Seeing Sanders remain silent, Kaido knew he had guessed correctly!
Sanders came to fight him with the clear intention of obtaining his Azure Dragon Fruit ability!
When Sanders fought Golden Lion Shiki, he acquired the Float-Float Fruit.
After several battles with Aokiji, he managed to get the Ice-Ice Fruit as well.
And as for the Gravity Fruit, its original user was none other than Sanders' own vice-captain, making it convenient for frequent practice.
So, what exactly was Sanders' true ability?
"Impressive, Kaido!" Sanders said with a faint smile.
"You even figured that out!"
Since he had been discovered, there was no point in hiding it.
Besides, he never intended to keep it a secret.
What could anyone do even if they knew?
Kaido's eyes widened as Sanders openly admitted it.
"You actually admitted it!"
Kaido couldn't believe Sanders would acknowledge such an unparalleled ability so casually.
Normally, even if others suspected it, they wouldn't admit it outright.
"Why wouldn't I admit it?" Sanders said, grinning.
"Even if the entire world knew, what could they do about it?"
Kaido paused, realizing that with Sanders' current strength, such an admission indeed didn't matter.
The combination of the Float-Float Fruit and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit gave Sanders unparalleled mobility.
If he wanted to leave, no one could stop him.
Forget stopping him—even those with aerial combat capabilities were few and far between.
Once Sanders took to the sky, even if every capable fighter in the world attacked him together, it would be futile.
The Float-Float Fruit allowed him to fight in the sky without any stamina consumption, as if he were on solid ground.
For others, even Kaido with his Azure Dragon Fruit, flight relied on creating flame clouds underfoot.
Kaido suddenly felt reluctant to continue the fight.
He didn't understand the mechanism behind Sanders' ability to acquire others' powers, but it likely involved combat.
The more he fought Sanders, the stronger Sanders might become.
This thought dampened Kaido's fighting spirit.
However, Sanders wasn't about to give him a break.
Without hesitation, he closed the distance, unleashing a variety of abilities in rapid succession.
Kaido had no choice but to fight back.
The two clashed from day to night.
Finally, Sanders successfully deduced Kaido's unyielding, nearly indestructible physique!
[Kaido's indestructible physique successfully deduced!]
The moment the deduction completed, Sanders felt an overwhelming surge of power throughout his body.
His endurance, strength, and speed all received significant boosts.
Clenching his fists, the muscles in Sanders' arms bulged dramatically.
Though outwardly unchanged, Sanders could feel the terrifying power within!
As expected of Kaido.
Even without the Azure Dragon Fruit, Kaido's physique alone would have made him a formidable martial artist.
Though without the fruit, Kaido wouldn't have earned the title of "Strongest Creature on Land, Sea, and Air."
Now, with the Azure Dragon Fruit almost within reach, Sanders fought even more fervently.
After another intense clash, the two finally pulled apart.
Kaido looked at Sanders suspiciously.
Was it just his imagination, or had Sanders grown stronger?
This wasn't the kind of sudden burst of strength from a Devil Fruit awakening.
It was a balanced, all-around enhancement—like someone who had just made a breakthrough in physical training.
"You bastard, don't tell me you've already gotten my Devil Fruit ability?" Kaido asked in a low voice.
He knew that even in human form, consuming a Zoan-type Devil Fruit enhanced one's defense and physique.
"No, not yet. There's still a ways to go," Sanders replied with a grin.
"Just some improvement in my martial arts," he said, deliberately omitting the fact that he could also acquire unique physical traits.
Up until now, in the eyes of others, he was a genius with unparalleled talent. He planned to maintain this persona.
Acquiring additional Devil Fruit abilities was shocking enough. If the world learned he could also gain physical traits and other enhancements, the World Government might truly unite with other forces to hunt him down.
Although he wasn't afraid, going against the entire world would still be a hassle.
"Really?" Kaido tilted his head, clearly skeptical.
"Of course. You already know why I'm here, so there's no point in lying to you," Sanders replied, blatantly lying without hesitation.
"I'd really like to see how you manage to acquire Devil Fruit abilities!" Kaido said, baring his teeth as his war club swung toward Sanders again.
Boom!
The small island where the two were fighting had already half-sunk.
If it weren't for Sanders reinforcing it with his Ice-Ice Fruit ability, the remaining part would likely have collapsed entirely.
Time passed quickly.
By sunrise, far off in the distance, Beasts Pirates' All-Stars King the Wildfire and Jack the Drought approached the battlefield on a ship.
"Jack, it's a miracle you survived your fight with Sanders," King said coldly, his gaze fixed on the distant island enveloped in thunder and destruction.
Jack twitched at the corners of his eyes but didn't argue.
Judging by the display of power Sanders was now showing, it seemed clear that Sanders sparing his life back then was already a great concession out of respect for Kaido.
"But isn't Sanders supposed to be a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user? Why does he have ice powers?" Jack asked after noticing the icy terrain of the battlefield and floating ice chunks in the surrounding waters.
As Kaido's subordinate, Jack was well-acquainted with his abilities and was certain that ice wasn't among them.
