Among all top-tier fighters, Conqueror's Haki Coating stood unquestioned as the ultimate offensive method.
But...
Kaido now felt his worldview undergoing another upheaval.
While "Three Worlds Demolition: Thunder Bagua" wasn't his strongest technique, it still carried Conqueror's Haki Coating...
Yet Michael's counter—that spiraling sword energy which shattered his Haki-coated attack...
Flowed with advanced Armament Haki...
The so-called "Ryou."
True, Ryou was another hallmark of elite warriors.
But theoretically, it shouldn't compare to Conqueror's Haki at all.
"How... did you accomplish this?"
Sent flying by "Divine Song," Kaido examined the emblem-like wound on his chest before staring at Michael in shock.
That single strike had not only pierced Conqueror's Haki Coating but reached Kaido's torso.
Though the injury meant little to Kaido, its implications defied comprehension.
"Do you want to know?" Michael smiled meaningfully. "But the truth is... this move of mine was simply stronger than yours. That's all."
"...Are you mocking me?"
"No, no, Kaido. I'm just stating facts... If you had used a stronger technique instead of a probing move like Thunder Bagua, my Advanced Armament Haki wouldn't have broken through."
Michael swung Morning Star, its straight blade still dripping with the dark purple hue of Armament Haki.
"You're really... arrogant." Kaido, who had been in a drunken state, nearly had his buzz killed by Michael's move.
"The one who used such a probing technique was mistaken, you know." Michael pointed playfully at Kaido from a distance.
"I told you... our fight should be more direct, more sincere."
With that, Morning Star was held horizontally in front, as white Holy Flame, pale blue Judgment Flame, and crimson Wrath Flame slowly emanated from Michael's Wings, coiling around his entire body.
"But since you made the first move just now... doesn't that mean it's my turn now?"
Michael's aura grew increasingly overwhelming.
The three-colored flames of the angel caused the surrounding air to continuously expand and distort, making the very space appear slightly warped from a distance.
"Three types of flames? Just what kind of Mythical Zoan fruit is this?"
After a brief moment of surprise, Kaido's curiosity once again took the upper hand.
Michael—whether in terms of combat prowess or the sheer strangeness of his Devil Fruit abilities—was unlike anything Kaido had ever encountered in his life.
In his view, Roger, Whitebeard, and Shiki were simply embodiments of pure strength.
Charlotte Linlin, whom he considered almost like a sister, had become one of the pinnacle powerhouses solely by relying on the strongest physique in the One Piece World, her innate talents, and the formidable Soul-Soul Fruit.
But Michael...
He seemed like a fusion of both types.
"So eager to know?" Michael tilted his head, looking at Kaido. "But I suppose there's no harm in telling you. The fruit I consumed is the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Seraphim... In a way, Its the same type of fruit as old man Sengoku."
"Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Seraphim? Seraphim..." Kaido repeated the fruit's name under his breath.
"So, the 'Seraph' part represents these three-colored flames?"
"If that's how you want to interpret it." Michael shrugged. "Personally, I prefer to classify this ability as the... authority of a Seraphim."
With that, Michael swung Morning Star, leaving behind a lingering trail of flames in the air.
"So, Kaido, take this next move of mine..."
"Stellar Ember Blade... Dante's Inferno!"
...
"Hey, hey, hey! This thing is way too damn big!"
Rosinante was now standing on the surface of the sea...
To be precise, he was standing on the extended base of a hundredfold-enlarged giant robot.
At this point, Bullet himself had become a floating steel island.
Originally, Rosinante had thought they would have to engage in a drawn-out battle against Wang Zhi...
But it turned out to be all bark and no bite—before the fight could even properly begin, Wang Zhi had already been struck down by one of his own.
It was unclear whether Wang Zhi had been sent flying or shattered into pieces...
Though he was one of the top fighters of the previous era, without the enhancement of a Devil Fruit, relying solely on his dual Haki and physical prowess, it was unlikely he could withstand Bullet's attack.
"Rosinante... what do we do now?" Sandersonia looked up, her usually calm eyes now completely filled with the sight of Bullet.
"Can something this massive really be taken down?"
"How would we know if we don't try?" Marigold rolled up her sleeves, her demeanor far from the cuteness she displayed around Michael.
"Let me see if I can flip him over!"
"You ate the Strength-Strength Fruit, not the Delusion-Delusion Fruit," Jack muttered under his breath.
"Bullet in this state... is no joke."
"Enough, arguing about the enemy's strength is meaningless now," T-Bone gripped Garuda tightly, his expression grave.
"Regardless of their power, we must prepare for a fight to the death."
Rosinante nodded upon hearing this, then turned to look at Shuzo.
"So, any way to turn the metal under the influence of the Union-Union Fruit into rust?"
"Are you taking me for a god?" Shu wiped cold sweat from his forehead. "I ate the Rust-Rust Fruit, not the Make-Dreams-Come-True Fruit... So unfortunately, with the combined enhancement of the Union-Union Fruit and Armament Haki, he can even temporarily absorb seawater as part of his combined robot... Right now, I can't turn the steel on Bullet's body into rust at all."
As they spoke, they suddenly felt an earthquake-like tremor.
Rosinante sharply raised his head.
Bullet had started moving.
Which meant...
The four Logia users were beginning to falter on the front lines.
And indeed, that was the case.
Even with Stella leading in her Cloud-Cloud Style: Steel Maiden Soldier state, Bullet was simply...
Too massive now.
Though the ultimate attacks of the four Logia users could break through his defenses...
Even after breaking through, it was no different from a mosquito bite to him.
The only difference might be...
These mosquitoes could talk?
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in Rosinante's pocket rang.
"Pururu Pururu, Pururu Pururu, click."
"Hello!"
"Rosinante, it's me!"
"Hancock, you're alright?"
"I was never in trouble... Listen, pull back completely now! Defend Wano Country's mainland!"
Hancock's voice came through the Den Den Mushi.
"The Union-Union Fruit's movement speed is extremely slow, so..."
"First, eliminate the Beast Pirates who are flanking Wano Country!"