With a mysterious grin, Shiranami Hakusei leaned in and whispered into Redfield's ear.
"I know how to get you a Mythical Zoan-type: Vampire Fruit."
Redfield's entire body trembled. His head snapped up, eyes wide in disbelief.
"You… you're serious?"
"Of course," Shiranami nodded solemnly.
Truthfully, he was bluffing. He only knew about Redfield's desire because of spoiler knowledge.
Sure, he might actually find a way to get it for him later, but that depended entirely on fate.
Seeing Redfield's expression shift uncertainly, Shiranami felt nervous. Even that wasn't enough? If this didn't work, he might have to "discipline" him a little.
The truth was, Redfield simply had trouble communicating with people. After wrestling with himself for a long moment, he finally sighed.
"Fine. I'll go with you. It's been a long time since I've felt the wind of freedom."
His deep gaze looked far off into the distance, as if recalling memories from another life.
Phew,
Seeing Redfield agree, Shiranami finally let out a breath of relief. With that, his business on Level 6 was nearly complete.
Grinning mischievously, he turned toward his next target, "Old Croc."
Crocodile was already standing at the front of his cell. At first, he'd planned to ask Shiranami to release him, but the moment he saw the guy's expression, his gut clenched.
What the hell?
Why is he looking at me like that?
Shiranami's invasive gaze made Crocodile's face darken immediately.
"What do you want, brat? I'm not becoming your lackey. Don't even think about it," he snapped preemptively.
"Wrong, wrong, wrong. I said partner, not lackey."
"Same thing! I'm not following anyone!"
"Is that so?" Shiranami smirked meaningfully.
As his eyes slowly scanned Crocodile's body with a certain… suggestiveness, Crocodile shivered, his skin crawling with goosebumps.
Hell no. This bastard… is he one of those drop-the-soap types?!
"You, what the hell are you, ?"
"Little Ivankov told me a juicy secret. Wanna hear it?" Shiranami interrupted calmly.
"I don't give a damn about your stu, "
Crocodile froze mid-sentence.
His furious face twisted into a grimace of dread, then shifted to helplessness.
"…I'm not becoming anyone's lackey," he muttered, trying to hold it together.
"I said, partner," Shiranami repeated seriously.
...
The two stared at each other in silence.
Finally, a flash of hostility crossed Crocodile's eyes.
"Fine. I'll come with you. Let me out."
"Sure," Shiranami chuckled, then casually unshackled him, smiling as if the matter was trivial. He turned to leave.
But behind him, Crocodile's killing intent surged.
"Desert Spada!"
A storm of sand erupted, forming a massive blade that came slicing down toward Shiranami's back!
Bundy Wald wanted to stop him, but it was too fast. It was already too late.
Slash!
The sand blade struck Shiranami squarely in the back.
"Hah…" Crocodile began to laugh, but the sound caught in his throat.
As the dust settled, he saw it.
Shiranami's entire back was coated in solid black, Armament Haki!
Shiranami turned his head slowly, eyes filled with death.
He stared at Crocodile like a reaper rising from the depths of hell.
Just meeting his gaze made Crocodile's heart twist violently.
Terrifying.
This guy… is he a demon?
As a former Warlord of the Sea, Crocodile had fought countless battles and seen every kind of danger. He knew right then, if he didn't kill Shiranami now, he'd be the one to die.
A pang of regret flared in his chest.
I shouldn't have attacked him…
But it was too late. The arrow had left the bow.
Without hesitation, Crocodile unleashed his Devil Fruit power at full force, launching a chaotic sandstorm of attacks.
But it was useless.
Shiranami didn't use any fancy techniques. Relying only on raw physicality and brutal Armament Haki, he tore through every sand-based attack.
He walked forward, step by step, crushing everything.
Cold sweat poured down Crocodile's back. His heartbeat pounded in terror.
Finally, Shiranami shattered Crocodile's final defense, reached out, and seized him by the throat, lifting him off the ground.
Only then did Crocodile snap out of it, struggling to breathe.
His usual cold, sharp demeanor crumbled.
For the first time, true fear flickered in his eyes.
It was a strange kind of fear, tinged with something... oddly delicate.
Shiranami paused, caught off guard by that brief expression. His killing intent dropped slightly.
A playful smirk tugged at his lips.
"This is your last chance. If you try anything else, I won't hesitate to expose your little secret. Or better yet… give everyone here a live demo?"
Crocodile clenched his jaw, unable to refute it. He looked ready to pass out from shame and fury.
In the end, he nodded stiffly.
"…Good," Shiranami said with a satisfied nod.
He didn't mind bringing Crocodile along. Earning his full loyalty could come later.
After all, Crocodile thought he had something on him.
Until Crocodile's strength surpassed his own, he wasn't worried. Let the man play tough all he wanted.
Besides, Shiranami didn't actually know the secret. It was just a bluff.
With that, the business on Level 6 was basically wrapped up.
Next came the question of how to escape Impel Down.
As for how Luffy would break out without Crocodile there to punch holes through walls, well, not his problem. From today forward, he was the protagonist of this world.
For the four of them, breaking out of prison would be as easy as breathing. Nothing could stop them.
He glanced around.
Too bad. Ace and Jinbei haven't arrived yet.
Shiranami turned and gestured. Time to leave.
The remaining prisoners panicked.
"Wait, bro! Bro, don't leave! Take me with you, I'm strong too!"
"Yeah! I'm stronger than Wald! You'll regret not bringing me!"
"Please, bro, !"
Shiranami didn't respond. He ignored them all.
He had no interest in those with crooked hearts.
As the four passed by Catarina Devon's cell, she glared at Shiranami, teeth clenched in fury.
"You little bastard! If I ever get out of here, I'll tear you apart with my own hands!"
Shiranami stopped, turned his head, and replied coldly.
"That day is coming soon. Just make sure you don't wet yourself when you see me again."
His innocent smile, paired with the chilling words, made everyone uneasy.
Devon was about to retort when she noticed a shift in Shiranami's eyes.
Suddenly, a terrifying pressure erupted, blanketing her entirely.
She resisted for only a second.
Then her eyes rolled back, her body convulsed, and she collapsed to the ground, completely unconscious.
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200 P.S = 1 Extra Chapter