"Hey!!!"
"Orin!!!"
The entire Elegia was now bathed in black-and-red lightning that covered the sky.
Even elite fighters with the strength of a Vice Admiral rolled their eyes back and collapsed straight to the ground.
Only those with at least Shichibukai-level combat power could maintain clear consciousness and remain standing within this sea of lightning.
Forcing everyone around him back, Orin—pushed by instinct to unleash nearly all of his power—leapt up instantly and charged toward the distant Shanks and Red the Aloof.
The sight made both of their pupils contract as they pushed their Conqueror's Haki to the absolute limit.
In theory, two king-level fighters working together would not fear a frontal clash with a super king-level monster.
Those who had reached the king level were already extremely difficult to defeat head-on—endurance monsters with overwhelming Haki.
Just like how Roger and Garp once joined forces to hold back the demonized Rocks in place, and after great effort, still managed to defeat him.
But…
Orin was a special case.
His raw strength was indeed enough to shake the seas with Conqueror's Haki, treating Admirals and Yonko like mere speed bumps—comparable to Rocks.
Yet because of the strange and tyrannical nature of his abilities, even Rocks might very well fall before him.
That was exactly how Shanks and Red the Aloof felt.
They could fight him—but it was extremely dangerous. One careless mistake, and they could be killed in the shadows.
Faced with Orin's ultimate strike from behind and the [Music Demon King] Tot Musica in front, the fighting spirit slowly faded from Shanks' face.
It seemed he had realized something.
Beside him, Red the Aloof could clearly sense the shift in Shanks' mindset—
From hostility in battle… to a sincere plea.
"Orin… Uta just lost her way for a moment. You watched her grow up too. I'm begging you…"
Shanks seemed convinced that Orin, who appeared to be controlled, still had a way. Lowering his head with a heavy expression, he said:
"I'm begging you—save my daughter."
"At least… for my sake… for the sake that we found this child together."
Even though he had never said it outright, Shanks knew he held considerable status on the seas. Whether with the World Government's Celestial Dragons or within the pirate world, he was someone who could rely on influence.
But he had to admit—
He had never once succeeded in exchanging that "influence" for anything in front of Orin.
It seemed that ever since the time he was knocked unconscious by a pair of shorts aboard Roger's ship,
He had always tried to surpass Orin—but never once succeeded.
Because of that lingering gap in his heart, and the pride that extended from it, among the three young members of Roger's crew, only Buggy and Orin had grown close,
While he and Orin gradually drifted apart.
And Orin, who had awakened Observation Haki from birth, had always sensed this "genius's" unwillingness to concede.
That was why their relationship could never become as close as Orin's bond with Buggy.
But now, as the most extreme crisis arrived—
Whether driven by his desperate desire to save his daughter, or because he had finally seen clearly the gap in will and strength—
Shanks no longer wanted to compete with Orin over pride.
This rivalry of spirit that had lasted over thirty years—
Or rather, the struggle for the title of "King of the Next Generation"—
Had finally ended with the victory of [Black Gun], as [Red Hair] chose to give up.
Shanks loosened his grip slightly, then tightened it again around his sword, as if waiting for something.
And in the end, that voice still echoed across the battlefield—
"So I've never treated you as an enemy, Shanks~"
The moment that voice sounded, everyone's eyes widened.
Buggy, who knew everything, was so excited he split apart on the spot.
"That voice is… Orin!!!"
"I knew it!!!"
Within the Song-Song World, a figure slowly stepped out from the void.
A smile hung on his lips, as if he had finally heard the words he had long been waiting for.
In truth, he knew Shanks wasn't a bad person. Like Buggy, he was a childhood companion—just that the two had always clashed on certain matters.
Even if it had been one-sided on Shanks' part, it still inevitably affected their relationship.
So—
"In my eyes, you're just like Buggy…"
"Crack—!!!!"
Inside the Song-Song World, Luffy and the others widened their eyes, staring at the suddenly appearing figure.
The extreme release of Conqueror's Haki instantly knocked out Nami, Usopp, and others. Endless black-and-red lightning gathered upon the Black Gun in his hand.
This peak strike nearly blasted open the space along its trajectory.
Tot Musica's so-called invincible defense shattered, a massive hole tearing through it. Even in the real world, the [Music Demon King]—whom even two kings could not handle—began convulsing violently.
Then its head exploded open with a massive hole.
In the real world, Orin—who had been closing his eyes to strike Shanks—slowly opened them, crimson light bursting forth.
The black-haired figure wore a faint smile as he passed by Shanks.
One hand gripped a sword, the other held the Black Gun as he advanced toward Tot Musica.
As his hands crossed—
Extreme spatial distortion and Conqueror's Haki flashed in an instant.
Just like more than ten years ago, when Orin had one-shot Tot Musica, the massive Music Demon King was obliterated in a single sky-piercing strike, vanishing into nothingness midair.
Only a girl with dual-colored hair remained, floating in the sky.
She was gently caught by the man in the black coat who walked toward her from midair.
"Orin… "
"It's godfather~"
"Sorry…"
"As an elder, I should be more tolerant. Besides, I just watched quite an interesting performance~"
Orin slowly descended to Shanks' side.
"Orin, you…"
Orin curled his lips slightly and handed Uta over to Shanks.
Shanks' expression turned complicated. A trace of hesitation appeared on his stubbled face. Just as he was about to say something, his expression suddenly changed.
"This is???"
"Pure gold. It will preserve her weakened state, but it will also freeze her fading life."
The Marines, watching this scene, found themselves unable to speak the words about arresting Uta.
Besides—weren't the Admirals all acting like nothing had happened?
In the end, everyone exited the Song-Song World.
Red the Aloof left with his raccoon.
Buggy cried as he hugged Orin's shoulders.
"That's great, Orin!!!"
"Even though I believed from the start that you'd be fine—you're Orin, after all—but it still makes people worry, damn it!!!"
Mihawk crossed his arms, looking somewhat doubtful.
"If no one had come to stop it, would you really have been trapped there until death?"
He questioned whether Orin had truly faced a dead end this time.
Orin just smiled.
"As for that… who knows?"
...
...
(PS: The power scaling hasn't collapsed. When he was younger, Orin had just stepped into the king level. Together with Garp and Roger, he defeated Rocks—the two created an opening with a joint attack, and Orin delivered the finishing blow.
Now he is a true super king like Rocks, comparable to the established Imu. Normally, a super king's raw strength can be matched by two king-level fighters. But Orin is a special spatial-type super king, so while direct confrontation is theoretically possible, in reality he's still unmatched.)