One Piece: One Punch Man

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Upon hearing the voice, Byakuya immediately recognized who it belonged to—even before the person appeared. 

"Give me some face?" 

Such familiar words. Could it be? The user of the Face-Face Fruit, Shanks? It was indeed him. 

Byakuya hadn't expected this individual to show up, but it made perfect sense after giving it some thought. 

Mihawk was Shanks' long-time close friend, and Shanks himself was a master swordsman. 

Watching the duel between Mihawk and Byakuya was a reasonable motivation.

While Byakuya pondered the situation, a seemingly ordinary ship sailed into view, capturing everyone's attention. 

Its flag bore the iconic emblem: a skull with crossed swords and three vivid red scars over its left eye.

"It's the Red-Haired Pirates—one of the Four Emperors!"

"Oh my god, three Emperor-level crews in one place today!"

"Look! The entire Red-Haired crew has mobilized. This is going to be spectacular!"

Nearby ships began to back away, clearing space while watching the brewing confrontation intently. 

True to their reputation in the anime, the Red-Haired Pirates always travelled aboard a single, deceptively simple vessel with their full cadre of senior officers aboard. 

Renowned as the "Iron Wall Crew" for their formidable balance, the Red-Haired Pirates boasted an astoundingly high average bounty among their members.

They were the only Emperor crew with a "double Emperor" configuration. 

First mate Benn Beckman, besides his exceptional intellect, possessed combat power comparable to Shanks himself. 

Among the Emperor crews, only the Whitebeard Pirates could rival their strength outright. 

The Beasts Pirates and Big Mom Pirates had to take a backseat.

Fujitora, aware of their capabilities, frowned slightly and muttered, "This situation is growing increasingly troublesome."

As the Red-Haired Pirates arrived, the atmosphere shifted to less favourable for Byakuya. 

Shanks and his crew focused on Byakuya, who stood aboard Marco's ship. 

They had witnessed Byakuya easily dispatch Cracker earlier, leaving Shanks convinced that the Marine Vice Admiral possessed Admiral-level strength. 

When it seemed like Byakuya and Ace might clash, Shanks quickly intervened.

However, before Byakuya could respond, Ace spoke up. "Shanks, this is between me and Byakuya. It has nothing to do with the Red-Haired Pirates!"

Since Shanks had confirmed Ace's identity as Roger's son, Ace deliberately distanced himself. 

Not because he disliked Shanks, but because he resented any special treatment stemming from his lineage. 

To Ace, Roger was nothing more than the father he despised. 

He saw himself solely as Whitebeard's son and wanted nothing to do with Roger or anyone connected to him.

Shanks and Benn Beckman exchanged wry smiles.

"This kid is something else," said Shanks.

"The Captain probably regrets not being there for Ace back then," Beckman added.

Shanks couldn't stand by and let Ace face Byakuya, knowing the latter's overwhelming strength. 

"Byakuya, how about giving me some face? There's no need to go overboard with a kid." 

"We're all here to witness your duel with Mihawk. Why stir up unnecessary trouble?"

Though Shanks called Ace a "kid," he felt somewhat guilty, as Byakuya's youthful appearance suggested they were likely of similar age. 

Regardless, their power gap was undeniable, leading Shanks instinctively to view Byakuya as much older.

Byakuya turned to Shanks with a mocking smirk. "A kid? Sure, his mindset matches that of a seven-year-old." 

"But why should I give you a face? Who do you think you are to ask that of me?"

A stunned silence fell over the crowd. Did this man understand who he was talking to? 

To speak so brazenly to the Red-Haired Pirates, a crew with two Emperor-level fighters, was beyond bold—it was lunacy!

Even Ace, who prided himself on his confidence, was momentarily dumbfounded.

Byakuya's fearlessness made Ace's bravado seem tame by comparison.

Fujitora sighed deeply, murmuring, "Byakuya, you haven't changed at all." 

