Chapter 116

### **Chapter 116**

A solemn glint appeared in Redfield's eyes. Under normal circumstances, he wouldn't take a newly promoted Admiral too seriously. But Carl was different—his arrival could change the tide of battle.

Kong, still catching his breath, was momentarily stunned as he took in the sight of Carl's jet-black wings and the flames flickering behind him.

But now wasn't the time for questions. All that mattered was that Carl was on his side.

Finally, Kong let out a hearty laugh. Looking at Redfield's grim expression, he smirked.

**"Redfield, do you finally understand the disadvantage of fighting alone?"**

Redfield said nothing, but his figure began to blur.

Kong's pupils shrank in alarm. He moved to warn Carl—

But Redfield was too fast.

Before Kong could shout, Redfield had already closed the distance, his umbrella slicing cleanly across Carl's waist.

**"What!?"**

Like so many before him, Redfield was taken aback. His attack had passed right through Carl as if he weren't even there.

Kong, still on the ground, sighed in exasperation. **"Shameless."**

Redfield's umbrella blurred, moving at impossible speeds, coated in Armament Haki. He struck again and again, leaving behind afterimages—

But none of his attacks landed.

Realizing his efforts were futile, Redfield ceased his assault and landed. His stamina couldn't afford any more waste.

As soon as his feet touched the ground, Kong shot forward like a battering ram, slamming into Redfield and sending him skidding backward.

Before Redfield could regain his footing—

**WHOOSH!**

A thick pillar of fire descended from the sky, engulfing him entirely.

Kong could no longer contain his disbelief.

**"Flames? Wait—Carl isn't a Flame-Flame Fruit user!"**

An explosion erupted from the center of the flames, creating a vacuum.

**BOOM!**

Redfield emerged, smoke curling from his nostrils.

His previous elegance was gone. His flashy red cloak had been reduced to ashes. His upper body, once pristine, was now riddled with scorched holes, exposing blackened, charred flesh.

He frowned. **"Flames? But isn't this 'Black Dragon' a Dark-Dark Fruit user?"**

His doubts were answered soon enough.

Carl spread his arms, and a wave of endless darkness surged forth, cascading down like a black waterfall.

Redfield, still reeling from the flames, found himself swallowed by pure darkness.

And unlike fire, **this power was far more terrifying.**

When he finally emerged from the abyss, his body was drenched in blood, his breath ragged. For the first time, **fear** flickered in his golden eyes.

He had fought many warriors in his life, but few had ever made him feel this helpless.

Darkness was unlike other elements—it didn't simply burn, freeze, or cut. It devoured.

If Redfield had been in his prime, he might have lasted longer, but in his current state, **he had nearly been torn apart.**

For the first time in decades, regret crept into Redfield's heart.

**"I was too arrogant."**

Fighting Kong alone had left him in this pitiful state—then Carl had arrived, tipping the scales completely.

Redfield had spent his life walking alone. He had always scorned the idea of a crew, convinced that true strength meant relying on no one but himself.

Now, he understood the bitter truth.

He was cornered.

But even in this dire moment, **he did not consider running.**

His pride as a warrior, his unshakable will, demanded that he fight until the end.

Straightening his battered body, Redfield exhaled.

Black and red lightning crackled around him, his Haki surging once more.

He dusted off the tattered remains of his clothing, his voice soft but resolute—

**"If I die, I'll take someone with me."**

His gaze locked onto Kong.

Compared to Carl—who was still fresh—**Kong was the easier target.**

Kong, sensing Redfield's killing intent, clenched his fists. His body ached, his chest burned, but still, he gathered his Haki for one final strike.

Then—

**Carl descended in front of him.**

Without turning his head, he spoke calmly.

**"Fleet Admiral Kong, you should rest now."**

The flames behind Carl's neck extinguished in a sharp **whoosh.**

And in that instant, Redfield lunged.

He prided himself on his speed. He had outpaced countless enemies before.

But this time—

He was intercepted mid-air.

His eyes widened. **"Impossible!"**

**"How can you be this fast!?"**

Even Kong was astonished.

He knew Redfield's speed better than anyone. It was the reason their fight had dragged on for so long.

Kong had no choice but to endure, never able to catch Redfield's fleeting figure.

But Carl—Carl had just **matched, no—surpassed** that speed.

Even if Redfield was weakened, **this was beyond belief.**

Kong's mind raced. His gaze flicked to Carl's **black wings**, to his **now-extinguished flames.**

And then it hit him.

A long-buried memory.

**The Lunarian race.**

As Fleet Admiral, Kong had access to information that few in the world knew.

The Lunarians were a race of warriors **favored by nature itself**—possessing abilities that could rival even a Mythical Zoan.

Their flames gave them near-invincibility, but when extinguished—

**Their speed became monstrous.**

Kong finally understood.

**Carl wasn't just strong.**

He was a **freak of nature.**

But Redfield knew none of this.

All he knew was that **Carl was matching his every move.**

Every time he tried to retreat, Carl followed.

Every time he tried to attack, Carl blocked him effortlessly.

The battlefield became a blur of **black and red**, two figures flickering through the sky like phantoms.

And as Redfield fought, **his fear grew.**

**"This… This is a nineteen-year-old!?"**

He had fought many young talents before.

But Carl was on another level.

Redfield couldn't help but wonder—

If he had faced Carl when he was nineteen…

Would he have even stood a chance?

**"No."**

**"Not even ten of me could defeat this monster."**

Meanwhile, Carl observed Redfield with an almost **respectful** gaze.

Even after all this, Redfield still fought with half the strength of his prime.

Had he chosen to build a crew, had he not walked this path alone—

He could have easily become an emperor of the sea.

But that was the path Redfield had chosen.

And now, it was the path that would lead to his end.

---

+86 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg