Chapter 411: The Duel
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Charlotte had always been aware of the unrest in Wano Country.
He knew about the surviving samurai, though they hadn't caused any trouble in the early years. But in the past two years, skirmishes had become frequent—held back only by Ralph alone, who was maintaining order in the region.
Thankfully, most of Wano's powerful warriors had perished when Kaido invaded. The remnants were either slaughtered by Orochi or crushed during Charlotte's conquest of Wano. What few remained had followed Kozuki Oden on his voyage.
Still, after six years of relative peace, Orochi had once again raised his banner and rallied some discontented samurai. Now, rebellion flared across the land.
Naturally, the common people would choose Orochi over the foreigner-led Rockefeller Pirates.
Charlotte's gaze darkened. Once things settled here, it would be time to purge Wano again.
His commanders, seeing the killing intent in his eyes, were roused with confidence.
They knew: their captain was ready to lead them back into war, to conquer the unknown once more.
"Let's go! Stop standing around—time to drink!"
Charlotte clapped Carter's shoulder and strode toward the castle.
"Yes, Captain!" Carter responded with a grin.
The mood quickly became festive. Inside the great hall, everyone drank and laughed.
Charlotte looked around—then noticed someone missing: Red Count Ledfield.
He expanded his Observation Haki across the island.
By the sea, the Red Count sat cross-legged atop a rock, meditating—preparing for tomorrow's duel.
Charlotte smiled. Even without Haki, anyone could feel the bloodlust rolling off him.
He downed his cup. He was looking forward to the battle too.
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The celebration lasted until 10 PM.
After nearly six hours of drinking, most of the crew lay scattered across the hall, passed out.
Charlotte retired early as well—to rest before tomorrow's fight.
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The Next Morning
Everyone gathered at the harbor, boarding smaller ships and heading toward the designated dueling island.
"Hurry! Find a good spot—the captain and Red Count are about to fight!"
Squad captains urged the crew.
"Hey, Captain, who do you think will win?" a crewmember asked.
SMACK
"Idiot! Of course our captain will win! Red Count helped us a few times, sure—but we're Rockefeller Pirates. Who else would we support?"
"R-right! The captain will win!"
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An uninhabited island
Just sand and stones.
Two figures stood facing each other.
"Hahaha! Red Count, it's been too long! Heard you've been doing well lately," Charlotte said with a smirk.
"Yes. Thirteen years, in fact. I was ready to challenge you six years ago—but you went off on some vacation, left me waiting for six damn years!"
Charlotte raised a brow. "I thought you weren't going to show. Didn't expect you to wait on Carmé Island for five years!"
Red Count chuckled.
"Well then, after all this time… let's finally finish what we started. One round—to decide the winner."
He twirled his parasol like a rapier and pointed it at Charlotte.
"Very well. Let's duel."
Charlotte summoned the Seven-Star Blade—its ghostly green glow radiating a sharp killing intent.
"A demon blade…"
"That's right. The Youken: Seven-Star Sword."
Red Count's eyes narrowed.
Then he vanished.
CLANG!
Charlotte spun and blocked, their blades clashing.
"Your speed's still insane," Charlotte noted.
"You're no slouch either," Red Count replied before retreating and striking again.
CLANG!
Charlotte parried, flicking his sword upward, going for the face.
Red Count countered with his parasol, their points meeting midair.
CRACK!
The force sent both men flying back.
Dust erupted in a cloud.
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"Feels kind of… boring, doesn't it?"
On a spectator ship, Caesar yawned.
"They're testing swordsmanship. To a brute like you, it would seem boring," Estes replied without taking her eyes off the duel.
"Fine, whatever…"
To Caesar, without any Haki, it all looked like simple fencing.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Their pace quickened.
Red Count moved like a phantom, attacking from all directions, leaving afterimages in his wake.
Many weaker crew members couldn't even see what was happening.
Even Estes struggled to follow.
Meanwhile, Charlotte stood his ground, calm and composed.
He fought slow against fast—simply parrying each attack, countering with wide, powerful strikes.
Then—
TSSSH!
Everyone gasped.
A sleeve tore.
Who was it? Who got hit?
All eyes focused.
Red Count stared at the cut on his arm.
"…I lost," he admitted.
Charlotte smiled and shook his head. "It was just swordplay. No big deal."
But his tone was anything but casual.
Red Count frowned.
"In that case… let the real fight begin!"
SWOOSH!
"Crimson Strike!"
A glowing red slash exploded toward Charlotte.
Charlotte's expression turned serious.
"Youkai Slash!"
He countered with a matching arc.
BOOM!
A shockwave split the sky.
Dust burst upward, the sea rippling with energy.
Red Count vanished again—this time, shrouded in Armament Haki.
CLANG!
Charlotte blocked, blade and parasol colliding like thunder.
"Now this is more like it!" Caesar said, grinning at the explosive waves.
Estes glanced at him but said nothing.
"Again!"
Red Count, shocked Charlotte predicted his move, flipped and struck again.
Charlotte sidestepped and retaliated.
Blades crashed across the island.
Slashes landed in midair, tearing sand and stone apart.
Their true battle had just begun.
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