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"You seem very happy, Sadi-chan."
Shiryu's voice suddenly echoed through the corridor.
"No wonder. My Raiu was turned into a peerless blade. Looking at it that way, Impel Down came out ahead. Of course, that's assuming nobody cares about my losses. Heh."
The sudden remark caused both Sadi and Domino to stop. After exchanging a glance, they turned toward Shiryu's cell.
Domino felt somewhat uncomfortable beneath Shiryu's gloomy stare. Even if Shiryu was now a prisoner, he had once been her superior. The fact that the Marines had taken his sword and allowed it to become someone else's weapon while he remained imprisoned here left her feeling awkward, especially when the direct beneficiary was her close friend.
Sadi, however, couldn't have cared less about Shiryu's feelings.
At this point, her attention was entirely focused on Ikki. She wanted to obtain Kessui from Hannyabal and present it to him. She wanted to become Chief Warden and support him in the future. Even if Shiryu were still the Chief Jailer of Impel Down, she wouldn't have feared him. Now that he was a prisoner, she cared even less.
"Hello, former Chief Jailer Shiryu."
Sadi smiled and planted Vulcano Caligorante in the ground before her.
"I have to admit, you truly deserve to be called a great swordsman. You recognized the quality of this weapon immediately. Still, Lord Ikki gave you a chance back then. He didn't even fight you personally. He had Nojiko fight you instead, and you lost."
She smiled faintly.
"In that case, you don't mind losing Raiu, do you?"
At such close range, the faint torchlight allowed Shiryu to clearly see the extraordinary blade in Sadi's hands.
Elsewhere within Level 6, another pair of eyes had already become interested.
Redfield.
The former pirate known as the Red Count silently observed the exchange.
Trained by Ikki and armed with a powerful weapon... Just how strong has she become?
Curiosity stirred within him.
Without hesitation, he activated his Observation Haki.
His ability was unusual. With sufficient focus, he could glimpse fragments of another person's thoughts and emotions. Normally, physical contact made it easier, but even from a distance, he could still sense something if he concentrated hard enough.
At least, he should have been able to.
The moment his Observation Haki touched Sadi-chan, his expression changed.
Impossible. I can't see anything. No emotions. No thoughts. Nothing at all.
For the first time in a long while, genuine shock appeared on Redfield's face.
Meanwhile, Shiryu continued speaking.
"Heh. Just because I lost doesn't mean I'm happy about someone taking my sword. Speaking of which, Nojiko's blade can display the power of a true demonic sword."
His eyes shifted toward Vulcano Caligorante.
"So what can your sword do? How about this, Sadi-chan? For old times' sake, let me be your sparring partner. I heard you saying you wanted a prisoner to demonstrate your strength for Domino. Why not use me?"
His smile widened.
"Well? Are you listening?"
Only then did Shiryu realize something was wrong.
Sadi's expression had changed completely. The playful and seductive smile had vanished. Her face was cold, emotionless, and focused.
When Shiryu followed her gaze, he discovered she wasn't looking at him at all.
She was staring directly at Redfield's cell.
The Red Count? What happened?
A flicker of confusion crossed Shiryu's eyes.
He had personally witnessed Redfield's confrontation with Ikki. Shiryu knew better than anyone that Redfield's swordsmanship surpassed his own. Combined with that terrifying Observation Haki, even Shiryu had to admit that the Red Count at his peak had been stronger than him.
Seeing Sadi focus on Redfield, Shiryu immediately realized what must have happened.
The answer came moments later.
"The aloof Red Count, Patrick Redfield."
Sadi's voice was icy.
"Were you trying to read my mind?"
Redfield's eyes narrowed.
"It seems Ikki truly taught you some interesting things. That ability should be the Transparent World. Ikki once said it was an extremely advanced technique."
The Sea Prism Stone chains rattled softly as Redfield stepped forward.
A rare expression of curiosity appeared on his face.
"I'm interested. How did Ikki teach you such a skill in so little time?"
The sight shocked nearly everyone on Level 6.
They all knew the Red Count's personality. The legendary pirate who had once stood alongside Roger and Whitebeard had always been aloof. Even imprisonment hadn't changed him. He ignored provocations, ignored insults, and ignored nearly everyone.
Yet now he had voluntarily spoken to Sadi.
For many prisoners, that was more shocking than anything else.
Their gazes toward Sadi immediately changed. At the same time, their curiosity about Ikki grew even stronger.
Elsewhere, a giant figure slowly opened his eyes.
Douglas Bullet.
The man known as the Demon Heir had spent years quietly training within his cell. Now even he looked over with interest.
Not far away, Jinbe did the same.
Unlike most prisoners, Jinbe possessed a much clearer understanding of current events. He had heard Ikki's name countless times, and the more he thought about it, the more uneasy he became.
The Marines and Ikki seem unusually close. When the Whitebeard Pirates clash with Marine Headquarters, what role will Ikki play?
His expression darkened.
If the Marines tell him that Whitebeard possesses a Supreme Grade Blade, will he choose to join the war?
Images flashed through Jinbe's mind—Ikki defeating Shiki, Nojiko defeating Shiryu.
The more he remembered, the more uneasy he felt.
Meanwhile, Sadi placed a hand on her hip and snorted.
"Heh. Do you really think I'd tell you, Red Count? Lord Ikki's methods are beyond the understanding of ordinary people. He possesses a unique talent for creating powerful swordsmen."
If not for the Transparent World keeping her thoughts calm and focused, merely recalling the scenes from her training with Ikki would have left her blushing already.
"I see." Redfield nodded thoughtfully. "That makes sense. After all, it's Ikki's secret, and judging by your attitude, you're not about to reveal it."
His eyes sharpened.
"Still, I heard you were looking for someone to demonstrate your strength against. I don't think there's a swordsman in this prison stronger than me."
He spread his arms slightly.
"So why not choose me?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Domino's eyes widened.
The Red Count actually wants to test her strength? Just how interested is he?
Then another thought immediately struck her.
Wait. This man is incredibly dangerous.
I absolutely cannot let Sadi-chan release him.