Kaido's eyes flashed with ferocity.
He directly transformed into his human-beast form, his physique swelling further.
His ferocious dragon head stared intently at Shanks.
The spiked club at his waist, 'Hakkaija', was instantly drawn and raised high:
"I'll take your life then!!!"
Threads of lightning coiled around the spiked club as it swung towards Shanks.
This kind of guy should be nipped in the bud.
Shanks, at some unknown time, had drawn 'Gryphon' from his waist.
He stepped forward.
His innate Conqueror's Haki erupted, sweeping outwards.
Red lightning crackled around the blade, carrying a sharp sword intent as it slashed:
"Then let's see about that!!!"
*Clang—*
Though the spiked club and the blade had not yet collided, the sound of metal striking metal rang out.
The near-substantial Haki compressed around their weapons.
Furious currents and lightning erupted.
*Boom boom boom—*
The island trembled, the ground fractured, and energy from unknown origins burst from beneath the earth.
Beams of light shot skyward, destroying everything in their path.
The ground at the center of the battle began to glow red.
The clash of ultimate Haki affected reality, the earth beneath their feet continuously cracking.
*Boom!!!*
An irregular beam of light shot into the sky.
It exploded above the island, and violent energy surged outwards, engulfing heaven and earth.
All clouds within sight were swept away.
--------
*Swish—*
A beam of light appeared at the top of the Red-Haired Pirates' ship mast, solidifying into human form.
The moment he appeared, Benn Beckman and Yasopp, along with others, aimed their guns at him.
Borsalino exclaimed exaggeratedly:
"Wow~"
"Such quick reflexes, and I haven't even done anything yet~"
"Really~~"
"Everyone here is like a monster~"
*Click-click—*
Benn Beckman cocked his gun twice, the hammer clicking into place.
"That's not a place for people to stand."
"Very rude."
"New Marine Admiral."
"Kizaru, Borsalino."
Borsalino raised his hands:
"Cocked already~"
"I mean no harm~"
"I'm just here to see what the Yonko, Kaido, is doing interacting with the remnants of the Roger Pirates~"
Benn Beckman scoffed:
"Are you done watching now?"
Borsalino scratched his cheek with his raised hand:
"Mhm mhm~"
"Looks like it's not a collaboration~"
"Then I'll be going back to report~"
Golden light emanated from him as he dissolved into light particles.
Watching Borsalino about to disappear, Benn Beckman's eyes glinted.
He instantly pulled the trigger, Haki-infused bullets shooting towards the part of Borsalino that hadn't yet dissipated.
*Swish—*
The sound of air being cut rang out.
The bullet was fast, but the light particles were faster.
Despite being only a few meters away, it still didn't hit Borsalino.
The dissipating light particles seemed to have a will of their own, creating a hole through which the bullet passed.
However, Borsalino stumbled as he reformed:
"Wow~"
"You almost got me~"
Benn Beckman's lips curved into a slight smile, his gaze fixed on Borsalino:
"Don't lie."
"You're a Marine Admiral."
Borsalino pointed his index finger downwards, light particles rapidly converging:
"Oh?"
"What do you want to do then~"
Benn Beckman looked at Borsalino and smiled:
"Of course, I want to witness the might of a Marine Admiral."
"After all, the captain is testing himself, so how can I, the first mate, be lazy?"
A look of annoyance appeared on Borsalino's face:
"So troublesome~"
"Really~"
"Everyone is so energetic~"
*Swish—*
*Bang—*
The whistling of lasers and the sound of gunshots erupted simultaneously, without warning...
--------
Deep within the island.
In a short span of time, all structures were annihilated by the impact.
Kaido gripped Hakkaija with both hands, shifting it to his right side, wisps of lightning coiling around it.
He stomped his foot, his entire body a blur of afterimages as he charged towards Shanks:
"Roaring Thunder! Hakkaija!!!"
Shanks watched Kaido charge, taking a deep breath.
He stepped forward with his left foot, his right foot firmly planted on the ground, and flipped Gryphon in his right hand, bringing it behind him.
Kaido, charging forward, momentarily faltered... this posture...
Faint red lightning danced along the blade, and a red light flared in Shanks' eyes.
His body spun violently, using the momentum to unleash an incredibly sharp red sword slash with Gryphon.
It met Kaido's spiked club in a clash of power.
Kaido's physique and the immense strength amplified by his devil fruit gave him a significant advantage.
The spiked club in his hands steadily pressed down on Shanks' sword, inch by inch:
"I almost thought Roger had returned."
"You've perfectly inherited Roger's swordsmanship and spirit."
"You're practically 'another Roger'!"
Though a compliment, it was laced with sarcasm, and the killing intent in his eyes intensified.
Shanks, on the defensive, chuckled:
"Thank you for the praise."
Shanks was originally a left-handed swordsman. Although he had retrained himself for his right hand, it was not usually apparent.
However, when facing a stronger opponent, the slightest awkwardness would be amplified. His right hand, holding back Kaido's spiked club, trembled slightly.
Yet, this extremely unnatural feeling did not affect Shanks.
Kaido's eyes narrowed; his verbal assault had no effect...
*Boom—*
The clashing Haki could no longer be contained, erupting in a massive burst of energy that carved a hole hundreds of meters wide in the ground.
Both combatants were sent flying backward rapidly.
*Roar—*
A dragon's roar echoed.
Kaido transformed into a blue dragon, circling in the air, his maw gathering intense light.
He aimed at Shanks' location, unleashing a pillar of crimson energy.
Shanks, facing the incoming energy pillar, raised Gryphon and slashed downwards.
Though no sword qi was visible, the surging energy pillar was cleanly split in two!
As if propelled by an immense force, the bisected energy pillar shot towards the mountain behind and to the side of Shanks.
*Boom!!!!*
The blue dragon circling in the air reared up, inhaling deeply towards the heavens.
Its dragon body began a circular, rotating motion like a top, releasing destructive winds that swept downwards.
Simultaneously, its chest bulged as if inflating like a giant balloon.
Greenish-blue light continuously gathered within its maw. Once it reached its limit, it aimed at Shanks:
"Tatsumaki: Keifuu!!!"
Dense, greenish-blue wind blades, imbued with Haki, spun towards Shanks, resembling a meat grinder...
Shanks' eyes narrowed:
"It's no use."
A powerful gust of wind suddenly erupted around him, sweeping away surrounding debris and trees.
He moved his right-hand-held sword to his left rear and unleashed a horizontal slash upwards and to the right.
A massive fiery slash swept through the air, passing through the dense greenish-blue wind blades.
*Clang!*
The slash struck Kaido's chest scales, sparks flying, causing no damage.
Below, the greenish-blue tornado of blades, before reaching Shanks, all glowed red and exploded violently.
Fire and greenish-blue light danced in the air like brilliant fireworks...
Although the attack was effective, it also revealed the gap Shanks currently faced.
Kaido's dragon eyes stared intently at Shanks.
*Bang bang bang—*
Flames erupted from his dragon body, spreading across his entire form...