Vice Admiral Dolodo stared at Redfield's youthful appearance, shocked by the level of power he already possessed. It was fortunate that he had yet to reach the New World.
Otherwise, another formidable pirate would have emerged. But there was still time—he could eliminate them here and now!
Toko, witnessing the intense battle, immediately transformed into a white dove and soared into the sky. A sheltered president like him, who had lived in comfort for over a decade, had no desire to partake in such a life-and-death struggle!
A gunshot rang out. Just as Toko took to the air, a sharp scream followed as he plummeted back to the ground, clutching his shoulder—once a wing, now reverted to human flesh—his cries filled with agony.
"AHH!! Who was that?!"
Panic-stricken, Toko clutched his bleeding shoulder, blood gushing out. He could even see the ground through the gaping hole in his wound.
A sniper? His heart pounded in disbelief.
What kind of gun had such destructive power? Even though he hadn't reinforced himself with Haki mid-flight, his Zoan Devil Fruit should have granted him enough durability to withstand ordinary bullets!
"It looks like you won't be escaping."
Brook stepped toward Toko, drawing his Shichiseiken. Instantly, a chilling, eerie aura spread around them.
"Don't kill me!!!" Toko shrieked in terror, his gaze fixed on the ominous sword. That blade radiated an unsettling aura, sending shivers down his spine as if death itself loomed before him. "It was the World Government that ordered Mortomas' assassination—it has nothing to do with me! I'm just a puppet doing my job!"
"Yohoho~ You managed to deduce my connection with Mortomas? That makes it even more imperative that I eliminate you."
Brook hadn't expected this fool to be so perceptive. The real question was whether the World Government had figured it out too.
"Vice Admiral Dolodo, save me!!"
Sensing Brook's killing intent, Toko desperately cried out for help. At the same time, he activated his Armament Haki to shield himself from Brook's Shichiseiken.
Brook smirked and casually glanced at Dolodo. The vice admiral's formidable Haki had withstood even Redfield's thunderous assaults—no small feat.
Dolodo lived up to his rank. He once again sent Redfield flying before utilizing Soru to appear between Toko and Brook, reinforcing his arms with Armament Haki in an attempt to block Brook's eerie strike.
A scream of pain erupted from Dolodo. Though his Haki-clad arms stopped the Shichiseiken's physical slash, they failed to defend against the second-phase Soul Slash.
"You thought your Soru was fast?"
Brook's skeletal face curved into a grin. With his speed, he could have ended Toko before Dolodo even got close.
Did they think he was some slowpoke like Borsalino? Taking forever to launch a kick with all that unnecessary buildup?
Brook had already been channeling his Soul Slash for several seconds. Its concentrated spectral energy inflicted direct damage to the soul itself, causing excruciating pain and lingering agony, significantly weakening an opponent's combat effectiveness.
"Despicable pirate!!"
Dolodo's vision blurred, and his body swayed unsteadily. He had always despised Devil Fruit users—their bizarre abilities often proved lethal when least expected.
"Despicable?" Brook chuckled. "It's called strategy. Besides, you ran straight into my blade."
Despite its strengths, Soul Slash had its drawbacks—it required charge time, had limited range, and wasn't particularly fast. Skilled opponents could easily evade it under normal circumstances.
Brook's Soul Energy couldn't extend beyond a certain distance. If it did, the energy dissipated, making it impossible to launch true long-range Sword Waves infused with his spectral power.
Dolodo's condition was rapidly deteriorating, but he forced himself to suppress the agony through sheer force of will. With unwavering justice, he endured the pain and unleashed two powerful Rankyaku slashes with his legs, aiming to repel Brook.
Brook, however, had anticipated this. He shattered the air blades with his Shichiseiken just as Redfield, crackling with lightning, stepped beside him, slightly irked that his captain had stolen his opponent.
Surrounded by two pirates, Dolodo found himself at a severe disadvantage. Surprisingly, he regained his composure.
"Pirates! What is your objective in attacking World Peace Dove?"
Toko, meanwhile, had finally pieced things together—and his heart sank. This was commercial retaliation! Mortomas had actually hired Brook, a notorious pirate, to exact revenge on him?!
"Captain Brook! How much is Mortomas paying you to kill me? We at World Peace Dove News will double it! No—ten times! I'll even pay twenty times to buy Mortomas' information!"
Desperate and lightheaded from blood loss, Toko forgot that Brook commanded a golden treasure-laden ship. As if money would tempt him!
Just then, Shakky rushed over, Den Den Mushi in hand, her expression anxious.
"Captain Brook! Bad news—Antonio says a Celestial Dragon has landed on Area 69, heading straight for our Golden Ship!"
Hearing this, Dolodo seized the distraction and made a last-ditch effort. He activated Seimei Kikan, an advanced Navy Rokushiki technique he had never fully mastered, in a desperate bid to recover from his soul-inflicted wounds.
Perhaps due to the life-threatening situation, he finally managed to execute Seimei Kikan successfully. While it didn't fully heal him, the enhanced physical state significantly alleviated his soul's pain.
Without hesitation, Dolodo made his move—not to counterattack, but to grab Toko and hurl him at Brook and Redfield before using Soru to flee at top speed.
The sequence of actions was so smooth, so flawlessly executed, that Brook and Redfield were momentarily stunned by this so-called justice-driven Marine's sudden act of self-preservation.
Brook kicked away the screaming Toko before unleashing a massive Sword Wave from his Shichiseiken, stretching a hundred meters. Redfield followed up with a thunderous lightning strike.
Dolodo reinforced his entire body with Armament Haki to withstand the twin attacks. Though he coughed up a mouthful of blood, he used the impact to propel himself even farther away.
Redfield prepared to give chase, but Brook stopped him. If Dolodo regrouped with the Navy's main force, it would be a waste of effort to pursue him.
"Let's go back and protect the Golden Ark! Those Celestial Dragons' guards are formidable—Tom and the others might not hold them off!"
Brook hoisted Toko and sprinted back toward their ship. Silva and Shakky quickly followed, while Redfield shot a cold glare in the direction of Dolodo's retreat.
A moment later, he raised his hand—
A colossal lightning bolt obliterated the World Peace Dove News headquarters, reducing it to rubble. Only then did Redfield vanish in a flash of lightning.
+100 Chapters on p@treon/tambeerg