Ryuma thought to himself—Kaido had a flaw.
He was a masochist.
He wanted to die, but no matter what, he just couldn't!
Although Ryuma had the powers of the Phoenix-Flower Fruit and the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, he still couldn't truly match Kaido's strength. At best, he could only hold his ground.
No one is perfect, and Kaido definitely had his weaknesses.
Suddenly, Ryuma recalled Chopper's Blue Sphere!
The Blue Sphere was a drug invented by Chopper, capable of disrupting the wavelength of Zoan-type Devil Fruit transformations, increasing the number of transformation points to seven, but only lasting three minutes.
After taking it, Chopper could temporarily enhance his weight, jumping ability, fur, arm strength, intelligence, horns, and leg strength.
If Ryuma could use intelligence enhancement, then nothing would be impossible!
The only problem was... Chopper probably hadn't even been born yet.
Not to mention Chopper, even Luffy and Ace hadn't come into the world.
Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King, had yet to be publicly executed.
Everything was still stuck in the previous era.
Ryuma's head ached fiercely.
In his current state, he was no match for Kaido—this was his biggest problem.
He thought hard.
"System, can you provide a Blue Sphere?"
Ryuma asked hopefully.
"Ding dong, Host, the system's marketplace is currently closed. The host can acquire Blue Spheres through a lottery draw," the system replied.
Hearing this, Ryuma nearly spat blood in frustration!
What? A lottery to get a Blue Sphere?
What good was that?
He had already used up all his chances for the lottery, and there were no new missions in sight!
Even if Ryuma somehow got one lottery chance, who could guarantee he'd draw a Blue Sphere?
This was a serious problem.
Kaido's cold gaze locked onto Ryuma, steadily closing the distance step by step.
"Ding dong, new mission incoming! Defeat Kaido and land on your back to earn one lottery chance!"
The system's voice sounded, and Ryuma felt like a fish back in water.
Excellent!
Whether or not he could draw the Blue Sphere, at least he had the chance now!
Where there's a chance, there's hope!
"Wind Blade!"
Kaido roared.
Suddenly, a fierce breath like razor-sharp sword energy surged toward Ryuma.
Around the Wind Blade swirled countless smaller blades.
As the name implied, the Wind Blade was a sharp gust capable of tearing through enemies along with their armor and weapons.
Ryuma's heart skipped a beat as he stared at the Wind Blade.
From what he knew, Kaido's Wind Blade could even slice through famous swords.
Even his own Black Blade, Autumn Water, was no exception!
"This is bad!"
Ryuma's eyes flashed, and he twisted his body just in time to narrowly avoid the deadly strike.
"Boom!"
Behind him, a deafening roar like thunder on a summer day echoed through the air.
Ryuma felt the ground tremble beneath him—but it was too late.
The wall collapsed, and countless small Wind Blades grazed his body.
His pupils shrank as his body trembled violently.
Wherever the Wind Blades touched, flesh was shredded, leaving him battered and torn like the victim of a slow, torturous execution.
Ryuma's body shook uncontrollably. Gripping Autumn Water, he steadied himself on the ground with great effort.
"How disappointing... That's all you've got? You want to defeat me and drive me out of Wano?" Kaido laughed madly.
Ryuma refused to be discouraged, locking his gaze firmly on Kaido.
This was the moment!
Arrogance leads to defeat!
In that one exchange, Kaido had underestimated him—exactly the opportunity Ryuma needed.
In an instant, Ryuma's body transformed into a majestic phoenix!
The three calamities watching the battle between dragon and phoenix exchanged stunned glances.
This... was beyond normal limits.
This fight had transcended the boundaries of human combat.
Jack took a deep breath and slowly said, "Ryuma is terrifying. Regardless of his current strength, if he can absorb Devil Fruit powers, he'll become a truly fearsome force."
Quinn's mind buzzed with the same thought.
After transforming into a dragon, Kaido was rarely challenged—just his presence alone was oppressive.
But Ryuma was different.
After becoming a phoenix, he matched Kaido's aura blow for blow!
Jin said calmly, "Don't rush... wait for the fight to end."
Kaido stared at Ryuma's phoenix form, stunned.
Ryuma's Phoenix-Flower Fruit... could transform into this?
At that moment, Ryuma let out a scream, clutching Autumn Water tightly in both claws.
The phoenix flames wrapped around the blade, imbuing it with countless bursts of Armament Haki and fire.
With tremendous force, he charged directly at Kaido!
Even Kaido's exceptional Observation Haki couldn't turn the tide.
Besides, Kaido's Observation Haki wasn't that strong.
Autumn Water pierced Kaido's skin first, blood spraying out with a sharp "shhh" and splattering on the ground!
