Chapter 169: 169. Only Alex

Words : 1586 Updated : Oct 4th, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- BOOM!!! The eruption of terrifying energy illuminated everything in an instant, casting a blinding light that made it nearly impossible to open one's eyes. The clash between Alex and Whitebeard was not just a physical confrontation; it was a collision of powers capable of reshaping the very fabric of the world. The battlefield bore the brunt of their destructive force. Massive cracks spread across the ground, carving deep scars into the earth. Overhead, the dark clouds parted violently, as if riven by an invisible hand, creating a breathtaking yet ominous display of devastation. The airwaves carried a destructive wind that lashed both the island and the sea. Shards of rock flew through the air, scattering with thunderous roars, while the entirety of the Sky Island quaked under the relentless pressure, trembling as though it were the end of the world itself. Closest to the chaos was the crew of the Moby Dick. Despite their position on Whitebeard's flagship, at the heart of their base camp, they found themselves utterly helpless. A battle of this magnitude was beyond their ability to intervene. Instead, they could only retreat to avoid being caught in the crossfire, watching the confrontation of these titanic forces with awe, dread, and anticipation. As the world seemed poised to shatter under the collision of emperors, Hancock and Yamato, who had arrived with Alex, made their way toward the Moby Dick under the guise of "exploring the island." Though their movements were purposeful, they now faced the core commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates, who watched the newcomers with wary eyes. Amidst this tense standoff, Hancock's gaze swept across the gathered pirates. Her eyes glimmered with disdain, as if dismissing them outright. Many of the pirates, captivated by her unparalleled beauty, found themselves succumbing to the power of her charm. Their thoughts betrayed their desires, and before they could even register their folly, their souls were ensnared. One by one, these men collapsed, white smoke billowing from their bodies as they fell victim to Hancock's ability. Their hearts and minds were bewitched, leaving them unconscious, their souls overwhelmed by her seductive power. But just as her power reached its zenith, a sudden wave of oppressive Haki swept through the area, instantly breaking the spell. The crushing aura then slammed into Hancock like a physical force. Her own power was momentarily countered, nullified by the strength of the one who wielded it. Hancock's sharp eyes immediately sought the source of this interference. Standing in her line of sight was a figure of undeniable presence. With one hand gripping the hilt of Gryphon, Shanks had made his entrance. His gaze was calm yet sharp, fixed squarely on Hancock and Yamato, who now stood as dangerous threats in their own right. Though Yamato hadn't yet moved, her imposing aura made it clear she was ready to strike at a moment's notice. For Shanks, the situation had already spiraled beyond his expectations. That Alex had learned of Whitebeard's planned offensive was no surprise—on a ship as large and diverse as Whitebeard's, with its mix of personalities and loyalties, leaks were inevitable. Even someone like Shakky could easily uncover such plans. It was unthinkable that a force as formidable and prosperous as Wanokuni wouldn't know as well. What did catch Shanks off guard, however, was the speed and decisiveness of Alex's actions. While he had planned to negotiate with Whitebeard directly, Alex had already taken matters into his own hands, arriving without warning and unleashing a world-shaking display of destructive power. This overwhelming demonstration made one thing clear to Shanks: Whitebeard was likely the only person capable of holding Alex in check. For now, as long as Whitebeard stood firm, New World's balance would endure. His aspirations of domination would not go unchallenged. But the battle unfolding before Shanks was one he was no longer qualified to join. The clash between Alex and Whitebeard was a fight far beyond the scope of mere interference. Still, Shanks shifted his focus to the two women accompanying Alex. As the top commanders under the him, if they could be contained or restrained, it might tilt the balance of the battlefield. However, Shanks' character made it difficult for him to use such underhanded tactics. Even if targeting them could be highly effective, blackmailing or exploiting them wasn't something he could bring himself to do. Hancock, noticing Shanks standing tall before her, turned her gaze toward him. The fact that he had been able to neutralize the effects of her Conqueror's Haki meant