"Oh? What an interesting kid."
Whitebeard glanced at Kaito, his curiosity piqued. He knew just how skilled the Golden Lion was, and seeing Shiki take an injury from someone so young was nearly unheard of.
"He managed to land a blow on Shiki? My instincts were right—this guy's a monster," Charlotte Linlin murmured, a grin spreading across her face.
Shiki, however, didn't seem angry. Instead, he chuckled and grinned. "Well done, Kaito. You've earned my respect."
For Shiki, being injured by someone as young as Kaito was surprising but not infuriating. Even though he hadn't fought at full power, he considered himself a seasoned great swordsman. His skill had been honed over years of battle, and yet this rookie had spotted a minor opening and exploited it. That took exceptional talent.
The surrounding crew murmured their astonishment. Rocks's ship was full of strong individuals, but it wasn't every day someone new showed such promise.
"He managed to hurt Captain Shiki? I guess we've got a real monster joining us," one of the pirates whispered.
"Rocks really knows how to pick 'em," another said.
Shiki's expression turned more serious. "I don't think that was your full strength, Kaito. If that's the case, I'm going to stop holding back."
Kaito felt a rush of anticipation. He'd pushed himself to his limits in the last clash, but if Shiki was about to fight seriously, this was his chance to truly test his power.
Shiki drew his second sword, his aura shifting instantly. Holding both Oto and Kogarashi, his presence became overwhelming. His stance conveyed the sheer power of a master of dual-wielding swordsmanship, a level Kaito knew he hadn't yet reached.
"Come on, Kaito. Show me everything you've got."
Kaito nodded, gripping his sword tighter. His body was already aching from their initial clash, but he still had one ace left. Drawing upon his recent breakthrough, he focused on the power he had unlocked from Kurama. A crimson mist swirled around him, and a single, red, fox-like tail materialized behind him.
"Is that… Devil Fruit power?"
"He's tapping into something strong. Did he just enhance himself with that tail?"
The crew could feel the difference in Kaito's aura. It was heavier, fiercer. Even the Golden Lion seemed intrigued, his grin widening.
"Jie ha ha… You've got hidden cards, huh? This is getting fun!" Shiki's excitement was palpable. Kaito had impressed him already, but now he saw potential. If Kaito's strength continued to grow, he could become a powerful ally—or a rival worth taking seriously.
Kaito's first step was a blur. His enhanced speed allowed him to close the gap almost instantly, and his strike came down with a force that caused the surrounding air to ripple.
"CLANG!"
The two swords collided again, sparks flying in all directions. Shiki met the attack head-on, and the resulting shockwave pushed nearby onlookers back. For a moment, it looked as though Kaito might overpower him, but Shiki held firm. His years of experience as a great swordsman were not so easily overcome.
Kaito pressed harder. His strikes came faster, his movements sharper. He poured every ounce of strength into the fight, trying to find another opening. But Shiki, now wielding both swords, had none. His defense was impenetrable, his counters swift and precise.
"You're strong," Shiki admitted between strikes. "Stronger than I expected. But if you want to beat me, you'll have to do better than that."
Kaito gritted his teeth. The power from Kurama's tail boosted his speed and strength, yet it still wasn't enough. Shiki's technique, refined through years of battle, remained untouchable.
The clash continued, each collision of their blades sending shockwaves across the deck. The crew watched in stunned silence as Kaito held his ground, refusing to yield even as Shiki's superior technique bore down on him.
"He's still standing… against Captain Shiki's dual blades…"
"No way. Even if he's using some crazy Devil Fruit power, holding out this long against a great swordsman is insane."
Kaito knew he couldn't win this fight. Not yet. But that wasn't the point. Every clash taught him something. Every parry and counter was a lesson. He was learning from one of the greatest swordsmen in the world, and though he couldn't defeat Shiki now, he knew this experience would bring him closer to that level.
As the battle raged on, Shiki's grin never faltered. Kaito might not have been his equal, but the young swordsman had something most didn't: potential. And that potential made him more than just a fighter—it made him a future force to be reckoned with.