Despite his words, Fujitora stepped beside Byakuya, indicating his support. 

In his mind, while challenging the Red-Haired Pirates was no small feat, it wasn't beyond their capabilities.

Meanwhile, Katakuri cautiously instructed his subordinates to keep their distance from the brewing storm, casting nervous glances at both Byakuya and Shanks. 

His thoughts churned: Is Byakuya planning to reveal his Night Organization identity and call for reinforcements? 

If so, would that technically count as him exposing his identity, sparing me from being blamed?

The rising tension was palpable, the atmosphere thick with unease. 

Yet Shanks maintained his calm demeanour, smiling faintly. "The younger generation sure is wild these days."

However, Benn Beckman's sharp gaze lingered on Byakuya, and after a moment of quiet observation, he whispered something to Shanks. 

Shanks' expression shifted subtly. "Have we met before?"

Byakuya's heart skipped a beat. Had he been recognized? Yet his expression remained unreadable. 

Without missing a beat, he replied coldly, "If we haven't yet, we will soon—at Impel Down."

Shanks' composure cracked slightly, his tone taking on an edge. 

"Is that so? Your generation is certainly bold, but it's high time someone taught you to respect your elders."

As he spoke, Shanks unleashed an overwhelming burst of Conqueror's Haki. 

The once-calm sea roared to life, waves crashing violently as dark clouds gathered above, casting an oppressive gloom. 

The air grew so stifling it was difficult to breathe. Yet, despite the suffocating pressure, Byakuya stood firm, unmoved amidst the tempest like an unyielding rock against the tide. 

The entire force of Shanks' Haki bore down on him, but he remained resolute.

Under such overwhelming pressure, Byakuya seemed to sense a new power awakening within him, one that actively resisted Shanks' Conqueror's Haki. 

However, this nascent force was far too weak and was quickly crushed by Shanks' overwhelming aura. 

Yet, thanks to Byakuya's innate ability of infinite regeneration, the new power kept re-emerging—appearing, resisting, being destroyed, and then appearing again. 

With each cycle, it grew stronger at an unimaginable speed. What started as a thread-thin stream of energy soon became as thick as an infant's arm. 

And rather than slowing, its growth only accelerated. Feeling his profound transformation, Byakuya murmured, "Could this be… Conqueror's Haki?" 

Conqueror's Haki, the rarest form of Haki, is possessed by only one in millions—a "king's aptitude" that signifies the potential to rise above others. 

While it seems almost commonplace in the New World, where many notable figures possess it, true mastery remains exceedingly rare.

Most users of Conqueror's Haki can only unleash it indiscriminately as a shockwave of spiritual pressure. 

However, few, like Shanks, can focus precisely on a single target. This mastery is considered an intermediate level. 

At its pinnacle, Conqueror's Haki can be imbued into weapons, greatly enhancing their power and enabling devastating attacks without direct contact.

If Byakuya were to clash directly with Shanks, he would witness the full potential of this ability.

Byakuya never anticipated awakening Conqueror's Haki, which surprised him. 

Over the years, despite his audacious actions as a Marine, he hadn't shown any signs of possessing it. 

He even doubted whether he truly had the "king's aptitude." 

Yet, under the crushing pressure of Shanks' aura, it unexpectedly surfaced—an unforeseen but delightful development.

Opening his system panel, Byakuya saw a new entry under his special skills: [Conqueror's Haki (Lv 1, 97%)]. 

Initially tempted to use World Source Energy to level it up, he noticed it was shy of advancing to the next level, likely thanks to Shanks' "help." 

Abandoning the idea of using his precious resources, Byakuya decided to milk Shanks' oppressive aura for all it was worth. 

Conqueror's Haki required far more World Source Energy to upgrade than the other two types of Haki.

And now, with Shanks as the perfect free sparring partner, why waste resources? Seconds later, a system notification chimed: 

[Conqueror's Haki (Lv 2)]

"Not bad, not bad at all!" Byakuya thought as the two remained locked in a battle of auras. 

