Redfield remained calm as ever. His umbrella sword swung forward, releasing a fierce wave of sword pressure that tore through the air.
Through his powerful Observation Haki, which allowed him to sense intentions and even grasp fragments of others' thoughts, Redfield already understood the nature of Marshall D. Teach's ability. Once caught by that strange darkness, a Devil Fruit user would lose their powers.
Facing such sharp sword energy, Teach did not dare act carelessly. However, the Blackbeard Pirates were far from fighting alone. Taking advantage of the brief opening, Shiryu, Jesus Burgess, Van Augur, and the others launched their attacks simultaneously toward Redfield.
With a sharp metallic clash, the cursed blade Raikiri collided against Redfield's umbrella sword.
Shiryu sneered coldly.
"You dared to ambush me earlier. I'll settle that debt properly now."
"Wehahaha! Shockwave Elbow!"
"Drunken Fire!"
For a moment, attacks rained down from every direction as the Blackbeard Pirates pressed their numerical advantage. Yet Redfield showed no panic. His Observation Haki was extraordinarily refined, allowing him to weave through the attacks with precise movements, narrowly avoiding each strike.
Still, whenever sunlight touched him, a faint discomfort appeared on his expression.
"Damn it... why is the sunlight so irritating?"
Redfield leapt backward, landing directly beneath the blazing noon sun. The light felt unusually harsh against his body, and prolonged exposure clearly unsettled him.
The Blackbeard Pirates quickly noticed the change.
Teach's grin widened.
"Zehahaha! So you really are a vampire. Seems sunlight doesn't suit you very well. I wonder if a cross would work too."
Redfield merely snorted, offering no reply.
Shiryu spoke in a low voice, his eyes sharp.
"Vampires belong to the night. That means he'll be far stronger after sunset. Teach, we should finish this quickly."
The reminder immediately clarified the situation for Teach. If sunlight weakened Redfield now, then nighttime would allow the power of the Vampire Fruit to fully awaken.
This fight could not be dragged out.
Teach's expression hardened as he roared,
"Come out! Zombie Army!"
Darkness surged from his body as he activated the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit. Using Black Vortex once more, shadows split open and countless zombies crawled out from within the darkness itself.
The darkness devoured everything, and within it existed a vast internal space where Teach stored his undead army.
Watching the overwhelming tide of zombies advance, Redfield spoke calmly,
"Hmph. Meaningless tricks."
Even so, his gaze gradually turned serious. Everyone before him possessed considerable strength. This was no battle he could treat lightly.
At that moment, heavy footsteps echoed nearby.
Pica, accompanied by members of the former Donquixote Family, rushed onto the battlefield. His distinct high pitched voice rang out.
"Captain Teach, we've come to support you!"
Teach burst into laughter upon seeing them.
"Zehahaha! Perfect timing, Pica! Seal the area. He must not escape."
"Understood."
Pica immediately activated the power of the Stone-Stone Fruit. The ground trembled violently as the earth twisted and rose upward. Massive stone walls surged from the land, climbing hundreds of meters into the sky before forming a gigantic circular enclosure.
In moments, the battlefield became a sealed arena, trapping Redfield together with the Blackbeard Pirates.
Redfield observed the towering walls with slight surprise.
"So this is what humans call companions..."
He had never believed in such things.
Since childhood, his unique Observation Haki allowed him to hear the voices hidden within people's hearts. Because of that gift, he witnessed humanity's greed, fear, and betrayal far earlier than others. Trust had long since become meaningless to him.
Even now, as he listened to the thoughts of the Blackbeard Pirates, he sensed doubt among them. None trusted Teach completely. Hidden ambitions and caution still existed between them.
Yet when facing a common enemy, they united without hesitation.
After a brief silence, Redfield muttered coldly,
"Humans truly are hypocritical creatures."
"Good. Now he has nowhere to run," Shiryu said.
"Wait," Teach suddenly said, raising a hand.
Shiryu looked at him with confusion.
Teach glanced toward the blazing sky and smirked.
"It's noon. Night is still far away. We've got plenty of time. No one makes a move from now on."
A faint smile appeared on Shiryu's face.
"You want to fight him yourself?"
"Exactly," Teach replied as he stepped forward. "A legend from the old era standing before me. Perfect test material for my powers."
After acquiring the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, Teach discovered how perfectly it complemented the Dark-Dark Fruit. While it lacked the raw destructive force of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit he once sought, the synergy between darkness and shadows greatly enhanced his combat ability.
Walking closer, Teach grinned viciously.
"Patrick Redfield, the Lone Red. They say you once stood on equal footing with Whitebeard in his prime. Honestly, I doubt it. Whitebeard was nearly invincible in those days."
His eyes gleamed with excitement.
"So show me. Let me see your true strength."
Redfield remained silent, his gaze cold and unwavering.
Black mist slowly poured from Teach's body, spreading across the ground like a living tide. Buildings and streets were swallowed as darkness expanded outward.
Seeing this, Redfield finally moved.
He could not allow the battlefield itself to be consumed. Fighting a Logia user with such range while surrounded by darkness would place him at a severe disadvantage.
Teach laughed loudly.
"Zehahaha! Witness my newest technique! Shadow Claw!"
Within the spreading darkness, shadows merged with black mist, forming massive black hands that surged forward, reaching toward Redfield with terrifying speed.
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