King's gaze sharpened, a thoughtful glint appearing in his eyes.
At that moment, a burst of joyous laughter reached Kaido's ears.
"Kaido, I really must thank you!" Sanders exclaimed with a grin on the island.
Kaido's relentless teaching truly lived up to expectations.
Previously, Kaido had "taught" Sanders how to foresee the future using Observation Haki.
Now, Kaido had given him a unique physical trait and the power of a Mythical Zoan Fruit.
Just like Golden Lion Shiki, who had been equally generous during their battle, gifting Sanders the Float-Float Fruit, advanced swordsmanship, and the mastery of Conqueror's Haki coating.
Similarly, Kaido had granted him three new powers.
"You obtained it?" Kaido narrowed his eyes, curiosity flashing in his expression.
He quickly checked himself, confirming his Devil Fruit ability was still intact and his only injuries were from the ongoing battle. There were no other anomalies.
How exactly had Sanders done it?
"Heh heh heh, I know you're curious, so let me show you!" Sanders chuckled mischievously.
He activated the Azure Dragon powers he had just acquired.
A deep, guttural roar emerged from Sanders' mouth as his body began to morph.
Shimmering, icy scales covered his entire frame, his hands and feet transforming into razor-sharp dragon claws.
A massive dragon tail extended behind him, and his body grew longer and longer until he fully transformed into a dragon nearly identical to Kaido's Azure Dragon form.
The only difference? Kaido had four horns, while Sanders only had two on his forehead.
"You... really obtained it!" Kaido said, his tone filled with disbelief.
Although he had guessed Sanders' goal and even heard him admit it, seeing Sanders use his own Devil Fruit powers was far more shocking.
Aside from the absence of Kaido's dual set of horns, Sanders' dragon form was identical to his own, down to the color of the scales.
Jack and King watched the scene unfold from afar, their expressions a mix of shock and disbelief.
"..."
Jack's eyes widened as he stared at the giant dragon that Sanders had transformed into. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief and turned to ask King:
"Big Brother King, I think my eyes are playing tricks on me. That dragon... it's Sanders!"
King, keeping his composure, replied lightly, "Your eyes aren't playing tricks. I see the same thing as you."
The truth hit Jack like a thunderbolt. If King, known for his sharp observation, saw the same thing, it wasn't a mistake. Instead, it was Sanders who had defied all reason.
"Bullshit! How can Sanders have the same ability as Boss Kaido?! He's supposed to be a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user!" Jack shouted, his voice trembling with disbelief.
His mind was racing. If Sanders could use the same powers as their captain, it was beyond comprehension.
"Maybe Sanders always had a Mythical Zoan ability like Boss Kaido's? Something like a Thunder Dragon?" Jack speculated, grasping at straws.
Devil Fruits came in all kinds of strange varieties. A Thunder Dragon Mythical Zoan didn't sound entirely impossible, at least compared to the absurd alternative.
Behind his mask, King's lips twitched. He wanted to agree with Jack's theory, but there was no way that what they were seeing was a Thunder Dragon.
The form Sanders had taken was identical to Kaido's Azure Dragon, down to the color of the scales.
King glanced at the battlefield, noting the chunks of ice scattered on the island and in the sea.
He remembered rumors about the Thunder God Pirates obtaining the Float-Float Fruit.
As realization dawned, King's eyes filled with shock.
Sanders could possess multiple Devil Fruit abilities!
And it wasn't by eating another fruit—Kaido, the original holder of the Azure Dragon power, was standing right there.
The Float-Float Fruit could theoretically be explained by consumption, but how could he now have the Azure Dragon form?
This wasn't just unprecedented; it was terrifying.
Back on the island, Sanders, now in his dragon form, seemed just as curious as the spectators.
This was his first time transforming into a dragon, and the sensation was strange yet exhilarating.
With a thought, Sanders opened his massive jaws, and a fiery energy began to build.
"Blast Breath!"
A scorching torrent of energy erupted from Sanders' mouth, aiming directly at Kaido.
Kaido's expression turned peculiar as he dodged the attack with ease.
The area where he had been standing was obliterated, leaving a gaping crater where the ground had been vaporized.
"You're using my own moves against me now…" Kaido muttered, his tone tinged with something between annoyance and disbelief.
The experience of facing an opponent who wielded his exact abilities was bizarre, to say the least.
"Kaido, come on, transform into a dragon and let's have some fun!" Sanders laughed heartily, clearly enjoying himself.
Despite having only just acquired the Azure Dragon power, Sanders was eager to spar, knowing Kaido's expertise could help him master the form.
"Damn it, Sanders!" Kaido roared, veins bulging on his forehead.
"You dare treat me as your sparring partner?! Do you think I'm just some random guy to practice with?! I'm Kaido, damn it!"
His voice thundered across the battlefield.
Kaido wasn't stupid—he knew exactly what Sanders was doing. The pirate had already proven his ability to quickly learn from others, mastering the techniques of the likes of Golden Lion Shiki and even Kaido himself.
"Don't get so worked up, Kaido!" Sanders said with a grin, his massive dragon tail swaying behind him.
