Vic's lips twitched. Where had Rebecca, who had been looking so worried, gone? Her expression changed so quickly. He felt he hadn't deserved the beating. Vic sighed.
Wendy arrived just then, looking at Vic and Rebecca with a face full of apology.
" Vic, Rebecca, I'm sorry, I'm too weak, I don't even have the courage to step forward!" Wendy said apologetically.
"It's alright. Without strength, coming up here would just be suicide. There are too many strong people in this world, so you must cultivate diligently!"
Vic is too immersed in his role; he's still acting here.
Wendy had actually guessed it was all an act when Red-Hair left.
She genuinely didn't offer to help, so her apology was real; only Rebecca remained completely unaware.
"Boss, we're about to leave, why are you still here putting on this show? You've only just met, haven't you?"
Lucky Roux asked the Red-Hair with a puzzled look, but Beckman didn't answer, his expression serene and knowing, a cigarette dangling from his mouth.
"Haha, don't you think Vic is a really interesting kid?"
They started competing against me the moment we met; they're really strong!
I only benefited from having Armament Haki. That kid is incredibly prescient; everything he said came true.
"That girl has truly broken through to the Realm of Cutting Steel!" the Red-Hair said with a hearty laugh.
"A new era is about to begin! There are more interesting people around, so we need to gather our strength. Let's go!"
The Red-Hair sighed once and then fell silent, heading straight for the sea.
Vic Life Return to regain his peak appearance, even though his injuries, which looked serious, were actually just superficial wounds.
The two were evenly matched and the fight was genuine, but Red-Hair stopped Headliners after Vic gave up.
The injuries were mainly superficial, and much of the blood was from Vic's use of his life force to drain blood that had been left for too long.
This is the Lawless Zone of Sabaody, a land of chaos, and Vic won't allow himself to be in a weakened state!
It's fine when I'm alone, but now that I have two pretty little girls with me, I can't afford to take any more risks.
Rebecca already knew she'd been tricked by Vic, and she was now looking at Vic with a resentful expression.
Vic glared at Wendy, then looked at Rebecca somewhat awkwardly, praising her and explaining how he became a director.
Rewind three hours, and Vic saw the Red-Hair leaving Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
He recognized that straw Straw Hat so well that a plan formed in Vic's mind.
Because Rebecca was unable to break through the Realm of Cutting Steel, she couldn't break through even when fighting Vic.
Vic tried several times without success, Vic knew it was Rebecca's psychological issue at play.
She was already on the verge of Cutting Steel barrier, but she just couldn't break through. That was because Rebecca trusted Vic too much and didn't believe that Vic would hurt her, so she didn't have the same resolve to face life and death.
Upon seeing the Red-Hair, Vic made his decision: to use himself as the key to unlock Rebecca's world.
Vic is now Rebecca's closest relative in this world. If seeing her loved one die in front of her doesn't ignite her protective instincts, then things will be very difficult.
"There are swordsmen in this world who can cut through anything, but those swordsmen can cut through steel and anything else, all with the same sword."
The strongest swordsman's sword is the power to protect what he wants to protect and to sever what he wants to sever.
A sword that can harm everything it touches, in my opinion, is not a sword at all.
Koshiro's words still apply to Rebecca. In order to protect Vic, she broke through her original level, and Vic's arrangements were not in vain.
After settling Rebecca and Wendy in, Vic left the bar and chased after the Red-Hair in the direction he had gone.
Red-Hair's ship was anchored at the beach in area 20. He went to Shakky's Bar alone; the others were on the ship watching the boat.
When Vic caught up with Red-Hair, Shanks was already at the ship's side, talking to his companions.
Vic rushed over immediately. At that moment, the people on the ship and the Red-Hair also sensed someone approaching. They stopped talking and all looked at Vic.
"You're Red-Haired Shanks, right? I heard you're a member of the Pirate King's crew. I wonder how strong you are? Let's have a match!"
Vic looked at the Red-Hair with a smile.
"Sorry, young man, we're about to set sail and don't have time to spar. Let's do it another time."
Red-Hair had never seen the person before and politely explained that he did indeed have to leave.
"It's alright, it won't be long before I defeat you. Come on!"
Vic said nonchalantly.
Without waiting for Red-Hair' reply, he drew his Blood Wither, Overpowering Haki and slashed at Red-Hair.
Although Red-Hair was a little surprised, he didn't panic and immediately drew his Gryphon to defend himself.
