Kaido, having fully transformed into a towering, serpentine Azure Dragon, radiated an overwhelming aura that shook the heavens. His scales glistened under the stormy sky, and his piercing golden eyes locked onto his opponent with unrelenting ferocity.
Emerging completely from the dense, swirling clouds, Kaido swooped down like a force of nature, his colossal body cutting through the violent winds. Streaks of black and crimson lightning, infused with the sheer might of Conqueror's Haki, crackled around him, amplifying the oppressive force of his descent.
Facing this monstrous display of power, Caesar furrowed his brows, his heart burning with quiet fury.
(Tch... My stamina hasn't fully recovered, and my Haki is only at seventy or eighty percent of its peak... But even so—Kaido is not my match!)
Though the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu was among the strongest Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits, Kaido had only recently acquired it. It was impossible for him to have fully mastered its abilities, let alone awakened its true potential. At best, his formidable durability and recovery had been further enhanced, but that alone would not close the gap between them.
Caesar, on the other hand, had honed his strength through years of relentless battles. He had ascended beyond mere physical prowess—his mastery over Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation), Busoshoku Haki (Armament), and Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's) had reached a realm where he could overwhelm most opponents. His observation abilities were unparalleled, and his Conqueror's Haki rivaled even the greatest figures in history.
In the vast world of piracy, few could surpass him in raw combat ability.
Perhaps only Rocks D. Xebec and Gol D. Roger had exhibited Conqueror's Haki on a level greater than his own. Even then, he speculated that Rocks was barely his equal, and Roger—at best—stood on even footing with him.
Beyond his unparalleled Haki, Caesar was a master swordsman of the highest order. His blade, Wado Ichimonji, gleamed with lethal intent as he infused it with both Armament and Conqueror's Haki, ready to cleave through anything in his path. His proficiency with his psychic abilities—which compensated for the lack of a Devil Fruit—only added to his terrifying versatility.
(Kaido, do you really think you can challenge me when you haven't even begun to understand the depths of your newfound power?)
With a cold gaze, Caesar launched himself into the sky without hesitation, his Conqueror's Haki surging forth like a tidal wave.
The heavens trembled.
A deafening "BOOM!" shattered the air as their Haki clashed, sending violent shockwaves rippling through the storm clouds. Purple-black lightning erupted between them, forming a massive vortex of energy that distorted the atmosphere.
Kaido let out a thunderous roar and exhaled a searing Bolo Breath directly at Caesar.
"BOOM!"
Caesar's eyes narrowed.
(He can already use elemental attacks? Impressive... but not enough!)
With a flicker of movement, he evaded the blazing heat beam, reappearing in a flash as he unsheathed Wado Ichimonji. A tremendous slash, infused with his full Haki, tore through the storm. The sheer force split the clouds apart, momentarily allowing sunlight to pierce through—only for the sky to darken once again under the suffocating pressure of his Conqueror's Haki.
Kaido's pupils constricted. His Kenbunshoku Haki warned him—if he took this attack head-on, he could be gravely injured, or worse.
His instincts screamed.
With no time to counter, Kaido twisted his enormous body midair, narrowly dodging the deadly arc of energy that sliced past him. The impact carved a deep chasm into the distant ocean, splitting waves as far as the eye could see.
From below, Whitebeard, Charlotte Linlin, and several other powerful figures looked on, their expressions shifting. Even the near-invincible Big Mom furrowed her brows slightly at the sheer intensity of the battle.
Kaido, realizing his disadvantage, abruptly shifted forms—his massive dragon body shrinking into his Hybrid Form. Now, his speed and mobility were drastically improved, making it far harder for Caesar to strike him down.
Caesar observed this change, his sharp eyes gleaming with calculated interest.
(He's adapting quickly... For someone who just obtained this power, he's already utilizing different forms? Kaido truly is a monster... But even so—he is not yet at his peak!)
Determination flashed across his face. A moment of hesitation passed before a cold, murderous glint appeared in his eyes.
(Should I eliminate him now, before he becomes a true threat in the future?)
Sensing Caesar's killing intent, Charlotte Linlin's face darkened. Without hesitation, she summoned Zeus, riding the lightning-infused homie toward the battlefield.
A powerful clash was imminent.
But Caesar ignored her. He tightened his grip on Wado Ichimonji, his Haki intensifying to the point where the air around his blade warped. The sky itself seemed to shatter—cracks of raw energy forming in the heavens.
Kaido braced himself.
Just as Caesar was about to deliver the finishing blow, an enormous "CLANG!" erupted through the battlefield.
Charlotte Linlin had intervened.
Her Napoleon, infused with her overwhelming Haki, intercepted Caesar's slash at the last second. The force of their clash sent out a deafening shockwave, obliterating the surrounding storm clouds.
The sky above them now lay completely clear, save for the lingering trails of their clashing energies.
In the aftermath of the collision, Linlin's lips curled into a twisted grin.
"Well, well, well..." she laughed, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Enough, Caesar. If you keep this up, I'll have no choice but to step in!"
The battlefield fell into silence for a brief moment.
Even Whitebeard, who had been watching from the sidelines, let out a booming laugh. "Gurarara! That was some fine swordsmanship, Caesar!"
Kaido, hovering behind Linlin, was still reeling from the battle. His expression was grim—he knew he had been outmatched. His Conqueror's Haki was formidable, but against Caesar's overwhelming dominance, he had no chance of victory.
Even so, his pride would not allow him to retreat so easily.
He clenched his fists, his dragon-like eyes burning with frustration. But before he could speak, Linlin shot him a sharp glance.
"Enough, Kaido. If you die here, you'll never be able to repay your debt to me."
Kaido growled under his breath but said nothing. With a final glare at Caesar, he turned, shifting back into his dragon form.
Without another word, he soared into the distance, vanishing into the stormy horizon.
Charlotte Linlin followed suit, her laughter echoing as she disappeared into the windless belt.
Now, only Whitebeard, Caesar, and a few others remained.
Caesar turned toward Whitebeard. "What about you, Newgate?"
Whitebeard crossed his arms, his massive frame casting a long shadow.
"Gurarara! I plan to sail the seas alone for a while, find good men, and form a crew—a real family."
Caesar smirked slightly. "Is that so? Then I wish you luck."
With that, Whitebeard boarded his ship.
As he sailed away, his laughter rang out one final time.
"We'll meet again, Caesar!"
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