With Pato's assistance, Patrick Redfield had ascended to a whole new level of combat prowess—far beyond what he once wielded.
In truth, as one of the most formidable beings of his era, Redfield, despite his age, was nowhere near the "old and decrepit" image he himself liked to claim. He had aged, yes, but his body remained vigorous. Like Whitebeard at Marineford, he could still unleash power befitting a peak-tier legend.
As for being unsightly...
That was simply his own theatrical self-deprecation. The "Red the Aloof," with his silver mane and unmatched elegance, radiated a charisma that even among the world's strongest stood out.
Simply put—he was being overly dramatic.
The youthful vigor granted by his vampiric powers merely extended his endurance. The actual power gain was comparable to the standard Zoan-type boost. More importantly, it filled him with unshakable confidence.
To him, regaining his youth meant furthering his strength—a belief he had long held true.
But now, with his dreams rekindled and his confidence reborn, Redfield no longer needed borrowed conviction.
He himself—was the source of his power!
And alongside him—his partner, Pato!
Pato had reverted to his true form—a massive golden fountain pen, gripped firmly in Redfield's hand. As the pen swept across the air, massive sheets of shape-shifting leaves fluttered from it, transforming into living titans—beings of legend!
"What… is that?!"
Wright, Kuzan, Borsalino, and Smoker stared in shock as the leaves twisted and formed—
An afro, braided beard, tinted toad-like sunglasses, a Justice coat draped over a black suit and white shirt. A stern, imposing presence—the former Fleet Admiral of the Marines in his prime: Sengoku the Buddha!
"Mmm… Upholding justice… Excellent. Truly excellent."
A buzz cut, a full set of gleaming teeth in a wild grin. Another Justice coat over black suit. His iron fists unmatched—at his peak: Garp the Fist!
"Bwahahaha! You brats! Never forget the 'Fist of Love'!"
Short purple hair, a serious face beneath gold-rimmed glasses. Justice coat flowing over a purple suit. His iron arms a nightmare to pirates—the former Admiral in his prime: Zephyr, the Black Arm!
"Well done… Your achievements make me proud."
And then—
Spiked hair, a barrel chest, muscle-packed arms ready to explode, donning a sleeveless black shirt beneath the Justice mantle. His presence more commanding than even Sengoku's—
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, former Fleet Admiral of the Marines—Kong the Steel Frame!
"To bear the title of Fleet Admiral… is a weight beyond ordinary!"
These were the titans from Redfield's era—the peak of the Navy's power, etched into his very memory!
And naturally, the pirates followed—
Golden hair cascading down, a cigar clamped in his teeth, grinning wildly. Twin swords in hand, clogs on his feet—no helm on his head, no missing limbs: the unrestrained force of nature, "Golden Lion" Shiki!
"Jihahahaha! Kid, we meet again! Gonna become a legend too?!"
Wavy golden locks, a captain's coat billowing behind him, a white hat atop his head. Holding his naginata Murakumogiri, laughing boldly—"Whitebeard" Edward Newgate!
"Gurararara… I'm waiting on your promise."
Golden hair, round glasses, a chin marked by four black whiskers. Dressed in a dark purple long coat, sword in hand—"Dark King" Silvers Rayleigh!
"Well, this is unexpected. But let this battle be my way of saying thanks."
And finally—
A dark red captain's hat, the matching coat flowing behind him, long blade in hand. Twin curved mustaches, sharp eyes gleaming with that infamous smirk recognized across the world—
The Pirate King—Gol D. Roger!
"A new era, is it? Never thought I'd see the day it came like this—Redfield!"
These were the men who stood shoulder to shoulder—and against—Redfield in his era. The mightiest warriors of the sea!
Redfield spread his arms wide, a blood-red moon casting its light behind him. The battlefield was now tinged with an inexplicable… sacred aura.
"Fleet Admiral Wright! Come! The embers of the old era are not yet extinguished—they still burn bright enough to ignite a world-consuming blaze!"
"What a stirring sight…"
Wright spoke with heartfelt awe:
"Even though they're just replicas, these legends… They still make you want to raise your fist and roar—"
"This is incredible!"
