As the moment of the fight drew near, the air around the small island seemed to tense, crackling with anticipation. Goku stood across from Shanks, feeling his heart race with excitement. Years of training, solitude, and countless battles with wild animals had honed his body and instincts, but this? This was different. This was a real human opponent someone who wasn't an animal and was just as strong as his grandpa.
Goku's eyes sparkled, his fists clenched in excitement. The adrenaline surged in his chest like a flood of fire. His tail swished behind him in anticipation as he took a deep breath, ready to spring forward at any moment. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt this alive.
After so many years of living in solitude, testing his strength against creatures of the wild, Goku was finally face-to-face with another human fighter.
Shanks, on the other hand, had been sizing up the boy ever since he first saw him. There was something about Goku, something raw and untamed in his movements and energy. The young boy was small, but his energy was unlike anything Shanks had ever felt. He could tell this child wasn't ordinary especially after the kick he performed just moments before,
Shanks rested his hand on the hilt of his sword, a relaxed yet vigilant stance -- "You're a brave one, kid".
he said with a smile, his voice calm, though there was an edge to it. He was about to test his skills against someone with no experience in sword fighting, but there was a fire in Goku's eyes that made him think this wouldn't be an easy fight.
Goku grinned -- "You bet I am! but let's see what you've got.
Without another word, Goku lunged forward, his small form becoming a blur as he moved with speed that belied his size. Shanks reacted quickly, his sword flashing out in a quick defensive motion. Goku's fist collided with the flat of Shanks's blade with a crack that sent vibrations through the sword.
"Whoa, you're fast!" Goku exclaimed, bouncing back and eyeing Shanks with renewed excitement. He didn't expect it to be this hard, but the challenge was exactly what he'd been craving.
Shanks didn't say anything, just nodding in acknowledgment as he relaxed into his stance. "You're strong, kid," he said with a chuckle, his red hair tousling in the wind. "But don't think that's enough to beat me."
Goku's grin widened, and without missing a beat, he charged again, this time aiming for Shanks's midsection with a kick.
Shanks sidestepped, his sword flashing through the air, forcing Goku to twist in midair to avoid a strike that would've split him in half.
Shanks thought as he clashed with Goku -- Who is this kid ?? his speed and strength almost matched mine.
But he didn't say anything and continued testing Goku. Shanks was in another league but much more to show but he could tell that Goku still has more to show.
Shanks wasn't the kind of fighter to rely solely on his blade. He kept his movements fluid, his body just as agile as Goku's, though his approach was far more measured.
The battle raged on, with Shanks effortlessly parrying Goku's attacks. The boy's speed was astonishing, but it wasn't enough. Goku, for all his energy, still had a long way to go before he could match someone like Shanks. But the fire in his eyes—it made Shanks smile. This kid was special.
As Shanks parried another of Goku's powerful punches, he saw the opening he'd been looking for. With a swift slash, he aimed for Goku's side. The sound of the sword cutting through the air was like a whip cracking, and before Goku could react, the blade grazed his cheek.
A small cut appeared on his face, but Goku didn't flinch. Instead, he wiped the blood away with a carefree grin.
Goku with his eyes alight with excitement said -- "Alright, warm-up's done. Time to get serious,"
Shanks raised an eyebrow, intrigued. He could tell that the boy wasn't just talking; he meant it.
Without hesitation, Goku reached behind him and pulled out his power pole. The long, extendable staff gleamed in the sunlight as he twirled it around, getting a feel for the weapon again. The pole was more than just a tool; it was an extension of himself. He had trained with it for years, and now, with Shanks as his opponent, it would serve as his trump card.
Shanks's eyes flickered to the power pole. He'd seen many weapons in his time, but this one was different. There was an elegance in Goku's handling of it, like it was an extension of his body. The kid wasn't going to hold back anymore, and neither would Shanks.
"Looks like I'll need to step it up," Shanks murmured to himself.
