"Enough already, you idiots!"
Spandam roared in fury. Watching these fools attempt seppuku hundreds of times a year without shedding a single drop of blood had long since lost its novelty.
Thud!
He slammed his coffee cup down hard, only for it to bounce off Owl's chubby face with a loud "Duang!" and send scalding liquid splashing back onto his own.
"Gah! Hot, hot, HOT!!"
Clutching his face, Spandam shrieked in pain, his humiliation fueling his rage. "Guards! Throw these three worthless trash into the dungeon's isolation cells! No one releases them without my direct orders!"
"Also, contact Marine Headquarters immediately. Inform them that Buggy attacked CP9 agents. Demand they increase his bounty and intensify pursuit efforts!"
"Yes, sir!"
As the three agents were dragged away, Spandam leaned heavily on his desk, his expression dark.
Not long ago, Blue Ogre Dorry and Red Ogre Brogy had breached Enies Lobby. As CP9's commander, he should have faced severe consequences.
Thankfully, his father Spandine had pulled strings with the Five Elders, barely preserving his position—though he still owed them a detailed incident report.
Now, however...
Perhaps he could maneuver things further. Pin the blame entirely on those three morons.
Useless failures who caused nothing but trouble. Keeping them around risked dragging him down, and a man of his stature couldn't afford such liabilities...
"Perfect."
A cold smirk crept across Spandam's face as his mood lifted. Ordering a fresh coffee, he ascended alone to the open-air observation deck atop Enies Lobby's tower.
Ocean winds howled around him. Above, the World Government's white flag snapped violently atop its pole.
Sipping his drink, he gazed down at the city that never slept—his city.
Ah, the intoxicating taste of power.
He'd spent four years building a gilded resume in CP5, then another four rising to lead CP9. Was it because of his strength? His exceptional competence?
Of course not!
Heh. It was all thanks to his influential father and family name—the very keys to his meteoric rise, granting him a life those common scum could never fathom...
"Hm?"
Suddenly, Spandam's eyes narrowed.
A distant flicker of light streaked across the sky toward him, trailing thunderous booms and churning storm clouds...
"A meteor?"
Squinting, he tracked the approaching emerald glow.
"No..."
His pupils shrank to pinpricks.
"That's... Kaido?!"
The light surged closer, its form resolving into an enormous azure dragon blotting out the sky as it dove at terrifying speed.
It was him!
Emperor Kaido—why was he coming to Enies Lobby?
Spandam's face drained of color. His legs turned to jelly, barely supporting his weight.
This was infinitely worse than those two giants last time!
Panicking, he spun to flee inside—
BOOM!!!
A human figure came hurtling toward the tower, violently swatted by the dragon's tail like a falling comet!
Hearing the whistling projectile behind him, Spandam instinctively turned his head—
The figure rapidly enlarged in his vision—a familiar black-haired youth, cursing furiously at the sky:
"Sneak attack, huh? You old bastard, no sense of honor at all!!"
Bam!
The next instant, he was struck dead-on. The boy's elbow, impossibly hard, slammed squarely into his chest, tearing through flesh and sending his heart and surrounding blood vessels flying.
How could I…
Spandam's lips trembled as he looked down at the gaping hole in his chest, disbelief flooding his eyes. His career had just reached its peak—
"To die in a place like this…"
Before he could finish, his body crumpled like a rag, crashing heavily to the ground, lifeless.
...
As the dust settled, Xiano rose from the rubble, wincing as he brushed the dirt off his clothes. He glanced down at the corpse beneath his feet, mildly surprised.
What a coincidence.
When Kaido landed in Water 7, he took Lucci with him. And now, when Xiano landed, he just happened to take Spandam?
The two most despicable scumbags of CP9—their fates were eerily similar!
"Wororororo!"
Kaido, transformed into his Azure Dragon form, circled overhead, laughing uproariously. "Kid, that face-first landing of yours was quite the spectacle!"
"You're the one who attacked out of nowhere!" Xiano snapped, his temper flaring. This old eel couldn't even wait for him to land properly—barely catching sight of Enies Lobby before launching a sneak attack!
"What can I say? We're already in Enies Lobby's territory. Fighting's only natural—I'm a Pirate, after all. Why should I play fair? Blame your weak Observation Haki!"
"I won't deny my Observation Haki's still lacking!" Xiano bared his teeth in a savage grin. "But my physique and Armament Haki are a different story! Get down here and taste my fists, you old geezer!!"
