Chapter 333: I'll Strike Myself?
A fierce wind howled across the land, the sky darkened, and rumbling thunder echoed from the expanding clouds—a harbinger of impending doom.
The atmosphere on the island grew oppressive.
Everyone felt suffocated as a mysterious force permeated the air, stirring up waves, churning the clouds, and causing astonishing changes in the weather.
Soon, the clouds grew even larger, their oppressive presence overwhelming, with purple lightning flashing within, radiating earth-shattering energy.
"Enjoy divine punishment."
Azure Dragon Kaido spoke, his voice booming like thunder in everyone's ears.
Almost as soon as he spoke, the thunderclouds that had been gathering in the sky for so long, covering nearly half the island, suddenly erupted.
CRACK!
Silver lightning pierced through the void, instantly striking a large sailing ship on the shore.
With a deafening roar, flames erupted like fireworks, and the ship instantly disintegrated and exploded.
Everyone knew that the unlucky spectators randomly chosen on that ship had probably already been vaporized by the heavenly lightning.
CRACK! CRACK!
Streaks of lightning shot from the dark clouds, flashing behind Kaido, making him appear like an ancient demon god—terrifying beyond measure.
"Why are the thunderclouds so easy to control today?"
Kaido wondered, because he found the usually violent lightning unexpectedly docile, gathered together by his special ability, gradually forming a thick, serpentine purple bolt of lightning.
"Never mind, just obliterate that wretched brat."
Kaido thought for a while, still not understanding the reason. He was never one for deep thinking—wasn't it better that the lightning was easy to control? He could gather more energy and unleash even greater destructive power!
At this moment, the purple lightning surging in the dark clouds made even Kaido himself tremble slightly—not from fear, but from the instinctive tremor of life facing nature's might.
It also proved just how terrifying the energy contained in this lightning bolt truly was.
Kaido knew the intensity of this lightning was astonishing. Once unleashed, it would be difficult for even him to control slightly.
He lowered his head slightly, looking down at Rhodes who remained motionless and seemingly lost in thought. A murderous glint flashed in his eyes, and he suddenly unleashed the heavenly lightning.
BOOM!
A purple lightning bolt shot through the air, stretching endlessly, winding and turning like a serpent, traversing the void in a flash...
Arriving directly above Kaido.
"Huh?"
Kaido was slightly startled, realizing something was amiss.
Due to activating his abilities, he'd released his Observation Haki to maximum range, filling heaven and earth, and now he keenly sensed something was wrong.
Had this heavenly lightning struck the wrong direction?
The purple lightning was dazzling, falling like a meteor—a terrifying sight, carrying astonishing radiance.
Though Kaido sensed the anomaly, the distance was too close, and his size too immense, making avoidance extremely difficult.
However, he was ultimately one of the world's strongest beings, his combat instincts even surpassing Shanks's.
With a roar, a dragon's cry resounded through heaven and earth. His body erupted with astonishing light as his head plummeted downward at incredible speed.
Lightning moved so fast that ordinary people couldn't react in time, yet Kaido avoided his vital points!
CRASH!
The purple lightning struck Kaido's four terrifying dragon horns, causing a burst of light and violent fluctuations of Armament Haki—a truly astonishing sight.
Kaido's body swayed violently before nearly collapsing. The attack was devastating, leaving him dizzy and throbbing with pain.
CRACK!
Three of his incredibly strong dragon horns were blasted off at the root, flying away. Only the rightmost horn survived, though it was unstable, blood splattering from its base.
A torrent of energy poured out, leaving large scorched marks on Kaido's head, as if it had been roasted by the sun, emitting a faint smell of charred flesh.
But he was too powerful—his title of immortality wasn't just for show.
A mysterious power could be seen emanating from the lightning-struck area, rapidly healing the wounds, while Armament Haki surged continuously, blocking and expelling the lightning energy.
Under this multi-pronged defense, the purple lightning was running out of steam and would likely be dispelled by Kaido soon.
"Throwing lightning at me? Even a dragon isn't qualified!"
Rhodes, like a bird of prey spreading its wings, soared into the air and pounced on Kaido, determined to press his advantage.
Simultaneously, he swiftly snatched one of the dragon horns flying toward him and stored it away.
Kaido's combat instincts were astonishing. He harnessed the wind and retreated rapidly.
Currently, his head was fuzzy from the lightning strike, and his consciousness was somewhat unclear, making it impossible to fight Rhodes properly.
The two chased and fled at incredible speed, wind howling around them.
Trees and rocks shattered in their wake, and in just moments, they reached the island's edge.
"My god!"
"Azure Dragon Kaido is being chased and beaten by the Thunder God Swordsman! Could it be that today the legend of dragon slaying will truly be recreated?!"
People gasped in disbelief.
Beckman, who'd been certain the battle was over, nearly snapped his cigar in two.
The other members of the Red Hair Pirates were equally dumbfounded.
What the hell?
He struck himself?
Was Kaido, seeing an opportunity, trying to push his limits and seek death?
But it didn't have to be like this!
Beckman was speechless—the reversal was too sudden.
Shanks frowned slightly, pondered for a moment, then said: "Perhaps it's Rhodes's ability. You know, even now, there's still no definitive explanation for his incredibly powerful lightning manipulation."
"Possibly. It seems if we ever go to war with Rhodes in the future, we must avoid fighting during thunderstorms."
Beckman deeply etched this information into his mind. Regardless of whether they'd become enemies with Rhodes in the future, it was always good to be prepared.
The Marines reached a similar conclusion.
However, Sengoku wanted to bury the Thunder God Swordsman here—that would be the best outcome for them.
Because once war started, regardless of victory or defeat, it would mean massive casualties.
Sengoku, the strategist who'd personally orchestrated the Paramount War, understood this better than anyone.
At this moment, Azure Dragon Kaido finally regained his senses. He was filled with shock and rage, roaring repeatedly, seemingly unable to believe that the purple lightning bolt had been so destructive—even with his regenerative abilities, he couldn't recover immediately.
The key wasn't just the damage, but the bizarre fact that he'd struck himself.
"You did this!"
Kaido glared at Rhodes, his enormous dragon eyes flashing with fury, seemingly intent on incinerating Rhodes.
"..."
Rhodes remained silent, intensifying his attack, tearing through the air with his sword and striking Kaido's body repeatedly.
Simultaneously, he unleashed punches, the unique impact technique of Hasshoken sending Kaido reeling backward.
"Damn it!"
The sudden loss of control over the lightning had put Kaido on the defensive. He knew he couldn't continue like this. He had to admit that his dragon form posed no real threat to Rhodes.
Realizing he couldn't end the battle quickly, Kaido decisively deactivated his dragon form, instantly reverting to human form.
THUD!
His mountain-like body crashed to the ground, kicking up a considerable cloud of dust.
BOOM!
Without the slightest hesitation, Rhodes charged at Kaido again, his fighting spirit unwavering—he was determined to settle this today!
Kaido of the Beasts, fearless as ever, stomped his foot, instantly shattering the coastline and sending waves several meters high crashing into the sea.
But what could be seen was that his head was charred black, his ferocious dragon horns broken, and he appeared somewhat disheveled—his demonic aura had been diminished considerably.
(End of Chapter)
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