A Reluctant Battle!
[Boom--]
The massive Oxhead Battleship crashed into the sea, creating a huge wave that gradually subsided after a period of violent shaking.
"Should we inform headquarters that we don't need to come to our aid?" Vidal looked at the vast, unobstructed sea and laughed. "That's the power of wisdom."
What good is being strong if I can't beat you? Can't I at least avoid you?
"Um?"
Just as he was feeling a little smug, his face froze. On the other side of the horizon, a small, rice-grain-sized black shadow was expanding rapidly, growing to the size of a soybean in the blink of an eye!
"How is that possible?"
Vidal was completely stunned; he had just fired a shot that sent him flying more than ten kilometers across the sea.
In the distance, Redfield, moving at incredible speed, transformed into a streak of purple-red light, carving a long trail of waves across the sea with overwhelming force. He seemed to sense Vidal's shock and sneered.
"Hmph, a death throes!"
The speed of the warship soaring into the sky was indeed astonishing, and it was indeed difficult for him to keep the warship within his sight at all times, but there exists a power in this world called Observation Haki.
He possesses Innate Observation Haki, far surpassing his Armament Haki Observation Haki level. When fully activated, its range is nearly thirty kilometers. Therefore, even if the warship disappears from sight, as long as he activates his Observation Haki, he can pinpoint Vidal's location and then catch up with him at his incredible speed.
This 'Red Count' is determined not to let Vidal go; he must die!
Vidal's face was grim. He truly hadn't expected Redfield to catch up. "It seems I underestimated the terrifying power of these top-tier fighters. And this guy looks like he's a speed-based fighter."
Thinking about it carefully, although he had often dealt with several high-ranking figures in the navy, had he ever truly witnessed their full power?
No, not even once!
His current estimates of top-tier powerhouses are all just his own guesses, which is a case of being overconfident. He thinks he knows a lot about these monsters, but his knowledge comes from anime.
But it's alright, there's still room for maneuver. Vidal looked up and saw that although the sun was no longer scorching, it was still quite bright. Perhaps because he was in a vegetative state, although he was nervous, seeing the sun and feeling its warmth on his face gave him a sense of comfort.
[Smack!]
"The Sun's Halo!"
He used this move once again, controlling the Oxhead beneath his feet to rapidly gather the energy of the sunlight, condensing it into a golden ball of light in its mouth, which he then violently spewed towards Redfield.
Vidal was preparing to teach his opponent a lesson; it was impossible for him not to be furious at being chased like this.
The Oxhead Battleship once again crashed through the waves, soaring into the sky like a seaplane propelled by a golden beam of light.
"Hmph, as long as there's still a golden sun overhead, I can fly as many times as I want!" Vidal sneered as he looked at the crimson shadow that had already collided with the pillar of light. This was the difference between the Oxhead Battleship and the Thousand Sunny in this respect.
The latter relies heavily on the ship's cola reserves, but can be used regardless of the weather or environment, while the former is almost entirely dependent on sunny days; as long as there is enough sunshine, there is virtually no limit to the number of uses.
So now he only hopes that the sea area a dozen kilometers away is still bathed in bright sunshine!
But as the saying goes, anything that can go wrong will eventually go wrong, especially things you really don't want to happen.
Before the warship had even fully descended, Vidal's face darkened, for he had already spotted a dark shadow in the sky.
[Boom!!]
The Oxhead Battleship crashed onto the sea once again, sending towering waves crashing onto the deck, only to be blasted away by a punch from the disgruntled Vidal.
"Damn it, am I really that unlucky?" Vidal, having withdrawn his fist, looked up at the overcast sky and finally couldn't help but complain.
This made the situation even more complicated. Although he could use his own Photosynthetic Energy to recharge the Oxhead, he wouldn't do that.
Because it has been proven that once a warship flies out, it's difficult to shake off Redfield behind it. If it exhausts its energy reserves, wouldn't it be powerless to fight back once the enemy catches up?
He knew that even in his best condition, he would most likely still be no match for Redfield, but even so, he would rather die in battle than be helplessly slaughtered like a pig or a dog!
"I wonder if Borsalino has set off yet."
At the same time, he immediately took out Den Den Mushi from his pocket and contacted his adjutant Rogers in the cabin, "Continue your full-speed evacuation towards G-2 Branch!"
"Commodore, and what about you?!" At this moment, Major Rogers could no longer maintain his usual composure, his voice trembling noticeably.
"I?"
Vidal looked at the black dot that reappeared on the horizon and chuckled, "Of course, we're going to meet that Red Count with the bounty of 1.34 billion!"
Since he could no longer send his warships out to create distance from the enemy, he decided to think of another way. Although he was facing an opponent with almost no chance of winning, he still did not show any ugly fear.
Temporarily avoiding the limelight and being afraid of death are not the same thing. If you are forced into a desperate situation, then you should know when to back down!
"I'll stay and help you!" Rogers shouted.
"Fool, are you going to stay and die? Carry out my orders now, and maybe I won't have to die if you run far away." With that, Vidal hung up the phone, then leaped off the Oxhead, landing on the sea surface with Geppo, up-and-down motion.
Soon, the warships behind him began to depart at full speed, which brought a satisfied smile to his face. It seemed that Rogers had understood what he meant. Not bad!
To increase the distance between himself and the warship, Vidal chose to face the purplish-red streak head-on. Once the distance was sufficient, he immediately clapped his hands together in front of him, activating the power of the Woods-Woods Fruit within him.
[Smack!]
"Nine Pillar Domain-- "
With a loud shout, ripples of green light swept outwards from him, and at the same time, a thick layer of wooden planks emerged from the sea surface swept by the green light, instantly creating a vast expanse of 'land' on the boundless ocean!
This is a technique he developed by drawing inspiration from the Ice Age of Kuzan in the future, which allows him to create a stable battlefield at sea at any time.
During the months he spent developing the Imperial Way for the Celestial Dragons, he was also developing the 'Nine Pillar Domain' to maximize its range. He believed that Kuzan's 'Ice Age' technique wasn't something he mastered overnight; its ability to freeze the sea between the two islands for a week was the result of his gradual and painstaking training!
He was the same.
Since Redfield is known to be an opponent who excels in speed, engaging in air combat would be extremely unwise, while fighting on the ground would effectively block one of his attack routes.
Although these techniques seem like child's play when used against top-tier experts, Vidal had no other choice but to try and minimize his opponent's advantages.
"From now on, this place will be my home turf!"
[Smack!]
"Nativity of a World of Trees."