"..."
The atmosphere fell into an eerie silence.
At this moment, both Gawain and Bors instinctively tightened their grips on their Holy Swords.
Strictly speaking—
Gawain and Bors actually had very compatible abilities.
The Holy Sword Gawain wielded was called Excalibur Galatine, the Sword of Revolving Victory, gifted by the Lady of the Lake, a Holy Sword imbued with the power of the sun.
The Holy Sword Bors wielded was called Burning Hope, a once-broken Holy Sword. According to legend, it originally belonged to a Fire Spirit. After the Fire Spirit perished, the sword shattered, and from that point onward, no one was able to wield or repair it.
However—
Bors accomplished the impossible.
She repaired the broken Holy Sword and completely restored it. At the same time, the fallen Fire Spirit merged with Bors's body. Through this, Bors gained the power of the Fire Spirit while also becoming the rightful wielder of the restored Holy Sword.
Excalibur Galatine.
Burning Hope.
One was the Sun Holy Sword.
One was the Flame Holy Sword.
No wonder—
Gawain and Bors were such a compatible pair.
Clang!
Bors directly drew her heavy knight's sword and said bluntly,
"Gawain, talking is meaningless. This is war. Let's be realistic. Do you really think you can talk him into retreating? That's just ridiculous."
Her eyes flashed sharply.
"Prepare for battle."
Bors was known as the Secular Knight precisely because of this—she never wasted time on unrealistic thoughts. The reality was already right in front of them. Trying to persuade the enemy with a few words? That would only be laughable.
"Heh..."
Gawain placed a hand on his forehead and said calmly,
"You're right. I was being naive. My mistake."
Clang!
With a flick of his hand, Excalibur Galatine appeared in his grasp. Both Gawain and Bors were now fully prepared for battle.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard laughed boldly.
"Round Table Knights? Now this is interesting. Let's see what you're really capable of."
"Sons!"
"Attack!"
With Whitebeard's roar, the young members aboard the Whitebeard Pirates charged forward.
It was worth noting—
many of them were still young, such as Marco, Jozu, Vista, and others.
However—
there were also numerous experienced and powerful adult officers. After all, Whitebeard accepted sons based on compatibility, not age. As long as he found them suitable, they became his sons. That was simply Whitebeard's personality.
Although the Whitebeard Pirates seemed relatively young overall—
they had fought evenly against both the Roger Pirates and the Flying Pirates.
That alone proved the immense strength of the Whitebeard Pirates.
Whoosh!
Whoosh!
Now—
these powerful fighters rushed directly into the battlefield.
Gawain scanned the surroundings and asked sharply,
"Bors! How many strong opponents?"
Bors looked around and replied,
"Quite a lot. There are at least dozens of capable fighters… and more than ten truly powerful ones."
"As expected of one of the three great pirate crews..."
"The Whitebeard Pirates…"
"They're strong."
Bors couldn't help but sigh.
With the Fire Spirit's power, Bors possessed certain special abilities—such as using magic power to enhance her perception through her eyes.
"That's manageable…"
Gawain murmured.
"But…"
He stared at Whitebeard.
That was the true threat.
"Heh…"
At that moment, a faint chuckle sounded.
A figure slowly emerged behind Gawain and Bors.
Both of them instantly shrank their pupils.
They hadn't sensed anything.
It was as if this person had never existed.
Yet—
he had appeared directly behind them.
That alone spoke volumes.
They quickly turned around in shock.
A crimson suit.
An elegant cane-sword.
A refined yet dangerous aura.
The man stepped forward calmly.
It was—
Baron Redfield.
Redfield glanced at Gawain and Bors briefly, then shifted his gaze toward Whitebeard and smiled faintly.
"Whitebeard, you're really going to attack two youngsters? Aren't you embarrassed?"
Indeed—
in the eyes of Redfield and Whitebeard, Gawain and Bors, both in their twenties—were still considered youngsters.
"Oh?"
Whitebeard looked at him with interest.
"Old Bat, what are you doing here? Did Arthur actually recruit you?"
"That's right."
Redfield answered calmly.
"A Devil Fruit."
"One I've been searching for."
As a pirate, there was nothing to hide. When the benefits were sufficient, even the Roger Pirates would accept jobs for the right price.
Redfield didn't lack money.
But some things couldn't be bought with money.
His family had once inherited a Devil Fruit for generations. It was the symbol of the Redfield family. However, as the family declined, the fruit disappeared.
Arthur found that Devil Fruit—
and sent it to Redfield.
Along with only three words:
Fish-Man Island.
That alone was enough.
"Gurararara!"
Whitebeard laughed loudly.
"Looks like Arthur really prepared thoroughly."
Gawain glanced at Redfield and said nothing.
Since Redfield would handle Whitebeard—
their job was to defeat the enemies before them.
Gawain and Bors exchanged a glance.
Whoosh!
They leapt into the battlefield.
Boom!
Heat condensed into a terrifying shockwave—
and at the same time, towering flames surged across the battlefield.
Everything happened in an instant.
However—
those fighting weren't ordinary pirates. Many of Whitebeard's men quickly dodged the attack.
"Brothers! Be careful!"
"Their abilities are unusual!"
"Don't die here!"
"Hahaha!"
The Whitebeard Pirates laughed boldly, their eyes sharp and alert. Britannia's reputation had already spread across the world.
No one dared underestimate them.
On these dangerous seas—underestimating an opponent was suicide.
"Attack!"
"Attack!"
Gawain and Bors collided with the charging Whitebeard Pirates.
The war for Fish-Man Island had truly begun.
Boom!!!
Meanwhile—
Whitebeard and Redfield faced each other.
"Whitebeard, what do you think?" Redfield asked calmly.
"Hmph."
Whitebeard grinned.
"Old Bat, you think just standing there will make me retreat?"
"I never underestimate anyone," Redfield replied calmly.
"But if you want to try…"
"Let's see."
"Fine!"
Both moved at the same time.
Clang!
Redfield's cane-sword collided with Murakumogiri.
The shockwave exploded instantly.
Boom!!!
Redfield unleashed a storm-like barrage.
But Whitebeard calmly blocked every strike.
"Old Bat! That won't stop me!"
"Is that so?"
Suddenly—
Redfield's strike grew far heavier.
Whitebeard's expression changed.
"What?!"
His arms went numb.
"I learned this from a Longarm Tribe," Redfield said calmly.
Whitebeard nodded.
"I see."
Then—
Whitebeard counterattacked.
Gura Gura no Mi + Armament Haki + Conqueror's Haki
"Murakumogiri: Air Quake Slash!"
A devastating attack descended.
Boom!!!
Redfield blocked calmly.
Then—
Whitebeard looked up.
Redfield hovered in the air.
Behind him—
a pair of black wings emerged.
Bat wings.
Clearly—
Redfield had consumed a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
The Red Count had revealed his Devil Fruit power.
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