Chapter 395: The Magic Pattern Abilities of Red-Hair and His Crew
"Let’s do this!" King declared.
As he spoke, a terrifying aura surged from his body, pressing down on the red-haired pirate crew standing before him.
The red-haired crew tensed immediately. Shanks, the red-haired captain himself, was in rough shape. He had just broken through Andre’s powerful attack, a feat that had drained nearly all his magic power. His body and mind were under immense strain, pushed to the brink of collapse. That last move had been a desperate gamble, costing him dearly. Without that sacrifice, he never would have overcome Andre’s technique.
Now, facing the even more formidable King, Shanks felt like a small boat caught in a raging sea storm.
Beckman, ever observant, quickly noticed Shanks’ weakened state. He stepped forward, positioning himself protectively in front of his captain.
As King unleashed his overwhelming presence, the other fighters nearby backed away. The red-haired crew had united, their magic patterns radiating a fearsome aura that sent chills through the onlookers. The Red-Hair Pirates, at this moment, looked ferocious and unyielding.
With King present, no one else dared to step into the fray.
"Tch," Andre muttered, leaning on Hughes for support as he shuffled to the side.
He needed medical attention, but his pride kept him rooted. He wanted to witness the end of this battle. In his duel with Shanks, Andre had undeniably lost. Yes, there had been outside interference, but a loss was a loss. He wasn’t the one to make excuses.
Flames roared to life around King, the air crackling with heat. The surrounding moisture evaporated, and the airflow warped under the rising temperature.
The red-haired crew, facing King head-on, watched as flames erupted from his body. The heat was so fierce that it dried their skin, leaving their lips parched and cracked.
"Ice wall!" Beckman shouted.
As King’s flames surged toward them, a chill emanated from Beckman’s body. A massive wall of ice materialized in front of the crew, shielding them from the inferno.
"Beckman, your abilities are a lifesaver!" Roux exclaimed with relief.
Ice was Beckman’s magic pattern ability, a power reminiscent of the frozen winters that had once entombed their demon clan. However, while the demon could wield cold winds and summon snowfall, embodying winter itself, Beckman’s ability was limited to ice. In terms of versatility, his power fell short. But for Beckman, it was more than enough.
"Don’t relax yet! I can’t hold this for long!" Beckman warned his crew, his voice urgent.
He was pouring magic into the ice wall, but King’s flames were ferocious and unrelenting. The intense heat was rapidly draining his magic reserves.
"Seriously, Beckman? Be a little more dependable!" Roux grumbled.
"Enough chatter! We need to find a way to retreat!" Snake, the tall navigator, said gravely.
The situation was dire. They weren’t just facing King, the Conflagration, but also Higuma, Hughes, and their forces lurking nearby, waiting for an opening. Staying here to fight would be reckless.
"Agreed," Shanks said, his voice firm despite his exhaustion. "Limejuice, Punch, we’ll create an opportunity for you."
Though Shanks had boldly challenged King moments ago, he wasn’t foolish enough to risk his crew’s lives for pride. He was at his limit, and survival meant knowing when to run.
"Interesting. You wield the power of ice?" King remarked, studying the ice wall with curiosity.
The Marines already had Vice Admiral Aokiji and Admiral White Phoenix, both with ice-based abilities. Was another ice user emerging now? The strange aura emanating from the red-haired crew reminded King of demons. How had they gained such powers?
King extended his palm, and his flames condensed into a searing pillar of fire, aimed directly at the ice wall. No obstacle, no matter how sturdy, could stand in his way.
He was no longer the man he once was.
More precisely, he had grown stronger.
This transformation stemmed from his participation in one of Orochimaru’s experiments. The experiment had granted him a new fire ability and enhanced his physical prowess. If his original attributes were measured, his physique, spirit, agility, and strength would have each been rated A. He was young, but already formidable.
Now, his agility, strength, and spirit had all climbed to A+, giving him four attributes at that elite level. When he sacrificed defense, his speed could reach even greater heights, though it left him vulnerable.
Beyond these physical improvements, the true breakthrough was his new fire ability. This flame was far more powerful than his previous one, perfectly complementing his enhanced physique. Even against the monstrous Vice Admirals of the Marines, King felt confident he could hold his own.
With a thrust of his hand, King’s fiery pillar pierced the ice wall, melting and vaporizing it to create a gaping hole. The light of the flames bathed the red-haired crew in an ominous glow.
The sudden, blistering assault left the crew grim-faced. Beckman’s ice wall hadn’t fully stopped the attack, and the fire pillar was still advancing.
Roux sprang into action, stepping forward with his hands outstretched. A blue light shimmered, forming an ethereal halo in front of him. The fire pillar struck the halo, sending ripples across its surface.
King observed the stout man blocking his attack. The fire pillar was dissipating, as if being absorbed by Roux’s ability.
’Not bad’, King thought.
’But let’s see how you handle this!’
His flames surged with greater intensity, condensing into a thicker, more powerful pillar of fire. The impact grew stronger, the heat overwhelming.
So hot! Roux thought, his hands burning as if they were roasting. His ability allowed him to absorb energy and impact through the blue halo, making him an ideal shield. But there was a limit to how much he could take, and King’s attack was pushing him beyond it.
The halo began to fracture under the relentless assault.
"Hey! Hurry up! I can’t hold this much longer!" Roux shouted, his face flushed red, sweat pouring down like he was being cooked alive.
His ability was faltering. The absorption couldn’t keep up with King’s explosive power. If the halo shattered and the fire pillar hit them directly, Roux feared he would be charred to ash by next year.
The crew didn’t hesitate.
"Thunder Whip!" Limejuice called out.
He raised his staff, and a whip of crackling blue electricity lashed through the air, streaking toward King. This was Limejuice’s magic pattern ability: the power of thunder and lightning, one of nature’s most fearsome forces.
As magic patterns spread, abilities like thunder, fire, and other elements would likely become more common. But while these powers were easy to acquire, mastering them was another matter entirely.
( End of this Chapter )