OP: Sovereign of Blood and Seas

The waters near Loguetown were still as the rebellion's fleet sailed back with its spoils. The moon hung high in the sky, casting silver light across the waves, but the tranquility was deceptive. Eric stood at the bow of his flagship, his sharp eyes scanning the horizon.

"They'll come," Nami said beside him, her voice low. "The Marines won't let this go unanswered."

"I'm counting on it," Eric replied, his blood blade forming in his hand. "Let them come."

His words were a challenge to the night, and the response came swiftly.

From the darkness, the faint outline of Marine sails appeared, moving fast and silent. At their head was a massive ship, its iron hull gleaming faintly in the moonlight. Eric recognized it immediately—it was the Resolute, a warship known for its speed and firepower, commanded by Vice Admiral Tarsen Aegis, a veteran of the Grand Line.

"They're here," Nami said, her voice tense.

Eric's smirk widened. "Good. Time to show them what we're made of."

The Resolute opened fire first, its cannons thundering as fire lit up the night. The first volley struck one of Eric's smaller ships, the explosion ripping through its hull and sending debris into the air.

"Evasive maneuvers!" Eric barked, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Split the formation and keep moving!"

The fleet scattered, their smaller ships darting through the waves like shadows. Cannons roared on both sides, the air thick with smoke and fire as the battle unfolded.

Eric stood at the helm, his blood blade shimmering in the moonlight. "Target their flanks," he ordered. "Force them to turn, and we'll hit them where it hurts."

Eric's ship maneuvered close to the Resolute, its cannons firing relentlessly to suppress the Marines on deck. As the two ships collided, grappling hooks flew, and Eric leaped onto the warship's deck, his blood blade carving through the first line of defenders.

The Marines were disciplined and well-trained, but Eric moved like a force of nature. His strikes were precise, each one cutting through armor and flesh with ruthless efficiency.

One Marine lunged at him with a spear, but Eric dodged, his blood blade shifting into a curved scythe. With a single swing, he disarmed the soldier and sent him sprawling.

"Blood Puppeteer," Eric muttered, focusing on the fallen Marine.

The body jerked upright, its movements controlled by Eric's will. He sent it charging into the enemy ranks, its sudden resurrection sowing chaos and fear.

Another Marine came at him from behind, but Eric's instincts flared. He spun, his blade dissolving into a crimson shield that absorbed the blow before reforming into a dagger. With a quick thrust, he ended the fight.

The battle pressed on, but the Resolute was a fortress, its defenses unyielding. Eric's blood blade shifted forms constantly—scythe, sword, shield—each one tailored to counter the enemy's attacks. But the Marines kept coming, their numbers seeming endless.

As Eric fought, a sudden surge of energy coursed through him. The hunger he had felt for so long grew sharper, more demanding. It wasn't just about blood anymore—it was about control, domination.

"Consume," Eric whispered, the word instinctual.

The blood pooling at his feet shimmered, rising into the air and swirling around him. It coalesced into a series of floating blades, each one gleaming with raw power. With a flick of his wrist, Eric sent the blades flying into the enemy ranks, their movements precise and deadly.

The Marines faltered, their formation breaking as Eric advanced. The floating blades moved like extensions of his will, striking with unerring accuracy and returning to him like loyal hounds.

"What… what is he?" one Marine muttered, his voice trembling.

Eric grinned, his eyes gleaming with a crimson light. "Your worst nightmare."

As the Marines began to retreat, a commanding voice rang out across the deck.

"Enough!"

Vice Admiral Tarsen Aegis stepped forward, his massive form cutting an imposing figure. He wielded a greatsword nearly as tall as he was, its blade glowing faintly with an unnatural light.

"So, you're the Blood Shadow," Aegis said, his voice steady. "You've caused quite a mess. Let's see if you can back it up."

Eric smirked, the floating blood blades orbiting him like a deadly halo. "I've been waiting for someone worth my time."

Aegis lunged, his greatsword swinging in a wide arc. Eric dodged, his blood blades intercepting the strike with a burst of sparks. The force of the attack sent him sliding back, but he recovered quickly, his own blade shifting into a spear.

The duel was brutal, the clash of steel and blood echoing across the ship. Aegis's strength was immense, each swing of his greatsword threatening to overwhelm Eric's defenses. But Eric's agility and newfound power kept him one step ahead, his floating blades striking at every opening.

"You've got skill," Aegis admitted, his breath coming in short bursts. "But skill alone won't save you."

"Good thing I've got more than that," Eric replied, his grin sharp.

With a roar, Aegis brought his greatsword down in a devastating strike. Eric raised his hand, the blood swirling around him forming into a massive shield. The impact sent shockwaves across the deck, but Eric held firm, his eyes gleaming with determination.

"My turn," he said.

The shield shattered, the shards transforming into a swarm of crimson spikes that shot toward Aegis. The vice admiral raised his sword to block, but the sheer number of projectiles forced him back.

Eric seized the opening, his blood blade shifting into a curved saber. He lunged, the blade slicing across Aegis's side. Blood sprayed, and Eric felt the familiar connection snap into place.

"Blood Bind," Eric muttered.

The vice admiral staggered, his movements slowing as Eric's power took hold. The blood flowing from his wound shimmered, forming chains that wrapped around him and bound him in place.

"It's over," Eric said, his voice cold.

Aegis glared at him, his defiance unbroken. "You think this will stop the Marines? You're just one man against the tide."

Eric smirked, his sharp eyes gleaming. "Then I'll become the storm."

With a final strike, he brought the duel to an end.

The retreat of the Resolute was a turning point. Eric's victory over Vice Admiral Aegis sent a clear message to the Marines: the Blood Shadow was not to be underestimated.

As the fleet sailed back to Loguetown, the crew's cheers echoed across the waves. Nami approached Eric on the deck, her expression a mix of frustration and admiration.

"You keep pushing yourself," she said, her tone sharp. "One of these days, it's going to catch up to you."

Eric smirked, his gaze fixed on the horizon. "Not today."

She sighed, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "You're impossible."

"Maybe," Eric replied, his sharp eyes gleaming. "But now they know what we're capable of."

The rebellion had grown stronger, and Eric's power had reached new heights. But he knew that the battles ahead would be even harder.

The East Blue was his battlefield, and he was far from finished.