The sound of clashing steel rang out, and Kai's expression turned grim.
A blade was now under his staff, stopping his strike aimed at Blackbeard.
Kai glared at the figure next to him and asked in a low voice, "Golden Lion Shiki, what's your play here?"
"Huh?" Shiki looked surprised at first, then burst into laughter, "Hahaha! Even after all these years, my name still carries weight! A young brat like you knows who I am!"
Kai's eyes shifted from Blackbeard to Shiki, taking in the legendary pirate's iconic appearance—golden hair with a rudder lodged in it, a cigar clenched between his teeth, and two swords strapped to his legs. It was unmistakable. This was Shiki, the Golden Lion, a man who once vied with Gol D. Roger for the title of Pirate King.
Kai couldn't believe his recent string of luck. He'd crossed paths with Aokiji not too long ago, and now Shiki. Lately, he seemed to be running into all the top-tier fighters.
"So, why are you stopping me from killing Blackbeard?" Kai asked again.
Shiki just laughed harder.
"Hahaha...!"
After a while, he stopped and gave Kai an unkind look, "I'm the Golden Lion! Do I owe you an explanation for anything I do?"
"Who are you to question me, kid? When I ruled the seas, you weren't even a thought!"
"Is that so?" Kai muttered.
"Well, then, nothing more to say!"
"Let's see how the strength of an old lion compares to a young one!"
Without warning, Kai lunged at Shiki, swinging his staff.
Shiki's body floated in the air, and the blades on his feet met Kai's staff in a flash.
Clang!
As they clashed, Shiki smirked. "Not bad, kid! You've got some power!"
"Chop!"
One of Shiki's swords flashed at Kai. He bent back just in time to dodge the strike, then quickly retreated.
Kai's expression darkened. The Golden Lion's mastery of the three Haki types was top-tier, and his control over the Float-Float Fruit was unparalleled. Even in his old age, with his legs replaced by swords and a rudder embedded in his head, Shiki was still a formidable opponent.
In Kai's estimation, Shiki was a step below the Admirals, but still deadly.
But... it didn't matter.
Kai wasn't far behind. His Armament and Observation Haki were on par, and though his Conqueror's Haki was weaker, he had a trump card—the demonic transformation.
Victory was within reach.
Kai made up his mind and summoned a clone. Without hesitation, both he and his clone charged at Shiki.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Two voices rang out, and two staffs swung at Shiki simultaneously.
Shiki's eyes narrowed as he coated his swords in Armament Haki and met their attacks head-on.
The collision sent a massive shockwave across the battlefield, shattering trees and buildings alike.
"Thunder Bagua? Kid, do you know Kaido?" Shiki asked.
"Yeah! I copied hundreds of his moves! I'm going to use his own techniques to finish you off. What do you think?"
"Hahaha..."
"You're joking, right? Even if Kaido were here, he wouldn't dare talk like that! Who do you think you're messing with?"
"The washed-up remnant of a bygone era? A cripple? The leading act of a freak show?"
Each of Kai's insults made Shiki's killing intent flare stronger.
"Kid, I'm going to teach you a lesson in respecting your elders!"
With that, Shiki floated back and calmly commanded:
"Lion's Threat: Earth Coiling!"
The ground in front of Kai twisted and rose, transforming into countless lion heads, all roaring as they charged at him.
Kai, unimpressed, mocked, "Is this all you've got? Your lions don't seem so fierce anymore, old man!"
He raised his staff and struck the ground with all his might.
"Earth Splitter!"
The earth shook as the force from Kai's attack turned the land into dust, blasting through the charging lion heads and disintegrating them.
Without wasting a second, Kai's clone launched into the air, charging straight at Shiki.
"Seaquake!"
The staff swung upward, and Shiki barely had time to brace himself with his swords. As the weapons collided, Shiki's expression shifted.
"This power!"
He was blown back instantly, his chest tight from the impact.
But before he could recover, Kai's real body appeared in his flight path, staff raised high.
Shiki's face contorted with panic. He tried to use his Float-Float Fruit to stop his fall, but the force of the clone's attack had thrown off his balance.
Seeing no other choice, Shiki twisted his body and stabbed toward Kai with the tip of his sword.
Kai didn't flinch. His focus never wavered, his eyes locked on Shiki. As the Golden Lion closed in, Kai quietly muttered two words.
"Sky Ripper."
A dark blur sliced through the air, followed by a deafening crash.
The ground below them shattered, stones flying as the earth cracked beneath the force of the attack.
Kai hovered above, looking down calmly.
He knew Shiki wouldn't go down that easily. Even though his power had diminished, the legendary pirate still had fight left in him.
As expected, the ground trembled again. Stones floated into the air, and the Golden Lion rose slowly, bloodied but alive, his gaze no longer filled with arrogance.
"Kid... I'll admit it, you're worthy of fighting me!"
"Wouldn't it be embarrassing if I couldn't even handle an old lion?" Kai replied coolly.
Shiki grinned viciously, "Then let's see what you've got, brat!"
In the next instant, the two clashed again, charging at each other with everything they had.
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Power Stones would be appreciated if you liked the story.