The two fought fiercely, splitting off a portion of the coastline into the sea. Neither could gain the upper hand, and after a single exchange, they each retreated to one side.
" Red-Hair, my name is Vic, Orens Vic. I'm here to ask you for a favor."
"It's certainly presumptuous of me to make such a request on our first meeting. Consider it a favor I owe you!" Vic said sincerely to Red-Hair.
Vic wouldn't just ask for help the moment they met. Who are you? Don't you know me? Why should I help you?
A battle changes everything. Such a young and powerful person, who wouldn't look up to him? And the favor would be much more valuable.
Moreover, Red-Hair is no ordinary person; he possesses the magnanimity of a king and would not hold a grudge for engaging in direct combat.
"Haha, interesting buddy, Vic? You'll have a place in the future. Tell me what's on your mind!"
Red-Hair Gryphon sheathed his sword and smiled at Vic, a strange light in his eyes.
Instead of speaking directly, Vic stepped forward and whispered his plan in the Red-Hair's ear.
"What? I have to say such terrible lines? Won't I look like the villain? No, I have to change it!"
Red-Hair looked at Vic with an expression that suggested he was looking at a ruthless businessman.
"It's no big deal. You're a pirate, so what if you're a villain? It's just acting, it doesn't matter!" Vic said with a laugh, trying to fool people.
Red-Hair thought for a moment and figured that if he caused a scene in Sabaody, he could cover up his visit to Mr. Rayleigh. So he did it.
"Alright, I got it. I'll take some men and wait there," the Red-Hair said with a helpless expression.
This is the whole story of the Red-Hair Society's highway robbery. Vic went to great lengths to help Rebecca master the Cutting Steel.
Fortunately, Rebecca did not disappoint him and succeeded in the end. The matter was completed successfully, but they still did not get to go to the amusement Paradise!
Vic took the two directly back to the Marine Base. They had already caused too much of a commotion on the island; going back to play around would be too conspicuous.
After resting for a night, the next day Vic sent Rebecca and Wendy back to Marineford by boat, while he himself went directly to headquarters using Geppo.
If he were alone, he wouldn't choose to take a boat.
He came by boat, but now that he's going back, he wants to practice Geppo so that it will be more convenient for him to travel between the two places in the future, without having to take a boat with the wind.
After traveling most of the way, Vic went into the sea, grabbed a Sea Kings, and swam towards Marineford, dragging it behind him.
The bloodshed of Sea Kings attracts many large underwater creatures, including Sea Kings themselves.
Vic planned to capture and store them all, so he could do it again in different places later, at least to ensure his own food supply.
When Vic returned to his seaside cabin, he was warned by the sentries, twice, before Vic let him pass.
Seeing the Sea Kings behind Vic, they felt relieved, but the sight of the group of large sea beasts and Sea Kings following behind Vic still gave them a chill down their spines!
"This is a real beast! It needs to eat Sea Kings every day. What kind of grudge could it have?" the Sentinel exclaimed.
Ignoring them, Vic reached the shore, tossed the Sea Kings he was carrying onto the land, and immediately dived back into the sea to begin his great hunt.
Vic plans to capture all the larger ones and keep them as pets, then bleed them out every day at the beach to attract Sea Kings from the Calm Belt.
This completes a good cycle; the bled Sea Kings can then be eaten directly for dinner—perfect.
Not long after Vic captured the Sea Kings and the sea monster, Rebecca and Wendy returned.
They were all shocked to see the Sea Kings and sea monsters tied to the many trees in the forest. There were just too many! Vic had come back and done so much.
The sentry had been watching Vic's amazing maneuvers, sweat beading on his forehead!
Vic was relieved only after all the sea creatures were tied to the trees in the forest. He almost reported it, but fortunately, it was still within the scope of what his superiors had instructed him to do.
Smoker and Hina came over in the evening. Everyone was on holiday and had time to get together. Having a few drinks wouldn't hurt.
Vic had everyone else help out while he personally cooked a delicious meal to reward Rebecca.
Smoker and Hina arrived after dark and didn't see anything in the forest, only occasionally hearing "whooshing" sounds.
The sea creatures were all gagged, so they were safe in the forest. The animals here wouldn't dare approach them because of their scent.
Rebecca has become a swordswoman, and everyone is celebrating for Rebecca.
Rebecca also drank some red wine today, her face was flushed, and she forgave Vic for giving her extra screen time, after all, it was for her own good.