"Gladly!"
Kaido roared with laughter as he dove downward, his draconic form shrinking midair and reverting to his human shape. His Spiked Club swung down, wreathed in black-red lightning!
"Thunder Bagua!!!"
Xiano didn't dodge. He crossed his arms and took the blow head-on.
A terrifying shockwave erupted from the impact, instantly reducing the white flag fluttering atop the tower to ashes.
The remaining walls of Enies Lobby's tower crumbled like paper, collapsing under the force.
The two figures plummeted through layer after layer of debris, finally crashing into the open plaza at the heart of the island.
The deafening impact finally alerted the entire garrison of Enies Lobby.
CP agents and Marine soldiers rushed to the scene, only to freeze in horror at the sight of the two disproportionate figures at the plaza's center.
"H-hey! That… that giant—isn't that Emperor Kaido?!"
"And that black-haired man… that's the Blade Swordsman Xiano, with a 1-billion berry bounty!!"
"Why are they fighting here?!"
No one dared approach, let alone intervene. Most were paralyzed with fear, though a few quick-witted ones fumbled for their Den Den Mushi with trembling hands…
At the center of the shattered plaza—
"Oh?"
Kaido rested his Spiked Club on his shoulder, narrowing his eyes at Xiano. "Seems like that move doesn't work on you anymore, huh?"
"Thunder Bagua? That's really not cutting it anymore!"
Xiano grinned, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth. "Hurry up and bring out something stronger, Kaido!"
The first time he had endured Thunder Bagua, he had been left dazed and disoriented—not just from the sheer physical force, but also from the aggressive mental assault of the Conqueror's Haki.
But this time, he had adapted noticeably, as if he had developed some kind of immunity.
"Wororororo~! Don't worry, you'll get it. But… before that."
Kaido glanced around, his gaze locking onto Xiano's. "There are too many nuisances getting in the way. How about we use that move together first?"
Xiano gave a slight nod in agreement.
Neither of them said another word.
Yet, in the next instant, their Conqueror's Haki erupted simultaneously, surging outward like a tidal wave!
BOOM!
Black and red lightning weaved into a net above Enies Lobby, and the very air on the island seemed to freeze in that moment.
The guards who had rushed to the scene—those who hadn't even had time to call for reinforcements—collapsed like wheat under a scythe, their eyes rolling back as they fell, regardless of rank or distance.
In the blink of an eye…
The vast expanse of Enies Lobby was left with only two figures still standing—Xiano and Kaido.
"Not bad at all, brat! Among those with the potential for Conqueror's Haki, you stand out!"
Kaido licked his lips as he watched the fading black and red lightning in the sky. "But just being able to release it isn't enough. On these seas, if a Conqueror's Haki user wants to climb higher—to truly reach the pinnacle—they must master that technique!"
"Yeah, I know."
A sharp glint flashed in Xiano's eyes as he rapidly replayed the sensations from their earlier clash in his mind.
After blocking the second Thunder Bagua, he had grown increasingly aware of the key to Conqueror's Haki Infusion.
The steps couldn't be mixed up—first, focus all his spirit, condense it into a tangible force, and then attempt to coat his attacks with it.
Xiano stared at his fists, clenching his knuckles until they cracked. Black and red lightning began flickering between his fingers, compressing and gathering…
POP!
Like a bursting bubble, the lightning compressed against his skin lasted only a second or two before dispersing.
So close!
Xiano splayed his fingers in frustration. That fleeting sensation had been like standing before a hidden treasure in a palace, separated only by the thinnest veil—so close yet just out of reach. It left him both agitated and itching for more…
Then he'd just have to vent it all out!
BOOM!
The ground beneath Xiano shattered as his figure vanished.
The next moment, he reappeared above Kaido's head, his right fist already coiled like a black warhammer, and slammed it down with devastating force!
"Elbaf Spear - Power of the Nation… Modified!!!"
Hm?
Feeling the familiar surge of power, Kaido's eyes flickered with surprise.
A giant's technique.
Come to think of it, the last time he had taken a hit like this was years ago.
How nostalgic!
"Wororororo!" Kaido threw his head back with a roar, battle lust burning in his eyes. "I know this move too, kid!!!"
Back on Rocks' ship, Linlin had taught it to him!
He suddenly swung his Spiked Club, once again enveloped in black-red lightning, smashing it fiercely toward Xiano's fist—
"Might Nation!!!"
