It was a pity that there was no "if" in this world. With a single thought from Kaito, the massive crack carved into the ground began to repair itself at a speed visible to the naked eye, and within moments, it vanished without a trace.
In his heart, Kaito sighed silently.
As expected of BIG MOM, one of the Four Emperors. Her level of swordsmanship alone is enough to reach the domain of a great swordsman.
"Blocked…? Mom's attack was blocked?"
Owen stared in disbelief.
"This guy… he's terrifying. As expected of someone capable of defeating Kaido."
Smoothie's expression tightened, her tone solemn.
"Lady Smoothie, should we assist?"
Persian Moss asked cautiously.
"No. Mom hates anyone interfering. Instead, move the civilians. This is only the beginning. Soon, the entire Cake Island will become their battlefield."
Smoothie shook her head firmly.
"Yes. Is it really that terrifying?"
"Absolutely. Never forget how the title Blue Ogre was earned."
"Moving mountains and crushing giants…" Persian Moss trembled. "I'll take care of it right now."
He hurried away without another word.
Crack… crack…
The moment Persian Moss disappeared from sight, the ground, the city walls, and every structure surrounding Kaito and Charlotte Linlin began to split apart.
Hum…
A violent, overwhelming force erupted from Charlotte Linlin, like an ocean storm meeting a volcanic eruption.
Compared to her earlier bursts of power, this one was unmistakable.
Conqueror's Haki.
A tide of deep red aura roared outward like rolling waves. It swept across the castle, enveloping Kaito entirely.
Charlotte Linlin's cold voice echoed through the ruins.
"Well, aside from Kaido, you're the first person to withstand my Thunder Flame Sword Ki without collapse."
"Should I feel honored?"
Kaito smirked, his tone mocking even as the oppressive presence of her Haki pressed around him.
Hum…
With equal force, Kaito released his own Conqueror's Haki. The air rippled as golden pressure burst forth and spread across the battlefield.
The golden aura appeared almost solid, overwhelming and majestic. Even Smoothie and the others far away felt their hearts tighten.
There was something about Kaito's Haki that made their instincts waver.
Smoothie, one of the top commanders, recognized the weight of that pressure immediately. If she felt this much strain, the weaker members could barely endure.
"We need to leave too. Cake Castle will collapse soon."
Smoothie turned to Perospero.
"Brother Perospero, you handle things here. I'll take a group to support Brother Katakuri."
"Yes. Be careful. Try to buy time. Once Mama defeats Kaito and captures him, this crisis will end."
Perospero responded gravely.
Smoothie nodded but lowered her gaze.
Defeat Kaito…? Brother Perospero is dreaming. Kaito defeated Kaido, made the entire Beasts Pirates submit. His strength is unquestionable. I fear even Mom can't defeat him. If this goes wrong, our pirate crew could end up just like the Red Hair Pirates.
Brother Katakuri, I hope you can hold on.
Red like blood.
Gold like a rising sun.
The two colors clashed violently, dividing the castle into two distinct worlds.
Crackling lightning flickered between the red and gold waves, hissing as faint streaks of dark red thunder danced in the air.
Boom!
The roof above them shattered under the collision of their Conqueror's Haki. Sunlight poured into the ruins as two beams of golden and crimson energy shot skyward, accompanied by flashes of thunder.
The BIG MOM Pirates members evacuating the crowd froze in place.
"So terrifying… That Conqueror's is equal to Mom's!"
"Hurry! Get everyone out!"
On the battlefield, the dark red lightning serpents vibrated violently. Every time they flashed, they shifted further away from Charlotte Linlin's aura and closer toward Kaito's expanding territory.
The radius of his Conqueror's Haki grew from one meter to three meters, then continued to expand outward.
Soon, the entirety of Cake Castle was on the verge of being swallowed by Kaito's Haki.
"You're the second person to surpass me in Conqueror's Haki, aside from Red Hair. No wonder you drove the Red Hair Pirates out like street rats."
Charlotte Linlin grinned through gritted teeth.
Her massive figure blurred, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
"For a body that huge, her speed is ridiculous."
Kaito muttered as he twisted his torso. Susanoo's massive blue fist shot forward with immense force.
Boom!
The castle wall ahead exploded instantly, shaking the entire structure. Portions of the castle began to collapse under the pressure of the two fighting monsters.
"Flexible, aren't you…" Kaito murmured as he sensed her presence shift sharply.
"Die, boy!"
Her roar echoed behind him. Kaito's vision dimmed as her enormous frame appeared in front of him.
Her thunder-wreathed fist was massive enough to crush a ship, wrapped in violent lightning that crackled across the frozen air.
Boom!
The impact landed on Susanoo.
The explosion of thunder sent Kaito flying backward, smashing him through the wall and out of the castle entirely.
The city wall shattered as debris scattered across the island.
Landing in the open space outside, Kaito glanced at the fracture running down the center of Susanoo's skull.
Her strength… it's even greater than Kaido's.
And this lightning…
Kaito let out a cold snort. With a flick of his hand, all surrounding thunder dissipated instantly.
Charlotte Linlin's expression tightened.
Lightning. He could control lightning itself.
"Thunder Pirate. So you really ate the Thunder Fruit!"
"What do you think?"
Kaito smiled coldly and extended his hand.
"Universal Pull."
A crushing gravitational force burst outward, like a black hole swallowing everything.
Caught off guard, Charlotte Linlin's massive body lurched uncontrollably toward him.
"What! Why can't I move!"
Her eyes widened in shock as her body was dragged toward him like a projectile.
"Sorry. Let me show you what real lightning looks like."
Kaito stepped out of Susanoo. Black arcs rippled across his body, the air humming as if a god of thunder had descended.
Charlotte Linlin rushed toward him helplessly.
Kaito bent his knees slightly, drawing back his fist.
Dark lightning snaked around his arm as his strength condensed, each pulse of power shaking the air.
Boom!
At the moment she reached him, Kaito drove his fist into her abdomen with the force of a falling meteor.
Charlotte Linlin's body bent into a painful arc. Her eyes bulged as blood trickled from the corner of her mouth.
The shockwave rippled across Cake Island.
---