Chapter 95: Tough Redfield

Redfield's speed was exceptional, and just as Claudius's slash was about to hit him, he raised his sword to block the attack. But before he could relax, a chill swept over him, the white air current that accompanied Claudius's slash had coated his blade with frost.

In an instant, the sturdy sword in Redfield's hand started to crack, becoming brittle under the intense cold. With a sharp snap, the blade shattered, and the remaining energy from the slash tore a small wound into Redfield's chest. The cut immediately turned white, frost spreading across the skin, freezing his flesh on contact.

Redfield's expression darkened as he dropped the remains of his sword, watching in horror as the frost crept toward his hand. He quickly released the hilt, letting it fall to the ground like a chunk of ice.

"What a terrifying frost power…" Redfield muttered, stumbling back. He placed a hand on his chest, feeling the numbed flesh around the wound. As he pinched the frostbitten tissue between his fingers, it crumbled into powder. The wound was necrotic—completely frozen.

"How about it? Impressed by my technique?" Claudius taunted, a wry smile on his face.

Fleet Admiral Kong glanced at Claudius, not saying a word, but his expression showed a hint of respect. He didn't chastise Claudius for interfering. In truth, Kong had underestimated Redfield, and as the Fleet Admiral of the Marines, he couldn't afford to lose here. Claudius's intervention had pulled him back from the edge of defeat.

"Who the hell are you?" Redfield growled, glaring at Claudius with suspicion.

Despite Claudius's growing reputation especially after capturing Shiki and assisting in Roger's capture he was still somewhat of an enigma to most on the seas. Few knew what he looked like, and even fewer had actually seen him in action. Redfield, for all his experience, had no idea who this newcomer was.

With a cocky smile, Claudius replied, "Heh, don't worry, I don't change my name. You're looking at—Donquixote Claudius."

"Donquixote?" Redfield echoed, momentarily confused.

Then, as the name sank in, Redfield's expression darkened. "So you're Celestial Dragon Claudius, that infamous CP-X operative?"

Claudius grinned. "Ah, so you've heard of me."

Redfield sneered, glancing between Claudius and Kong. "The legendary CP-X is real, then. And the World Government thinks so highly of me that they've sent both a Marine Fleet Admiral and a Celestial Dragon to capture me? I should be flattered."

"You're worth the trouble, Redfield," Claudius replied coldly.

Without wasting any more words, Claudius raised his sword and unleashed another slash. This time, he didn't add his liquid nitrogen power, but the sharp edge of the attack cut through the air with lethal intent.

Redfield braced himself, coating his arms with Armament Haki as he raised them to deflect the slash. "What exactly is your ability?" he demanded, frustration lacing his voice as he blocked the strike.

Claudius simply smirked, refusing to answer. There was no way he'd reveal the nature of his powers to an opponent, especially someone as dangerous as Redfield.

On the other side of the battlefield, Fleet Admiral Kong seized the opportunity, launching himself toward Redfield. With a powerful stomp, he appeared at Redfield's side, throwing a heavy punch at his shoulder. The impact sent Redfield hurtling through the air.

Claudius had joined the battle at the perfect moment. While Kong was still a formidable opponent, his age had started to show, and Redfield had been gaining the upper hand. Claudius's intervention helped tip the scales back in the Marines' favor, giving them a renewed advantage.

As Redfield was knocked back, Claudius was already preparing his next move.

"Storm!" he shouted, swinging his demon blade Shindō. Several slashes flew forward, each wrapped in a fierce wind current. As they traveled, the air and sword energy combined, forming a twisting whirlwind of razor-sharp gales.

The cyclone tore through the terrain, ripping apart trees and rocks as it barreled toward Redfield, who had barely regained his balance. Redfield gritted his teeth and braced himself, covering his entire body with Armament Haki, turning his skin as black as obsidian. The whirlwind slammed into him, pushing him back and tearing his clothes to shreds, leaving small cuts across his body.

"Red Fury!" Redfield roared, his eyes flashing with anger. In a blur of red, he transformed into a streak of blood-colored energy, closing the distance between him and Claudius in an instant.

Kong barely had time to react, and Claudius felt his heart skip a beat as Redfield's terrifying speed brought him face-to-face with danger. A wave of dread washed over him, and he instinctively fortified his chest with Armament Haki, kicking off the ground to backpedal.

But even with his quick response, Redfield's claws slashed across Claudius's chest. His Armament Haki barely managed to hold up against the attack, but it was clear that Redfield's power was in a league of its own. Claudius's Haki shattered under the pressure, and five deep gashes appeared across his chest, flesh and blood flying from the wounds. If he hadn't managed to pull back in time, Redfield's claws might have pierced his heart.

Ignoring any semblance of pride, Claudius dropped to the ground, rolling away from Redfield's follow-up strike. He might have looked undignified, but survival was more important than appearances. As he rolled, Kong rushed in, aiming a massive punch at Redfield's head, forcing him to turn his attention away from Claudius.

Redfield hesitated. He wanted to finish off Claudius, but the Fleet Admiral's fist, crackling with deadly intent, was too dangerous to ignore. With a grimace, he shifted his stance and intercepted Kong's punch with his own, their fists clashing mid-air in a brutal collision of Haki.

The shockwave from their clash sent Claudius tumbling further back, giving him a chance to catch his breath. Blood trickled down his chest, but he managed a defiant grin as he wiped the blood from his wounds. "Not bad, Redfield. But you're not the only one who can give as good as you get."

A rhythmic, powerful heartbeat began to emanate from Claudius, like the pounding of war drums. His aura surged, brimming with renewed strength.

"King Engine… on," Claudius murmured, focusing his energy.

He tightened his grip on Shindō, the muscles in his arm flexing as he readied his next attack. "One-Sword Style—Secret Art: Winter's Fury!"

With a powerful swing, Claudius unleashed a massive slash coated in a frigid, white air current. As the attack traveled forward, it left a trail of frost in its wake, freezing the ground, trees, and rocks it touched. The very air around it seemed to crystallize, and everything in its path became brittle, covered in a delicate layer of ice.

Fleet Admiral Kong's eyes widened as the freezing slash approached, realizing that he, too, was within its range. Without hesitation, both he and Redfield pulled back, evading the icy path of destruction.

Claudius's lips curled into a triumphant smirk. Just as the two combatants dodged his slash, he revealed a Short Sword in his other hand, which he'd been hiding up until now.

"Gotcha," he whispered. "Shoot to kill—Shinsō!"

With a sudden thrust, the short blade extended, stretching toward Redfield with blinding speed. The silver glint of the blade cut through the darkness, and Redfield's eyes widened as he twisted mid-air, sensing the danger. But he wasn't fast enough.

The tip of Shinsō pierced his shoulder, drawing blood as it punched through armor and flesh alike.

Redfield let out a hiss of pain, adjusting his posture in mid-air to prevent further damage. He clamped a hand over his injured shoulder, gritting his teeth as he glared at Claudius.