On the execution platform——
"Alright, I understand."
Griffin hung up the Den Den Mushi and turned to Yasopp: "Shanks has escaped from prison."
Yasopp showed no sign of despair, smiling smugly: "Since you didn't kill us back then, this was inevitable!"
"He's the man who will become the Pirate King!"
Griffin sat beside Yasopp, propping his chin with a hand and smiling lightly: "The process may have changed, but the outcome won't."
"You know Shanks will come."
Yasopp's expression changed, forcing calmness: "Beckman will persuade him..."
...
"Such words are only for fooling yourself."
Griffin gazed into the distance, speaking softly: "Really... utterly dull."
"I was quite excited before, but now... I think even if Rayleigh or Gaban came, it wouldn't be interesting."
"I've already witnessed the spirit of the old era."
"As for Shanks..."
Griffin's gaze was calm: "If we meet, I'll still kill him, but he's not an opponent worth anticipating."
"It's about time... to shift focus to Kaido and others."
Waiting for Shanks to grow to the level of the Four Emperors in the original timeline was meaningless. Even Shanks himself realized his growth couldn't catch up to Griffin.
...
Wait... this feeling!
Griffin's pupils contracted slightly, looking toward the pirate circle in the outer sea.
He stood up, speaking calmly.
"Maybe I should kill you first. This grand funeral, I want to reserve for another person."
Yasopp and the others froze.
"I really don't understand what you're thinking, such a capricious guy..." Yasopp grinned: "But if you're willing, that's even better!"
...
"Rear Admiral Griffin, you..."
The execution soldier panicked as Griffin drew his sword.
On the high wall, Sengoku frowned and hurriedly took out a Den Den Mushi.
What is this kid planning? Didn't I tell him to just stand there and look cool?
He knew about Shanks' escape and that Shanks had hijacked a prison ship and was rushing here.
Things weren't out of control; Shanks would definitely come.
Displaying the Marines' power by killing Shanks might have a better effect than a simple execution.
He was even thinking about using this incident to bring Impel Down under Marine jurisdiction.
At least to insert personnel into Impel Down, he had prepared arguments for wrangling with the Five Elders.
For example, the vacant Chief Guard position at Impel Down...
If we Marines take someone from Impel Down, sending someone to serve as Chief Guard is reasonable.
...
"What is he doing?"
The three Admirals weren't far from the execution platform, noticing the movement there.
"He seems to want to act personally... Is it time?" Kizaru yawned, considering possible cameras, covering his mouth with his hand.
"If he kills them now, what if Red Hair doesn't come? That doesn't fit Fleet Admiral Sengoku's plan, right?"
Kuzan frowned slightly, raising his hand to stop Griffin's impulsive action.
...
"The underwater currents of Impel Down only reach here; Red Hair has nowhere to escape."
Akainu in the center spoke calmly: "He's endured until now quite well."
"But..."
"Just go ahead and swing the blade, what's the rush, Kuzan."
...
...
Griffin raised his sword, its cold gleam flashing.
Yasopp showed no fear of impending execution, closing his eyes in acceptance.
The blade slowly descended.
"What are you doing! It's not yet time for the execution!"
Sengoku leaped down from the high wall, just at that moment—
Sizzle—!!
A crimson arc of lightning shot across the outer sea in an instant, tearing through the sky, heading straight for the execution platform!
Kizaru's mouth formed an O shape: "Whoa... an unexpected entrance. How did he appear there?"
—
Clang!!
The erupting impact shook the hastily built execution platform to its foundations!!
Keeping his right hand raised high, Griffin used his left hand to hold his sword and block the incoming blade.
Blades locked in stalemate.
Amid the scattering black and red arcs of lightning, he locked eyes with the red-haired man.
"You came, Shanks!"
...
"Shanks!!"
Yasopp and the others exclaimed, tears streaming down their faces: "Why did you come!!"
'Shanks' grinned: "No choice, because I am..."
No...
The three tomoe in Griffin's eyes spun, excitement overflowing.
This isn't Shanks!!
—
"Mission target identified—Celestial Dragon—Figarland Shamrock"
"Hunting difficulty—Extremely high-risk level!"
...
—
Even with the same scar on his face, the same missing arm, and only a slight difference in the sword he held, even Yasopp and the others hadn't noticed the discrepancy.
If even the Sharingan couldn't see through it, without the panel's display...
Twins...
That's the truest form of the Clone Technique!
...
"What's going on... Wasn't Shanks still in the undersea currents? Could he have gotten here from Impel Down this quickly?"
Sengoku, still mid-air, pondered.
Never mind...
"Take action!!"
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh, whoosh————
At the four corners of the execution platform, the three Admirals and Sengoku took their positions, their auras clashing in the confined space.
Not only Yasopp and the others trapped within, but even the Pirates watching the live broadcast could tangibly feel this overwhelming despair.
...
"Quite brave, Shanks." Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses, slowly closing in to tighten the encirclement.
"Surrendering will save you some pain."
...
Shamrock took a deep breath, looking at Sengoku with a grave expression: "I know you have many questions. Turn off the live broadcast first, and I'll talk with you slowly."
No matter how confident he was in his own strength, he didn't believe he could take on several of the Marines' highest combatants simultaneously.
This operation was carried out without the World Government's knowledge, so Shamrock could only appear using Shanks' identity.
Originally, he had planned to meet Sengoku privately and, as a Celestial Dragon, order him to release Shanks.
But by the time he arrived, the execution was about to begin.
Although he hadn't seen Shanks, based on normal logic, after Yasopp and the others were beheaded, it would be Shanks' turn, right...
If Shanks were brought up, it would truly be too late!
And if they died, from what Shamrock knew of his younger brother, he likely wouldn't be willing to leave.
...
Changing plans, Shamrock thought of disguising himself as Shanks and accepting the public execution. After all, it was just a beheading—easy enough to recover from.
This way, the Marines' dignity could be preserved, and ordering Sengoku to release Shanks would face less resistance.
As for afterward...
There were plenty of masked Pirates. If Shanks didn't want to change his appearance, they could just say his crew used some miraculous Devil Fruit to revive him.
He remembered there was a Yomi Yomi no Mi with a similar effect, right...
...
Sengoku remained silent, and Shamrock frowned, asking, "What are you hesitating about?"
Shouldn't the Marines present be puzzled by why there were two Shanks?
If you just shut off the worldwide broadcast, I could explain it to you!
Shamrock had considered everything thoroughly, but he lacked one crucial piece of information...
That was...
Shanks had escaped from prison himself!
...
"There's nothing to discuss..."
Tick... tick...
Magma dripped onto the execution platform, emitting smoke: "Griffin, step aside. I'll kill him."
"To deliver that punch you were hoping for that day."
...
What the hell!!
Shamrock's mind was in chaos. Even Shanks' crew members aside, how could you not know I'm not Shanks!
Don't you have any curiosity at all?!
Can you accept having two Shanks so easily?!
"Wait, Sengoku, you—"
Shamrock was about to say some coded phrases only Sengoku could understand, subtly indicating his identity.
Bang!!
A dark fist smashed into his face, forcing back the words he was about to utter.
Griffin grabbed his neck and pressed him toward the ground, grinning:
"If you dared to show up... surely you wouldn't beg for mercy now, Shanks!!"
...
Excitement reached its peak.
The chance to openly slaughter Celestial Dragons...
Absolutely cannot be missed!!
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