"So, can we stop testing each other now?"
Michael sighed, staring at Kaido, who remained in his human form.
"Are you trying to buy time until your forces are in position?"
"If that's all you're thinking... then my opinion of you is dropping, Kaido."
Kaido didn't respond, because...
He was thinking along those lines.
Though born as the world's strongest creature... his mind was divided in this battle destined to reach the pinnacle.
Because...
His true goal wasn't killing Michael—it was Wano.
First, he wasn't sure he could kill a powerhouse like Michael...
Second...
Even if he could, slaying Michael now would provoke both the Marines and the Revolutionary Army...
And he had zero interest in such foolishness.
But once Michael called him out on this hesitation...
The tactic became useless.
Just as Kaido shook his head, preparing to fight in earnest, he heard Michael mutter a genuine "Holy shit."
Michael's eyes were fixed on the distant sky.
Following his gaze, Kaido's own eyes widened in shock.
There, towering into the clouds, stood the colossal mecha forged by Bullet's Union Union Fruit!
But Bullet had never told Kaido... That it would be this massive.
"Seems your cooperation with Bullet and the others wasn't as tight as you thought," Michael sneered, eyeing the combined robot that far exceeded conventional specifications.
"The fusion of the Merge-Merge Fruit and the More more Fruit?"
"Does it matter? Even when pirates cooperate, they always maintain some hostility toward each other... That's the unspoken rule for survival on these seas!"
After a brief moment of surprise, joy surged through Kaido's heart.
Though such formidable firepower was unexpected, it would make his plans to conquer Wano Country proceed much more smoothly.
At the very least, before this colossal combined robot, even Wano's natural defensive terrain would be utterly demolished...
He might not even need to use the Dyna Stone.
"That grin of yours... truly irritating," Michael scoffed, staring at Kaido before suddenly swinging the withered wood and cherry blossom blades in his hands.
"Lion's Thousand Ravines!"
Countless slashes fiercer and more devastating than Shiki's own erupted from Michael's twin swords.
The sudden assault left Kaido momentarily overwhelmed.
Several wounds appeared across his body in quick succession.
Yet...
Kaido lived up to his title as the Strongest Creature.
His absurd physical prowess and regenerative abilities, enhanced by his Mythical Zoan powers...
Meant those wounds began healing almost as soon as they appeared.
This actually served as proof of Kozuki Oden's legendary feat—leaving permanent scars on Kaido's body with his Conqueror's Haki-infused swords was indeed a testament to his strength.
However...
The Oden of today likely couldn't recreate that miracle against Kaido anymore.
There would always be a gap in talent and combat prowess.
"That was dangerous... Using an old comrade's techniques so suddenly caught me off guard."
Kaido reached up, touching the nearly healed wounds, his expression unexpectedly showing...
A hint of nostalgia.
"Though Shiki was an arrogant bastard... I have to admit, on Rocks' ship back then, aside from Linlin, he was the one who suited my tastes best."
As he spoke, Kaido untied the red gourd marked with the character for "heaven" from his waist.
"Care for a drink?"
Michael remained silent.
Instead, he quietly conjured a softly glowing sake cup from Holy light in midair.
Kaido blinked in surprise, muttering to himself, "Your powers can do that too? Truly defies common sense."
But his surprise lasted only a moment before he uncorked the gourd and filled the floating cup.
Michael extended his hand, and the Holy light sake cup drifted back into his palm.
Gazing at the clear, potent liquor, Michael looked up again.
Kaido had already taken the first sip before continuing.
"So Shiki... he really did die by your hand."
"Correct. Before his life could reach its natural end... I personally severed his head."
"What an honor." Kaido nodded approvingly. "To fall not to illness or age, but by the blade of the strongest opponent... He must have died happy."
"With some regrets... but yes, happy." Michael's voice carried a note of reminiscence. "That old bastard died at the peak of his power."
"Is that so... A toast to Shiki then."
Kaido nodded, then raised his gourd in a distant salute toward Michael.
Michael didn't hesitate.
Tilting his head back, he drained the enormous sake dish in one gulp.
The fiery, potent liquor burned down his throat.
Then the Holy Light sake dish dissolved into motes of radiance.
"So... Are you prepared to meet the same fate as Shiki, Kaido?"
"Ahh... Of course I'm ready for the grandest war!" Kaido spoke these words with his head lowered.
The next moment, his body swelled dramatically.
New horns identical to his dragon form's sprouted around his original demonic pair.
Hybrid form—the Mythical Zoan's optimal combat balance.
This also meant...
Kaido had fully entered battle mode.
"WORORORORO!"
Booming laughter erupted without warning as Kaido leaped skyward!
"Three Worlds Demolition: Thunder Bagua!"
Spinning his spiked club overhead, Kaido descended in a crushing downward strike.
Wrapped around the weapon was none other than Kaido's signature Conqueror's Haki.
Unlike Shiki's frenzied aura, Kaido's Haki carried subtle battle lust.
This also signaled that pointless probing was over.
He'd immediately escalated to Conqueror's Haki Coating level.
Watching Kaido's assault, Michael sheathed Sakazuki and Kogarashi at his waist.
In their place, Morning Star left its scabbard.
Facing Thunder Bagua, Michael felt pressure for the first time in ages.
Pressure was good.
At least...
This wouldn't be a one-sided fight.
"Then... I'll stop holding back too." Michael's raised Morning Star became veined with violet-black Armament Haki...
Advanced Haki application— Ryou.
Though Kaido opened with Conqueror's Haki Coating, Michael didn't intend to counter with Haki clashes.
Yet this sword strike would match Kaido's blow perfectly.
Ryou against Conqueror's Haki Coating!
"Starlight Rune Blade · Divine Song!"
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