Chapter 326 Shanks’ Choice

"Marshal, Shanks wants to speak with you," Sakata Gintoki's voice came from the other end of the Den Den Mushi.

Benedict, as he had expected.

"Where is that little girl, Uta?" Benedict inquired.

Sakata Gintoki looked at Uta in his hands. Despite her pitiful appearance, the spirit in her eyes was exceptionally firm, so he chuckled and said, "Good luck, this kid fell right into my hands."

"However, this little one is quite interesting. She looks like she's only four or five, but her will is very strong."

Upon hearing Sakata Gintoki's words, Uta instantly became flustered.

She felt as if her inner thoughts were being pried into.

Unwilling to be captured, the intelligent Uta, possessing Devil Fruit abilities, naturally hoped to break free from Sakata Gintoki's control at a crucial moment and return to Shanks' side.

On the other end, Shanks, seeing that the Den Den Mushi was connected, did not feel relieved. Instead, his expression grew even more grave.

"Bring her back," Benedict commanded calmly.

Hearing this, Sakata Gintoki understood Benedict's intention. He looked at Shanks and smiled, "I'm sorry, Marshal is very fond of this little girl."

"Therefore, I cannot hand her over to you."

As he spoke, Sakata Gintoki extended his hand, while Shenfeng produced Sea Prism Stone handcuffs and cuffed Uta.

At that moment, Uta felt her powers vanish.

Simultaneously, she became incredibly weak, allowing Shenfeng to grab her.

Shanks received Sakata Gintoki's reply, his face changing drastically.

With a somber expression, Shanks attacked again.

This time, a powerful sword qi flew out, evidently stronger than the previous strike.

However, Sakata Gintoki remained unfazed. He turned and waved his hand.

Without using Doyagans, he activated his Devil Fruit abilities. A beam of sword qi was caught in his hand and then slashed down.

Regardless of its destructive power, Shanks' sword was repelled after a three-second stalemate with Sakata Gintoki.

"Marshal Benedict, I want to speak with you."

"I know you haven't finished your call yet."

Shanks' voice came through the Den Den Mushi.

Benedict could sense Shanks' urgency and anger.

Chuckling, Benedict glanced at Buggy, who was clearly taking a beating in the sky, and after a few seconds of thought, said, "If you want Uta, have him come to my division to see me."

Sakata Gintoki then conveyed Benedict's message.

Instantly, the crew members of the Red-Haired Pirates instinctively looked at Shanks.

At this moment, the captain needed to make the decision.

However, the Xuanwu Navy Division was not a place anyone could just storm.

Especially now that the Xuanwu Navy Division was guarded by Sengoku, Garp, Kenjiro, and others.

Adding Benedict, Saitama, Sakata Gintoki, Yasuo, and Shenfeng, a total of five people.

If they went, a real fight would be walking into a trap.

Yet, even without going, the current Saitama could almost toy with all of them.

In that case, they had no choice.

"What? What does the silence mean?"

"Hesitating, or perhaps scared?"

"There's really no need."

"Any one of us could slaughter you like dogs, it would be effortless."

Sakata Gintoki, with his all-attribute SS-class, had every right to say this.

Even if Shanks' strength had rapidly increased to S+ level, it was only in a single aspect.

As for the other crew members, although they possessed S-class combat power and still had room for improvement, reaching S+ level was not impossible.

But certainly not now.

However, Sakata Gintoki's words made the members of the Red-Haired Pirates very displeased.

Uta looked at Shanks pitifully. The intelligent girl understood what it would mean for the Red-Haired Pirates to go to Marine Headquarters.

Therefore, Uta made a decision.

"Shanks, don't mind me."

"You run!"

"Wuwuwu!"

As soon as she shouted, Uta couldn't help but burst into tears.

Not long ago, they had pinky-sworn to stay together forever.

Now, they were about to part.

Shanks, with a dark expression, looked up and suddenly smiled.

He smiled brilliantly.

Sakata Gintoki and the others were slightly stunned by Shanks' sudden smile, not understanding why he was suddenly so happy.

"I understand, Uta,"

Shanks said, grabbing his hat and smiling.

As the first mate, Ben Beckman couldn't help but sigh upon hearing Shanks' words.

As the first mate and strategist, Ben Beckman understood Shanks' intentions.

"Since Marshal Benedict wishes to see me, then I shall go."

Indeed.

Their foolish captain was going to meet Benedict alone.

"Captain."

"It's boring to go alone."

"I haven't met Marshal Benedict yet, and I've heard so many legends about him. It's not too late to visit him now."

Ben Beckman lit a cigarette and smiled.

The clearer your mind needs to be, the less you should drink and smoke.

However, Ben Beckman felt that extreme clarity was not needed at this moment.

Because when facing absolute strength, wisdom couldn't solve all problems.

"Heh heh, wherever the captain goes, Lucky Roo goes too."

"The deified Benedict is worth seeing."

Lucky Roo patted his belly and chuckled.

"Click!" Yasopp fiddled with his sniper rifle and smiled, "Captain, don't leave us behind."

Shanks looked back at his crewmates and still smiled, "Since that's the case, let's board the ship."

Ben Beckman and the others smiled, saying nothing as they boarded the ship one by one.

Shanks boarded the ship and looked at Yasuo, saying, "Please take our ship with you."

Yasuo looked at Shanks, gave him a thumbs-up, and chuckled, "You've got guts."

Yasuo flew down and landed on the pirate ship. With a casual touch, he flew away again.

Shanks' pirate ship also flew up, with Shanks and all his crew members on board.

"I promise to go to your Xuanwu Navy Division to meet Benedict. Can you give Uta back to me now?" Shanks stared at Shenfeng and said solemnly.

Shenfeng remained silent but looked at Sakata Gintoki.

Sakata Gintoki, however, said indifferently, "We'll talk after you've met our Marshal."

"As for this little girl, don't worry, she won't die."

Despite being rejected by Sakata Gintoki, Shanks, though still displeased, put on a smile and looked at Uta, saying, "Uta, don't be afraid, you'll be alright."

"Shanks!"

Uta was deeply touched and sad upon hearing Shanks' words.

Because this journey was extremely dangerous.