Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!...
The dense clanging of metal blended together, making it almost impossible to distinguish the intervals!
Outside the kendo dojo, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered.
Bullet stood casually at the front, grinning broadly.
"Tsk tsk, those two swords are truly extravagant!"
Tesoro rubbed his chin.
" Mr. Red truly lives up to his reputation as a legendary lone pirate; his swordsmanship is simply divine."
Crocodile, cigar in hand, offered a casual comment.
Hawk Eyes is also making rapid progress.
In terms of swordsmanship alone, a year ago, he couldn't last fifty moves against Mr. Red. Now...
They've already managed to fight for over a hundred moves.
The battle intensified on the field.
Hawk Eyes's attacks grew increasingly fierce, each strike carrying the resolute determination to sever everything!
The Red Count's defense was watertight; every block was perfectly timed!
finally--
"Stop!"
Red Count suddenly spoke, sheathing his sword and stepping back.
Hawk Eyes immediately sheathed his sword, slightly out of breath.
" Mr. Red?"
The Red Count looked at him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
" Mihawk, your progress has exceeded my expectations."
"Given time, you might actually be able to surpass me."
Hawk Eyes bowed slightly.
" Mr. Red, you flatter me."
The Red Count waved his hand.
"It's not a compliment, it's the truth."
He turned to look at the crowd watching from the sidelines, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"What, have you seen enough?"
"If you've had your fill of looking, who wants to come up and give it a try?"
These words immediately caused an uproar outside the venue.
Bullet was the first to jump out.
"I'll do it!"
He strode into the arena, his White Tiger: Human-Beast Form fully activated, radiating a ferocious aura.
" Old Man Red! Let me test your skills!"
Red Count looked at him, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.
" Bullet, you're a master of hand-to-hand combat, I'm a swordsman, how can we compete?"
Bullet grinned.
"Then let's have a contest of physical skills!"
"Don't you use a sword too? Why don't you just stop using a sword!"
Red Count paused for a moment, then smiled.
"Interesting."
He put away his cane and sword, and walked into the arena empty-handed.
"Bring it on."
Bullet let out a wild laugh and charged forward!
A punch was thrown!
The Red Count dodged to the side, simultaneously striking Bullet in the ribs with a palm strike!
Bullet neither dodged nor evaded, taking the blow head-on, while simultaneously throwing another punch at the Red Count's face!
boom--!!!
The two of them stepped back simultaneously!
Bullet grinned widely.
"Great! That's awesome!"
Red Count shook his slightly numb hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.
This kid's strength... is truly terrifying.
"Again!"
Bullet charges in again!
The two clashed fiercely in the arena, each punch landing with a powerful impact, and every strike unleashing a violent shockwave!
The onlookers were thrilled and cheered enthusiastically!
Tesoro rubbed his hands together.
"Tsk tsk tsk, I want to go up and try it too..."
Crocodile glanced at him,
"You? You're an ability user, how can you compare?"
Tesoro chuckled.
"Then let's compare our abilities."
" Mr. Red is no stranger to my lightning."
Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring.
"What ever."
In the arena, the battle between Bullet and the Red Count was nearing its end.
Finally, the two retreated simultaneously, each catching their breath.
Bullet wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.
" Old Man Red, you really are amazing!"
"You can fight me like this without even using a sword!"
Red Count was slightly out of breath, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
This kid... he's a monster.
In terms of pure physical combat, he was no match for Barrett. If Bullet's Observation Haki hadn't been weak, he might have lost.
You should know that although I am famous for my swordsmanship, my physical skills are by no means bad either.
After all, as a natural-born user of Observation Haki, one can read the minds of others, giving them an advantage in battles and allowing them to gain the upper hand.
Bullet, with his terrifying strength and physique, withstood all of his attacks.
" Old Man Red, come again next time!"
After Bullet finished speaking, he turned and walked off the field.
Red Count watched his retreating figure, a faint, bitter smile playing on his lips.
Tesoro leaned closer.
" Mr. Red, is it my turn next?"
How about we have a competition?
The Red Count glanced at him.
Are you sure?
Tesoro chuckled.
"Of course! Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!"
The Red Count snorted.
"Go easy on me? Or should I go easy on you?"
As soon as he finished speaking, he flashed and instantly appeared in front of Tesoro!
The cane sword had been drawn at some point, pointing directly at Tesoro's throat!
Tesoro's pupils contracted slightly, and his body instantly transformed into elements!
A flash of lightning, and he appeared ten meters away!
" Mr. Red! You're cheating! We agreed to compete on ability!"
The Red Count sheathed his sword.
"Ability? Isn't this my ability?"
" Observation Haki for prediction, swift surprise attack, defeat the enemy with a single sword strike."
"What, you won't admit it?"
Tesoro was speechless for a moment.
Indeed, the Red Count's "ability" is a combination of swordsmanship and Observation Haki.
How do we compare them?
"Alright, alright, I give up."
Tesoro said sullenly,
" Mr. Red, you're amazing."
Red Count smiled and didn't make things difficult for him further.
Over the next few days, almost everyone came to "spar" with Red Count.
Crocodile, Yamato, Kyros, Savi, Enel, Pea, Charon, Lucci...
Even Stella and Scarlet joined in the fun.
Of course, they weren't there to fight; they were just there to chat.
From Red Count helplessness to later acceptance, and finally...
enjoy?
Perhaps.
After wandering alone for so many years, suddenly I have so Doko talk to, so Doko spar with.
This feeling is really good.
Three days later, Tesoro, who had gone out for a while, returned to Hachinosu.
He carried an exquisite wooden box in his hands and strode into the Red Count's guest room.
" Mr. Red!"
Tesoro placed the wooden box on the table.
"I found what you wanted!"
The Red Count's pupils contracted slightly, and his fingers trembled slightly.
He opened the wooden box—
A blood-red Devil Fruit lay quietly inside.
The fruit's surface was covered with eerie patterns, the outline of bat wings faintly visible, exuding a chilling aura.
Mythical Zoan: Vampire Fruit.
Red Count took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked at Tesoro.
" Tesoro... this..."
Tesoro grinned.
"That's what the boss ordered."
"I went to the Suiko Town these past few days, and I finally found it."
" Mr. Red, please accept this."
Red Count stared at the fruit, remaining silent for a long time.
Then he smiled.
That smile carried a sense of relief, and also gratitude.
" Captain Roy... Mr. Tesoro..."
He stood up, picked up the fruit, and solemnly put it into his pocket.
Then, he left the guest room and headed towards Roy's office.
A moment later, he stood in front of Roy.
Captain Roy.
The Red Count spoke slowly.
"From today onwards--"
"I, Patrick Redfield, hereby officially join the Roy Pirates."
Roy looked at him, a satisfied smile curving his lips.
"Welcome, Mr. Red."
Sunlight streamed in through the window.
Seagulls circled in the sky, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, swept across the increasingly prosperous island.
A new chapter is slowly unfolding.