Despite his progress, Byakuya deliberately feigned struggle, pretending to barely hold on to avoid provoking Shanks into outright combat.

While observing the clash, Ace couldn't help but feel the crushing weight of Shanks' Haki. 

If Ace were to face Shanks' Conqueror's Haki head-on, he doubted he could last even three seconds. 

Shocked, he muttered, "So this is what Father called the strongest Conqueror's Haki on the seas? The pressure… it's even greater than Father's." 

"Even someone as powerful as Byakuya looks like he's barely managing against him. Is this the strength of the world's top echelon?"

Nearby, Issho sensed Byakuya's plight. Drawing his blade, he prepared to intervene. 

At the same moment, Benn Beckman swiftly aimed a golden short gun at Issho, ready to shoot if the Marine made a move. 

While Issho could sense a dangerous aura from Benn Beckman, he remained confident in his abilities, believing himself at least on par with the Red-Hair Pirates' first mate. 

Just as Issho was about to act, Byakuya raised a hand to stop him. Gritting his teeth, he said, "No need to intervene—I can handle this!"

Issho, puzzled, replied, "Byakuya, why endure this unnecessarily? It's unwise to clash with Shanks' strength head-on when you lack Conqueror's Haki of your own."

"Endure?" Byakuya nearly laughed out loud. His Conqueror's Haki had already reached Level 3 and was halfway to the next. 

He secretly wished to milk Shanks' aura until he maxed out the skill. 

But such is the life of a "frugal" man; with limited resources, Byakuya couldn't afford to waste this golden opportunity provided by one of the sea's strongest.

As time passed, Byakuya maintained his act, looking half-dead, as though he might collapse at any moment. 

Yet deep down, he knew that continuing this stalemate benefited him more than Shanks. 

Sweat began to bead on Shanks' forehead, and his chest rose and fell slightly. 

Even for him, maintaining his Conqueror's Haki at full strength for so long was taxing.

Shanks squinted at Byakuya, who still appeared barely conscious. 

"What the hell is this guy made of? Even the hardest-working mule doesn't have this kind of stamina," he muttered.

Behind him, Lucky Roux joked, "Boss, are you okay? You've been at this for ages, and I'm starving." 

"How about we take a break and order some food?" Benn Beckman, more serious, advised, "Maybe we should leave it at this."

"I get the feeling something's off with that Marine." 

"If he is connected to the Night Organization and has infiltrated the Marines for some deeper purpose, exposing him might provoke them into retaliation." 

"We'd end up like Garp, being hunted all over the sea. Not worth it."

Shanks nodded, realizing Benn Beckman had a point. Besides, he was genuinely exhausted—both physically and mentally. 

He'd never trust Byakuya's seemingly frail demeanour again. With a final surge of frustration, Shanks withdrew his Conqueror's Haki. 

The oppressive aura vanished instantly, the sea calmed, and the skies cleared.

Issho breathed a sigh of relief, glad the confrontation hadn't escalated further. 

The presence of Marco and Katakuri's crews already placed the Marines at a severe disadvantage. 

Avoiding a full-scale battle was undoubtedly the best outcome.

Shanks, wiping the sweat from his brow, addressed Byakuya with a hint of reproach, "After an hour of watching you struggle, I don't like bullying the younger generation—it's bad for my reputation. So let's call it quits here."

Despite Shanks' words, Byakuya still wore a pained expression, as if he were on the verge of collapse. 

The onlookers were stunned. Had Shanks' Haki caused severe internal injuries? 

But in reality, Byakuya was staring at his skill panel, frustrated that his Conqueror's Haki hadn't quite reached Level 6.

Realizing Shanks had retracted his aura, Byakuya shouted indignantly, "Hey! What do you think you're doing? I was so close to levelling up! Bring it back! Continue the Haki!"

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