Shanks II

An hour later...

Shanks and Ray fought non-stop for an hour, both enjoying their battle, unfortunately for Ray, he was at a disadvantage.

He was still standing but clearly exhausted as he was breathing heavily, cuts all across arms, back and lower body. His vision getting blurry due to the lack of moisture, he couldn't afford to blink, a single mistake would cost him at this stage.

As for Shanks, he was tired but clearly able to fight for much longer than Ray. His clothes were ruined but he had yet to bleed, as his Armament protected him, Ray was unable to pierce the thick coating that blocked his attacks.

Having just lost his left arm, Shanks wasn't able to unleash his most deadly techniques at Ray yet but his foundations were still there.

"HAH HAH HAH, this is fucking brilliant Shanks!" Ray shouted in excitement, his face displaying his pleasure, he had never felt better.

It was exhilarating, a foe who outclassed him in every aspect and yet he held on, sharpening his skills as the battle had went on.

At first he hadn't been able to touch Shanks at all, but he kept adapting. His use of Haki at first was rough, inefficient and slow, but he learned quick. It was true, the best method of improving one's Haki was in battle. 

"This has been enjoyable, but it's time our battle concludes" said Shanks as he closed his eyes.

Ray look confused till Shanks opened his eyes and unleashed a wave of Conqueror's Haki, all directed towards Ray.

Zzzzt

Ray gritted his teeth in response, it was oppressive and his mind told him to give up. His body felt heavy, like he was drowning. 

'No fuck that, it'll take more than that to put me down' thought Ray as he then slapped himself, he felt a ringing in his ear but the pressure had lessened.

Shanks at that moment blinked right in front of Ray, seemingly ready to finish the fight as he aimed his saber towards Ray's chest. Ray didn't back down, he instead channelled all his strength into his fist, combining his Haki and Tekkai in harmony, at the same time his arm turned black with a purple tint. 

As both saber and fist met, a shockwave was released in the area, blowing the trees away. Shanks and Ray clashed, trying to overpower another, but for the first time in the fight Shanks hadn't overpowered Ray in a direct clash, a stalemate occurred. 

They both withdrew but Ray wasn't satisfied, he instantly charged at Shanks, throwing away all his clever plans to overcome Shanks' mighty power.

All he wanted now was to fight Shanks head on and improve. For the first since he had arrived in the One Piece world, Ray was truly immersed in a fight. 

This time their clash left Ray flying back a few metres, his fists in severe pain as he wasn't able to harden his armament Haki, it wasn't consistent enough. 'My Haki will never improve if I avoid him, I'll keep smashing my fist at his head till it fucking works'. He did as he thought, and repeated his actions over and over.

30 mins later...

Ray kneeled on the ground, blood pouring from his wounds, and it looked like it was on his last breath. 'Might be on my last legs but I'm getting the hang of it' he clenched his hand into a fist, as he covered it in Haki, this time it had hardened. 

"One final attack you red fuck, I might die at this rate" said Ray.

"I was thinking the same, young man" replied Shanks.

They stared at one another, it had been a fun battle but it was time they ended it. Shanks began to respect Ray, he kept improving as they had fought and seemed like a decent man. 

"It's a half-baked version but still deadly, watch out Ray" said Shanks as he released his Conqueror's Haki.

Zzzt

"Who gives a fuck!" shouted Ray as he tried to ignore the oppressive nature of Conqueror's Haki.

Shanks chuckled for but a moment and then ran towards Ray. In response, Ray did the same, his speed clearly slower due to his accumulated injuries.

Nonetheless, he charged at Shanks unleashing his last attack. Using the momentum of Soru, Ray combined Tekkai and his Armament Haki once again, blasting it towards Shanks.

As they blitzed toward one another, Shanks concentrated his Armament Haki and strength onto his saber. Slashing it horizontally towards Ray, releasing a lethal and destructive air slash at ridiculous speeds.

'Your spirit is truly admirable young man, but you still have much to learn, I hope we meet again' thought Shanks.

Divine Departure!

As both attacks met, they clashed for but a moment as Shanks' attack overwhelmed Ray. The mental fatigue conqueror's Haki inflicted onto its target was huge, as well as his battered body, Ray had no chance at blocking this.

The slash blasted his fist away and landed across his chest. 'Ah shi-' Ray lost consciousness as he was flung across the field from the impact, his body spraying blood from the wound Shanks' attack gave him.

"Fuck, Hongo treat him right now!" shouted Beckman in panic as the Red Hair pirates doctor rushed towards Ray.