"You're the best teacher anyone could ask for. Why not help me refine this power a bit?"
Kaido growled, gripping his kanabo tightly.
"Damn you, Sanders…"
"We're not enemies, you know. Who knows, we might even cooperate in the future," Sanders said, his massive dragon body coiled in the sky.
Unlike Kaido, he didn't rely on flame clouds to stay aloft but instead used the power of the Float-Float Fruit.
"Since I can already fly, why bother summoning flame clouds?" he chuckled. Among flight abilities, the Float-Float Fruit was by far the most convenient and effortless. While Kaido needed flame clouds and Marco had to flap his wings, Sanders simply floated with a thought.
In aerial combat, having all limbs free gave him a clear advantage over others.
"Cooperate?"
Kaido's eyes gleamed with interest. Sanders wasn't someone he could kill, nor could he uncover the secrets behind his powers. If he could work with Sanders instead, it could bring great benefits.
After all, Sanders had likely surpassed Whitebeard in strength by now, especially since he had covered his last major weakness—defense.
"Of course, we can cooperate. In a few years, I plan to spark a war unlike anything the world has ever seen," Sanders said with a confident smirk.
He knew Kaido had always dreamed of starting the "greatest war in the world." Kaido believed true equality and freedom could only be achieved by dragging the so-called "nobles," those who lived in luxury and decadence, onto the battlefield. Only war could determine the true value of humanity.
"Who do you plan to fight? Whitebeard? The Marines?" Kaido's eyes lit up with excitement at the mention of an unprecedented war. He had long wanted such a thing but had never found the right opportunity.
"The World Government, of course!" Sanders declared firmly. "Did you forget? I have a long-standing grudge against the Celestial Dragons!"
Kaido suddenly remembered: Sanders' foster father had been killed by the Celestial Dragons.
"Oh, ho, ho! So your target is the Celestial Dragons' Holy Land?" Kaido laughed heartily.
"Doesn't that sound thrilling?" Sanders grinned. "Dragging those so-called gods, the self-proclaimed nobility of the world, onto the battlefield would be immensely satisfying."
He had already decided to use the chaos of the Summit War to wage war against the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. Involving Kaido was just part of his grand plan.
When Whitebeard rushed to save his son, Sanders and Kaido would crush the World Government. And considering Kaido's connection with Big Mom, perhaps even she could be brought into the fold.
Back when Sanders read the original story, many had speculated: what if all the Emperors teamed up against the Marines? Who would win?
Now that he was in this world, he had to try it for himself.
Shanks, given his ties to the Celestial Dragons, was unlikely to join. But Sanders' crew could take the place of one of the Emperor crews.
In a few years, once the Thunder God Pirates had grown in strength, they might rival any of the Emperor crews.
By then, the Sea King power of Shirahoshi would also be under his control. If he could harness the might of the Sea Kings, his forces would become unimaginably terrifying.
"Oh, ho, ho! Storming Mariejois to slaughter those Celestial Dragons? I like it!" Kaido's laughter was wild and uninhibited.
Years ago, someone had taken him to Mariejois, but back then, he had been a mere underling, not qualified to participate in high-level battles.
Now, standing at the pinnacle of the world, the idea of attacking Mariejois and starting a war that would shake the world to its core thrilled him to no end.
"Sanders, why don't we do it right now!" Kaido said eagerly, his excitement barely contained.
The mere thought of storming the Holy Land made his blood boil.
Sanders rolled his massive dragon eyes. "Do you think the World Government only has the Marines as their force?"
"Sure, the two of us might escape after fighting the Marines' top brass, but if we also face the World Government's hidden powers and the Celestial Dragons' forces, it'd be suicide."
While he and Kaido were undoubtedly strong, their combined strength wasn't enough. They might handle the Marines' high-level combatants and live to tell the tale, but the World Government had many hidden forces.
There was the former Fleet Admiral, the Five Elders capable of transforming into demons, the Holy Knights, and the enigmatic Im-sama.
If all these forces joined hands with the Marines, even Sanders, with his multiple Devil Fruit powers, would meet his end.
Besides, he was still young, and many of his Devil Fruit abilities were far from fully developed. This wasn't the time to act.
Kaido, hearing this, calmed down. He realized that, as powerful as they were, just the two of them weren't enough.
"So, when do you plan to act?" Kaido asked.
"In a few years. My crew hasn't fully matured yet, and I'll need time to plan everything out," Sanders replied.
Kaido didn't press further. Instead, he transformed into his dragon form and hovered in the air, facing Sanders.
The sight of Kaido, who looked almost identical to himself, made Sanders smirk. With a thought, he channeled the power of the Thunder-Thunder Fruit throughout his massive dragon body, transforming into a Thunder Dragon.
The two dragons clashed mid-air. Lightning, fire, and wind blades tore through the sky, darkening the heavens and shaking the earth below.
On a distant ship, Jack stared slack-jawed at the spectacle.
When Sanders transformed into the Thunder Dragon, Jack couldn't help but shout to King:
"I told you! He's a Thunder Dragon!"
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T/N:
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