Chapter 116: The Four Great Generals of Cyan, Yellow, Violet, and White

After Shanks joined the group, he did not utter a single word about his missing arm. Instead, he began trading drinks with Crocus, chatting about interesting stories from the past.

When the two mentioned Roger’s name, there was a touch of regret in their eyes.

"You gave Roger’s hat to that boy named Luffy. Do you intend for him to inherit Roger’s will?" Crocus asked.

"Exactly! Besides that hat, I also gambled my left arm! But who would have thought that this arm would end up in Captain Buffon’s hands by sheer coincidence!"

The conversation finally reached the point. Buffon did not shy away and asked, "So, Captain Shanks, are you here to get it back?"

Shanks did not answer Buffon directly. Instead, he pulled out a bounty poster, smiled at Buffon, and said, "First, I must thank you for your help to Luffy throughout your time in Alabasta!"

Buffon was not surprised that Shanks knew the truth. He knew that Shanks was the only pirate capable of meeting Imu face-to-face, so it was no shock that he was aware of such things.

Buffon waved his hand calmly, clinked his wine bowl against Shanks’, and said, "It was just on the way."

Shanks did not seem bothered by Buffon’s cold reaction. After tilting his head back to finish the wine in his bowl, he stood up and said, "The reminiscence is over, and the thanks have been given. Now, let me see your strength! This is the arm I gambled on Luffy!"

Buffon put down his bowl, stood up, and replied calmly, "As you wish!"

The two then left the crowd and headed toward an open field.

Seeing this, Vivi asked with concern, "Captain Buffon, can he win against one of the Four Emperors, Shanks?"

Reiju, who was clinking glasses with Betty, answered nonchalantly, "Winning might be a bit difficult, but at the very least, he won't lose!"

"Is that so? Then I’ll give Captain Buffon a hand!"

Betty stood up, waved her flag, and shouted to Buffon, "May the light of freedom always guide your way forward! Submission or fighting the privileged class to the end—make your choice, warrior Buffon!"

Hearing this, Buffon’s fighting spirit soared. Originally, he had only intended to spar with Shanks, but now, a desire to defeat his opponent began to stir within him.

*The Pump-Pump Fruit really has its merits,* Buffon thought to himself. He covered his entire body in Armament Haki; facing the power of a Four Emperor for the first time, he could not afford the slightest carelessness.

Although it was clear the opponent wasn't looking for a life-or-death battle, Buffon didn't want to just go through the motions. Opportunities to trade blows with a Four Emperor were rare, and he did not want to miss this one.

Just as Buffon was about to strike, Shanks suddenly asked, "Are you not using a weapon?"

Buffon shook his head and replied, "My body is the best weapon!"

"Confidence is a good thing! But..."

Before Shanks could finish, Buffon lunged forward with a punch. His opening move was the Goalkeeper’s Ultimate: Spiral Punch!

Shanks smiled slightly and blocked it with his blade.

The first collision between fist and steel generated a powerful shockwave. The others, who were still eating and drinking a hundred meters away, were caught off guard and sent tumbling.

Seeing the sea-beast barbecue about to hit the ground, Lucky Roux, that nimble fatty, dove to catch it, ignoring the burning fire pit beneath him.

A moment later, he let out a shrill, pig-like scream: "You damn guys, wasting food!"

Beckman, whose clothes had been soaked by the spilled drinks, stood up and asked Reiju, "What was the name of that attack Captain Buffon just used?"

Reiju straightened her fluttering skirt and smiled, "Goalkeeper’s Ultimate: Spiral Punch."

"What a strange name," Beckman muttered before calling everyone back to the ship, leaving the land to the two monsters.

Shanks’ block had seemed effortless, but only he knew how terrifying the power behind Buffon’s strike was. It was roughly the same sensation he felt when dueling Mihawk.

*It seems Mihawk’s judgment was correct. This guy is indeed a worthy opponent.*

With that realization, Shanks became even more serious.

Buffon, having used his full strength, also formed a basic assessment of Shanks’ power.

After the initial exchange, they quickly separated. Buffon rubbed his slightly aching knuckles, while Shanks twirled his sword to loosen his wrist.

"Yo-ho, it looks like Captain Shanks is having a bit of trouble!" the sharp-eyed sniper Yasopp chuckled playfully.

"Meeting an evenly matched opponent is something worth celebrating for the Captain," Beckman said seriously as he took a sip of rum.

He then turned to Crocus and asked, "Doctor Crocus, who do you think has the higher chance of winning?"

Crocus adjusted his glasses and said earnestly, "That depends on whether Shanks is taking this seriously. If he fights for real, his odds of winning are higher."

Hearing that Crocus didn't favor Buffon, Lily pouted and said, "Doctor Crocus, you don't even believe in Captain Buffon, and after I made you so many delicious meals!"

