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The stars were dim, and a colossal crack was branded across the firmament, like an inverted abyss, absorbing and devouring light and air.
Terrifying crimson lightning illuminated the land blood-red, like an enraged deity, as chaotic thunder madly struck the earth.
It plowed out shocking scorched marks, toppling and burning trees along the way, and blasting buildings into fragments!
Redfield's eyes narrowed sharply, and with a flick of his slender cane, a piercing sword energy transformed into a blood-red streak, flying towards Kaido accompanied by a shrill whistle.
"Vajra-Spike!!"
Kaido twisted his mouth and swiftly swung his heavy Thunder Club, sending out a cylindrical club energy.
Bang!!
The two energies collided with a thunderous sound, stirring up a massive gale that scattered the surrounding fragmented buildings!
Dense smoke permeated, and fire spread through the streets.
As the dust gradually settled, Kaido looked with gloomy eyes towards the distant sea.
Redfield had drifted far away on a small boat.
His sinister laughter carried on the chaotic wind: "Little brat Kaido, let's settle our score next time we meet... What a dark and violent heart!"
"B-Brother..."
Laura crawled out from under the ruins, still trembling. Even though the impact had intentionally avoided her, the aftershocks of Conqueror's Haki still made all of Laura's hair stand on end, leaving her with lingering fear.
The scarred streets were filled with unconscious people.
Even Roya and Hiber lay on the ground, foaming at the mouth and rolling their eyes, completely losing their composure.
Kaido rummaged through Roya's embrace, pulled out a Devil Fruit, then grabbed Roya and Hiber, and taking Laura, transformed into a Azure Dragon and left Baloses Island.
A week later, Kaido arrived at Winter Island. Most of the damaged towns on Winter Island had been rebuilt in the preceding days.
Roya and Hiber were pirates who had risen to fame in recent years, possessing considerable strength.
Although Kaido had not personally interacted with them in his previous life, the pirates worth over a hundred million in that era had left some impression on him.
He vaguely remembered that in his previous life, both of them became mere background figures of their time, suffering elimination in battles challenging Silver Axe and Roger, respectively.
At that time, Kaido's influence was just beginning to grow, and he was focused on strategizing in Wano Country, only roughly hearing about major events at sea.
Roya and Hiber were both unresigned, but Kaido didn't care about that.
Self-proclaimed strong individuals always possess some unwarranted self-esteem.
But time can smooth out rough edges, and reality makes them see themselves clearly.
So Kaido had Wald imprison them in the underground ice prison on Winter Island, ordering Sebastian to beat them daily, feeding them once every three days, and giving them ice to eat when they were thirsty.
After enduring this for over half a month, the two who had initially disliked each other conspired to escape, overthrowing Sebastian and more than twenty pirates.
But, by an unfortunate coincidence, they ran into Kaido returning from outside the island.
"To have escaped from the dungeon, you two certainly have some skill."
Under the full moon, Kaido's face was indistinct, only his eerie eyes and sharp fangs could be vaguely seen.
It was as if merely by standing there, everything around him would lose its luster.
Roya and Hiber's faces were pale, and their Adam's apples bobbed.
Though they knew the enemy before them was powerful, neither was willing to surrender just yet.
How could they easily give up without even trying to resist?!
The two let out angry roars. Roya charged forward, swinging his black scythe, while Hiber assisted from the side by controlling the ice surface.
Clang!!
Roya's black scythe struck Kaido's neck, but it was as if it hit steel, emitting a piercing sound.
"So hard!!"
Roya's eyes widened, unable to believe what was happening before him.
Hiber manipulated the ice surface, which frantically writhed and crushed forward like a colossal ice dragon, its momentum immense—it was Hiber's most powerful strike since becoming a Devil Fruit user!
But the ice dragon only pushed Kaido back a few meters before stopping.
"How is that possible?"
Hiber's pupils dilated in shock, his mouth agape.
Kaido, with a dominant gesture, plunged his hand into the ice dragon before him, tearing it apart!
The ice dragon instantly transformed into a sky full of ice shards!
Kaido, with heavy steps, walked towards the two amidst the flying ice shards, his eyes full of mockery and amusement: "Is this your limit?!"
"Damn it! How dare he look down on us!"
The two erupted in fury; at this moment, anger overcame fear and reason.
They used all their might to attack Kaido, creating deafening noises.
On a nearby hilltop, Wald and Binjack watched the scene. Wald laughed heartily: "Kaido certainly has a twisted sense of humor."
Laura, mimicking Binjack, sat on Wald's shoulder, her bright eyes fixed in Kaido's direction.
Binjack shook his head and chuckled: "He could solve them with one move, but he insists on tormenting their spirits. Look, soon they'll have to face reality."
Hours later, Roya and Hiber were exhausted, lying on the ice, gasping for breath.
Their eyes were dazed, then bewildered, and finally, resigned.
Roya gave a bitter smile: "So, the gap in the world is really this vast."
Hiber sighed helplessly: "It's time to make a decision."
The red sun rose in the east, casting golden light upon Winter Island, but it was blocked by the dense fog surrounding Winter Island.
The two helped each other up and walked before Kaido: "Boss!"
Kaido grinned: "Worororo! From now on, you'll conquer this world with me!"
Having gained two new subordinates, Kaido ordered a grand banquet to celebrate.
At the feast, Kaido sat at the head of the table, looking at Wald, Binjack, Sebastian (whose head was still bandaged), and Laura seated on his left.
On his right sat Roya and Hiber.
As for Nachen, she was at the deserted island factory for a routine inspection and hadn't come.
Gairam was still stationed in Oren Kingdom.
The pirate crew had already begun to take shape.
Kaido generously presented the Devil Fruit to Roya. Roya, with trembling hands, received the Devil Fruit he had longed for, his expression agitated.
Because this Devil Fruit, after circulating, had finally fallen into his hands.
At this moment, Roya secretly vowed in his heart to dedicate his entire life's strength to Kaido.
Hiber urged Roya to eat the Devil Fruit, eager to see the abilities of this Zoan Ancient Zoan type.
Under everyone's gaze, Roya took two bites, and immediately his face changed dramatically, turning green and purple.
Those who had eaten a Devil Fruit knew that its foul taste was no different from excrement.
As for who first tasted excrement and linked it to the Devil Fruit, it's no longer traceable.
In any case, the saying "tastes like excrement" had long been circulated in the peculiar world of the Grand Line.
The next moment, under everyone's watchful eyes, Roya's back arched high, his face protruded forward, two sharp horns emerged from his forehead, his teeth grew, green spots appeared on his skin, and his hands and feet transformed into sharp claws.
In the blink of an eye, Roya transformed into a five to six-meter tall, nine-meter long dinosaur!
Roar!!
Roya roared, the piercing shriek making people hastily cover their ears.
Zoan, Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Carnivorous Bull Dragon Form!