'Ouch!'
Kaido felt a sharp pain and instinctively let out a loud scream. A powerful force hit him, starting from the lower jaw and spreading through his entire dragon form. Caught off guard, his entire body tilted backward!
Atlas turned fierce once more, the lightning flames on his feet returned, and he delivered a strong horizontal kick. The space seemed to quiver slightly as it struck Kaido's abdomen once again!
Boom!
In a single strike, Kaido's azure dragon form staggered backward, as if in a drunken stupor, completely moving away from the G-5 base.
"Wo~ro~ro,!"
"It's truly something..."
The flame cloud beneath Kaido's feet expanded once more, and his massive body swiftly dwindled, taking on a human form. However, he retained a green complexion, sharp fangs, and thick dragon scales.
Human Beast Mode!
"It's becoming even more fascinating!"
Boom!
As soon as he spoke, a world-shaking aura erupted from his massive body, shooting straight into the sky. The fearsome pressure swept in every direction!
Conqueror's... Haki!!
Suddenly, the entire space appeared to freeze, and the world transformed into a black-and-white image in an instant.
The wind ceased its howling!
The sea stopped its rolling!
Even at a distance from the battlefield's center, numerous Marine soldiers in G-5 couldn't withstand the impact of this overwhelming force. Their vision darkened, and they instantly lost consciousness.
Only a handful of capable officers, including Smoker, continued to grit their teeth and endure, facing the repeated mental pressure.
"Kaido..."
Atlas stared unwaveringly at the fierce-looking Kaido. The pure white cloak of justice behind him fluttered, his eyes slightly narrowed, and he grinned, revealing his tidy white teeth.
"Conqueror's haki, I've got it too!"
Boom!
An equally commanding aura erupted from his body, and the sheer force of will was enough to make all living things tremble. It resembled a vast army of millions, swiftly and forcefully advancing towards Kaido!
Buzz—! !
Two powerful wills clashed.
In a heartbeat, black and red lightning danced wildly across the space. Mountains, seas, clouds, and rain churned violently, and horrifying explosions rippled in all directions.
The sea below abruptly shifted from profound stillness to intense turbulence. Towering waves, reaching a hundred feet high, surged into the sky, and the thunder rolling in the sky grew increasingly violent!
"It's truly..."
"Not bad Haki, Worororo!"
Kaido gazed at the sky and laughed uproariously. Suddenly, he pulled out a massive, spiked mace from behind, crackling with wild purple electricity.
"But, if that's all..."
Kaido declared, lifting the Hassaikai in his hand. The howl of the wind echoed, and a swirling current flowed swiftly. The initially unremarkable mace suddenly took on a majestic aura.
"It's still not enough!"
"Raimei Hakke (Thunderous Eight Trigrams)!"
"Do you believe... I'm still the same person as before?"
Back then, he truly struggled against Kaido's Raimei Hakke, barely managing to withstand it at best. But now, things have changed!
Atlas sneered, lifted his head abruptly, unleashed flames from his right fist, and delivered a powerful strike!
"Bakuhatsu ken" (Explosion fist)
Boom!
The fist and the mace collided, and the formidable power radiated in all directions from the point of impact. The thunderous and fiery roars echoed endlessly.
"No Conqueror's infusion..."
Atlas's pupils contracted, veins bulged on his arms, his entire right arm suddenly expanded, and his back muscles surged.
"Are you underestimating me!?"
Boom!
The powerful fist directly rebounded off Hassaikai and struck him head-on, the explosive force forcefully imprinted on Kaido's cheek!
Thump thump thump—! !
Under the immense force, Kaido couldn't help but step back. The layers of flame clouds beneath his feet persisted. He finally steadied himself, intending to swing the mace in his hand once more.
But how could Atlas afford him that chance? The battlefield is in constant flux, and vulnerabilities often emerge in an instant. So, even if Kaido manages to steady himself quickly, it's guaranteed that he'll endure a fierce onslaught from Atlas.
Bang bang bang—! !
Atlas advanced, his fists moved like clockwork, and countless shadows of fists instantly overwhelmed Kaido.
Atlas's fists targeted every part – his face, throat, and chest. Charred fist marks covered every dragon scale. Kaido's massive body resembled a toy in Atlas's hands, unable to retaliate, absorbing powerful blows.
Suddenly!
Kaido opened his eyes, clenched his right hand, tightly gripping the enormous Hassaikai. Muscles in his arm pulsed, and black and red lightning surged vigorously, intermingled with purple plasma.
"Raimei Hakke (Thunderous Eight Trigrams)!"
This attack was incredibly swift. Raimei Hakke was already known for its speed and power. Enhanced by the unique mental shock of Conqueror's Haki, it struck Atlas forcefully on the head!
Boom!
Even if he managed to employ his haki in time for defense, the brain is ultimately where the nerves are controlled. Under the dual paralysis of the electric current and Conqueror's haki, Atlas couldn't help but tremble all over, hurtling rapidly towards the sea below.
"Kid, you're still... too young!"
Kaido gazed at the splashing sea below and couldn't help but laugh joyfully. The burns on his body were visibly healing, but the lingering traces hinted that the recent punch had not been as effortless as Kaido claimed.
"Um?"
As Kaido relaxed, his Observation Haki failed to detect any movement from Atlas below. Sensing something amiss, he immediately went on high alert.
"Yeah?"
Suddenly, an extremely cold voice emanated from behind Kaido.
Uh-huh!
Kaido involuntarily stepped back, his fangs swiftly turning as he looked in disbelief at Atlas who had suddenly appeared.
Except for the constant steam rising from his body, Atlas remained completely unharmed—no sign of blood could be found!
"Didn't you eat?"
"Kaido!!"
Atlas sneered, clenched his fists once more, and his figure abruptly grew more formidable. The dense Armament Haki enveloped him, revealing well-defined muscles. Mysterious patterns emerged in his eyes, conveying a potent sense of power that seemed to distort the air.
Seimei Kikan Bushintai (Life Return Martial God Body)
"With this level of strength, Conqueror's haki alone won't suffice!"
"Kid..."
"Don't celebrate too soon!"
Kaido grinned, revealing his fangs, and opened his mouth. The Hassaikai in his hand clashed once more with the black and red fist. The two sides found themselves in a deadlock for several seconds, exchanged glances, then simultaneously raised their legs and kicked in a silent agreement!
Boom!
The two formidable forces clashed, and their disproportionately large legs collided forcefully.
Roar! !
Just as the two were deadlocked, a colossal phantom beast, crafted from seawater, emerged from Kaido's back and sank its teeth into him. Its chilling fangs seemed capable of tearing into Kaido's flesh and blood directly!
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Read 35 chapters in advance in Patr*on: patr*on.com/Cosmic_Kaminari