Chapter 99: Don't Move, Beckman!

Yasopp raised his sniper rifle but hesitated, unable to pull the trigger.

"Damn it! There's no way to hit him!"

"There wasn't even a physical clash, yet the sheer force of their Haki created such a terrifying scene. It's hard to believe humans can wield such power…"

Known as a sniper genius for his perfect shots, Yasopp found himself doubting for the first time.

Beckman exhaled a puff of smoke, speaking calmly:

"It's not surprising. From Kaido's performance, his Haki is likely on the same level as Shanks'. He may have even mastered Advanced Observation Haki."

As much as he hated to admit it, Yasopp understood that he posed no real threat to Kaido.

He raised his sniper rifle, then lowered it again, repeating the motion several times before finally saying, frustrated:

"Damn it, are we just going to sit here and do nothing?"

"Trust Shanks, like he trusts us. He'll defeat Kaido. Our job is to hold off the others until the battle's decided."

Beckman's voice was steady, but his gaze shifted sharply toward Aokiji.

Though it was unclear why the Marine Admiral was working with Kaido, Beckman knew one thing for sure:

If Aokiji wasn't dealt with, they'd be in for a devastating blow.

As time passed, Shanks' expression grew more serious.

Long before the battle started, he had carefully assessed Kaido's strength.

He knew that anyone worthy of the title "Emperor of the Sea" would be no ordinary foe.

Though he took Kaido seriously, he hadn't fully acknowledged the depth of his power. After all, Kaido had been captured twice, even by Carlos himself.

But this clash of Conqueror's Haki...

Shanks realized now that he'd severely underestimated his opponent.

Without even realizing it, Kaido had become the strongest enemy of his life.

"The title of the world's strongest creature is well-deserved," Shanks thought.

"I have no choice but to use my final move."

Shanks' eyes narrowed as he vanished from sight, crossing a hundred meters in an instant to stand before Kaido.

"Divine Departure!"

His Conqueror's Haki gathered around the blade of Gryphon,

It turned into countless black lightning bolts, carrying the weight of destruction as it fell from the sky.

Before the strike even landed, a terrifying pressure that seemed capable of tearing souls apart descended upon the battlefield.

The sheer force caused the surrounding space to tremble.

"Is this the kind of attack even a god would avoid?" Kaido muttered, his eyes narrowing, his body trembling unconsciously.

But it wasn't fear—it was pure, uncontrollable fighting spirit.

He took a deep breath, focusing all his energy in one place.

Gripping his mace with both hands, he swung it forward with all his might.

"Thunder Bagua!"

The sound that followed was unbearable, like grinding teeth.

Though Gryphon and the mace never physically touched, the force between them was like a meteor impact.

It was as if there was a vacuum between the two weapons.

Their Conqueror's Haki clashed, transforming into red and black lightning that collided fiercely once again.

The sight alone was overwhelming, making onlookers' eyes sting.

The shockwave from their clash shot into the sky, ripping through the thick clouds.

The spectacle captured the attention of everyone present.

Beckman's expression turned grave.

Shanks had often bragged to his crew during banquets that this move, though inspired by Pirate King Roger, was no less powerful.

"And he can block it…"

"You underestimated him."

On the other side, Aokiji couldn't help but sigh as he watched the scene unfold.

He had taken that same blow head-on back at Punk Hazard. The memory of it was still vivid in his mind.

Who could have imagined that in just a few months, Kaido's strength had reached an even higher level?

"What a relentless monster…" Aokiji muttered, shaking his head.

Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed two warships escorting the heavenly tribute suddenly turning away and heading into the distance.

His expression darkened.

"Those sneaky bastards…"

It wasn't hard to figure out what they were planning. They were trying to slip away while everyone else was distracted.

After all, those warships were carrying tens of billions of Berries. Even if the pirates divided the loot, it would be more than enough for them to live comfortably for the rest of their lives.

In truth, these pirates weren't weak. Many of them were former prisoners from Impel Down, with bounties over 100 million Berries, and even more with tens of millions.

While Aokiji couldn't directly interfere in the fight between Kaido and Shanks, he could still impact the situation.

Normally, he would have to be cautious. But now, as an undercover agent, he couldn't just stand by and watch.

To win Kaido's trust, he had to act.

"If I freeze the entire sea, no one will be able to escape. Then these pirates will have no choice but to abandon their plans and fight each other to the death…"

With that thought, Aokiji leapt into the air, and two beams of icy white light shot from his hands.

"Ice Time!"

Within moments, the entire sea froze over, turning into a solid sheet of ice.

But just as Aokiji took action, Benn Beckman, second-in-command of the Red Hair Pirates, seized the opportunity. He had been waiting patiently for this moment.

His eyes flashed with determination as he raised his gun, aiming it directly at Aokiji in midair.

A powerful force, not unlike Shanks' own Haki, surged upward, drawing the attention of everyone on the battlefield.

In the next instant, Conqueror's Haki gathered at the muzzle, crackling with black lightning.

In less than a second—perhaps even quicker—the lead bullet, infused with Armament Haki and Conqueror's Haki, would pierce through Aokiji's skull!

But just as Beckman was about to fire, a lazy voice came from above his head.

"Don't move, Benn Beckman."

A flash of golden light appeared on the Red Force, growing brighter and brighter until it condensed into a figure.

An old man in a yellow-striped suit and sunglasses appeared on the mast, his expression calm yet mischievous.

It was none other than former Marine Admiral, Kizaru!

With one hand in his pocket and a finger raised from the other, he smirked.

"Although I'm not sure why Aokiji left the Marines, we're still colleagues. I'd rather not see him get killed by you…"

As soon as he finished speaking, dazzling beams of golden light erupted from his fingertips, all aimed at Beckman.

The golden light filled everyone's vision, blinding them.

"Damn it!" Beckman cursed, his expression grim.

He had no doubt that Kizaru could shoot through his wrist before he even pulled the trigger.

Everyone—whether Red Hair Pirates, Aokiji, or the other pirates—looked on in shock.

Despite Kizaru's casual demeanor, with his hands in his pockets and a tilted smirk, there was no denying it.

The arrival of the former Marine Admiral had completely changed the tide of the battle.

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