One Piece: New Order

Chapter 355: Sakazuki, The Manipulator Of Hearts

Gab had just begun to close his mouth, trying to suppress the sonic roar, when within that fading sound a red point suddenly rose. In almost the same instant, it shot straight toward him.

Magma poured into his mouth, forcing the roar to die out on the spot as Sakazuki’s figure condensed right in front of him, his right arm already thrust deep into Gab’s jaws.

Gab was large and fierce, with sharp teeth and a brutal presence, yet before the calm and indifferent Sakazuki, he looked no different from a helpless pirate.

One hand gripped his lower jaw while the other reached for the upper.

Before the searing pain of molten magma could even settle, Gab understood what Sakazuki intended. Haki surged over his head as he tried to bite down like a beast and tear both arms apart, but under that overwhelming strength and Armament Haki, his body would not move at all.

Attacks rained in from every direction, all aimed directly at Sakazuki’s arms. He stomped down and retreated at high speed, dragging Gab along as Armament Haki spread across his back.

In the distance, Lucky Roux spun forward, his body rolling and swelling as he transformed into a massive sphere of flesh wrapped in Haki, charging toward Sakazuki.

Not even giving Lucky Roux a chance to get close, a single kick burst outward, sending him flying.

Clang!

Shanks appeared without warning. Gryphon struck the back of Sakazuki’s neck, sparks bursting from the impact.

The force made him tilt his head slightly. He turned his gaze toward Shanks, the muscles in his arms swelling.

Rip!

Gab’s Haki made no difference. From the jaw downward, his body was torn apart, split cleanly into two. His organs and bones were fully exposed.

He did not die instantly. One could even see his internal organs twitching inside the torn chest cavity, still struggling to breathe.

Without a second glance, Sakazuki tossed the two halves toward Shanks.

"Another one dead. So fragile..."

His indifferent tone was like crushing an ant, enough to drive anyone mad.

"Just like the people of Elegia, right? Tens of thousands of lives wiped out in a moment... all just as fragile..."

Shanks caught the body. As he watched the last traces of Gab’s life fade away, his expression darkened, his gaze fixed on Sakazuki.

"What are you trying to say..."

At this point, nothing else mattered. The hatred between them could never be undone. It had already become a matter of life and death.

"And you have no right to say that. There were plenty of civilians on that island just now, and they died at your hands, the Fleet Admiral of the Marines."

His voice was cold. The angrier he became, the calmer it sounded. His eyes never left Sakazuki.

Sakazuki showed a trace of surprise before letting out a quiet chuckle.

"You’re not bad. Much better than that fool Kaido."

After that unexpected praise, he looked at Shanks and spoke slowly. "You’re right. But I’ve already given them chances more than once. It’s a pity they didn’t value them."

There was a faint sense of regret in his words, yet the way he spoke made it feel chillingly insignificant.

Someone like this was meant to represent justice.

"How terrifying... A man like you became the Fleet Admiral... You’re a nightmare for this entire world."

The justice coat behind Sakazuki fluttered in the wind as he met Shanks’ gaze and smiled faintly.

"A nightmare? No. I am qualified to represent justice. But you are not qualified to represent this world.

"What gives you the right to believe that pirates like you, who make people unable to sleep at night, who are hated so deeply that they wish to tear you apart... can define my justice?

"Is it because you act without restraint, beyond all rules? Or because of Pirate Roger’s foolish lie that started this Great Pirate Era, the one the entire world despises?

"Those who can call me a nightmare... are only foolish pirates like you..."

Shanks remained expressionless, unmoved by those words. He tossed Gab’s corpse toward his approaching crew.

"Everyone, retreat."

His eyes stayed locked on Sakazuki.

Sakazuki made no move to stop them. He simply said in a calm voice, "No need to be so tense. My intention was only to teach you a lesson. The deaths of those two... were just incidental, just like crushing a couple of ants..."

The Red Hair Pirates were ready to act, but Shanks stopped them. He had them take the body and withdraw immediately.

Sakazuki watched them, still calm, and gave a slight nod.

This man’s mindset was indeed far stronger than Kaido’s.

He stood there indifferently, watching the crew leave until only Shanks remained in the sky, facing him.

Then he spoke again. "They’re gone. You can relax now. What I’m curious about is this. Where did you get the Marines’ deployment map?"

He already knew the answer, but asked anyway, making his intent clear.

To his surprise, Shanks answered directly.

"Heh... you might want to think about who in the World Government is your enemy."

Sakazuki raised a brow. "Oh? The World Government?"

Shanks replied in a low voice, "That’s right. As for who it is... you can guess."

Slash!

A streak of blade light cut through the air.

Sakazuki raised his arm and blocked the incoming strike. "What a cheap attempt to sow discord."

Shanks appeared at his side, his blade sweeping horizontally toward Sakazuki’s neck.

Clang!

Sparks burst outward.

Looking at the magma blade holding his strike in place, Shanks spoke quietly. "Do you think I would lie?"

Sakazuki answered indifferently, "That would indeed be a painful truth, to be stabbed in the back by your own allies. But unfortunately... that kind of thing won’t shake me."

He looked at Shanks with a hint of curiosity. "As for you... even after losing family and comrades, you can remain this calm. That alone puts you far above that fool Kaido. That man... I broke him completely not long ago."

Shanks’ gaze sharpened slightly. "So that’s what happened..."

Everyone had speculated about Kaido’s recent abnormal behavior, but no one expected the truth to be that he had been crushed by Sakazuki.

Sakazuki continued, "Yes. But it doesn’t seem to matter to you. I don’t see even the slightest hesitation. So what is it that you truly care about..."

Crackle!

At the point where their weapons clashed, Conqueror’s Haki lightning surged wildly, growing more violent with each passing second.

Shanks’ expression didn’t change. "You tell me..."

Sakazuki smiled faintly, his expression unreadable. "Oh? Are you sure?"

Shanks did not answer, but the increasing force behind his blade spoke clearly enough.

Sakazuki sighed softly. "In the distant East Blue, in a place called Foosha Village, there is a boy wearing a straw hat... his dream is to become the Pirate King..."

BOOOM!!!!

**

**

**

Thank you for reading! If you’d like access to extra Chapters and want to support my work, you can visit my P@treon:

P@treon/SilverShark769

Vote with Power Stones for Bonus Chapters!

Your support means a lot, thank you!