Goku lunged forward, the power pole extending in a flash. The staff swirled through the air with lightning speed, aiming for Shanks's head. Shanks barely managed to dodge, feeling the gust of wind as the pole whizzed past him. The boy was fast, but Shanks had been faster—just barely.
Shanks responded with a slash of his own, but Goku was already on the move, ducking and weaving with the grace of a seasoned fighter. He was adapting quickly, learning from each strike, getting faster, more precise. He was starting to control his power, to use it wisely, just like his grandpa had once instructed him.
"That's more like it!" Shanks called out, his voice filled with approval. "You're not just relying on raw power anymore."
Goku grinned -- "Told you I'd get serious."
Without warning, Goku launched himself into the air, using the power pole as a springboard to reach a higher vantage point. He shot toward Shanks, the pole extending as he prepared to bring it down with full force. The momentum behind the strike was incredible—if it landed, it could be devastating.
But Shanks was ready.
With a swift movement, Shanks brought his sword up in a perfect arc, meeting the power pole head-on. The clash of metal against wood rang out, sending vibrations through both the weapons . Goku was forced to backflip away, narrowly avoiding being struck by Shanks's sword.
For a moment, both fighters stood there, catching their breath. Goku's eyes were wide with exhilaration, while Shanks's smile remained calm, though there was a glint of respect in his eyes.
"You've got skill, kid," Shanks said, his voice filled with admiration. "But you've still got a long way to go."
Goku wiped some sweat from his brow and twirled his power pole once more --"I'll get there. Just you wait!"
Shanks chuckled, drawing a deep breath as he gripped his sword tighter-- "I look forward to seeing you try."
Now shanks was serious he was starting to use his observation haki, he had refrained from using haki as he thought to give the boy a handicap but Goku was stronger than anything he ever expected.
As the fight resumed, both fighters now fully in sync with each other's rhythm. Goku had gained the upper hand in speed, but Shanks's experience and his observation haki had made him a hard target. The pirate captain moved like a shadow, every strike calculated and measured, while Goku was more unpredictable, like a whirlwind.
With one final lunge, Goku extended his power pole, his muscles straining as he pushed everything into the strike. The pole shot forward like a spear, aimed straight at Shanks's chest. It was fast, calculated, and brimming with raw power.
But Shanks was faster.
In the blink of an eye, Shanks reacted. His sword was sheathed, no longer needed, as he used the speed and precision of his body. With a single fluid motion, he parried the power pole aside, his body moving like water flowing through a river. But that wasn't all. As Goku's strike was deflected, Shanks's other fist shot forward, glowing with an ominous aura—Haki.
Goku's eyes widened in surprise as he saw the dark, powerful energy envelop Shanks's fist. The pirate captain's expression remained calm, his movements calculated. He was no longer just the red-haired swordsman; he was a master of his craft, and Goku could feel the overwhelming force behind that fist as it descended toward him.
BAM!
Shanks's fist struck Goku square in the chest, the impact shaking the very ground beneath them. Goku's body was lifted off the ground, his mouth opening in shock as the punch sent him flying back like a ragdoll. The force was overwhelming—this wasn't like anything he had felt before. It wasn't just physical strength; it was the sheer pressure of the Haki that coursed through Shanks's punch, leaving Goku feeling as though his entire body had been hit by a freight train.
Goku's feet slammed into the ground, but the sheer force of the blow left him skidding backward, carving deep marks into the earth beneath him. He finally came to a halt, panting heavily, the wind knocked out of him. His chest burned where Shanks's fist had connected, and the shockwaves from the punch still reverberated through his body.
He coughed, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth, but the exhilaration on his face didn't fade. If anything, it only grew.
Goku -- "Whoa… that was insane, You are stronger than me but it won't be for long."
Shanks grinned -- You still have a long way to go before besting me in a battle but you have got mad potential kid.
Shanks-- Alright kid let's end this.
Shanks looking toward's his crew shouted -- Alright let's have a banquet