The Blackbeard Pirates rushed through the shattered metal gate and entered the chamber beyond.
Inside, they found what looked like an underground military base. As soon as their presence was detected, the dim interior gradually lit up, rows of lights flickering to life one after another.
None of them seemed surprised. Their attention was already fixed on four massive objects ahead, each concealed beneath thick black cloth.
Blackbeard exchanged a glance with Burgess.
Understanding immediately, Burgess strode forward and tore away the nearest covering.
Brilliant golden light burst forth.
"Gold…" someone muttered.
"It really is gold, and this much?"
The remaining cloths were pulled away in quick succession, revealing enormous stacks of gold bars. The quantity was staggering, dozens of tons at the very least.
For a moment, even seasoned pirates were speechless. In all their years at sea, few had ever seen such wealth gathered in one place.
Blackbeard threw his head back and laughed wildly.
"Zehahahahaha! We are rich! I knew this island held something extraordinary!"
He grabbed several gold bars, eyes shining with unrestrained excitement. As pirates, treasure was an instinctive temptation.
"Teach, look over there," suddenly called out.
Still grinning, Blackbeard followed Shiryu's gaze.
At the center of the chamber sat a skeleton upon a golden chair. The remains wore what appeared to be a pirate's attire, and clutched tightly in its bony hands was a golden treasure chest.
The crew approached cautiously.
"Who is this?" Burgess asked, examining the skeleton.
Blackbeard shrugged. "Whoever he was, he valued that chest more than his life."
Without hesitation, he snatched the treasure chest and forced it open.
Inside lay a purple Devil Fruit adorned with swirling patterns. Alongside it rested a blueprint, carefully preserved.
"A Devil Fruit!"
Excitement flared again among the crew.
Blackbeard picked up the blueprint and compared the illustration to the fruit in his hand. They matched perfectly.
His grin stretched wider as he read.
"Zehahahahaha… a Zoan type."
He read further.
"Bat Bat Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model Vampire."
His laughter echoed throughout the chamber.
"A Mythical Zoan. The Vampire Fruit. Just what I have been waiting for."
The exhilaration was unmistakable. He already possessed the power of darkness, and the Shadow Shadow Fruit as well. Though he had failed to claim the Tremor Tremor Fruit during the Summit War at Marineford, this more than compensated.
With darkness, shadows, and now a Mythical Zoan Vampire ability, his ambition seemed closer than ever to realization.
No one in this world would easily stand in his way.
Then, without warning, sword slashes erupted from behind them.
The attack was sudden and precise.
Baby 5, Burgess, Shiryu, and even Blackbeard were struck before they could react. Blood sprayed into the air as they collapsed to the ground.
The Devil Fruit slipped from Blackbeard's hand.
Before it could hit the floor, an aged hand caught it effortlessly.
A calm, weathered voice echoed through the chamber.
"Thank you, young men. Without you, it would have been troublesome for this old man to obtain the Vampire Fruit."
Blackbeard gritted his teeth, enduring the sharp pain in his back as he turned.
The figure before them wore a crimson suit and matching cloak. His face was aged, yet his posture remained upright and composed.
Blackbeard recognized him instantly.
"It is you… Count Red."
The man standing there was , known as Count Red.
A former Level 6 prisoner of , he had escaped during the chaos initiated by Blackbeard's intrusion into the great prison.
Shiryu pushed himself up despite the pain. His Observation Haki had sensed nothing. That failure unsettled him more than the wound itself.
"Why are you here?" he demanded coldly.
Burgess glared, frustration evident. The treasure they had risked so much for had been snatched away at the final moment.
Redfield's eyes remained indifferent.
"This old man once acquired a treasure map," he explained calmly. "It indicated that the Devil Fruit I desired rested in Shuigu Town."
He lifted the fruit slightly.
"The Vampire Fruit."
The Blackbeard Pirates' expressions darkened.
"I arrived two days before you," Redfield continued. "However, the town was protected by a special formation. I was trapped and unable to locate the exit."
He allowed himself a faint smile.
"Fortunately, you arrived. You found the way out. I merely followed."
The realization struck the crew hard. They had been so focused on treasure that they failed to consider another predator lurking in the shadows.
Blackbeard slowly gathered the power of the Dark Dark Fruit into his palm, intent on launching a sudden counterattack.
Redfield's eyes flashed sharply, his Observation Haki already reading Blackbeard's intent.
"Abandon that thought," he said coldly. "If you act, none of you will leave alive."
Blackbeard stiffened.
Redfield subtly stepped backward, maintaining a safe distance. His earlier strike had relied on surprise. A direct confrontation against an entire crew, even for him, carried risk.
"Consider this mercy," Redfield added. "You indirectly aided my escape from Impel Down. I will not kill you today."
He glanced at the mountains of gold.
"The gold is yours. This Devil Fruit is mine."
Without hesitation, he raised the Vampire Fruit and took a decisive
bite.
Under Blackbeard's stunned gaze, the future shifted once more.
===
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