Crane groaned, blood trickling from her mouth as she stared at the Red Count, who continued to press the umbrella’s tip deeper.
“Die!”
Exerting more force, the Red Count’s mouth bled, pushing himself to the limit.
Just as Crane felt her breath becoming labored, a figure shot out from the horizon like a cannonball, surrounded by steaming vapor. The speed of the figure caused the ground to crack beneath.
With the arrival of this powerful presence, the Red Count’s expression changed drastically.
“You’re not getting away.”
Smiling, Crane clung to the black umbrella, her anxiety easing with the newcomer’s arrival.
A fierce glint appeared in the Red Count’s blood-red eyes. He showed no intention of retreating, instead ignoring his injuries and increasing his strength.
Crane’s eyes bulged as blood sprayed from her mouth and nose.
“Baroric!”
A voice filled with fury and charged with Haki resounded, quickly approaching. The ground collapsed as a humanoid figure covered in a dark blue aura charged forward with immense power, hurtling its right fist like a meteor.
“Karp.”
Reluctantly, the Red Count abandoned his attempt to kill Crane, channeling his remaining Armament Haki into his right fist to meet the incoming iron punch.
“Boom… boom!”
Shaitan Island completely disintegrated as a circular shockwave lifted the ground. The Red Count coughed up blood, crashing through several hills before lying amidst the rubble, unable to get up.
Crane was blown away in the ensuing gust but caught by a large, dark blue hand.
“Little Crane, are you alright?”
The dark blue Armament Haki dissipated, revealing Karp, who looked worriedly at Crane’s blood-stained chest.
“Weren’t you fighting Newgate?”
Coughing, Crane gestured that she was fine, then looked at the dust-covered Karp.
“Couldn’t find Roger, so I decided to check out Newgate.”
Seeing Crane was okay, Karp relaxed and grinned.
“Don’t let the Red Count escape. I’ll go find Fleet Admiral Kong.”
Rolling her eyes, Crane felt Karp must be bored.
I am not waiting for Karp’s response; Crane disappeared using Soru.
As soon as Crane left, a slash tore through the ground toward Karp, but he merely glanced at it and casually shattered it with his dark blue fist.
“Karp.”
Bloodied, the Red Count emerged from the dust, his eyes cold as he looked at Karp.
“Baroric.”
Karp narrowed his eyes, sensing the Red Count’s presence, and frowned slightly.
“You should leave.”
Waving his hand, Karp had no intention of capturing the Red Count. The latter was heavily injured, making a victory meaningless.
“Are you sure?”
The Red Count wasn’t surprised, clearly familiar with Karp from their previous encounters.
“When you’ve recovered, I’ll personally capture you.”
Crossing his arms, Karp spoke confidently.
“Hmph.”
The Red Count snorted, saying nothing more. If their roles were reversed, he would do the same.
Only a few individuals could understand each other despite being enemies in this vast sea. They sought to defeat each other fairly, a matter of pride and confidence among the strong.
This was unique to the Red Count. If it were any other pirate, Karp would have dealt with them already.
“Vice Admiral Karp, this is the Red Count. There are orders from above.”
Golden light converged, forming a figure accompanied by a sarcastic voice.
A tall, slender man with black curly hair, wearing a white and blue striped suit and sunglasses, revealed a lecherous face.
“Lecherous monkey.”
Seeing Borsalino on the ruins, the Red Count felt disdain.
“So scary.”
Reforming from the golden light, Kizaru appeared beside Karp, patting his chest and looking at the Red Count grimly, annoyed by the nickname.
“Borsalino, what are you doing here?”
Unbothered, Karp dug his nose, paying no attention.
“Admiral Sengoku knew you might let the Red Count go, so he sent me to keep an eye on you.”
Shrugging, Borsalino glanced skeptically at Karp, surprised that Sengoku had guessed correctly.
Laughing heartily, Karp flicked away his booger, unconcerned. “That guy found out again.”
“Vice Admiral Karp, Admiral Sengoku also instructed me to inform you that if the Red Count escapes, your leave will be canceled.”
Borsalino didn’t seem in a hurry.
“What? Is he ready to lose the senbei in his office?”
At the mention of his leave being canceled, Karp’s eyes widened.
“Don’t glare at me. I’m just the messenger.”
Seeing Karp’s fierce look, Borsalino continued, “Admiral Sengoku also said that if the mission fails, you won’t find a single packet of senbei in Marineford.”
“So harsh?”
Karp’s face darkened as he considered, finally looking at the Red Count.
The crucial part was that the Red Count hadn’t fled during their conversation, merely leaning on his black umbrella, regaining strength.
Seeing the Red Count’s demeanor, Karp sighed.
He would let him go, but the Red Count might not leave.
The Red Count’s choice was evident. He could have escaped during Karp and Borsalino’s talk, but he refused to flee in such a humiliating manner, driven by stubborn pride.
Perhaps it was a choice, a form of dignity, incomprehensible to others.
The Red Count knew escape was impossible. Karp was aware of the Red Count’s formidable Kenbunshoku Haki, capable of reading minds and memories.
The Red Count likely knew the number of marines surrounding Shaitan Island, and combined with his injuries and Borsalino’s presence, escape was futile.
“Karp, give it your all.”
Taking a deep breath, the Red Count’s expression turned serious, his gaze intense.
“Are you sure?”
Frowning, Karp was reluctant.
The Red Count simply stared at Karp, saying nothing.
“Borsalino, you stay out of this.”
With a somber expression, Karp removed his shirt and tossed it aside. His body turned red and emitted steam as he walked toward the Red Count.
Seeing Karp in this state, the Red Count smiled.
Clutching his black umbrella tightly, a will to dominate the world emanated from him, causing the sky to fill again with thunder and lightning.
They disappeared simultaneously, reappearing in midair. A fist and an umbrella collided, sending the Red Count flying, blood spraying from his mouth and nose.
Karp didn’t hold back, appearing above the Red Count, arms raised, and brought them down with a thunderous crash.
The atmosphere mourned as the Red Count plummeted, shattering an island fragment of Shaitan Island, sending it into the sea.
At the same time, a sword light shot up from the ground, but Karp shattered it with a punch.
“So terrifying.”
Gathering golden light in the distance, Borsalino watched the helpless Red Count, shaking his head.
The Red Count, gravely injured and exhausted, couldn’t maintain the fight for long.
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