As the massive explosion echoed across the distant sea, a shockwave quickly spread towards the surrounding area.
Kaido didn't blink as the shockwave approached, his cold dragon eyes fixed on Kuma, who had appeared on the Navy ship's bow.
Though Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit might seem unassuming, in his hands, it unleashed an extraordinary power. This was the terrifying aspect of the strong in the vast ocean.
To these individuals, even seemingly insignificant fruits could be wielded with formidable power.
Unfortunately,
In this world, the inherent strength of some fruits predetermined their potential. No matter how perfectly Kuma developed his Paw-Paw Fruit, his strength still couldn't match that of the Sea Emperors.
Kaido shifted his gaze from Kuma to scan the other ships nearby, where Mihawk, Crocodile, and Doflamingo stood.
"Heh, so even you guys are here. Looks like you've all become the World Government's loyal dogs," Kaido taunted.
"Tch, what an arrogant guy," Doflamingo responded, clearly irritated by Kaido's mocking tone. He had always seen himself as the master of the World Government, not their subordinate.
Mihawk, on the other hand, was unfazed. For him, his relationship with the World Government was more of a collaboration, not a superior-subordinate dynamic.
Crocodile merely smiled at Kaido's words, his arm transforming into a sand blade which he swung at Kaido. The enlarged sand blade struck Kaido's neck, but Crocodile's expression darkened as his attack was effortlessly blocked by Kaido's tough dragon scales.
"Heh, so you're the one who kept challenging Whitebeard? After all this time, your strength is still unimpressive. That attack couldn't even scratch me," Kaido continued his trash talk. Few could break through his defenses, and even fewer could pierce his scales.
As Kaido faced off against the Navy, the massive snails forming Germa 66's war castle began a quiet retreat. Clearly, in a battlefield full of powerful fighters, their massive size made them easy targets.
The Beasts Pirates were the prime example.
Although some of the meteors were deflected by the Beasts Pirates, Sakazuki's Meteor Volcano caused maximum destruction.
The Beasts Pirates were nearly annihilated by the Navy's devastating attack, with only a few ships near the flagship surviving.
"Oh, are the little mice trying to escape? How terrifying. Even with such powerful beings around, they still chose to retreat cautiously?" Kizaru remarked, lightly stroking his chin as he watched Germa 66's giant snails retreat.
The other strong fighters also noticed the movement.
"Borsalino, Issho..."
Sengoku spoke up.
The two understood his meaning. According to the plan, Issho would use his powers to sink Germa 66 into the North Blue's depths. However, with Nicholas's appearance and Germa 66's retreat, the best course of action was for the swift Borsalino and Issho to handle Germa 66.
"Fighting that guy, huh? What a headache," Kizaru sighed. If given a choice, he'd rather solo Kaido than face Nicholas.
But orders were orders.
Although the original plan might change, the battlefield was ever-changing.
At that moment, a figure with flaming wings rapidly approached the battlefield between Kaido and the Navy. It was King in his Pteranodon form.
As one of the few in the Beasts Pirates capable of flying and fighting alongside Kaido, King could still contribute significantly, even though his combat ability would be greatly reduced in this form.
Like Queen and the others, without their ships, they essentially lose all combat capability.
"Even if we can help ease some of the pressure on Big Brother Kaido, it will be worth it!"
King, with a serious expression, looked at the enormous dragon ahead and the Navy's formidable forces.
However,
The Navy forces on the warship didn't care about King's support at all, allowing him to reach Kaido's side.
"Damn it!"
Seeing the Navy's indifferent attitude cast a shadow over King's heart.
"If that's the case..."
King made up his mind, flapping his massive wings to get in front of Kaido's giant dragon head.
If he could persuade Kaido to leave, they could retreat quickly using their flying abilities, escaping the battlefield. The Navy, lacking aerial capabilities, wouldn't be able to pursue them.
"Big Brother Kaido, our losses are too great. We need to retreat. This is clearly a Navy trap!"
King said anxiously to Kaido, but Kaido remained unmoved.
"Naive."
Sengoku watched King coldly. He had deployed such a formidable force not just to severely wound the Beasts Pirates, and Kaido was clearly aware of this, hence his indifference to King's plea.
Sengoku and Kaido locked eyes, both understanding that unless something uncontrollable happened, the fate of the Beasts Pirates was total annihilation.
"King, you should go. You can't help here; you'll only hold me back."
Kaido turned his head and spoke to the Pteranodon beside him.
"Big Brother Kaido!"
King couldn't believe that Kaido's first words were telling him to leave.
But seeing the resolve in Kaido's eyes, King knew he would only be a burden.
He flapped his wings, preparing to leave.
Suddenly, a terrifying gravity descended from above without warning.
"What?!"
King, flying at high speed, hadn't reacted before he was forced down towards the sea by the gravity.
On the Navy warship,
Fujitora, head slightly bowed, pressed his unsheathed cane sword back into its scabbard.
"Though my 'ability' is limited, it can still be of some use."
Caught by Kaido's claw, King felt the relentless gravity, frowning as he looked at the Navy on the warship.
Under this gravitational force, flying freely was impossible, making their situation extremely grim. It was clear that the Navy was determined to keep the Beasts Pirates, who had entered the North Blue from the New World.
"Hey, Boss Queen, are we just going to run? What about Big Brother Kaido and Big Brother King?"
On the Beasts Pirates' ship, a pirate asked Queen, glancing at the dragon and Pteranodon in the distance.
"Are you stupid? They can fly; can you? Do you want to stay here and die? If you want, I'll leave a ship for you."
Hearing Queen's words and looking at the corpses of their comrades floating on the sea, the pirate's face turned pale.
In this situation, staying behind would be certain death.