"Ohh~ This is terrifying! A clash of Conqueror's Haki… No matter how many times I see it, it's always so exaggerated, ne~"
Borsalino felt the violent tremor of the earth, his Justice coat flapping wildly in the strong winds. A look of astonishment appeared on his face.
However, Borsalino wasn't just standing by and watching, allowing a mere rookie to face a legendary pirate. His body transformed into countless light particles, drifting forward, swiftly forming a beam of light that streaked away like a golden meteor flashing across the air.
Meanwhile, Cross and Patrick Redfield's initial clash ended without a decisive blow, and they immediately resumed their fierce battle.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Sword and umbrella collided rapidly, sparks erupting in the air. The continuous, dense clang of metal resounded, stirring up layers of furious air currents.
"Brat, I thought you were a pure swordsman! Turns out you're a Devil Fruit user too!"
"Redfield-dono, it seems you're not a pure swordsman yourself!"
"Swordsmanship is merely a means for me to fight!"
"Same here!"
"…"
Amidst the swirling sword shadows and sparks, their conversation carried through the air.
Cross's swordsmanship was broad and powerful, each strike infused with immense force, as if capable of cleaving the very air. One could say he pushed his innate talent to its limit, seemingly aiming to overwhelm his opponent with sheer power.
Yet, his opponent, Patrick Redfield, was even more extraordinary. Wielding his umbrella, coated in Armament Haki, he used it directly as a sword. His movements were both fast and ruthless.
Not only could he absorb the force of every one of Cross's strikes, but he could also effortlessly counter-attack, each move aimed directly at Cross's vital points. Coupled with his unique, swift footwork, he created several afterimages, relentlessly assaulting Cross.
This barrage momentarily disoriented Cross, making him feel as if he were being simultaneously attacked by multiple assailants.
Though Cross possessed outstanding talent, he was still young. Faced with Redfield's rapid sword style and footwork, combined with his own less extensive combat experience, Cross quickly found himself at a disadvantage.
Suddenly, Redfield feinted, causing Cross to hurriedly retract his sword to parry. But Redfield seized the opportunity, twisting his waist and swiftly slashing behind him.
Almost simultaneously, a dazzling light burst forth. Countless light particles rapidly converged behind Redfield, forming a human shape.
Borsalino, holding a shining sword of light, thrust forward, only to have his attack parried by Redfield, who had just turned around.
Clang!
The collision between the light sword and the umbrella sent a few sparks flying into the air.
"Ohh~ As expected of the legendary 'Red the Aloof'! He's truly terrifying!"
Borsalino pouted, his voice still in that characteristic slow, comical tone. Yet, the movements of his hand were anything but sluggish. He unleashed several consecutive, rapid strikes—a stab, a chop, a cleave—all aimed at Patrick Redfield.
Redfield remained silent, a sinister smile still playing on his face. The slender blue umbrella in his hand, with its bat-shaped handle, moved like a renowned sword, parrying and blocking. Amidst the dense "Clang! Clang! Clang!" sounds, he effortlessly fended off all of Borsalino's attacks.
It was interesting to note that all three individuals present were masters of swordsmanship, yet none of them were pure swordsmen.
Borsalino and Cross were both Devil Fruit users. The former combined his Devil Fruit ability with swordsmanship and Rokushiki, while the latter primarily used swordsmanship as his means of attack, supplemented by Rokushiki.
Because he had consumed his Devil Fruit only a short time ago, its development was not extensive, and he hadn't fully researched many coordinated techniques yet.
Although Redfield wasn't a Devil Fruit user, he was a monster-level master of physical combat, with swordsmanship serving as an auxiliary skill, used in conjunction with his physical combat skills.
"Tch! I fell for it!"
At this moment, Cross cursed under his breath, then charged forward without hesitation, joining the fray between the two.
But in the next second, Redfield astonishingly abandoned Borsalino, transforming into a barely visible, ghostly blood-red shadow that wrapped around to Cross's back.
Cross's expression changed drastically. Subconsciously, he spun around, holding Kagehide horizontally in front of him.
Almost simultaneously, Redfield's slender blue umbrella struck the blade of Kagehide. Accompanied by a booming 'Clang!', a terrifying force pushed Cross backward, his feet ploughing two long furrows in the ground.
"Damn it, this old man still has such immense strength…" Cross was inwardly horrified. Kagehide in his hand was trembling uncontrollably, numbing his palm and almost causing him to lose his grip.
"Crimson Flash!"
At the same time, Redfield smirked sinisterly, uttering two words. The umbrella in his hand bloomed with a dazzling crimson light.
"Not good…!"
Cross's breath hitched, his pupils suddenly contracting. He didn't even have time to react before he was instantly engulfed by the blinding crimson light.
Rumble!
A terrifying crimson sword wave flashed through the air at an incredibly high speed. It sliced through the entire pirate town with incomparable force, almost cutting Gurri Island in half before dissipating.
After the chaotic, hurricane-like air currents passed, a bottomless canyon was left in the still violently trembling earth. The sound of flowing water could even be heard bubbling up from below.
Suddenly, countless light particles converged into a human shape beside Redfield, and a cold voice emanated: "Redfield-san, speed is weight. Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"
Redfield turned his head and saw Borsalino with a cold expression, his raised right leg transformed into photons, sweeping across like lightning.
Clearly, Borsalino was angry.
Redfield's expression shifted slightly. He didn't have time to block with the umbrella in his right hand, so he had no choice but to raise his left arm to defend himself.
Boom!
With a muffled sound, a visible circular shockwave spread, kicking up dust from the ground.
Redfield was sent flying, his body even spinning uncontrollably in mid-air. He had completely lost his balance under Borsalino's attack.
Fortunately, Redfield wasn't just a swordsman; he was also a monster-level physical combat master. He finally regained control of his body just before hitting the ground.
Boom!
Redfield landed heavily, his impact almost causing the ground to cave in, forming a massive spiderweb-like crack on the spot.
Whoosh!
Immediately after, a golden laser beam pierced through hundreds of meters, vanishing in an instant like a shooting star.
Redfield expressionlessly turned his head to dodge, letting the incredibly fast laser beam whiz past his ear and land among the buildings behind him.
Rumble!
Instantly, a deafening explosion occurred. Terrifying, scorching flames formed a bowl-shaped energy shield that inverted itself over the ground, expanding outward without restraint, wantonly destroying everything within its range.
The earth trembled violently, and howling winds swept through, making Redfield's blood-red cloak flap furiously.
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