Ochoku realized that his Armament Haki and swordsmanship were both superior to Redfield's, yet every cunning strike he launched was blocked with precision.
Even more infuriating, Redfield had the audacity to use Logia intangibility right under his Armament-clad attacks, effortlessly evading what should have been a surefire finishing move. His arrogance was boundless.
"Your Observation Haki... you've already mastered future sight?!"
The sheer offensive power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit forced Ochoku to clad his entire body in Armament Haki, significantly increasing his stamina consumption. His expression darkened.
Redfield's devil fruit not only granted him devastating lightning-based attacks but also gave him speed akin to a thunderbolt. Under Captain Brook's guidance, he had even fused electromagnetic waves with his specialized Observation Haki, allowing him to effortlessly perceive his enemies' intentions.
"I haven't reached the level of foreseeing the future just yet, but predicting your movements? That much I can do."
Easily sidestepping Ochoku's relentless assault, Redfield spun his sword in a casual flourish, dispersing the surrounding electricity. He had decided to face Ochoku head-on in a pure test of swordsmanship, using this battle to temper his skills and inch closer to the rank of the world's greatest swordsman.
"You think I'll just be your whetstone? You'd better be careful, or you'll lose your life!"
Ochoku saw through Redfield's intent. A bloodthirsty glint flickered in his eyes—one that spoke of mutual recognition between warriors. A few years ago, he too had possessed the same unyielding arrogance.
A swordsman must face battle with pride. Even if the enemy is stronger, they must advance fearlessly, cutting down any obstacle in their path.
"Come! I won't fall here. My dreams are far from over! You'll be the stepping stone to my ascent!"
Redfield coated his blade in Armament Haki. A true duel of swordsmanship was about to begin.
...
"Kihahaha~! Now this is interesting!"
Orion watched as this Redfield actually held Ochoku at bay, genuinely surprising him. If their captain, Brook, was even stronger than them, then the Hell Pirates had the makings of a future ruling force.
The sheer potential of this crew was terrifying. Not to mention, they possessed the Golden Ark—a vessel with unparalleled capabilities. Given enough time, they would undoubtedly carve out their place in the New World.
"Hey, Brook, how about joining the Vesper Pirates? We can forget about what happened on Marseille Island. With your strength, you'd instantly become one of the rulers of the Ten Kings Islands!"
The Hell Pirates were already far beyond the weaker members of the Ten Kings. Their strength was nearing Orion's own, who ranked third. If he could successfully recruit Brook, he could also eliminate Ochoku and Silver Axe right here and now.
That would propel the Vesper Pirates ahead of the Rocks Pirates, securing their place as the dominant force in the New World.
Hearing Orion's offer, Jevalle scowled. But right now, he was being held in check by one of the Hell Pirates' rookies, which was utterly humiliating.
His frustration boiled over, boosting his speed and attack power even further. Yet, he still couldn't break through his opponent's defenses. This young giant's raw strength was overwhelming, even capable of transmitting shockwaves through his devil fruit ability, causing internal injuries. The battlefield itself was crumbling under the force of their clash.
Though the giant was slightly weaker in Armament and Observation Haki, his sheer physical prowess left Jevalle unable to gain the upper hand.
"Joining you? Not a chance. I'd rather test your so-called reputation first!"
Brook drew his Shichiseiken. At the same time, Charlotte Linlin stepped forward beside him. Zeus and Prometheus merged into her fists, crackling with power.
Lightning in one hand, fire in the other, combined with her Steel Balloon physique—she stood as the unshakable vanguard, allowing Brook, the spectral swordsman, to fully unleash his Yellow Spring abilities.
"Kihahaha~! I declare you Hell Pirates the most reckless Supernova of the year!"
Orion abandoned all thoughts of recruitment. Any crew that could produce members with Conqueror's Haki was dangerous. Their ambitions likely rivaled his own. Another monster like Rocks was emerging.
Better to wipe them out here before they could grow any further.
Charlotte Linlin charged straight for Orion, one of the Vesper Pirates' highest-ranking officers, carrying an 800-million Belly bounty.
Orion swung his hand, unleashing a flurry of flying swords at the incoming steel-skinned woman. Yet, to his astonishment, none of them could pierce her flesh. They merely rebounded, sending sparks flying in all directions.
"Impossible! These swords can cut through anything! Even Ochoku couldn't block them!"
Orion distinctly remembered reinforcing his flying blades with Armament Haki. How could they fail to penetrate her defenses? Even a Steel Balloon had its limits!
His flying swords, enhanced by decades of mastery in cutting through steel, should have easily wounded her.
"Don't you know that hitting people hurts?"
Charlotte Linlin roared as she swung her crackling lightning fist toward Orion. He narrowly evaded, his Wind-Wind Fruit propelling him away just as the ground where he stood exploded into a raging inferno and bolts of electricity.
Appearing at a safe distance, Orion's relief was short-lived.
"Unfortunate for you—I'm fast, too."
A ghostly voice echoed behind him.
Brook materialized in Orion's shadow. A frozen path trailed in his wake, ghostly energy thick in the air. A gleam of light flashed from his sheathed sword.
Shhhk!
A faint tearing sound.
A thin, narrow gash bloomed across Orion's chest, slowly trickling blood—only for the wound to instantly freeze over, forming crystalline droplets of ice.
"Kihahaha~! Not bad! You actually managed to cut me!"
Orion's grin turned icy. To be wounded in direct combat by a mere upstart Supernova was unacceptable. If word got out, he'd be the laughingstock of the New World.
"I was planning to take it easy, but now you've pissed me off!"
His entire demeanor shifted. Gone was the playful arrogance—what remained was the ruthless, blood-soaked pirate feared across the seas. Killing intent radiated from him, his sword's Armament Haki forming pulsating black waves.
"Advanced Armament Haki... Flowing form?"
Brook's grip on his sword tightened. This technique was potent—it might even bypass Charlotte Linlin's defenses.
'Wind Dominion: Tempest's Wrath.'
Orion raised his hands, and the island was immediately consumed by a violent hurricane, winds surging toward a single point.
"You dare spill my blood?! DIE!"
Still bracing against the storm, Brook barely had time to react before Orion appeared in front of him—
—and a blade, infused with rippling black energy, plunged straight into his chest.
A torrent of lethal Haki surged through the blade, shredding Brook's heart apart from the inside.
"Captain Brook!!!"
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+122 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg