Chapter 131

Upon hearing those words, Shanks nodded internally.

At least this kid knows how the world works, he thought. He knows how to give someone face at the right time.

But…

There was still one thing that didn't sit right with him.

This kid actually just called me by my nickname…

Shanks couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable. His daughter had clearly been won over by this brat during this time. And now? The guy still had the nerve to call him "Red-Hair" instead of "Father-in-law"? How was he supposed to feel about that?

Of course he wasn't happy. Not at all.

In fact, the more he thought about it, the more displeased Shanks became with his future son-in-law.

The only thing running through his mind was: This brat doesn't even want to call me father-in-law?!

Still, given the situation, Shanks wasn't about to argue over formalities.

He turned and shifted his gaze to Garp instead.

Now that Kairos had already shown him respect by withdrawing his almost fully-charged attack, Shanks felt it was only fair to see how Garp would respond.

"Red-Hair!!!" Garp's eyes blazed with fury as he growled, his gaze fixed on Shanks with murderous intent.

If you asked Garp who he had the biggest personal grudge against, he would answer without hesitation:

Red-Haired Shanks.

Why?

Because this damn redhead had corrupted his grandson!

There had still been a sliver of hope that his grandson could be reformed. But then Shanks showed up in Windmill Village, and from that moment on, everything changed. His grandson got it in his head to become the Pirate King. And that obsession? That came from Shanks!

When Garp found out, he'd nearly exploded with rage. He had genuinely wanted to punch Shanks into the ground.

He even pursued the Red-Haired Pirates for quite a while because of it.

Unfortunately, Shanks was like a rabbit—fast and slippery. Born to run. If Garp had managed to catch him, he would've made sure Shanks spent the next few decades behind bars—or at least laid up in a hospital.

But now wasn't the time or place to settle personal grudges.

"Mr. Garp," Shanks said calmly, "give me a little face. Let's end this war here."

"End the war?!" Garp snapped. "And what about the Navy's dignity?! Where do we put that?!"

(At Marine HQ, a certain admiral muttered: Since when did Garp ever care about the Navy's dignity?)

"If Mr. Garp insists on continuing," Shanks replied, his tone hardening, "then let the Red-Haired Pirates be your opponents."

As he said this, the Red-Haired Pirates assembled behind him, their auras heavy with menace.

A crushing wave of pressure swept across the field.

This wasn't just posturing. This was the authority and power of one of the Four Emperors of the sea.

And no one—not even the Navy—could afford to take the declaration of war from a Yonko lightly.

The Four Emperors hadn't earned their titles with empty boasts. Their power was real, undeniable, and legendary.

Until now, the Navy had underestimated Kairos Flint. His record of achievements was relatively short, and he was still young. They judged him based on that, thinking he was far below the level of an Emperor.

That misjudgment had cost them dearly.

Now, everything they had planned was crumbling.

Garp fell silent.

He might have been reckless and hot-blooded, but he wasn't a fool.

He knew what his choices were.

He could continue fighting until the G-2 base was wiped completely off the map…

Or he could face Kairos and Shanks together—and very likely die under their combined assault.

Because neither of them were alone. Both had their full crews with them.

Together, they could erase even Akainu and the Marine Admirals from existence.

And then—

"Hey Red-Hair," Kairos suddenly interjected, turning to Shanks with a smirk. "Look at Garp. He's been quiet for so long. He probably doesn't want to give you face."

He cracked his knuckles.

"So why don't the two of us team up and scatter the ashes of someone who refuses to show you respect?"

Garp: ???

This brat is seriously pouring oil on the fire!

He'd only hesitated for a few seconds, and already Kairos was acting like he was ready to go to war again.

If he waited any longer, Kairos and Shanks might really join forces and storm Marineford together.

"…Fine. Let's have a truce," Garp said quickly—before this little schemer found another excuse to escalate.

This, at least, would count as giving Shanks some face.

"Aww, what a pity," Kairos said with a sly grin.

Garp could feel his blood pressure rise.

This kid… he's definitely doing this on purpose!

But just as things seemed to calm down…

Kairos raised his hand.

Thunder began crackling in the sky as clouds thickened overhead. The power of the Thunder Slate surged.

BOOM!

Sudden lightning burst from the heavens, descending at breakneck speed.

No one had time to react.

Blinding bolts of electricity struck down across the battlefield, targeting one group in particular:

The Navy's generals.

Not a single one was spared. Even Garp hadn't anticipated the ambush.

But Kairos had been planning this from the start.

The moment Shanks appeared and hinted that the battle might end, Kairos knew it would be hard to continue the war.

Still, there was no way he'd let the Navy walk away unharmed.

He hadn't come here for fun. He came to strike a blow—and if the Navy walked away without any losses, how could he show his face?

He'd even told Nami beforehand: Spare the lives of these generals. Leave them just barely alive.

Why?

Because now was the moment to harvest their ability crystals.

Everything had been planned.

If he walked away from this war empty-handed, this entire operation would be a waste of time.

The lightning fell fast and deadly, each bolt aimed precisely at a high-ranking officer.

BOOM!

Some of the Navy responded quickly, blocking the attacks.

Others were lucky enough to be uninjured and even helped their comrades.

But those who were already seriously wounded…

They couldn't defend themselves.

Several of them were killed on the spot.

In total, over a dozen general-level officers died from the strike. Some of them were even vice admirals.

Garp's fury erupted like a volcano.

"KAIROS FLINT!!!"

His voice boomed across the battlefield.

This brat—this ungrateful, shameless brat—had dared to sneak attack them after calling a ceasefire?!

Dozens of lightly injured were now severely wounded. Many of the critically injured were killed outright.

Over a dozen naval elites were gone in a flash. Kairos had utterly violated the unspoken rules of combat.

There was no honor in this. No warrior's dignity.

He'd called for peace—and then struck from the shadows.

Garp clenched his fists, trembling with rage.

And Kairos?

He just stood there, arms folded, with lightning still crackling faintly behind him—smiling coldly as if to say:

"What? I never said I wouldn't take a parting gift."