After hearing the conversation between Jerry and Cavendish, viewers who were still watching the live broadcast couldn't help but begin reassessing the seemingly comedic figure performing before them.
Many people suddenly remembered that the flamboyant man who had been jumping around and providing constant commentary throughout the broadcast was actually a pirate with a bounty exceeding one billion berries.
However, as the old saying goes, good advice rarely persuades those determined to meet their doom.
The warnings issued by Cavendish failed to provide any significant deterrent effect. From that day forward, numerous pirates continued appearing, demonstrating various extraordinary abilities while risking their lives to break through the defensive barriers Jerry had established.
Most of the core members among these pirate crews possessed bounties exceeding ninety million berries. Even those whose bounties hadn't reached nine-figure amounts all demonstrated some form of special capabilities or unique Devil Fruit powers.
Among the challengers were even several Supernovas who had emerged in recent years, representing the next generation of dangerous pirates.
However, they essentially all fell before Cavendish's lightning-enhanced defenses. Only a handful of fortunate individuals managed to bypass Cavendish when multiple ships attacked simultaneously, reaching Jerry's position. But as expected, they were dispatched with single strikes and unceremoniously thrown into the surrounding waters.
As the sun rose and set, another five days passed with remarkable swiftness.
The sky had become covered with dark storm clouds, and sunlight was completely blocked by the thick atmospheric cover, seeming to foreshadow an approaching tempest.
At noon, while the two humans and their feline companion were enjoying their meal, Jerry and Cavendish were suddenly startled by something their enhanced senses detected. They looked up simultaneously and exchanged meaningful glances.
Jerry spoke first with obvious anticipation: "It seems today is going to prove quite entertaining. You handle the eastern approach. I need to wait a little longer..."
Cavendish appeared confused and interrupted with obvious anxiety, "What do you mean? Aren't there only challengers approaching from the east?"
"Hehe, well, he's certainly a troublesome individual..." Jerry's lips curved upward in an enigmatic smile as he spoke softly.
Then he waved his hand dismissively and continued, "Don't worry about it for now. Perhaps your perception is mistaken, or maybe there's some other explanation. Regardless, just proceed as planned."
"Understood." Cavendish didn't delay any further. He stood immediately, gracefully wiped any traces from the corners of his mouth, and took flight toward his assigned position.
After signaling for Kotatsu to follow Cavendish's movements, Jerry glanced at the video feed from their broadcasting Den Den Mushi and muttered thoughtfully, "So it really is that massive fool, Whitebeard II. In that case, the people Skull observed coming here to help evacuate civilians were indeed the Neo Marines?"
"So that oversized idiot actually became one of the Seven Warlords? That means Zephyr finally abandoned the Marines and went rogue."
"If it really is Zephyr leading them, he should harbor intense hatred for pirates at this point. Why didn't he appear earlier?"
Since Jerry hadn't been paying particular attention to Marine intelligence recently, it wasn't until after his battle with Bullet and before the Black Star Pirates had split up that he'd heard Skull mention the NEO Marines might have formed somewhat earlier than in the original timeline.
"Forget it, who cares about their problems? Just don't interfere with my business," Jerry reflected with practical indifference. "Even if they're genuinely seeking those legendary Dyna Stones, the regular Marines will probably take action against them eventually."
Considering this situation, Jerry shook his head with resignation. While he sympathized with Zephyr's tragic experiences, he found the former Admiral's current methods difficult to endorse completely.
So he decided to set the matter aside temporarily and focus on more immediate concerns.
Jerry casually discarded some unknown debris that had gotten caught on his fishing hook, then turned his head to acknowledge the figure that had suddenly materialized beside him. He blinked with apparent recognition and spoke calmly, "So you've arrived? If I remember correctly, you're the Red Earl, aren't you?"
"Greetings, Leviathan Jerry," the visitor replied with mild surprise, responding in an equally casual tone.
The newcomer was a tall, slender middle-aged man draped in crimson clothing and a matching cloak that made him stand out like a living flame against the desolate landscape.
His distinctive white hair was braided into two neat plaits that rested on his shoulders, and he carried an elegant umbrella topped with an ornate bat sculpture serving as its handle.