Upon hearing this, Crocus immediately abandoned his principles and changed his tune: "If it’s a long battle, the young Buffon will surely be able to wear Shanks down to defeat."

The two fought from daylight until nightfall. Aside from the core members, the crowd watching had long since lost interest. No matter how fierce Buffon’s attacks were, Shanks always had a way to neutralize them. Likewise, facing Shanks’ erratic sword trajectories, Buffon used his fists and feet to deflect every strike.

Saul took a look at Apis, who had fallen asleep in his arms, and turned to Vivi and Lily: "You two take her to sleep. With so many fighters here, it doesn't matter if the Navy suddenly attacks."

Lily nodded, took Apis from Saul, and followed Vivi back into Laboon’s belly.

Beckman also arranged for the lower-level combatants and sailors to rest in the cabins; the presence of those remaining was more than enough.

By the second half of the night, Lucky Roux was snoring thunderously against the mast, but Buffon and Shanks showed no signs of fatigue. To the onlookers, the two seemed to become more excited the longer they fought. Only the large craters and holes appearing on the previously flat ground revealed that this battle had been going on for a long time.

"Buffon, you’re quite good!" Shanks suddenly remarked, though he had no intention of stopping. He sent a slash wave directly at Buffon’s lower stance.

After a long battle, Shanks realized that Buffon’s offensive skills—both hands and feet—were extremely balanced. He didn't have the glaring weaknesses often found in martial artists who specialized only in kicking or punching. If he had to name a weakness, it was perhaps a lack of an unexpected trump card.

However, both knew this wasn't a life-or-death duel, so neither would reveal their ultimate trump cards.

Buffon was having a blast. Previously, whether facing the Snow Mare or others, he had always tried his best, but he usually won through clever tricks. His refinement of techniques had never been as direct as this. Furthermore, throughout the fight, Buffon hadn't used his fruit ability once.

He wanted to test his true strength to see exactly how much of a gap remained between him and a Four Emperor. Now, it seemed that if Shanks wasn't holding back, the gap wasn't that large.

After dodging the slash, Buffon pushed off the ground and returned the favor with a slash wave of his own.

Just then, a beam of yellow light shot over from the distant sea.

Everyone still awake was a top-tier fighter, and they sensed the anomaly immediately. Beckman vanished from the deck in a flash, and Reiju donned her Raid Suit and took to the sky.

A moment later, the yellow light stopped at the top of the lighthouse. Yasopp, with his keen eyesight, aimed his sniper rifle in that direction and told those nearby, "It’s Kizaru!"

At the top of the tower, Kizaru was half-crouched with his hands raised in surrender, a look of "fear" on his face. A flintlock pistol was pressed firmly against his temple; the person holding it was none other than Beckman.

"Don't move, Kizaru. Interrupting someone else’s fight isn't a classy move," Beckman said, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his expression stern.

"Yo, it’s Beckman. Keep a steady hand on that gun; wouldn't want it to go off by accident," Kizaru said with a mocking tone.

On the other side of the sea, a bicycle was approaching at a leisurely pace, leaving a path of ice in its wake.

When Yasopp named this new arrival, Saul stepped forward without hesitation: "Leave Kuzan to me."

He activated his power to create a massive ice boat on the sea and began rowing with giant oars, slowly heading toward the bicycle.

Just when everyone thought it was over, a floating rock drifted in from above the sea.

Yasopp spread his hands helplessly: "I don't recognize the man or the woman on that one. Should I fire a shot and test them?"

Lucky Roux chewed on a chicken leg and nodded: "Yeah, give it a try!"

After the gunshot, a meteor fell from the sky, crashing toward the Red Force!

Lucky Roux was shocked, keeping the chicken leg in his mouth as he leaped high to kick the meteor. His kicking skill was several levels below Buffon’s, so he could only shatter it into dozens of pieces. The remaining fragments were then sliced into bits by Bagio.

Buffon and Shanks naturally noticed the commotion. Shanks sheathed his sword and said to Buffon, "It seems we can’t finish this. Keep this arm for now. Consider it another hope I’ve gambled on you. Once you finish this journey through the Grand Line, I’ll come to collect it myself!"

"Fine!" Buffon kept it brief.

"As for those two flying over, I’ll take the old guy, you handle the woman!" Shanks finished speaking and, without waiting for Buffon to explain, leaped toward the shore.

Konohanasakuya-hime, nearing the coast, saw Buffon and roared as she jumped off the rock, charging at him: "You shameless scoundrel, Buffon! Come here and die!"

Faced with this Admiral-level combatant, Buffon didn't know what to say. In the current situation, he could only bite the bullet. He didn't intend to use tricks like before; inspired by his fight with Shanks, he wanted to have a proper bout with the Snow Mare without relying on the power of his fruit.