"We'll fight again another day. I'm leaving for now."
The Red Count rested his umbrella on his shoulder, a smile hanging on his face.
Meeting Is today and exchanging blows with him had already satisfied him.
If he continued entangling himself in this battle, he might not be able to leave at all.
"You want to leave?"
A cold smile appeared on Is's face.
Did the Red Count really think Is was some nobody, someone who could be provoked and then simply allow the offender to walk away unharmed?
"Farewell, Is. Next time we meet…"
"I'll win."
Confidence filled the Red Count's smile.
He had obtained clues regarding a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit.
His original purpose for going to sea this time had been to search for that fruit.
But after becoming interested in Is, he had deliberately come to meet him.
As long as he obtained that Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit—
He believed that even against Is, he might have the strength to fight evenly.
"You think I'd let you leave without paying a price?"
Is stared at the Red Count's retreating figure, his expression dark.
The Red Count moved at incredible speed, darting across the buildings of the Sabaody Archipelago and leaving afterimages behind.
"Black Dragon Form!"
Watching the Red Count flee, Is let out a low shout.
Dragon scales began appearing across his body.
His physique started changing rapidly.
In only an instant—
He transformed from human form into a massive black dragon.
His draconic body was covered in black and dark blue scales, while his wings were layered with hard dragon armor.
Terrifying pressure radiated from his entire being.
"A dragon! A dragon! It's a dragon! Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is turned into a black dragon!"
The pirates watching from afar all shuddered violently, leaping to their feet as they stared at Is in shock.
"He can actually become a dragon too? What kind of Devil Fruit does he even have?!"
One pirate swallowed hard, wiping cold sweat from his forehead as his voice trembled.
"No wonder he could end Rocks. So he still had this ability hidden away. Watching this battle was worth it."
The pressure emitted by the black dragon was overwhelming.
Even the spectators in the distance felt their hearts tremble.
"A… a black dragon!"
Rem stared upward at Is in astonishment.
She had never imagined he could transform into such a form.
"So Is is actually from the Dragon race?"
Ram looked at the black dragon above them and asked Tatsumaki in surprise.
"Is isn't a dragon."
"That's Acnologia's power."
"It seems Is has a special ability that lets him use other people's powers."
Tatsumaki shook her head and answered calmly.
"I see."
Rem and Ram nodded.
"Damn it… what is this?!"
"He can turn into a dragon too?!"
The Red Count, still sprinting across distant rooftops, glanced back and saw a gigantic black dragon.
His expression changed immediately.
At first glance, he thought another Devil Fruit user had appeared in Sabaody.
But the aura around the black dragon felt familiar.
After thinking briefly—
He realized the dragon was Is.
Is had already displayed numerous abilities.
Now he had transformed into a dragon.
The Red Count was completely bewildered.
He had no idea what kind of Devil Fruit user Is actually was.
Floating in the sky in his Black Dragon Form, Is's enormous body attracted the attention of countless people throughout Sabaody.
He opened his jaws.
A sphere of black energy gathered inside his mouth, growing larger and larger.
ROAR!!!
With a thunderous roar—
The gigantic black energy sphere blasted toward the Red Count with enough force to destroy mountains and obliterate everything in its path.
"This—!"
Turning around and seeing the enormous black energy sphere before him, the Red Count immediately broke into a cold sweat.
Before he could finish speaking—
He was swallowed by the attack.
BOOOOOOM!!!
A deafening explosion erupted.
The entire Sabaody Archipelago shook violently, as if struck by an earthquake.
Countless clouds of smoke and dust rose into the air while shockwaves swept outward like raging storms.
The whole archipelago visibly trembled.
Large numbers of buildings were destroyed.
And the Red Count's presence vanished completely from Sabaody.
At this point—
If he wasn't dead, then he was at least gravely injured.
Is's expression remained calm as he reverted from Black Dragon Form back to his original appearance.
"What a joke."
"You thought you could leave unharmed?"
Is looked toward the explosion zone ahead and sneered.
He had already refused the Red Count.
Yet the man insisted on challenging him.
How could Is let him go without paying a price?
"Alright. The trouble's been dealt with."
"Let's continue shopping."
Is spoke calmly.
"Okay."
Tatsumaki nodded.
Just as the group prepared to continue—
Suddenly, they heard hurried footsteps.
Tap! Tap! Tap!!!
A large group of Marines came running from afar.
Leading them—
Was Garp.
That's right.
Several hours had already passed since Is and the Red Count began fighting.
By now, Garp had arrived from Marine Headquarters to the Sabaody Archipelago.
"Saint Aurelius D. Virel Is, are you alright?"
Garp ran over and asked.
Even though he knew Is was unlikely to be injured, formalities still had to be observed.
"Do I look like someone who'd be injured, Garp?" Is asked in return.
"Hahaha… looks like you already defeated the Red Count."
Garp laughed loudly.
On the way over, they had seen the destruction everywhere.
Many buildings had been reduced to ruins.
Fortunately, the civilians of Sabaody had already scattered earlier, and no casualties had been discovered so far.
"That isn't something worth boasting about," Is said indifferently.
"But where's the Red Count now?" Garp asked.
"He probably escaped."
Is pointed toward the distant area still covered in smoke.
"This…"
"Who did that?"
Garp noticed the thick smoke and blazing flames rising in the distance, his brows furrowing.
"Are you asking despite already knowing the answer, Garp?" Is replied flatly.
"Hahaha… understood."
Garp scratched his head and laughed before turning toward the Marines behind him with a serious expression.
"Hurry and put out the fires!"
"Yes, sir!"
The Marines saluted loudly before rushing toward the burning areas.
"The civilians already dispersed."
"Don't worry, Garp."
Is patted Garp's shoulder with a smile.
He knew exactly what Garp was concerned about.
Though he had grievances with the Red Count—
He wasn't someone who killed innocent people for no reason.
Hearing that, Garp nodded.
"Let's go."
"We're shopping in Area 43 next."
Is turned and instructed Rem and the others.
As for the aftermath of this farce—
The Marines could handle it.
After all, he was a Celestial Dragon.
And not just any Celestial Dragon, but one with extremely high status.
Privileges existed for a reason.
Without surprises—
The news regarding the destruction he caused in the Sabaody Archipelago today would likely be suppressed.
Or responsibility would be shifted elsewhere.
Because the World Government cared deeply about appearances.
If word spread that he had destroyed large sections of Sabaody—
The World Government would consider it damaging to their image.
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