"What is a man as aloof as you doing here… Patrick Redfield."
Damien glared at the guest.
The man who had just appeared is a pirate known as the 'Red Count' or the 'Aloof Red.'
His epithet originates from his independence and hatred over alliances and shows of camaraderie. He was a lone wolf by nature, and strongly proud of that distinction.
Red was a Level One Threat under the World Threat Index said to equal the likes of Roger and Whitebeard!
He was dressed in gentlemanly garments, sporting white in braids, a white goatee and strange circular eyebrows. Red's outfit was formed by a purple shirt and a red cloak with yellow and blue diamonds as the inside theme. He also has a huge blue rose on the left side of his cloak.
[Patrick Redfield Image (in Discord)]
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The man in question just chuckled, "You needn't be so defensive, I have not come here to cross swords with you, young pirate."
His words reduced the tension, much to Kaido's annoyance.
"Though I suggest your companions depart swiftly; Admiral Sengoku will arrive within the hour," he said with a slight tinge of disdain.
Damien narrowed his eyes, feeling the colours shift around Redfield—a shift in emotion in the form of red strands: deep pride.
The Sin Incarnate then turned to his Division Mates, giving them an order, "Go and get the ship around, I'll entertain our unexpected guest."
The rest moved immediately, except for Indra.
"Go."
The swordsman nodded, sheathing his famed blade.
"Tch, don't order me around!" Kaido looked annoyed, the grip of his club tightening. He didn't wait, rushing forward to smash the club without mercy.
It landed with a thunderous bang, sending tremors through the ruined island.
"Huh!?" Kaido looked shocked as he saw a purple mist float around his thunderous club, yet there was no sign of Redfield anywhere.
A refined voice echoed in the beast's ears, his body too slow to react, "Patience is a virtue."
The gentlemanly voice was overshadowed by a Kaido's grunt caused by a thin umbrella jabbed into his side, sending red shockwaves through his body.
The attack was simple; simply digging into the pirate's left oblique.
Like a comet, the Hundred-Beast shot through the sky, soaring into the distance, bouncing over the seas like a pebble. A giant explosion of water followed as the depths soon swallowed the monstrous Kaido.
>=-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-==-=----[]---<>---[]---=-=<
"Looks like this is the end of my evolving anatomy, reaching this 'undying' level," the pirate mused. "Just enough to advance onwards but I bet I'll be stuck here for a long while."
Damien was satisfied with his journey to G-2. Be it his strength advancement or testing out his Fourth Division.
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He then found himself at the back end of the departing vessel, leaning on the railing and gazing down at the parting sea.
His mind went to the revelation from Redfield, leaving him ambivalent.
"Einar D. Ares. I wonder if you look the way I imagine you do," Damien muttered, his voice tinged with bitterness and curiosity. The reflection of an older man with black hair and a red streak to one end stared back at him from the sea, mocking his uncertainty.
As the ship cut through the waves, memories of his mother's stories and the harsh reality of her abandonment clashed within him.
"How could you leave her?" The thought echoed louder this time, anger bubbling beneath the surface.
"..." Alas, there was no reply from the smiling figure.
"Secrets will unveil themselves as time goes on," Damien whispered, his resolve hardening. "I just need to keep getting stronger!"
He felt a mix of determination and frustration. Every step towards uncovering his father's truth was a step towards understanding his own path.
The legend of Einar D. Ares would not overshadow Damien's journey but fuel it, driving him to become something more than just his mysterious father's son.
To Be Continued…
Author's Corner:
Damien's body is as tough as prime Kaido but his recovery is one step higher than the King of Beasts, even to the point of regrowing limbs.
Manga readers may know of certain figures who can also do this, so it isn't immersion-breaking in terms of the One Piece world.
What do you think happened to Ares from what you were told in this chapter?
Images are available on Discord alongside other niche details: https://discord.gg/aJHHHPvb6q