and the pirates. No one had anticipated that Shanks would reveal such information in his final moments. The Great Secret Treasure, the treasure spoken of by Roger himself, a treasure that had eluded everyone’s grasp. It truly existed.
Even Sengoku, with his changed expression, hadn’t anticipated Shanks’ revelation. He never expected Shanks to utter such words at this moment. Although Zhan Guo had cut off the live broadcast, there were undoubtedly others present who knew what had happened.
The Warlords of the Sea, for example. Despite being recognized by the World Government, they were still pirates. Faced with such news, it was impossible for them not to spread it. Soon, the entire sea would be in an uproar.
“Shanks,” Solo said as he nodded slightly, acknowledging Shanks’ words. He then raised his Zanpakuto, aiming it at Shanks’ neck. With a swift motion, he swept the blade across, severing Shanks’ body in two.
Shanks’ head soared through the air like a football before landing and rolling several times, coming to a stop. His dilated pupils reflected his sudden demise. His breath vanished, and his heart stopped.
Even with Solo’s powerful Observation Haki couldn’t perceive any signs of life or emotions from Shanks. Another one of the New World’s Four Emperors had fallen at Marineford, at the hands of Solo.
Marineford fell into silence. Both the Marines and the pirates ceased their battle. The Red Hair Pirates’ crew, in particular, felt their minds go blank.
They couldn’t comprehend the reality before their eyes. Their captain, the youngest of the Four Emperors in the New World, had been… beheaded by Solo alone!
“Captain Shanks… No, it can’t be!”
The crew members of the Red Hair Pirates fell into a state of madness, desperate to rush forward and tear Solo apart. However, they were unable to break through Aokiji’s defense line.
Only Solo remained composed, devoid of the excitement one would expect after beheading a Four Emperor.
Solo turned around and gazed at Luffy. Sheathing his Zanpakuto, he walked slowly toward Luffy. In the eyes of the other pirates, Solo was now the embodiment of death itself.
Everywhere he went, not a blade of grass would grow. The sense of oppression and despair overwhelmed them. They had no idea how to confront or stop this marine monster known as Solo. Perhaps… no one could stop him.
“Quick, get Luffy out of here!”
Marco’s voice cut through the chaos, snapping everyone back to reality.
“We can’t let Ace’s brother die at the hands of the Marines.”
Marco’s words resonated with determination as he took charge of the situation.
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