Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Before Bullet fully transformed into his monstrous form, the other members of the SWORD Forces, led by Rosinante, had already engaged Wang Zhi of Hachinosu in battle.
Although Wang Zhi had always approached his so-called "allies" and the SWORD Forces with schemes and deceit, his strength was undeniable.
Even Blackbeard, with his dual Devil Fruits, had admitted that without Koby's help, defeating Wang Zhi would have been extremely difficult.
This proved that Wang Zhi was at least close to Emperor-level.
At most, due to various limitations in talent and potential, he couldn't truly compare to the monsters among the Four Emperors.
But when he finally made his move, Rosinante, who was at the forefront, immediately sensed something was wrong.
"You... are this strong?" Rosinante barely dodged a slash, "This doesn't match the intel we have!"
"Intel? If you think I'd let the outside world obtain accurate information about me, isn't that a bit naive?"
A faint smile appeared on Wang Zhi's face.
"People like Kaido don't care if their intel gets leaked, and people like Michael don't either... But I'm different. I have a clear understanding of myself. I'm strong, but I'll never reach the title of 'the strongest.' So I'll use every means possible to ensure my safety and prosperity on these seas."
Wang Zhi spoke at length.
As he spoke, the other members of the SWORD Forces had already surrounded him.
Aside from Rosinante, there were Jack, Hina, Shu, T-Bone, Sandersonia, and Marigold.
"All this talk just means you're at your wit's end, trying to buy time to find a way out, right?" Jack rolled his shoulders and sneered.
"Anyway, we're hardly the right audience for your sob story, are we?"
"I'd like to ask you something—a Revolutionary Army member actually working with the Marine..." Wang Zhi raised an eyebrow meaningfully, "Could it be that Michael never stopped colluding with the Marine? Is someone so inconsistent and wavering in their stance really worth following?"
"Inconsistent? Wavering?" Hina looked at Wang Zhi in surprise, "Hina is shocked. It seems you truly know nothing."
"If he doesn't know, then let him stay ignorant. Dying in ignorance would be mercy on our part."
The metal components of the cabin next to Shu instantly rusted away before surging toward him.
"Ora ora! Let's finish this guy quickly and go support the others!" Marigold shook her fists with a grin.
"I still want to see that giant robot up close! If Stella and the others take it down first, it'll be too late!"
"Marigold... defeating a strong enemy early is good! Don't say it like it's a regret!" Sandersonia smoothed her long green hair, "And... the enemy before us is no pushover. Aren't you all underestimating him a bit?"
T-Bone glanced around, seeing that the small fry on Wang Zhi's ship had already been wiped out.
Without a word, he launched his attack on Wang Zhi.
"Right Angle Flying Bird—T-Bone Big Bird!"
Wielding one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, "Garuda," T-Bone slashed at Wang Zhi.
He went straight for his signature move.
The blade carved a right-angled Flying Slash through the air, its tip unmistakably shaped like a bird's head.
"You all really... think you've got me cornered, huh!"
Wang Zhi swung his sword without hesitation, meeting T-Bone's attack head-on.
With the surging power of Armament Haki, he instantly split the Flying Slash in two, reducing it to nothing.
At this strike, the others no longer held back, converging on Wang Zhi in a coordinated assault.
Though Wang Zhi possessed formidable individual strength, the SWORD Forces—elite Marine troops assembled by Michael—boasted ranks filled with Rear Admirals and Vice Admirals, their combat prowess beyond question...
Wang Zhi was no match for them.
But just as the battle reached its peak, the situation changed abruptly.
The awakening of two Paramecia-type Devil Fruits—the Union Union Fruit's colossal robot and the Moa Moa Fruit's hundredfold amplification—instantly tipped the scales of victory beyond measure.
Even Wang Zhi's pirate ship was sent flying by the hundredfold-enlarged robot that appeared on the sea's surface.
A mere glancing blow was enough to reduce it to splinters on the waves.
Wang Zhi, caught directly in the path of the impact, faced unprecedented force from the Union Robot, now as massive as the legendary Zunesha.
A single trunk strike from Zunesha had once instantly defeated Jack the Drought.
And now, Bullet—fully awakened—stood as a powerhouse wielding all three types of Haki...
Though its size paled in comparison to Zunesha, its combat prowess far surpassed it.
"Holy shit..."
Rosinante barely had time to exclaim before he was sent flying by the shockwave of the attack.
Fortunately, he managed to react mid-air, immediately activating his ability to turn into gold and forming golden ropes to pull back his similarly airborne comrades.
Stabilizing himself with Moon Walk, he then turned his gaze toward the terrifying presence...
"Is this what Stella and the others were fighting...? What a fucking monster."
"Rosinante, should we go support them now?" Hina whispered. "Wang Zhi has already disappeared..."
"Of course!"
...
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Starlight Rune Blade · Judgement!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Starlight Rune Blade · Judgement!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
"...Are you fucking kidding me? Is this the only move you know!?"
Michael watched as Kaido, in his human form, swung his electrified kanabo over and over again.
This technique was all too familiar to him...
Having trained Yamato, he had crossed blades with her countless times.
And "Thunder Bagua" was Yamato's signature move.
After all, they were father and daughter by blood...
Even though Yamato had long severed their familial ties, the imprint of their shared lineage remained unbroken.
But...
Using only this one move...
How utterly boring!
"Of course, this isn't the only move I know."
Kaido gripped his kanabo, his eyes filled with astonishment.
The lightning wrapped around his weapon wasn't just for amplifying the attack—it also stimulated his muscles, granting him near-instantaneous speed.
Even with future-sight Observation Haki like Katakuri's, completely dodging it was impossible.
Yet Michael not only intercepted every strike effortlessly...
But the recoil transmitted through the kanabo told Kaido one thing...
Michael's strength was no less than his own!