The sky was a theater for a violent battle, with no room for bystanders.
On one side was Kaido, the Emperor wielding the Azure Dragon fruit.
On the other was Barrett, the Generalissimo who possessed the Duplicate fruit.
One had been frustratingly constrained for days due to the Navy's speed.
The other found his fighting unsatisfying due to Shanks' Observation Killing, leading to a clash of suppressed fury. The result was primal combat...
Thousands of meters above the clouds.
Kaido, having transformed back into his dragon form, his dragon eyes crimson, each scale radiating a chilling glint. His dragon claws clutched the Hassaikai, crackling with lightning, swinging it back to its limit before lunging at Barrett.
Barrett, in his Great Asura King form with demonic energy, his muscles coiled, exuding wildness and ruggedness. He now held a meteor hammer, its size magnified severalfold.
Infusing it with Haki, he charged towards Kaido, enveloped in a tempestuous aura.
*Boom—!!!*
The collision of the spiked club and the meteor hammer sent a violent gust of wind scattering.
The lightning sparked by their clash of Conqueror's Haki raged briefly before exploding. The two, flung apart, did not hesitate and charged at each other once more.
Kaido's Hassaikai, crackling with lightning, swung towards Barrett. Barrett, his eyes equally crimson, did not dodge. A brutal thought surged through his mind.
He simply raised an arm to block.
*Crack—*
A tremendous impact echoed, and searing pain shot through his arm, reaching his brain. Unaffected, Barrett sneered and flipped his arm.
Kaido's spiked club was caught beneath his arm.
In his other hand, the meteor hammer was clenched tightly, aimed directly at Kaido's face.
*Boom!!!*
The meteor hammer shattered, scales on the face cracked. Kaido's eyes turned white for a fleeting moment before recovering.
The monstrous dragon head then headbutted Barrett.
*Crunch—*
Two beings, like monsters, collided head-on.
Conqueror's Haki lightning erupted where their foreheads met. Blood trickled from their scalps, streaking past their eyes, further igniting their ferocity.
Barrett's free hand lunged for Kaido's dragon horn, while Kaido's free left fist punched towards Barrett's abdomen.
*Thump!!!*
Barrett's abdomen, imbued with potent Armament Haki, let out a resonant sound like a bell or drum upon being struck by Kaido, echoing through the sky.
The immense force also carried Barrett, who was holding Kaido's horn, backward.
And Kaido, his horn gripped, was pulled along, spinning with Barrett uncontrollably.
Barrett released his arm that held the spiked club and instantly grasped the other dragon horn, a grimace on his Asura-like face:
"Aaaargh—"
The muscles in his arms bulged, veins throbbing, as he pulled outwards.
Kaido's dragon eyes widened in alarm. Extreme pain surged into his brain. He faintly heard the anguished cry of his horn and his mouth, full of fangs, opened wide:
"ROAR—"
One dragon claw swiped at Barrett's body, pulling him back, and then bit towards Barrett's neck.
Barrett glared at Kaido, his arms continuing to exert immense force. He brought his knees up and kicked towards Kaido's biting abdomen, firmly holding him in place.
Kaido's bite towards Barrett's body abruptly halted, suspended in mid-air.
The tearing sensation in his head intensified. He felt as if he were being ripped in half. Kaido's reason began to fade as his sharp dragon claws, like a vise,
Reached into Barrett's abdomen.
*Screech—*
A large chunk of flesh was torn away. He didn't stop, digging in again. At the same time, the tip of the Hassaikai, coated in Haki, stabbed into Barrett's abdomen.
*Screech—*
*Boom!!!!*
Barrett, struck heavily in the abdomen and with flesh torn away, also lost his reason. Adrenaline surged through him:
"ROAR—"
*Crack—!!!*
One dragon horn was torn off. The intense pain made Kaido even more ferocious, nearly flinging Barrett away.
But his left hand held tightly onto the other horn, which was also on the verge of breaking. His right hand produced a small meteor hammer, which he magnified.
*Rumble!!!!*
Gale-force winds and blades swept across thousands of meters.
The frenzied close-quarters combat between the two made it impossible for Fujitora and Kizaru to intervene, forcing them to watch from a distance, waiting for an opportunity.
Fujitora stood on a meteorite, his sword entwined with his ability, ready to strike at any moment.
"Is this General Barrett's strength..."
His Observation Haki perceived it not as two people fighting, but as an ancient fierce beast and a demon god.
"Truly renowned..."
Kizaru's expression was slightly solemn, yet he spoke with his usual flippant tone:
"Kawaii~"
"Are they all this monstrous~"
The two observed the battle from afar. The area within a thousand-meter radius had become a no-man's-land, though it posed no problem for them.
However, it seemed Barrett didn't need help; he needed to vent.
"Admiral Kizaru—"
Satori's voice called from a distance, and he arrived rapidly.
Kizaru turned to look at Satori.
"Oh~"
"It's Satori~"
"What is it~"
Satori flew to a stop.
"Fleet Admiral Sakazuki has ordered you to reinforce Admiral Aokiji."
"End this melee as soon as possible."
Kizaru looked somewhat troubled.
"Ah~"
"What a nuisance~"
"Never a moment's peace~"
He sighed lightly and looked at Fujitora.
"Well then~"
"I'll be going ahead~"
"Fujitora-san~"
He began to dissolve into light particles and disappear. Fujitora nodded and said:
"Don't worry."
"Leave this place to me."
*Whoosh—*
The laser beam vanished into the sky.
Satori looked at Fujitora, one who could make objects defy gravity, the other who could multiply gravity – who was stronger?
But there was no time to ponder that now; there was a mission.
Satori looked at Fujitora and said:
"Then I'll leave this place to you, Admiral Fujitora."
"I still need to carry out a mission on Whole Cake Island."
Fujitora looked in Satori's direction.
"Leave it to me."
He paused, then spoke again.
"After the battle is over, Lieutenant General Satori, are you interested in discussing Devil Fruit abilities?"
Fujitora was also very interested in the Paramecia ability of defying gravity.
Satori smiled.
"Certainly."
"I'm also very interested in gravity-based Devil Fruits."
"I'll go on my mission first."
"I'll contact you when it's over."
Fujitora also smiled.
"Alright."
Satori bid farewell and activated his ability, speeding away.
He flew towards Whole Cake Island.
-----------
New World, New Marineford.
In the Fleet Admiral's office.
Carrol entered, a smile on his face.
"Fleet Admiral, the latest battle report."
"The Red-Haired Pirates have retreated."
"Kaido is currently engaged in a fierce battle with Barrett."
"Admiral Kizaru has gone to reinforce Admiral Aokiji."
"Satori is also en route to Whole Cake Island."
"It's estimated this melee will conclude soon."
Sakazuki put down his pen and stood up, stretching.
"Already on their way."
"Excellent."
"It has to be fair, after all. The Red-Haired Pirates lost family."
He walked to the sand table, picked up a model of Whole Cake Island, and let the sand trickle through his fingers.
"Then tell me, what will Charlotte Linlin lose..."