By this time, King had realized it as well. His older brother always seemed to strike his opponents' weak points, making them lose their composure. It had been like this when he met the real Red-Hair last time, and it was the same now with this 'Fake Red-Hair.'
Of course, King welcomed this. Who wouldn't want an older brother who was always confident and in control of everything?
Clearly, Kaido's words instantly struck a nerve with this second Red-Hair. Watching the other man's emotions change quickly, Kaido curled his lip slightly and added more fuel to the fire.
"Isn't it obvious? Kid, if the real Red-Hair were standing here, maybe I'd take things a little more seriously, but you... your Haki is too far from Red-Hair's."
"Boom..."
Instantly, a massive burst of Conqueror's Haki erupted from the 'Fake Red-Hair's' body, rushing toward Kaido in the sky like a powerful shockwave.
Kaido made no move, his gaze full of disdain as he said, "King, he's all yours!"
"!!!"
King was startled, but quickly showed no hesitation. "Understood, Big Brother!"
Facing the incoming Conqueror's Haki, a crimson light flashed in King's eyes, and his own Conqueror's Haki, no weaker than that of the second Red-Hair, surged from his body, overwhelming the attack. The entire world instantly turned crimson. Where the two Haki forces clashed, sparks and lightning flashed.
Of course, Kaido hadn't spoken those words just to belittle this 'Red-Hair.' He truly felt that even though the man in front of him wore Shanks's face, his Haki was too inferior.
This didn't mean that this 'Fake Shanks' was weak. Kaido could sense that in terms of raw power, this 'Fake Shanks' possessed at least Admiral-level strength, but that was all. If he were facing the old Kaido, while winning would be impossible, holding Kaido back wouldn't have been a problem. Perhaps this strength assessment made the people of Holy Land Marie Geoise believe this 'Fake Shanks' could truly tie down Kaido with his move.
Unfortunately, the current Kaido had already transformed completely. And after beating the real Red-Hair, he had no interest in beating the 'Fake Red-Hair.'
However, he wouldn't waste such a good opponent. This was the perfect opportunity for King, the Vice Governor of the Beasts Pirates.
King's own strength was not weak. Although he couldn't reach the Yonko level, being a quasi-Admiral was certainly no problem. After awakening his Conqueror's Haki and training in the techniques Kaido gave him, King's strength had advanced rapidly. In Kaido's opinion, he already possessed the power to fight an Admiral.
It was important to note that in this world, which valued bloodlines, King, as a Lunarian, had potential no weaker than other rare races. However, to truly become an Admiral-level figure, he was still a little short.
As for what that 'little bit' was? In Kaido's view, it was simple: the aura of an Emperor.
From the moment they met, King had been slightly weaker in terms of his personal aura. He never thought of becoming an Emperor himself; his goal was always to help Kaido become the Pirate King. This might also be the reason he lost in his battle against Roronoa Zoro. Although Zoro also had a Captain, Monkey D. Luffy, he possessed his own dreams and ambitions: to become the world's greatest swordsman.
So, Kaido was prepared to push King's potential. This was one of the reasons he stayed here instead of crossing the Red Line to go directly to the Marineford War site; such a good opportunity couldn't be wasted. Once the Marineford War ended, without the Straw Hat Pirates and Whitebeard attracting firepower, he wouldn't have such an easy chance to face the Marines and the World Government.
As for the other reason? Kaido looked up at the thick clouds above his head... It's about time!
"Boom!!!"
King's Conqueror's Haki clashed with the 'Fake Red-Hair's.' The two sides pushed and shoved, seemingly evenly matched, but Kaido could feel from the start that King's Haki was at a disadvantage.
This wasn't because King's Conqueror's Haki was inferior to the 'Fake Red-Hair's,' but because it lacked aggression. Haki, as a power in this world derived from sheer willpower, draws its strength not only from the physical body but also from a person's emotions and thoughts, which are part of Haki's power.
At this moment, Kaido could clearly sense that this 'Fake Red-Hair's' Conqueror's Haki was like an eagle, constantly trying to catch its prey, using its fangs and claws to tear the prey to shreds. But King's Conqueror's Haki was like a snake; although it also looked very ferocious and bared its fangs, it could only passively defend against the eagle descending from high above.
Seeing this, Kaido knew it was time to push him.
"Hey, King, you must be curious why I brought you on this mission, right?"
As soon as he said this, King's attention was indeed slightly diverted. In fact, it was true; Kaido had initially planned for King to guard Wano Country but later changed his mind.
"Opportunity!"
The 'Fake Red-Hair' below wasn't going to miss such a chance! Instantly, his powerful Conqueror's Haki suppressed King's Haki, constantly shrinking its area. King's expression immediately turned extremely grim, and cold sweat dripped from his forehead.
Kaido, however, spoke as if he hadn't noticed. "The reason is simple: I just want you to see what kind of idiots are occupying the place where your Lunarian ancestors once lived. King, tell me, are you truly content?"
King's pupils contracted, and the flames burning behind him began to flicker.
Seeing this, Kaido knew his words were having an effect, and he continued to press on. "I remember clearly, when we first met, you said you wanted me to become the Pirate King. Worororo, but you can't be like this, King. A 'Fake Red-Hair' is making you look so tired. The Pirate King's crew member should at least be an Emperor, right?"
"Boom!!!"
King's eyes regained their focus, and the flames behind him began to burn more intensely, spreading from his back to his wings, like a phoenix about to be reborn from the ashes. At the same time, the Conqueror's Haki that had been suppressed by the 'Fake Red-Hair' also started to slowly revive.
This startled both the 'Fake Red-Hair' and the cloaked woman below.
But this was only the beginning.
"So, King, don't be afraid anymore. Forget the fear these idiots who occupied the Red Line and took your homeland gave you. Turn that feeling into the power of revenge."
"Boom!!!"
At this moment, everything from the past began to surface in King's fiery eyes. His father, mother, and all the tragic past experiences of the Lunarian people. Just telling the World Government about their existence was enough to earn a bounty of 100,000,000 Berries. Because of this, his fellow Lunarian tribesmen died one after another, and he himself hid everywhere until he was the only one left in this world.
Just when he thought he had no more attachments in this world, a man appeared beside him.
At that moment, a familiar voice also rang in his ears. "Do you remember what you said, King? You followed me because you believed I had the power to change the world, but now, King, I'm telling you, to change this world, my power alone isn't enough. So, King, I need your power. Don't hesitate anymore, and don't be afraid anymore. Follow me, and let's change this world together!"
"Whoosh..."
A gentle breeze blew through the flames burning behind King. Time seemed to stand still at this moment, and the only sound in the world was King's complete liberation.
"Big Brother Kaido, do you need my strength!?"
Feeling the violent throbbing of King's heart, Kaido said without hesitation, "Ah, King, I, your Big Brother, need your strength!"
King's lips curved into a charming smile. "I understand, Big Brother, I won't let you down!"
"Boom!!!"
The entire world seemed to fall silent. The flames behind King suddenly began to surge toward his body, as if being absorbed by him. In its place, King's Conqueror's Haki began to continuously strengthen, going from being suppressed by the 'Fake Red-Hair' to being evenly matched, and then to gradually suppressing the 'Fake Red-Hair.'
At the same time, the flames behind King had completely dissipated. Just when everyone thought it was over, a scene that stunned everyone, including Kaido, appeared.
Streaks of white aura emerged from King's back, transforming into flame clouds that enveloped King's wings. Concurrently, King's black wings seemed to fade, slowly turning into a pair of pure white wings...
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