A single, powerful Haki-infused strike, a casual blow from Renji, appeared to onlookers like a world-ending meteor, a destructive assault capable of annihilating all existence.
Even a top-tier Emperor like Kaido needed to respond with his full might.
Kaido spat out a mouthful of blood, gazing at the incoming slash, his eyes filled with an unconcealable astonishment.
"He just unleashed such a world-shaking strike, and now he can still deliver another one like this."
"Could it be... that using such an attack now barely costs him any effort?"
Such a terrifying conjecture flashed through his mind.
Kaido steeled himself, forcibly suppressing the turmoil within his body, and compelled his Haki to launch a counterattack.
Rumble!
Amidst the thunderous roar, Kaido's massive body moved like a nimble serpent, incredibly fast, while powerful Armament Haki covered his Hassaikai, and thick Conqueror's Haki entwined it.
A strike combining damage, burst, and speed, violently smashed towards Renji.
Horai Hakke!
Clang!
The two incredibly powerful attacks intertwined, colliding with such force that the resulting strong vibrations could pulverize rocks shaken from the ground, demonstrating their terrifying power.
"He's already using his trump card right from the start. Has Renji pushed Kaido-sama to such an extent?"
In a deep pit far away, King, with the advantage of the terrain, avoided much of the battle's aftershocks.
It's hard to imagine that King, who was always so imposing, with a bounty of 1.39 billion Berries, a top-tier powerhouse wherever he went, would now be reduced to cowering in a corner watching others fight.
At this time, in the nearby sea, the Marine warships and the World government agents' warships had also restored their broadcast signals.
Except for Fujitora, who couldn't watch, everyone else was astonished by the battle scene on the screen.
And although Fujitora couldn't see directly due to his blindness, by perceiving the emotional changes of those around him through Observation Haki, he already knew that in the battle currently unfolding in Galzburg, the advantage belonged to Renji.
And it was a HUGE, HUGE advantage!
"Haha, Renji, I'm looking forward more and more to that era you spoke of." Fujitora's face broke into a smile, though combined with the scars on his face, it looked quite grim.
On Renji's warship.
Law, Zoro, and other Straw Hat Pirates members gradually woke up and also saw the content on the screen.
"Is that Kaido? This scale of battle..." Sanji watched the screen, cold sweat pouring down.
It was hard to imagine that if Renji hadn't appeared, the opponent the Straw Hat Pirates and the Heart Pirates would face in the near future would be such a monster.
An ordinary move was already more terrifying than all their ultimate special moves combined.
What the hell were they supposed to fight with?!
Law really had ill intentions!
Zoro's eyes turned fiercely to the side. Law's face was also grim at this moment.
"Is Renji really that strong? Even Kaido, known as the strongest creature, is being beaten by him."
His goal, in fact, was merely to overthrow Doflamingo and avenge Corazón Rosinante, who died saving him more than a decade ago.
Who didn't know the strength of an Emperor? Except for this group of naive Straw Hats.
When this group of people actually accepted his proposal to defeat the Four Emperors Kaido, Law was quite shocked.
However, looking at the current situation, there was no need to think so far into the future anymore.
"It's over. We'll be captured by the Marines. We won't be thrown into Impel Down, will we? That kind of thing... no!" Nami's sobbing grew louder, but it couldn't change the current situation.
"We'll probably be thrown into a pot of oil and fried into delicious meat chunks." Robin, however, had reverted to her usual dark humor.
"Eh! Robin, don't say such unlucky things. Wuwuwu, I don't want to die yet." Chopper struggled, his face full of sorrow.
"Ah, it's not that pessimistic." Robin quickly comforted her companion upon seeing their dejection.
"Eh? Does Robin have a way to escape?" Chopper's heart rekindled a glimmer of hope at the words, but it was quickly extinguished by Robin.
She said calmly, "It's also possible we'll be thrown into a forest of fierce beasts to feed wild dogs, our bodies torn apart into countless pieces, dying without a complete corpse."
Chopper o(╥﹏╥)o: "Robin, don't say it anymore."
Miguel looked at the few people bound by Sea Stone chains. They were knocked out by Renji's Blue, so they recovered consciousness relatively quickly.
Sabo and Luffy, however, were different. They were knocked into a deep coma by Renji. They probably wouldn't wake up today.
Luffy missed another opportunity to gain upgrade experience.
"Lucci... do you think Renji can take down Kaido alone?" Kaku looked at the flickering screen, somewhat uncertainly.
Lucci remained silent at the question. After all, with his current perspective, he couldn't say or judge the outcome of this battle. Because no matter who the combatants were, even though he was very reluctant to admit it, Kaido and Renji were both far stronger than his current self.
"Heh heh, I think it's not impossible for Renji to clear this entire tournament by himself." Stussy said with a casual laugh.
Compared to the tense agents, she clearly didn't have as many burdens. She just said whatever she wanted.
"It's good if he does the job for us." Kaku comforted Lucci.
Purururu...
Lucci quickly answered the Den Den Mushi. This was a direct call from the Gorosei.
"Lucci, is that you?"
Hearing the indifferent voice from the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Lucci quickly replied, "It's me."
"You are to take your men and surround the Galzburg sea area. Remember, there must be no single loophole." Warcury's aged voice came from the other end.
Lucci was somewhat puzzled but still accepted the order. "Yes."
"Also, if any Marine personnel act without authorization later, I permit you to kill them on sight." Warcury continued, his voice carrying endless killing intent and indifference.
Lucci's eyes also sharpened at the words. What did this order from the Gorosei mean?
They shouldn't have missed the live broadcast content on the screen, and they should know that Renji alone was about to end this match, with no need for others to intervene.
Surrounding Galzburg now, was it to kill pirates who might try to escape?
No, then why would the subsequent order say to prevent Marine personnel from acting?
Lucci's brain worked at high speed. He had already figured out the answer.
It was clear that the Gorosei were very dissatisfied, and could no longer tolerate Renji's displayed formidable combat power and his disobedient nature.
His eyes flickered, and at this moment, Lucci experienced a rare and complex, inexplicable emotion.