The massive, pillar-like hand of the Beast King swung forward effortlessly. As the scars on his arm burst into white smoke, they healed instantly, returning to their original state as if nothing had happened.
Kaito narrowed his eyes. That regeneration... is this the awakening of his Devil Fruit? Or is it just how his body works?
Before he could think further, a monstrous figure appeared before him — a demon-like being radiating the oppressive might of an ancient beast. The air seemed to freeze under the weight of his presence.
Kaido's pitch-black fist, thick as a boulder and filled with destructive power, had yet to fall, but the sheer force of it made the surrounding air warp and the ground tremble.
Hum!
An invisible wave of repulsion exploded outward from Kaito, twisting the world around them. The earth shuddered violently as a deafening boom echoed across the island. Trees splintered and the ground cracked open as shockwaves spread in every direction.
Whoosh!
As the dust cleared, Kaido's massive body was seen hurtling through the air, smashing through several trees before crashing into the earth. The ground quaked, forming a deep crater. From within the pit, Kaido rose slowly, his face expressionless — but the killing intent burning in his eyes betrayed his fury.
Twice he had clashed with Kaito, and twice he was forced back. As expected of the man who had once captured Akainu alive — Kaito's strength only made Kaido's blood boil hotter.
Suddenly, a scorching blaze surged from the distance. The moment it landed, the world around Kaido erupted into an inferno. The temperature spiked to impossible levels, easily surpassing Akainu's molten heat. The ground beneath them glowed red-hot, molten cracks spreading like lightning veins.
Kaido stood amidst the sea of fire, calm and unmoved, as though the flames were mere illusions.
"Fire, huh?" Kaido growled. "Seems the reports were right — you've got more than one ability!"
He stepped forward, each stride shaking the ground, steam rising off his colossal frame. His eyes gleamed with excitement — as if he'd found a treasure.
Kaito smirked. "Fire doesn't work? Then let's try something else."
Black light flickered across his body, and golden energy radiated from his arm — the manifestation of his Armament Haki: Emission.
This was advanced Haki — an energy that could strike through the enemy's body, destroying them from the inside.
The air rippled violently as Kaito tightened his fist. Space distorted around it like warped glass.
"Do you really think I'll be afraid of you!?" Kaido roared, coating his arm in obsidian Haki that gleamed under the firelight.
Boom!
The island convulsed as the earth cracked open. Waves of pressure swept outward, tearing through stone and soil alike. Spiderweb fractures split the island, each collision widening them further.
Kaido's eyes widened as pain flared inside his body. His monstrous form staggered, the veins on his neck bulging as he coughed up blood.
"Emission…" he muttered hoarsely, glaring at Kaito.
Kaito lowered his fist slightly, his expression unreadable.
A faint white mist escaped Kaido's mouth as he exhaled sharply. His muscles bulged, the wounds closing once again. He stood straight, his breathing calm.
"You just don't die, huh?" Kaito sighed, a hint of amusement and pity in his tone. "As expected of the immortal Kaido."
Kaido chuckled darkly. "You can use Emission… you've been to Wano, haven't you? One last time — join my crew, and I'll overlook everything. Otherwise…" His eyes sharpened like blades. "Only one of us leaves here alive."
Now calm, Kaido's presence grew even more suffocating. The air itself seemed to bend under the weight of his spirit. Kaito knew — this was Kaido at his most dangerous.
Meanwhile, on a nearby warship, Kizaru had a den-den mushi (transponder snail) on his shoulder.
"Staff Officer Crane! Are you seeing this? They're not even fighting seriously yet, and the whole island's already breaking apart!"
Inside the warship's communication room, Garp, Crane, Aokiji, and several Vice Admirals stared at the screen in shock as the island split further with each impact.
"That island's doomed," Crane muttered grimly.
Garp, half-lying on a couch, picked his nose lazily. "So what? Not our problem."
Crane frowned. "You don't get it. If the island collapses, the closest landmass is Impel Down itself!"
Aokiji rubbed the back of his neck. "I doubt they'll take it that far. They went out of their way to leave Impel Down before fighting."
"Those two maniacs?" Momousagi cut in. "There's no telling what they'll do!"
Aokiji gave her a look. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Simple," she said. "Kizaru's there, right? Have him scout for another island nearby and lure them away before they destroy the prison."
Crane nodded approvingly. "Exactly my thought."
Garp grinned, grabbing the transponder snail. "Oi, Kizaru! You heard the lady. Move!"
"Roger that," came Kizaru's drawling reply.
In the next instant, his body dissolved into golden particles and vanished.
Back on the battlefield, the two clashed again — their movements too fast for the eye to follow.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Each impact was like a thunderclap. The ground disintegrated beneath them, and shockwaves swept across the island.
Cracks deepened until finally—
BOOM!
The island exploded apart, shattering into massive fragments that sank into the sea below.
As the last pieces vanished beneath the waves, Kaito and Kaido's battle shifted to the skies.
Each blow sent ripples through the clouds, clearing away storm fronts and shattering the heavens themselves.
From below, Redfield and Bullet watched.
"A terrifying fight," Redfield murmured.
Bullet clenched his fists. "Let's go. We can't fall behind. And looking at this… I'd say Kaito's winning."
Redfield smiled faintly. "Doesn't matter who wins. The stronger he is, the stronger our crew will be."
They took off, following the streaks of light that tore through the sky.
_______
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