After delivering his greeting, he placed the umbrella beside himself with deliberate care, gripped the handle with one hand, and displayed a wickedly amused smile. "I haven't appeared on these seas for quite some time. You actually recognize me?"
This individual shared similarities with legends like Byrnndi World and Douglas Bullet—another escapee from Impel Down's Level 6 who was known throughout the world as both the "Lonely Red" and the "Red Count," Patrick Redfield.
Observing his current appearance and obvious vitality, he had clearly mastered the abilities granted by the Bat-Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan Type, Vampire.
Only upon seeing Redfield's distinctive image could Jerry recall this legendary figure from his fragmented memories of the original story.
After all, he had heard Skull mention the list of dangerous individuals who had escaped from Impel Down during that massive prison break, and he retained vague impressions of those powerful enough to survive Level 6's hellish conditions.
Redfield had been a formidable figure from the same era as Gol D. Roger and Edward Newgate, though opinions varied regarding his exact power level compared to those legendary titans.
The only certainty that remained indisputable was that this man's Observation Haki had reached absolutely extraordinary levels.
However, after this direct encounter, Jerry felt that all previous rumors and speculation could be discarded entirely.
He casually picked up his fishing rod and rested it against his shoulder while chuckling with amusement, "I know a little about various topics, but only because I enjoy reading gossip and collecting interesting stories."
"The fact that you're here obviously means you have some interest in permanent pointers, correct?"
Seeing Jerry's confident assessment, Redfield made no attempt to deny the accusation. Instead, he nodded slightly and confirmed, "Indeed, I find myself quite interested in the treasure that Roger left behind."
"Then there's nothing more to discuss," Jerry declared with finality. "The pointer remains in my possession. Come and claim it if you're capable."
Jerry shifted his stance and launched himself skyward like a great bird spreading its wings, clearly unwilling to allow their battle to destroy the comfortable shelter he'd been using for the past several days.
High in the air above the devastated island, a low murmur drifted from behind Jerry's ascending form: "In that case, allow me to experience what changes this new era has brought."
Before his words had finished echoing, razor-sharp sword energy suddenly erupted from the tip of Redfield's umbrella, aimed directly at Jerry's exposed back.
Jerry swung his fishing rod horizontally through the air while his lips moved with complete seriousness, "You don't have a membership here—the experience package comes at a premium price!"
This lightning-fast defensive maneuver not only shattered Redfield's sword energy completely but also knocked the legendary pirate's umbrella aside with tremendous force.
"Interesting..." Just as Redfield was adapting his tactics for a follow-up assault, a fishing float charged with explosive energy silently streaked toward his head.
Confronted by this unexpected secondary attack, Redfield maintained perfect composure. In a mere instant of thought, his figure vanished from the projectile's trajectory entirely.
He reappeared behind Jerry with supernatural speed, his slender umbrella now coated with dense Armament Haki that gave it an incredibly sharp and dangerous appearance.
"The strongest pirate of the younger generation truly lives up to his fearsome reputation," Redfield observed with obvious appreciation. As his words carried through the air, he raised his umbrella and unleashed a devastating wave of sword energy.
Jerry seemed to have anticipated this precise attack, swinging his fishing rod in a graceful crescent-shaped arc to intercept the incoming assault.
Then he smirked slightly and replied, "No need for flattery, no need for awards. It's sufficient that you acknowledge the obvious—don't keep repeating it constantly. People who don't know better might think you're my biggest fan, helping to promote your idol's reputation."
Hearing this irreverent response, Redfield appeared momentarily startled before the corner of his mouth curved upward with genuine amusement. Only a slowly dissipating afterimage and fading voice remained at his previous position.
"Then let me fight to my heart's content!"
"Whoa! Are you accelerating already?" Jerry responded with obvious excitement. Before his words had finished echoing through the air, his own figure flashed forward like a streak of pure light.
Subsequently, both combatants moved so rapidly that their forms became almost completely invisible, and only the sounds of countless dense weapon collisions could be heard reverberating one after another through the storm-darkened sky.
The battle between legends had officially begun, and the entire world was watching to see who would emerge victorious from this clash between the old guard and the new generation.
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