Just as Gion was about to step in to support Claudius and press the advantage against Linlin, a massive figure loomed behind her. In an instant, the enormous weight of Queen came crashing down toward her.
However, Gion wasn't fazed in the slightest. While the Three Calamities of Kaido's crew were undoubtedly strong, she knew she was stronger.
Spinning on her heel, Gion raised her long leg in a powerful arc and delivered a devastating kick to Queen's head, her voice low but resolute.
"Peach Blossom-Kick!"
The impact of her kick sent Queen staggering, the massive beast wobbling on his four legs. Pain shot through his skull as he reeled from the blow.
Meanwhile, Gion stood firmly in place, though her supporting foot sank into the ground from the sheer force of the strike.
Though Queen lacked the strength to overpower Gion outright, he was more than capable of stalling her. Gion grit her teeth, realizing she couldn't break away to assist Claudius. For now, Linlin was entirely in his hands.
At this moment, Claudius's state was unusual. He felt as though something deep within him had surged forth, a latent strength that had been dormant until now. The sensation was overwhelming, as though all the power he'd accumulated was demanding release.
For years, Claudius had rarely fought opponents of Charlotte Linlin's caliber head-on. Battles against legends like the Golden Lion Shiki or the Red Count Redfield had often involved calculated strategies or clever tactics. This, however, was a raw, brutal fight against one of the Four Emperors, a true test of his strength.
And now, with this rush of energy coursing through him, Claudius felt unstoppable.
Liquid nitrogen encased Linlin's arm, freezing it solid. Claudius followed up with a crushing punch that shattered the frozen skin, revealing raw, mangled flesh beneath.
The strike sent Linlin staggering, and the sheer pain made her howl.
As Linlin flew through the air from the force of his punch, Claudius felt the surge of power within him screaming for release. Throwing his head back, he let out a primal roar, the sound echoing across the battlefield and shaking the very foundations of Cake Island.
The powerful heartbeat of the King Engine roared louder, its rhythmic pounding resonating within three to five meters of Claudius. The vibrations were so intense that even the dust in the air began to move in sync with his pulse.
With a mighty push of his legs, Claudius shattered the ground beneath him and launched himself after Linlin. Catching up to her midair, he delivered a thunderous punch to her bloated stomach.
Linlin's body folded under the impact, and blood spewed from her mouth as she was sent hurtling back down to the ground, crashing into the earth with a deafening boom that left a massive crater in her wake.
Still, Claudius wasn't finished. His body burned with energy that demanded to be spent. Another roar tore from his throat as Conqueror's Haki erupted around him, surging outward in uncontrollable waves.
His golden hair whipped wildly in the wind, and his once noble aura had been replaced with a raw, feral intensity.
"Die!!!" Claudius roared, his voice shaking the air as he descended from the sky, his fist aimed directly at Linlin's head.
Linlin, dazed and battered, felt a flicker of fear in her heart. For the first time, her monstrous strength wasn't enough to stop someone. This man's power only seemed to grow stronger with every blow, as if there was no limit to what he could unleash.
Her instincts screamed at her to protect herself. Unable to rise, Linlin crossed her injured arms in front of her face, desperate to block the incoming strike.
Claudius's fist smashed into her arms with devastating force. The muscles in her arm compressed, and the sound of bones snapping filled the air. Linlin's infamous iron-like body, said to be nearly indestructible, had been broken.
Frost quickly spread across her skin, encasing the injured arm in a layer of ice. The force of Claudius's blow shattered the frozen skin into icy shards, exposing bloodied flesh and bone underneath.
Linlin cried out in agony as the impact pushed her injured arm against her own face, aggravating her already broken nose.
Before she could retaliate, Claudius was already on top of her. His foot stomped down on her massive frame, pinning her in place. With his waist bent low and his fists raised high, Claudius unleashed a relentless barrage of punches.
The sound of fists slamming into flesh echoed across the battlefield, the sheer ferocity of his attack leaving Linlin with no chance to fight back.
Blood splattered from Claudius's fists as he struck with such force that even his Armament Haki couldn't fully protect him. The skin and flesh of his knuckles were torn away, revealing raw bone beneath.
But Claudius didn't stop. His bloodshot eyes glared down at Linlin, his mind consumed by the need to release the overwhelming energy within him.
His entire body had turned a deep crimson, blood seeping from his pores as his blood vessels strained under immense pressure. His skin glistened with sweat and blood, and faint wisps of steam rose from his overheated body.
Linlin, unable to fight back, could only shield her head as best she could while Claudius's fists continued to hammer her abdomen. She could feel her ribs breaking, her internal organs tearing, and blood pooling in her mouth. Bits of her ruptured organs spilled from her lips as she struggled to breathe.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Claudius's sudden burst of power began to wane. The King Engine's deafening rhythm slowed, and his Conqueror's Haki began to dissipate.
Around the battlefield, those who witnessed the scene were left speechless. Claudius, in his berserk state, had singlehandedly overwhelmed Charlotte Linlin, one of the Four Emperors.
Linlin, barely clinging to consciousness, tried to retaliate one last time. With a surge of effort, she slammed her arms outward and delivered a headbutt to Claudius, sending him flying backward.
Even as Linlin attempted to rise, her injuries proved too severe. Her arms hung limp, one of them clearly broken, and her body trembled from exhaustion and pain.
Claudius, meanwhile, staggered to his feet. He didn't charge forward this time, his breathing labored and his arms trembling from overuse. His fists were torn to shreds, blood dripping freely from his exposed bones.
Despite his injuries, Claudius's spirit remained unbroken. His Conqueror's Haki still radiated from his body, and a savage grin spread across his bloodied face.
Taking a shaky step forward, he locked eyes with Linlin.
A cold sweat ran down her back as an unfamiliar feeling gripped her—a feeling she hadn't experienced in decades. Fear.
"Are you scared?" Claudius asked, his voice low and taunting.
He took another step forward, his body still trembling but his resolve unshaken. "Hahaha… Are you scared of me, Linlin? Is the great Big Mom finally afraid?"