Chapter 21: The Red-Haired Blade — A Furtive Glimmer
"Not good, the captain's heart has been taken."
"We're going to die."
"Brat, let go of the captain's heart."
The pirates shouted one after another. They were truly worried that Satan might accidentally crush Red-Haired Shanks's heart. If that happened, their captain would bid the world farewell.
"What a bizarre ability."
"To be fair, my sword has no special moves."
"The only advantage is speed."
"Speed taken to the extreme, so fast no one can react."
Shanks wore a look of nonchalance, even though his heart was in Satan's hand.
"In all swordsmanship, nothing breaks defense like speed."
"Your blade takes an unorthodox path and is indeed strong."
"But I am not a good teacher of swordsmanship."
Satan returned Shanks's heart.
Shanks's sword was fast. Because of that, his way of the sword had no fixed forms. With speed pushed to the limit, it surpassed all technique. Before a move even came out, the hit had already landed. Perhaps the instant he moved, any casual swing could both attack and counter. Every strike held inexhaustible power. That was the fast sword. That was Shanks's instruction.
As for stealing Shanks's heart, it was only a surprise move. There had been no killing intent. If it were truly a fight to the death, with Shanks's level of strength he would have guarded against it. With his speed he might not be caught at all. He could even take it back at the instant the heart was about to be crushed.
"Don't be like that. I'm teaching earnestly."
"Anyway, if you haven't stepped into the way of the sword, just waving a blade around to fool Hawkeye would be bad."
Shanks laughed loudly. In his heart he had indeed been startled.
Satan's ability was too strange, as uncanny as the Supernova Law's Ope Ope no Mi. To seize a person's heart in an instant, from what distance. This guy was anything but simple.
"Um, that ability that just snatched the captain's heart in an instant, what is it," Krosda asked cautiously. To think he had dared challenge Satan to a duel earlier was simply asking for death. Now he knew Satan could take a heart in an instant. If Satan intended to kill, he could probably take his life in a heartbeat. Too strong. Would this guy hold a grudge over it. Krosda regretted ever going to duel Satan. Krosda lost his nerve.
"I've heard there's a Supernova pirate on the seas named Law."
"His ability can also take others' hearts. Your ability is similar."
"So you are a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user," Ben Beckman guessed.
The other pirates stared at Satan in curiosity. After all, Satan had just taken Shanks's heart. It was far too bizarre. That effect absolutely could not be achieved by speed alone. There was only one possibility. A Devil Fruit user.
"It's called Force Seizure. It can take everything from an enemy, whether tangible or intangible," Satan said without hesitation. His ability was near invincible. At first it awakened within three meters. Now anything within five meters was within the range of seizure. To crack it, one needed Armament Haki or to escape the range.
"Force Seizure."
"That really fits a pirate's ability."
"Haki kid, let's throw a banquet," Shanks laughed.
"Cheers."
On the pirate ship, Shanks raised his cup and then drained it in one go.
"Cheers."
Satan also drank it all. A pirate's life suited him best. Big bites of meat and big gulps of wine. If there were beauties for company, it would be perfect.
"Satan, a toast," Krosda said, raising his cup and running to Satan's side.
"Bottoms up."
Satan never refused.
"Ding, Gluttony Value detected. Absorb or not."
"Absorb."
"Absorption successful. Congratulations to the host on gaining 100 Gluttony Points and randomly gaining 10 points of strength."
"As expected, holding a banquet is the fastest way to increase Gluttony Value."
Satan laughed heartily, his spirit soaring.
After several rounds of drinks, Shanks's face gradually turned solemn.
"Haki kid, you know Whitebeard is in trouble. Are you not going to stop it," Shanks asked.
"Then why aren't you stopping Whitebeard. Why not personally remove the crisis," Satan countered.
Shanks fell silent.
"Red-Hair is selfish and conflicted," Satan grinned.
"Haki kid, nonsense."
"Do not slander the captain."
"We of the Red Hair Pirates are the freest crew. Why should we meddle in Whitebeard's affairs," the pirates glared at Satan. Their captain was the one they respected most.
"But you have already meddled."
"The torrent of the era cannot be stopped. It is about to run wild," Satan laughed.
He read the heart of Red-Hair. Intrusion, the Light of Prying, could read another's memories or thoughts. Combined with Observation Haki, it was enough to hear all things.