Boom!
On the battlefield in this vast sea area, two figures rapidly closed the distance between them—Bai Ye and 'Kong.' Their first clash was nothing short of earth-shattering.
The sheer power of their collision tore the sea apart, creating a massive abyss with a diameter spanning hundreds of meters. The destructive aftermath rippled outward, shaking the Grand Line to its core. Thunderous booms echoed across the horizon, making it seem as though the heavens themselves were roaring.
Boom…! Boom…!
Nearby islands and even the bustling Sabaody Archipelago trembled under the shockwaves. Ordinary citizens were left bewildered, gazing skyward in confusion.
"Is it thundering in broad daylight?" they wondered aloud.
For most common folk, it was simply a strange weather phenomenon. However, for the true warriors and elites scattered across the seas, the situation was entirely different.
Their expressions grew grim as they sensed the clash of two overwhelming auras. Somewhere out there, a battle of unimaginable proportions was unfolding.
A Test of Strength
The sea boiled as torrents of water poured into the massive chasm left behind by the clash. Amidst the chaos, the figures of Bai Ye and 'Kong' reappeared, locked in fierce combat.
"Strong," Bai Ye muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing as he sized up his opponent.
This was his first impression of Kong: a formidable foe who could rival his own physical prowess.
Relying solely on raw strength, 'Kong' was unlike any adversary Bai Ye had encountered thus far.
Moreover, the sheer mastery of Armament Haki that Kong displayed was awe-inspiring. It was evident that this power had been honed through decades of relentless training. Armament Haki, like a deep reservoir, grew stronger the longer one practiced.
Even though Kong had refrained from direct combat for over twenty years, his dedication to training had not faltered. The result?
A monstrous power that pushed the limits of physical strength and durability.
In this state, Kong's combat ability surpassed that of an ordinary Marine Admiral. His pure physicality, combined with his mastery of Haki, elevated him to the level of legends like Garp—warriors who relied on strength and skill rather than Devil Fruits.
For Devil Fruit users, facing such an opponent on the open sea was nothing short of a nightmare.
It was no wonder Kong had exuded such confidence when leading this "Operation Demon Slaying." He had clearly intended to end this battle himself from the start.
The True Strategy
Bai Ye's sharp gaze caught the subtle details of Kong's strategy.
The "Admiral candidates" recruited for this mission were likely never expected to succeed. Instead, their role was to gauge Bai Ye's true strength, force him to expend his energy, and weaken him for the final confrontation.
Kong, the hidden trump card of the operation, was now fully revealed.
As Bai Ye analyzed Kong's strength, he also noticed a critical weakness: Kong's Armament Haki, though immensely powerful, consumed his stamina at an alarming rate. The full-body coverage of Haki magnified his power but drained his reserves with each passing moment.
"Interesting," Bai Ye murmured, a faint smirk appearing on his face.
He could have chosen to wait out Kong's strength, letting time itself bring him victory. However, such a tactic didn't sit well with him.
No Holding Back
Bai Ye's eyes gleamed coldly as he made his decision.
"If I can't handle a mere watchdog of the World Government, how can I ever hope to take revenge on the ones pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
With that, he launched himself toward Kong once more, his voice ringing out with an ominous declaration:
"Since you like hiding in the shadows so much, take a good look, Kaido! This will be your final glimpse of the living world before you're buried here as well."
Kong's expression shifted, caught off guard by the sudden mention of Kaido.
Before he could react further, an overwhelming surge of energy erupted from Bai Ye's body.
Unleashing the Flames
Bai Ye's spiritual pressure, or Reiatsu, expanded like a tidal wave, tearing through the atmosphere. In an instant, it transformed into a blazing inferno. Flames of a brilliant orange-red hue roared to life, engulfing the battlefield.
The sky darkened, and the flames seemed to stretch endlessly, consuming both sea and air. It was as though an entire sea of fire had been unleashed upon the world, leaving the battlefield beneath it scorched and trembling.
The once-calm ocean began to boil violently, sending plumes of steam rising into the air. The temperature soared to unbearable heights, and the very sea level beneath Bai Ye's feet began to drop at a visible pace.
Boom…!
The fiery display extended far beyond the immediate battlefield. The heatwaves reached as far as the Sabaody Archipelago, the Grand Line, and even the Summit War, leaving everyone stunned.
Across these distant locations, countless people paused in their tracks as the oppressive heat washed over them.
"What… what is this?" warriors muttered in disbelief.
Even the strongest among them couldn't suppress the unease creeping into their hearts.
At the center of it all, Bai Ye stood, bathed in flames that seemed to burn with the intensity of the sun itself.
And so, the battle continued to escalate, the world trembling under the weight of their clash.