Let's stop here!
When the two of them raised their Conqueror's Haki to a certain level, the other's Conqueror's Haki stopped increasing, while Vic's Conqueror's Haki continued to slowly increase. Before two breaths had passed, the other could no longer withstand it and quickly called for a stop. His voice trembled slightly, whether from shock or from being unable to bear the suppression.
Vic didn't push his opponent too far, after all, the other party was also a genius who had independently mastered the art of Secret Sound Transmission. The two stopped at the same time, and the two balls of blood-red Conqueror's Haki instantly exploded!
A violent energy spread outwards, and a ring of tsunami surged and rushed outwards from the island. Even the clouds in the sky were torn apart by this force, and beams of light shone down through the broken clouds. The person opposite and Vic were simultaneously enveloped in the beams of light, just like two protagonists appearing on a stage!
"It's you! Red Count Patrick Redfield!"
"That's right, it's me! I didn't expect that after disappearing for so long, the famous Dark Dragon would still recognize me. It seems that Garp has told you quite a bit about the past!"
After the Conqueror's Haki, the person turned around. Vic didn't recognize him at first glance, but there was a sense of familiarity about him.
If I haven't seen him in real life, then I must have seen him in my past life. Recalling the elderly powerhouses who appeared in the One Piece world, I finally remembered the identity that fits this person: Red Count Redfield!
However, this person did not appear in the original story, nor even in the theatrical version. Instead, he appeared in a game and was a very powerful villain.
However, since the character's prototype was designed by Oda himself, it's not particularly surprising that he appears in the main story. After all, this world is really big and can accommodate many characters and stories. Moreover, since Oda designed the character based on the One Piece world, it's not unexpected that he would appear in this world.
I guess so!
Vic didn't hear it from Garp, but he didn't deny it either. The Red Count must have done something terrible; his information was destroyed by the Navy to make the world completely forget him. Garp would never tell him these things.
Furthermore, Red Count went to Impel Down voluntarily; he wasn't defeated and captured by anyone. He possessed the strength to rival the Roger Pirates or the Whitebeard Pirates single-handedly. This was Sengoku's assessment of Red Count!
Why would someone who voluntarily moved into Impel Down choose to escape at this time, especially since it seems he came here specifically to wait for him? Vic was puzzled, but he wasn't in a hurry to ask.
"The only person I truly respect in the Navy is Garp. I heard you're his protégé?"
The Red Count's attire wasn't exactly the same as in the game, and he didn't have the same sinister look on his face.
Perhaps because he hasn't yet eaten the Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit in bat form, his high-collared cloak hasn't been changed to blood red, and the umbrella in his hand doesn't have bat decorations; it looks like an ordinary black umbrella. But Vic knows that there's a rapier inside, possibly imitating Brook's hidden sword technique, after all, Red the Aloof's idol is Brook.
At this time, the Red Count was already quite old, almost ten years older Garp. He had quite a few wrinkles on his face, but for someone his age, he still looked very young. In this world, the strong are less likely to show signs of aging, which was obviously due to the effect of their Primal Spirit.
Ace, standing nearby, was somewhat bewildered. He looked at one person and then at the other. He didn't recognize the Red Count, and had never even heard of him. But such a powerful old man should be quite famous, since even Vic knew him. How come he had never mentioned him before?
"I guess so! We haven't talked it out, but that's what we both think. Now that I'm no longer in the navy, it's even less likely we'll talk it out. Did you need something from me?"
Red the Aloof doesn't have many people he acknowledges; in this world, there are only three: Roger, Whitebeard, and Garp. The first two are no longer alive, leaving only Garp. Red Count's Observation Haki allows him to see other people's memories. Although he just came Impel Down, he still managed to obtain a lot of information from the past using this ability, so it's not surprising that he knew about Vic's identity and his relationship with Garp in such a short time.
The Red Count didn't speak, but instantly appeared beside Ace, placing a hand on Ace's shoulder.
Vic didn't stop him, but instead placed his hand on Ace's other shoulder before the Red Count could reach out.
Ace only saw the old man opposite him appear in front of him in an instant. His expression changed drastically and he tried to resist, but before he could make a move, his shoulder was grabbed. Then his consciousness became blurred, and he could no longer control his body.
"I never imagined he was Roger's son! No wonder Garp adopted him, no wonder you saved him!"
The Red Count was fast, and his speed, like his swordsmanship, was his signature skill. However, he encountered the even faster Vic. But he didn't do anything to Ace's body, so Vic didn't have any extra moves, otherwise, it would have been a different story.
However, Red Count did not do nothing to Ace; he used Observation Haki to read Ace's memories, but this did not cause any harm to Ace.
Red Count quickly withdrew and took a few steps back, and Ace's consciousness returned to normal.
"Saving him has nothing to do with his identity as the Pirate King's child. I was just doing someone a favor. Did you just read his memories? Is that a Devil Fruit ability?"
Vic wasn't doing this because of Roger; they were complete strangers, so he wouldn't go out of his way to get involved. He knew it was Red Count's special use of Observation Haki, but he couldn't point it out directly. He was also somewhat interested in this ability.
Although he could also use illusions to induce memories in others, that was troublesome, and it was difficult to induce memories in people who were strong and determined.
However, the Red Count's method seems to bypass will and subjective consciousness to read directly. It's like a guarded library where Vic needs to trick the guard to enter and read, but the Red Count can open a small door in another part of the library and go in directly to read. That's the biggest difference.
"I'm not a Devil Fruit user; this is just a special way of using Observation Haki!"
I saw you on Level 6 of Impel Down. I didn't expect you to be a Marine no longer. I've read many people's memories and learned a lot about your deeds, as well as your relationship with Garp!
I wanted to test your strength, but judging from your Conqueror's Haki, I'm probably no match for you. So there's no need to fight. This old man wants to live a few more years and see the world!
The Red Count was indeed waiting for Vic here. Of the three people he recognized, only Garp remained. However, Garp's status made it difficult to challenge him to a duel alone, so he thought of Vic Garp's disciple.
He had already lost the previous Conqueror's Haki contest, and he knew then that he was no match for Vic. He really didn't expect Garp to find such an excellent disciple, who was even better than his master. Garp wasn't this strong back then. And he was really old and couldn't fight anymore. This was the tragedy of the elderly!
"The use of Observation Haki? The sound I just heard at sea must have been a special use of Observation Haki, right? Can I learn that?"
Red Count and Vic's partner, Frodeku, are very similar. Both are exceptional individuals who Awakening their Observation Haki at a young age, and as they grew up, their Observation Haki became increasingly powerful. However, the two naturally developed their abilities in different directions!
Frodeku's method is more orthodox; he directly Future Sight. But Red Count's is different. His Observation Haki can read other people's thoughts and memories, and now he has even developed telepathy!
In short, both of them are highly talented athletes that others envy.
" Mr. Vic!..."
"What kind of power is this? It actually blocked my Observation Haki? Amazing! Amazing! This is the first time I've encountered an obstacle. Your strength is indeed no accident!"
The Red Count did not answer, but walked up to Vic and placed his hand on Vic's shoulder again. Ace wanted to say something, but Vic shook his head to stop him.
Vic had already guessed the Red Count's purpose, but he wasn't worried. As a powerful being at the God Realm, he had too many ways to block any investigation. He knew many secrets, and these couldn't be revealed to others. Even though the Red Count was a reclusive loner who wouldn't talk to others, it still wouldn't do!