Chapter 664: Stealing Energy, Obtaining New Intelligence!
"How is that possible?!"
Singh's face twisted in horror as he watched Ban stand back up like nothing had happened.
A heart had been pierced.
No matter what kind of monster someone was, a blow like that should mean catastrophic damage, or death.
Yet Ban did not even look injured.
Not even a hint.
Worse, the aura rolling off him now felt even more oppressive than before, sharper than when they first clashed.
"That was your strongest move just now, wasn't it?" Ban asked lazily, smiling as if they were chatting over drinks.
"Alright then."
"Now it's my turn."
He exhaled.
Then he vanished.
Crack!
A sharp slicing sound tore through the air.
A long gash opened across Singh's arm, blood spraying out in a thin arc.
It was not a fatal injury, but the method made Singh's scalp go numb.
He had seen Ban's movement path.
He had reacted.
He had shifted his body and guarded the angle.
He knew Ban was aiming for the arm.
And yet, even with all of that, Ban still struck the arm precisely, as if Singh had willingly placed it under the weapon.
That illusion of inevitability made Singh's stomach sink.
"Hmm?" Ban's voice sounded again, too close.
"What's wrong, you're not fighting back?"
"I couldn't dodge your speed earlier, so keep going."
"Don't just stand there waiting for me."
Pain followed the voice.
By the time Singh realized what was happening, new cuts had appeared on his other arm and both legs.
Only then did he notice something worse.
These wounds were not closing.
They did not regenerate quickly.
Blood kept leaking, dripping steadily into the sea.
"This can't continue…"
Puff!
As Ban came again, Singh lunged forward and caught him by the throat.
A surge of brutal strength snapped Ban's neck in an instant.
At the same time, Ban's three section staff punched straight into Singh's body, piercing through with a wet crunch.
"This time… he should be dead, right?"
Singh lifted Ban's body, checked it, and felt the chill.
Cold.
No pulse.
No warmth.
He tossed the corpse aside like trash.
The carefree confidence he had earlier was gone.
Ban's attacks had dragged him into a disgusting mess.
The wounds still refused to heal.
Singh tried to gather his power to recover, and his expression abruptly froze.
"How did I use up so much energy?"
Confusion turned into fear.
He had used high speed bursts, yes, but this level of consumption was insane.
Now he did not even dare to spend energy healing.
If he burned too much, he would lose all combat ability.
Just as Singh was about to retreat and find a place to breathe, that demonic voice whispered into his ear again.
"Did you notice?"
"I have to say, you're really slow."
"Maybe your brain is muscles too."
Pain exploded in Singh's chest.
The staff drove into him again.
"I forgot to introduce myself."
Ban stepped out behind him, smiling, eyes bright with cruelty and amusement.
"I'm Ban."
"Fourth Division of the Dragon Hunter Pirates."
"A member of the Seven Deadly Sins."
He leaned closer.
"And my ability…"
"…is to steal."
Ban yanked the three section staff free.
At this point, Singh was no longer a threat.
Sixty percent of the energy in his body had already been stolen.
The earlier cuts had never been meant to cripple him.
They were theft in disguise.
Singh finally understood.
Ban had been draining him the whole time, patiently, methodically.
Because these Guardians could self destruct at any moment, Ban was not stupid enough to rely on promises.
If Singh lost most of his power, even if he wanted to self destruct, the blast would be far less dangerous.
"Despicable!" Singh snarled, forcing himself upright. "If that's the case, then…"
"It's too late."
Ban appeared directly in front of him, close enough that Singh could see his grin.
Buzz.
Singh's instinct screamed.
He tried to self destruct.
But Ban's hand pierced into his chest first.
The energy Singh had been desperately condensing shattered in an instant.
It collapsed like sand.
And as it broke, Ban devoured it.
"If you want to fight me," Ban said calmly, "then be prepared."
"You won't even be able to die if you want to."
He released Singh, now limp and drained, and hurled him away like a broken tool.
"Gowther!"
A moment later, Gowther stepped forward. The instant he saw Singh flying toward him, he drew his sacred weapon without hesitation.
A pink arrow flashed out.
It pierced into Singh's body.
"Extract the useful memories and send them to the captain," Ban ordered.
Then he tilted his head, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Even though I really don't want to fight alongside you… your ability is pretty useful right now."
After throwing out that sarcastic line, Ban turned away and charged back toward the remaining enemies on the battlefield.
"Huh?"
Gowther adjusted his glasses, expression blank.
"Am I being disliked?"
He paused for only a moment.
Then information began to surface inside his mind.
So that's how it is.
He looked toward the distant battlefield, calm as ever, but his tone turned faintly heavier.
"It seems the next stage won't be easy."
"Captain."
Gowther raised the Dragon Hunting Token and contacted Ryuunosuke.
"What is it, Gowther?" Ryuunosuke's voice came through.
"These Guardians are fighting to buy time," Gowther reported evenly.
"While we're occupied here, the remaining people on the island are making preparations."
"Should we send some of our people over first?"
"Preparations on the island…" Ryuunosuke repeated, voice cooling. "Greedwach Island."
"I understand."
"Anything else?"
"There's nothing left," Gowther replied.
"Everything else is what I just reported."
"And if they realize they can't win, they'll self destruct."
"…Good," Ryuunosuke said.
"That intel alone is valuable."
"Go assist the others. Continue soul annihilation."
"I'll go take a look myself."
The connection cut.
"Knew it," Gowther murmured, then put the token away.
He glanced once at the battlefield, then moved.
…
"Captain, do you want me to come with you?"
Escanor had heard the exchange. If the island held traps and preparations, he was not about to let Ryuunosuke walk into it alone.
"It's fine," Ryuunosuke said.
"I'm only taking a look."
"Stay here. The battlefield still needs you."
"I'll go first."
With that, Ryuunosuke disappeared.
Escanor watched the space where he had been, then turned back and threw himself into another fight.
…
On the Eternal Ark.
"Captain, when you set off… Jay also left the ship," Geno reported quickly through the link.
"Be careful. He's probably after you too."
"I understand," Ryuunosuke replied.
"Are Luffy and the others alright?"
"They're fine," Geno said, a strange smile creeping onto his face.
"Captain Luffy got dragged away by Nami."
"It doesn't look like he'll be breaking through anytime soon."
Geno could not help thinking it was bizarre.
Logically, Luffy was far stronger than Nami.
Yet in front of her, he was basically helpless.
Geno did not understand that kind of natural law.
"Alright," Ryuunosuke said.
"Keep watching the surroundings. Don't worry about me."
"And tell Kobayashi to stay sharp too."
"Unexpected situations can happen."
With that, he cut the contact.
At that moment, Ryuunosuke's eyes narrowed as the shape of Greedwach Island finally appeared ahead.