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The island ravaged by the Kirin Thunder was left with a gaping chasm, its edges crackling with black lightning, stretching deep into the ground. Standing at the edge, one could see the White Sea 3,000 meters below.
"Worororo! What an impressive brat. In such a short exchange, you managed to find my old wound!" Kaido stood amidst the ruins, clutching his side where a trickle of blood oozed from the scar left by Kozuki Oden's blade.
Though Zyhark's Black Thunder attack had managed to inflict damage on Kaido's nearly indestructible body, it was, in essence, akin to the superficial wounds left by the Red Scabbards during the Onigashima War.
Painful, but ultimately inconsequential.
"This is my limit for now. The result is still worse than I expected..." Zyhark panted heavily, his vision blurring as he struggled to remain standing. After enduring a barrage of high-intensity attacks and a direct hit from Kaido's Conqueror-infused Thunder Bagua, his body, though resilient, was on the brink of collapse.
Heavy footsteps drew nearer, and Kaido's form loomed larger, his upper body covered in azure scales, dragon horns protruding from his head, his mouth filled with sharp teeth. His legs were bent, resembling dragon claws, his breath heavy and powerful.
This was Kaido's strongest form, the Dragon-Human hybrid!
"To be honest, I never expected you to last this long against me," Kaido rumbled, his voice carrying a mix of respect and anticipation. "State your name, young restaurant owner."
Zyhark, despite his fear, stood firm, staring back at Kaido. "Zyhark."
"I'll remember that name," Kaido nodded, his eyes growing cold as he raised his kanabo, gleaming with golden lightning. "One last chance. Join the Beasts Pirates, become my right-hand man."
Zyhark didn't answer directly but threw out a seemingly unrelated question, "Kaido, can you defeat Garp or Shanks?"
Kaido's brows furrowed at the mention of these formidable figures. His recent clash with Shanks had ended in a stalemate, but he was confident he could now overpower the one-armed swordsman. Garp, however, invoked memories of his brutal training on the Rocks Pirates' ship, where Garp's monstrous fists left an indelible impression.
"Garp invited you to become a Marine?" Kaido asked, surprised.
"Yes, after all, I am his grandson's savior," Zyhark lied smoothly, thinking of how he once fed the starving Luffy.
Had he revealed these connections at the start, Kaido, with his arrogant and aggressive nature, would have responded with even more ferocity. But now, after earning Kaido's respect through combat, this revelation carried weight.
With the background set, Zyhark moved to display his resolve and ambition. "Kaido, you should kill me now. Otherwise, one day, I will come to the New World, kill you, and take your place as one of the Four Emperors!"
Zyhark knew that showing fear would only provoke Kaido's wrath. But declaring his intention to surpass Kaido piqued the Emperor's interest.
"Worororo! Such arrogance!" Kaido laughed heartily, then his eyes darkened. "Very well, let me show you what it means to be a true ruler of the seas!"
With no warning, Kaido vanished and reappeared above Zyhark, unleashing his full Conqueror's Haki. Clad in his dragon hybrid form, he lifted his kanabo, overflowing with dark red lightning.
"This is my strongest form. Survive this, and I'll await your challenge from the Four Emperors' throne."
Zyhark, unable to move due to Kaido's oppressive Haki, could only watch as the attack descended.
In his final moment, he glimpsed the Endless Dream approaching, Aqua's frantic face casting a blue spell, and King and Meowth standing resolute.
King's heartbeat, usually thunderous in tense moments, was strangely silent. Perhaps, just this once, he was not afraid.
Boom!!!
Gold and red lightning exploded, the destructive force creating a massive shockwave. The small island, unable to withstand the power, shattered and sank into the White Sea, disappearing entirely.
(End of Chapter)