Flames spread the wound wide open on Kaido's face!
No matter how strong Kaido's defense, this wound wouldn't heal quickly.
Ryuma threw Kaido down to the ground!
"Boom!"
Ryuma's back hit the ground hard as he reverted to human form.
"Ding dong, congratulations host, mission accomplished! You've earned one lottery chance!"
Ryuma was ecstatic.
"Quick, draw the lottery!"
He pleaded desperately to the system.
Without a Blue Sphere, this fight was lost for sure!
Even with the advantage now, his overall power still lagged far behind Kaido's.
Outside, Jack and the others watched dumbfounded.
"He... he actually managed to wound Kaido!" Jack's jaw nearly dropped to the ground.
They had followed Kaido for so long, always watching him conquer every battle without fail. When had he ever looked so beaten?
Quinn, seeing the scene, was so shocked that snot dripped from his nose.
He gave a thumbs up: "That was ruthless... truly ruthless. Guess we really didn't back the wrong guy!"
Ryuma stared at Kaido lying on the ground, not yet rising, silently praying to draw the Blue Sphere.
"I'd trade ten years of being single just for a Blue Sphere," Ryuma grumbled in his heart.
"Ding dong, congratulations host, you have drawn: Blue Sphere ×10," the system announced.
Ryuma was overjoyed.
"Well, at least the system has some mercy," he chuckled.
This was purely luck.
If it hadn't been for good luck, how could he have drawn the Blue Sphere and beaten Kaido?
He'd probably have been smashed into a meat pancake instead.
Or sliced into pieces!
"Ding dong, host, Blue Spheres disrupt the transformation wavelength of Zoan-type Devil Fruits, creating different enhanced abilities. However, the Blue Sphere itself is a potent drug. Taking a second pill within six hours causes loss of control over transformation wavelength; taking a third will result in loss of consciousness, ability rampage, and poses a life-threatening risk."
Hearing this, Ryuma grew serious.
Indeed, though the Blue Sphere granted incredible destructive power, the uncontrollable surge drained life force rapidly. Without promptly administering anesthesia or forcing the user into the sea to nullify Devil Fruit powers and halt their actions, death was a real danger.
Ryuma guessed that if he overdosed, Jack and the others probably wouldn't risk saving him.
Though the three were risking their lives for him now, saving Ryuma himself was likely beyond their limit.
Kaido staggered to his feet, wiping the gruesome scar across his face—dried blood and cracked skin—and suddenly burst out laughing.
"Hahaha! What a thrill! Truly exhilarating!"
Kaido clapped his hands loudly, shouting.
Though in a frenzy, Kaido's rage surged.
"Looks like you really can't be underestimated..." Kaido snorted coldly.
Then, from behind, he pulled out his spiked club.
Anyone hit by that club would likely die instantly.
"Thunderous Eight Trigrams!"
Kaido's spiked club crackled with electricity as he swung it straight at Ryuma.
Ryuma froze for a moment.
Was Kaido crazy?
Thunderous Eight Trigrams was Kaido's signature human form technique—using his lightning-wreathed spiked club to slash opponents with terrifying speed and power.
In the original One Piece story, this move knocked out Luffy's Gear Fourth form in one hit and once even held off the Marine Admirals.
"Hmph... ridiculous," Ryuma thought, staring down the attack.
If he couldn't dodge it, then he'd just have to fight with everything he had.
He swallowed a Blue Sphere.
"Arm Strength Boost!" Ryuma shouted.
His wings—now fully formed arms—swelled thick with bulging veins.
At that moment, gripping his Black Blade Autumn Water, he readied himself for battle.
"Kill!"
The spiked club and Autumn Water clashed with a thunderous impact.
"Boom!"
Ripples radiated from the collision.
The ground cracked, spiderweb fractures spreading out.
The earth trembled violently.
Flower Capital nearly became ruins.
After that clash, both withdrew their weapons.
Kaido bellowed, "That was satisfying, truly satisfying!"
"Satisfying my ass!" Ryuma muttered, glancing at his trembling arm.
Even his trusted Autumn Water quivered in his grip.
He had barely withstood Thunderous Eight Trigrams. Though he had survived, Kaido was unscathed—while his own arm twitched painfully.
"The chance has come!"
Ryuma declared, taking back Autumn Water in his right hand.
"Intelligence Boost!"
At that instant, a wave of pressure swelled in Ryuma's mind, like a torrential flood rushing into his brain—rivers converging eastward into the sea.
When Ryuma opened his eyes, his mind felt exceptionally clear.
Dust drifting in the air moved in slow motion before his eyes.
This had to be the effect of Rokushiki's Soru—blazing fast movement—manifesting before him.
Everything slowed down in Ryuma's vision.