One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang! ...

The dense clanging of metal blended together, making it almost impossible to distinguish the intervals!

Outside the kendo dojo, a large crowd of onlookers had gathered.

Barrett stood casually at the front, grinning broadly.

"Tsk tsk, those two swords are really something else!"

Tezzolo rubbed his chin.

"Mr. Ryder truly lives up to his reputation as a legendary lone pirate; his swordsmanship is simply divine."

Crocodile, cigar in hand, offered a casual comment.

"Hawkeye is also making rapid progress."

In terms of swordsmanship alone, a year ago, he couldn't have lasted fifty moves against Mr. Ryder. Now...

They've already managed to fight for over a hundred moves.

The battle intensified on the field.

Hawkeye's attacks grew increasingly fierce, each strike carrying the resolute determination to sever everything!

The Red Earl's defense was watertight, and every block was perfectly timed!

finally--

"stop!"

Count Red suddenly spoke, sheathed his sword, and stepped back.

Hawkeye immediately sheathed his sword, slightly out of breath.

"Mr. Ryder?"

The Red Earl looked at him, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.

"Mihawk, your progress has exceeded my expectations."

"Given time, you might actually be able to surpass me."

Hawkeye bowed slightly.

"Mr. Ryder, you flatter me."

The Red Earl waved his hand.

"It's not a compliment, it's the truth."

He turned to look at the crowd watching from the sidelines, a faint smile playing on his lips.

"What, have you seen enough?"

"If you've had your fill of looking, who wants to come up and give it a try?"

These words immediately caused an uproar outside the venue.

Barrett was the first to jump out.

"I'll do it!"

He strode into the arena, his white tiger beastman form fully activated, radiating a violent aura.

"Old man Red! Let me test your skills!"

Count Red looked at him, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes.

"Barrett, you're a master of hand-to-hand combat, I'm a swordsman, how can we compete?"

Barrett grinned.

"Then let's have a hand-to-hand combat contest!"

"Don't you use a sword too? Then just stop using a sword!"

Count Red paused for a moment, then smiled.

"interesting."

He put away his cane and sword and walked into the arena empty-handed.

"bring it on."

Barrett let out a wild laugh and charged forward!

A punch was thrown!

The Red Earl dodged to the side, simultaneously striking Barrett in the ribs with a palm strike!

Barrett neither dodged nor evaded, taking the blow head-on, while simultaneously throwing another punch at the Red Earl's face!

boom--!!!

The two of them stepped back at the same time!

Barrett grinned broadly.

"Great! That's awesome!"

Count Red shook his slightly numb hand, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes.

This kid's strength... is truly terrifying.

"Again!"

Barrett charged forward again!

The two clashed fiercely in the arena, each punch landing with a powerful force, and every strike unleashing a violent shockwave!

The onlookers were thrilled and cheered!

Tesoro rubbed his hands together.

"Tsk tsk tsk, I want to go up and try it too..."

Crocodile glanced at him,

"You? You're an ability user, how can you compare?"

Tezzolo chuckled.

"Then let's compare our abilities."

"Mr. Ryder has seen my lightning before."

Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring.

"what ever."

In the arena, the battle between Barrett and the Red Earl was nearing its end.

Finally, the two retreated simultaneously, each catching their breath.

Barrett wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and grinned.

"Old man Red, you really are amazing!"

"You can fight me like this without even using a sword!"

Count Red was slightly out of breath, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.

This kid... he's a monster.

In terms of pure physical combat, he was no match for Barrett. If Barrett's Observation Haki hadn't been weak, he might have lost.

You should know that although he is famous for his swordsmanship, his physical skills are by no means bad either.

After all, as a natural user of Observation Haki, one can read the minds of others, which gives them an advantage in battles and allows them to gain the upper hand.

Barrett, with his terrifying strength and physique, withstood all of his attacks.

"Old man Red, come again next time!"

After Barrett finished speaking, he turned and walked off the field.

Count Red watched his retreating figure, a faint, bitter smile playing on his lips.

Tezzolo leaned closer.

"Mr. Ryder, is it my turn next?"

"Shall we have a competition?"

The Red Earl glanced at him.

Are you sure?

Tezzolo chuckled.

"Of course! Don't worry, I'll go easy on you!"

Count Red snorted.

"Go easy on me? Or should I go easy on you?"

As soon as he finished speaking, he flashed and instantly appeared in front of Tesoro!

The cane sword had been drawn at some point and was pointed directly at Tesoro's throat!

Tesoro's pupils contracted slightly, and his body instantly became elemental!

A flash of lightning, and he appeared ten meters away!

"Mr. Ryder! You're cheating! We agreed to a contest of ability!"

Count Red sheathed his sword.

"Ability? Isn't this my ability?"

"Observation Haki for prediction, swift surprise attack, defeat the enemy with a single sword strike."

"What, you won't admit it?"

Tezzolo was speechless for a moment.

Indeed, the Red Earl's "ability" is a combination of swordsmanship and Observation Haki.

How do we compare them?

"Alright, alright, I give up."

Tezzolo said sullenly,

"Mr. Ryder, you're amazing."

Count Red smiled and didn't make things difficult for him further.

In the following days, almost everyone came to "spar" with Earl Red.

Crocodile, Yamato, Cyrus, Saviour, Enel, Pea, Charon, Lucci...

Even Stella and Scarlett joined in the fun.

Of course, they weren't there to fight; they were just there to chat.

From initial helplessness to later acceptance, and finally...

enjoy?

maybe.

After wandering alone for so many years, suddenly I have so many companions to talk to, and so many opponents to spar with—

This feeling is really good.

Three days later, Tesoro, who had gone out for a while, returned to Beehive Island.

He carried an exquisite wooden box in his hands and strode into the Red Earl's guest room.

"Mr. Ryder!"

Tezzolo placed the wooden box on the table.

"I found what you wanted!"

The Red Earl's pupils contracted slightly, and his fingers trembled slightly.

He opened the wooden box—

A blood-red Devil Fruit lay quietly inside.

The fruit's surface was covered with eerie patterns, the outline of bat wings faintly visible, exuding a chilling aura.

Mythical Zoan type: Vampire Fruit.

Count Red took a deep breath, raised his head, and looked at Tesoro.

"Tezzolo...this..."

Tezzolo grinned.

"That's what the boss ordered."

"I went to Sleeping Ancient Town these past few days and finally found it."

"Mr. Ryder, please accept this."

Count Red stared at the fruit, remaining silent for a long time.

Then he smiled.

That smile carried a sense of relief and gratitude.

"Captain Roy... Mr. Tezzolo..."

He stood up, picked up the fruit, and solemnly put it into his pocket.

Then, he left the guest room and headed toward Roy's office.

A moment later, he stood in front of Roy.

"Captain Roy."

Count Red spoke slowly.

"Starting today—"

"I, Barrorick Redfield, hereby officially join the Roy Pirates."

Roy looked at him, a satisfied smile curving his lips.

"Welcome, Mr. Ryder."

Sunlight streamed in through the window.

Seagulls circled in the sky, and the sea breeze, carrying a salty and damp scent, swept across the increasingly prosperous island.

A new chapter is slowly unfolding.