Chapter 58: "The Aloof Red" Red Earl Patrick Redfield
A young man, clad in a crimson shirt, blood-red trousers, a wide red cape, and with sharp red eyebrows that added a noble air, walked forward while holding an umbrella. His footsteps were accompanied by the sound of applause.
"Hmm?"
Charlotte was startled by the sudden clapping. Quickly turning around, he became alert, his body instinctively tensing as he faced the source of the sound.
When he saw who it was, his expression changed.
The red-clad figure noticed Charlotte's reaction and stopped in his tracks, a faint smile playing on his lips.
"What's this? Does Mr. Charlotte recognize me?"
The young man's tone was polite but carried a tinge of amusement.
Charlotte, however, was visibly taken aback. He couldn't hide his shock as he stared at the newcomer.
The man tilted his head slightly, intrigued by Charlotte's reaction.
"Interesting... I wouldn't have expected someone like you to know me. After all, I'm just a small pirate who hasn't even stepped foot into the New World."
Charlotte took a deep breath, calming himself. His eyes remained wary as he studied the man before him.
He knew exactly who this was.
Patrick Redfield.
The "Aloof Red" and future Red Earl. A man who, years later, would become one of the most feared figures on the seas. Standing shoulder to shoulder with legends like Gol D. Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki, he was a force to be reckoned with.
A lone wolf who, by himself, rivaled the might of entire pirate crews.
Charlotte hadn't expected to encounter someone of this caliber here and now. But on second thought, it made sense.
Patrick Redfield had been inspired to become a pirate after admiring the Rumbar Pirates. That much he had read in forums in his previous life.
The Rumbar Pirates, however, never reached the New World. They had been wiped out in the Florian Triangle, their demise caused by a virus. Only Brook, their musician, survived due to the powers of the Revive-Revive Fruit.
At this time, Brook was still trapped, wandering in that fog-shrouded graveyard of ships. Charlotte had no intention of entering the Florian Triangle—at least, not yet.
Redfield noticed Charlotte's lack of immediate response and felt slightly puzzled. He couldn't tell if Charlotte genuinely recognized him or was just sizing him up.
"Mr. Charlotte?"
Redfield's voice brought Charlotte back to the present.
Shaking off his thoughts, Charlotte adopted a serious expression.
"I didn't expect to meet someone of your strength in the first half of the Grand Line."
His tone was measured, his eyes watching Redfield carefully.
Redfield chuckled softly at the compliment.
"Allow me to introduce myself. I am Patrick Redfield, known as the Red Earl. My current bounty is 11 million berries."
He pulled a folded bounty poster from his clothes and held it out for Charlotte to see.
Charlotte barely glanced at it, his thoughts racing.
In his previous life, Redfield had been described as a loner, someone who avoided social interactions. Why was he introducing himself so openly now?
Redfield mistook Charlotte's silence for astonishment at his bounty. With a smile, he tucked the poster away.
"Though I am a pirate, I do not kill indiscriminately. The bounty is merely a reflection of my actions against certain... pests. The authorities have yet to grasp my true strength."
Charlotte nodded, still cautious.
"I see. Then, may I ask why the esteemed Red Earl has sought me out? Surely, it's not just for a casual greeting?"
Redfield smirked.
"Indeed, not. I'd like to test my strength against yours. I've heard much about you, Mr. Charlotte, and I wish to see how I compare."
Charlotte's wariness gave way to understanding. So that was his goal.
"Very well. Let's find an uninhabited island for our duel."
Charlotte welcomed the challenge. Facing someone of equal caliber was not something he would shy away from.
"There's a suitable island nearby," Redfield said, pointing with his umbrella.
Charlotte extended his Observation Haki in the indicated direction. His senses quickly located a small deserted island, about the size of ten football fields.
Redfield's sharp eyes caught the slight change in Charlotte's expression and nodded approvingly.
"Your Observation Haki is impressive."
Charlotte simply smiled.
"Lead the way."
He hopped onto his rented Blu and followed Redfield toward the island.
---
Unbeknownst to the two, the naval rear admiral monitoring Charlotte had also noticed their departure. Disguised as a merchant vessel, the surveillance ship quietly followed.
Charlotte and Redfield, of course, were fully aware of the tail.
"You seem to have company," Redfield remarked, glancing back at the distant ship.
Charlotte laughed.
"It's just the navy keeping an eye on me. A pirate of my caliber showing up in the first half of the Grand Line is bound to attract attention. Let them watch. It's not as if they can do anything."
Redfield raised an eyebrow.
"Aren't you concerned?"
Charlotte shook his head.
"Why should I be? Aside from Kong, Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr, the rest of the Navy is no threat to me. I'm not worried about anyone else."
Redfield chuckled at Charlotte's confidence.
"Fair enough. But your recent clash with Zephyr made headlines. According to the reports, you were defeated."
Charlotte's face darkened.
"Nonsense! That was a draw! Zephyr and I fought for three days and nights before we both collapsed from exhaustion. The Navy spun the story to protect their reputation!"
Redfield couldn't help but smile at Charlotte's indignation. He could tell the man was telling the truth.
More intriguing to him, however, was the enigma of Charlotte's mind.
Redfield, born with an innate form of Observation Haki that allowed him to read others' thoughts, had never encountered someone he couldn't decipher.
But Charlotte was a mystery. His thoughts were completely closed off, making him all the more fascinating.
For the first time in years, Redfield felt genuinely curious about another person.
---
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