"Arara… Wrig—Fleet Admiral, don't tell me you started this whole monologue just to let the raccoon sneak by?"
Kuzan sighed, giving Wright a knowing look:
"Did you finally lose it after all those years cooped up in Marineford?"
"Mmm~ I thought so too~ But~ I must say, I'm pretty hyped~"
Borsalino rolled his shoulders:
"Honestly~ Dealing with Celestial Dragons every day~ gets boring~"
I knew it… I'm the one destined to become King of the Journalists—No, dammit!
Smoker shook his head violently, banishing that absurd thought, and raised his Den Den Mushi to record every second. The rescued civilian woman, now healed, had already been sent out of the "Sanctuary" by a Lightforged Crystal.
What came next… a normal person would be turned to dust without a protector.
"This raccoon's ability is outrageous… No—it's the synergy with Redfield's terrifying Observation Haki that makes it so insane!"
"Speaking of which, Wright's Observation…"
No time to dwell on it. The earth-shattering battle had already begun!
Fleet Admiral Wright, Admirals Kuzan and Borsalino—against Red the Aloof, Patrick Redfield, and Pato the raccoon!
And of course—the Alliance of Old-Era Legends!
Skies cracked. Earth shattered.
Wright's Holy Light Wall—Sanctuary could only barely contain the shockwaves of such combat. The barrier above didn't last long before it crumbled into nothing.
The replicas of the old-era powerhouses, though vastly weaker than their real counterparts, held one advantage—numbers.
Not only that, the shape-shifting leaves under Redfield's command kept spawning other constructs, constantly disrupting Wright and the Admirals.
This once-lush island had its center blasted through.
Sleeping Ancient Town might survive, but in the middle of the island, there'd likely be a gaping lake the size of half the landmass.
…
The battle raged for a full day and night.
"Huff…"
Redfield collapsed, spent. Holy Light burns still smoked across his body—its searing purity no less torturous than fire to him.
In his expression: confusion, regret, and ultimately… peace.
"So in the end… I still lost."
The replicas, no matter how impressive, couldn't withstand the relentless might of three peak-level powerhouses. Even replenished endlessly, they fell all the same.
Especially with Wright on the field—the Admirals could go all-out, heedless of injuries.
What baffled Redfield was this: even when he replicated Wright—known for his tremendous healing power—the clone could only use sword techniques. Not a trace of even the weakest healing spells!
"A hard counter… is it?"
No point pondering that now. Looking up at the three Marine titans standing before him, Redfield smiled and shook his head:
"What a cathartic battle—this is what I wanted."
"So tell me… after this, will the world remember my name?"
"Of course," Wright said with a grin. "Your name will echo across the seas—especially after you move into Impel Down."
He chuckled. "And don't worry, your incredibly dashing look? I'll make sure it's on the color page spread."
"You cheeky brat…"
Redfield blinked in disbelief, then laughed.
"Do as you wish… Just—don't let Pato rot with me in that sunless prison."
"Oh?"
"Boss!"
Pato cried out, voice urgent. "Boss, we promised! No matter where you go, even the ends of the earth—I'm with you!"
"Pato… your talent shouldn't be wasted in a cell."
Redfield looked at him with quiet intensity:
"I failed on my path to my dream. But you—you still have a chance. Would you look after this world in my place?"
"I…"
"See what it was… that could make a man like Newgate say those words with no regret."
Wright's gaze turned deep, golden light flickering in his eyes.
"Old master… it seems you heard Whitebeard's heart that day, didn't you?"
"Heh… With a will that strong, how could I not hear it…"
Patrick Redfield spoke slowly:
"From the moment I could speak, this innate Observation Haki of mine has laid bare the hearts of all manner of people…"
"It was the ugliness of humanity that led me to trust no one—wandering the seas alone!"
"Newgate… heh, for that man to have stirred up such an intense 'voice' in the moment before death…"
"It was practically screaming into my ears…"
"Well then, Fleet Admiral Wright—would you look after Pato for me?"
Wright fell silent for a moment, then offered a faint smile:
"…Good thing I'm still at the age where I don't mind having pets."
"Thank you."
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