Feeling the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, the Blackbeard Pirates were stunned once again. Under their shocked gazes, thick black darkness surged from Blackbeard's body, completely enveloping him.
Seeing this scene, the Blackbeard Pirates immediately revealed excited expressions.
A few seconds later, the darkness faded away. The gruesome sword wound that had been carved across Blackbeard's body had completely disappeared. It was clear that the injury had been swallowed by his darkness.
Blackbeard gasped heavily as he slowly rose from the ground. Fear still lingered in his eyes as he stared at Redfield. That earlier sword strike had truly brought him close to death, and for a moment, he had genuinely felt terror.
"Damn it! Relics of the old era like you should already be buried!" Blackbeard roared angrily.
Darkness erupted from his body again, spreading outward like a living tide.
Redfield's expression became serious. He had already realized that Blackbeard was far more troublesome than he initially expected.
Blackbeard glared at him and shouted, "I'm done playing around! Everyone, stay where you are. I'm using my ultimate move!"
Redfield narrowed his eyes.
"Ultimate move?"
Blackbeard's previous technique had already been powerful enough to be considered a trump card. Redfield had assumed that was his limit, yet Blackbeard clearly still had something else prepared.
Hearing the order, the Blackbeard Pirates immediately understood his intention. None of them moved.
Moments later, streams of dark shadows emerged from the surrounding darkness and rushed into their bodies.
Redfield's pupils contracted slightly.
Through Observation Haki, he clearly sensed their presences rapidly growing stronger. Their auras expanded continuously, and even their physical appearances began to change.
Their bodies started growing taller. Muscles swelled violently, and their skin gradually turned a purplish black color that radiated savage strength.
Blackbeard changed the most.
Originally standing just over three meters tall, his body expanded to nearly six meters. After absorbing countless shadows, his already dark complexion became even deeper and more intimidating.
"Zehahahahaha!" Blackbeard laughed wildly. "I've merged with a hundred shadows. To be honest, this is my first time using this move against a real enemy."
This was one of the abilities derived from the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, allowing its user to temporarily gain overwhelming power by absorbing shadows. The transformation could only last less than ten minutes, but for them, that was more than enough.
Shiryu clenched his sword as he felt explosive strength surging through his body. Even if the power was borrowed, the enhancement was undeniable.
"Shadows..." Redfield frowned slightly, finally understanding what had entered their bodies earlier.
Blackbeard grinned viciously.
"This is my ultimate move, Shadow Mode! Right now, I carry the strength of a hundred pirates. Every shadow here perfectly matches my abilities!"
Redfield replied coldly, "Power borrowed from others is still meaningless."
"Meaningless?" Blackbeard burst into laughter. "Then let me show you exactly what that power can do! Everyone, attack together!"
He waved his massive hand forward.
Even though Shadow Mode greatly increased his strength, Blackbeard never relied on fair fights. The technique had a strict time limit, and he intended to end the battle quickly.
The Blackbeard Pirates charged without hesitation.
After merging with dozens of shadows each, their strength had increased dramatically. Their speed and destructive power were on an entirely different level compared to before.
For the first time, Redfield found himself pressured while facing their combined assault.
None of them were weak fighters to begin with. Shiryu in particular became extremely dangerous after the enhancement. His swordsmanship could now directly clash with Redfield's, forcing him into constant defense while acting as the main offensive force.
Meanwhile, the rest of the crew unleashed their signature attacks one after another, leaving Redfield with almost no breathing room.
Blackbeard seized the opportunity.
"Shadow Claws!"
Dark arms shot out from the spreading darkness and lunged toward Redfield.
Just as Redfield attempted to evade, Burgess suddenly appeared and drove a powerful punch into him, sending Redfield flying backward.
The Shadow Claws instantly wrapped around him.
Darkness from the Dark-Dark Fruit spread across Redfield's body, forcefully suppressing the power of his Devil Fruit.
"Zehahaha! Got you!" Blackbeard laughed madly.
"Die!"
Shiryu moved instantly, slashing downward with ruthless precision. A deep bloody wound tore across Redfield's body.
Redfield groaned in pain and spat out blood. Before he could retaliate, attacks from every direction closed in again.
"Wihahaha! Wave, Elbow Strike!"
"Crescent Moon Funeral!"
"Sticky Launcher!"
The combined assault descended upon him from all sides.
Enduring the intense pain, Redfield released an explosive burst of Conqueror's Haki. His umbrella sword swung outward, releasing a massive crescent shaped slash.
The sword energy instantly shattered the incoming attacks.
The terrifying sword pressure continued forward, sweeping across the battlefield and crashing into the Blackbeard Pirates.
Several weaker members, even after absorbing shadows, failed to withstand the attack. They were struck directly, coughing blood as they were blown away.
Blackbeard's expression darkened.
"How is this possible? He still has that much power left?"
Their combined ability, formed through both the Dark-Dark Fruit and the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, should have completely restrained him. Yet Redfield forcibly broke free using sheer Haki and overwhelming sword pressure.
Even Shiryu showed visible shock.
Above them, Redfield spread his bat-like wings and rose into the sky.
Shiryu's eyes widened.
"No, he's trying to escape!"
Redfield had already made his decision.
He realized he had seriously underestimated the Blackbeard Pirates. Though their numbers were small, the overall combat strength of this crew was terrifying.
At this level, their combined power could already rival that of a Four Emperors pirate crew.
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