Chapter 85: The Fall of the Blackbeard Pirates
In another part of the grove, Lafitte, who had been flying overhead, suddenly recoiled his wings. The gradual deprivation of his five senses made it impossible to maintain his Devil Fruit ability, and he began to fall.
"Is this... the feeling of being controlled?" he gritted his teeth, mind reeling. "What a terrifying ability... Can this really be the Human-Human Fruit? This surpasses the very definition of a Zoan-type!"
As he plummeted, Lafitte desperately sought a way out. If he lost his senses completely, he would be utterly defenseless.
"Self-Hypnosis!"
Drawing upon his own Devil Fruit's power, Lafitte focused his will internally. His ability allowed him to hypnotize targets from a distance without their knowledge—a power somewhat similar to Ian's sensory control. He never expected to be so thoroughly outmatched in his own area of expertise.
However, Lafitte's hypnosis could only enforce simple, mechanical commands, stripping away independent judgment. To counter [Five Senses Severance], he had to take the drastic step of hypnotizing himself. The command he implanted was simple: Kill the enemy!
Thud!
Lafitte landed hard but regained control of his body. Immediately, he lunged at T-Bone, his cane striking like a sharp sword aimed directly at the Marine's heart.
Whoosh!
The moment his cane should have connected, T-Bone's figure distorted and vanished like a mirage.
The real T-Bone materialized behind him.
Rokushiki - Afterimage!
This was the new secret technique T-Bone had recently mastered. Utilizing the principles of "Paper Drawing" from the Six Powers, he could create afterimages indistinguishable from the real thing, confusing enemies and evading attacks. Now, amplified by [ZONE Mode], the application was effortless.
"You haven't lost your senses?" Lafitte's hypnotized mind registered the failure.
"Exactly as I prefer!" T-Bone's voice was firm. "When dealing with pirates, I favor a direct approach!"
Right-Angle Hundred-Armed Hunter!
T-Bone's sword moved in a blinding flash, unleashing sharp, green slashes of energy that intersected like a hunter's net, perfectly predicting and entrapping Lafitte's rigid, hypnotized movements.
Sssschlick!
Before Lafitte could react, the razor-sharp net of energy tore into him, sending a spray of blood into the air.
"Cough...!" The severely wounded Lafitte was thrown backward. The intense pain shattered his self-hypnosis.
The next instant, the full effect of [Five Senses Severance] crashed down upon him once more. He had no strength left to resist.
Thud!
As Lafitte collapsed, T-Bone closed the distance in a flash.
Shunk!
His blade pierced Lafitte's throat without mercy.
Lafitte, the "Devil Sheriff" and navigator of the Blackbeard Pirates, was dead.
…
Meanwhile, beneath the tangle of giant roots, Nami's battle was far simpler.
The moment Ian activated [Five Senses Severance], Jesus Burgess, who had been boasting of his brute strength, suddenly saw his vision go black. He collapsed to the ground, completely bereft of sensation. Though conscious, he had no control over his body.
Nami: "..."
Throughout the entire engagement, Nami had been the least challenged. Burgess was a pure brawler with no Devil Fruit abilities to protect him. Losing his senses meant losing all defense.
To ensure there were no accidents, Nami decided to take no chances. She drew the silver pistol she carried and aimed it steadily at Burgess's head.
Sigh... She took a calming breath. "Steady now. He's a pirate. He deserves this."
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Three shots rang out in quick succession. Burgess died without ever knowing what hit him.
"Is it... over?" Nami murmured, lowering her pistol. "What an anticlimactic fight... Major General Ian is truly incredible. Such a huge, powerful pirate was rendered completely helpless before his ability."
Jesus Burgess, the "Champion" and helmsman of the Blackbeard Pirates, had been effortlessly executed.
…
An unexpected turn occurred on Peacock's part of the battlefield.
After Ian severed his senses, Doc Q tumbled from his horse. The moment he hit the ground, Peacock moved with blinding speed, her combat whip snapping out to coil tightly around the sickly man's neck.
"Guh...!" Doc Q, the user of the Sick-Sick Fruit, possessed a dangerous, plague-based fighting style and could control various pathogens. Under normal circumstances, he would have been a troublesome opponent for Peacock, potentially causing her significant difficulty.
But now, Ian's Awakened ability was simply too overwhelming. Doc Q was given no opportunity to perform, no time to even activate his fruit's power.
Crack!
Peacock didn't hesitate. She retracted her whip sharply, the motion clean and brutal. The whip loosened only after it had shattered Doc Q's neck. The "God of Death," doctor of the Blackbeard Pirates, was executed on the spot.
The accident, however, did not involve Doc Q, but his beloved horse, Stronger.
"...!"
Just as Peacock struck, the pale blue horse let out a shrill whinny. Then, to Peacock's astonishment, a pair of wings sprouted from Stronger's back. It flapped them frantically, lifting into the air and escaping the immediate danger.
Its master dead, the mount fled alone. As an animal that had consumed a Devil Fruit, it possessed enough awareness to sense the overwhelming threat of death.
"Eh?" Peacock stared, stunned. "A flying horse? Did that horse eat a Devil Fruit too?"
The realization hit her, along with another, more pressing thought. She had to report this immediately.