he had mastered the technique himself. With an air of dissatisfaction, she spoke. "You're not a member of the Whitebeard Pirates, are you? Then why do you interfere with my actions?" Hancock floated above the scene, her voice filled with indignation as she pointed at Shanks. The members of Whitebeard's crew, still recovering from Shanks' burst of Haki, dared not meet Hancock's gaze. Any lingering thoughts they might have had about her beauty were washed away by the oppressive tension in the air. Teach, standing among them, was visibly shaken as he glanced at Hancock with a mix of fear and awe. Her beauty alone was enough to leave most men spellbound, but combined with the sheer potency of her abilities, it was nothing short of terrifying. 'This woman... she's like BIG MOM's Soul-Soul Fruit, but worse,' Teach thought, beads of sweat rolling down his face. From the deck of the Moby Dick, Marco stepped forward, his expression grim as his body glowed with the fiery aura of his Phoenix form. "That's enough, Red-Hair," he said firmly, his voice steady but serious. "This is Whitebeard's fight! You're in no position to interfere, so stand down!" His wings flared, and the cries of his phoenix form echoed ominously across the ship. Behind Marco, the other division commanders readied themselves, gripping their weapons. Even if they were outnumbered, and the odds were stacked against them, these were enemies bold enough to invade their territory. There would be no backing down now. Yamato, undeterred by the mounting hostility, grinned with excitement. Her eyes gleamed, and faint arcs of electricity crackled across her body as she hefted her mace. "Hoho, are we gonna fight already? I've been waiting for this!" she exclaimed, her eagerness to brawl clear in her voice. Shanks didn't flinch at the rising tension. Instead, he addressed the two women calmly, keeping his position on the deck. "Let me ask you something first," he said, his tone even. "You didn't bring the army of Wanokuni with you. Does that mean Alex isn't planning to start an all-out war with the Whitebeard Pirates?" Yamato twirled her mace, resting it on her shoulder as she answered bluntly. "It's hard to say. You could argue it's the Whitebeard Pirates who started this by planning to fight us first," she said with a confident smirk. "But you're right—this time, we're just here to witness whether Whitebeard is strong enough to stand against Alex. If he wants to call himself the strongest man in the world, he'd better prove it." "Old man's not losing this fight!" Jozu shouted. His body gleamed as he charged forward, his massive arms coated in Armament Haki. The ground quaked beneath his steps as he barreled toward Yamato with incredible speed. "Perfect timing!" Yamato roared. Without hesitation, she swung her mace with all her might, wrapping it in a devastating combination of Conqueror's and Armament Haki. Before the clash could escalate further, a sword hilt thrust itself between the two attacks. The force of their collision sent shockwaves rippling through the area, and the red-haired swordsman who had intervened was pushed several steps back. "What's the meaning of this, Red-Hair?!" barked Vista, his swords flashing as he pointed them toward Shanks. Shanks stood firm, his expression calm despite the heated atmosphere. Behind him, the crew of the Red-Hair Pirates had taken position, ready to intervene if necessary. "If you're just here to see who's the strongest, then there's no need to start an unnecessary battle." Marco frowned deeply, his dissatisfaction evident. "Unnecessary?!" he exclaimed. "That woman attacked us first! And her whole attitude from the start has been nothing but hostile—she came here wanting to take us out! They're the enemy, Red-Hair!" Hancock stepped forward, brushing her long hair behind her ear with an air of absolute confidence. "I don't think there's anything wrong with killing those with dirty minds." she said, her tone dripping with contempt. Her gaze swept over the Whitebeard crew, many of whom avoided meeting her eyes. Beneath her beauty was an unshakable arrogance that only made her presence more imposing. "The only one worthy of admiring my beauty," Hancock declared, "is him!" Her haughty expression shifted into a shy, bashful demeanor, her cheeks reddening slightly as she spoke. This sudden change was enough to send a fresh wave of weaker pirates into unconsciousness, their souls momentarily leaving their bodies as they collapsed to the ground. Seeing his comrades fall one by one, Marco's anger flared. "And you want us to stand down after all of this?!" he growled, glaring at Shanks. "Look at what she's doing—do you still think we shouldn't fight them?!"

Chapter 169: 169. Only Alex

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