Two terrifying forces with similar fluctuations collided mid-air, their black-red and pure-black shockwaves intertwining and erupting!
BOOM!!!
Not just Enies Lobby—even the circular sea surrounding the island began to tremble violently under this power!
"Guh—!"
Xiano spat out a mouthful of blood, his body hurtling backward like a Cannonball before crashing heavily into Enies Lobby's second gate hundreds of meters away, instantly reducing it to rubble.
Meanwhile, Kaido staggered back over a dozen steps, his Spiked Club slipping from his grip and embedding itself into the ground nearby, vibrating with a low hum.
"Hmm... Not bad, brat!"
Kaido wiped the blood from his lips, his eyes brimming with excitement. "Seems a bit different from how Linlin uses it. Though you can't use Supreme Haki Infusion, you've combined it with Internal Destruction to amplify its power? Interesting, very interesting!"
"..."
Amid the ruins, Xiano struggled to push himself up.
His body was drenched in blood, his right arm twisted unnaturally, yet his eyes shone with irrepressible exhilaration.
"So that's it... This is the true way to use Conqueror's Haki Infusion..."
Xiano murmured softly, his eyes briefly closing.
He seemed to have completely forgotten he was still in battle, forgotten that one of the Four Emperors stood before him, slipping into a state akin to "flow."
In that instant of their clash, he had finally grasped the trajectory of Kaido's strength with absolute clarity—and now, he was confident he could perfectly replicate it.
Xiano's eyes snapped open.
His right fist would take time to recover, so this time, he extended his left palm—snapping it shut into a fist.
CRACKLE!
Black-red lightning coalesced over his knuckles once more, this time denser than before, flowing like liquid across his skin until it enveloped his entire left fist.
Xiano stared intently at his fist.
This feeling...
This feeling...
There was no mistake!
It was his now—no longer dissipating, fully mastered!!!
"Again!!!"
With a roar, Xiano vanished from his spot.
Kaido's pupils constricted—this time, Xiano's speed had increased severalfold! Even his Observation Haki struggled to track his movements!
Had he perfected the Martial Arts technique "Shave" to its absolute peak?
Almost the moment the shout echoed, Xiano appeared before Kaido, his black-red lightning-wreathed fist aimed straight for Kaido's face!
"What?!"
Kaido's expression shifted as he hastily crossed his arms to block—yet the force of the punch still sent him flying back!
"Worororo! What a surprise!"
Kaido adjusted his posture mid-air, laughing as he landed and skidded backward.
"Seems you had some foundation already, but to master it after just three strikes? Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
This brat was becoming more and more of a delight!
His earlier estimates might have been too low.
Give this kid a little more room to grow... Forget just an All-Star—he had the potential to surpass King and become the Beast Pirates' vice-captain!
"Thanks for the lesson, old man!"
Unaware of Kaido's thoughts, Xiano shook his numb fist, baring bloodstained teeth in a grin as he burst into laughter.
"As a token of gratitude, you better brace yourself for this next move!"
He activated Life Return, consuming more stamina to accelerate the healing of his right fist.
Once both fists were fully under his control, Xiano took a deep breath, suddenly bringing his fists together and pulling them back to his waist. Every muscle in his body tensed to its limit as black-red lightning coiled and intertwined between his arms like frenzied serpents!
This technique was originally his strongest skill, born from combining the Six Styles Ultimate Technique with Ripple Fist—originally named "Yellow Rose Ripple Overdrive."
But now.
After relentless training with the Poneglyphs, he had fully upgraded and enhanced it!
And now, combined with the Conqueror's Haki Infusion he had just mastered…
Xiano named this new technique—
"God's Punishment!!!"
BOOM!
Both fists unleashed simultaneously, two black-red shockwaves spiraling together like a roaring dragon, instantly tearing through the air with earth-shattering force, hurtling straight toward Kaido!
HUM!
Before the shockwaves even reached him, Kaido's face contorted violently. A red glint flashed in his eyes—he sensed something.
The power of this strike was clearly far beyond anything before!
"Urorororo! Now we're talking!!!"
Kaido suddenly grew excited, tossing aside the Spiked Club he had just picked up. With a wild laugh, he spread his arms wide—choosing not to dodge at all. His muscles swelled to their limit as he took the full brunt of the attack head-on with his chest!
BOOOOOOM—!!!
In the deafening explosion, Kaido's massive body was sent flying like a Cannonball!
His legs carved two deep trenches into the ground as he crashed through the ruins of Enies Lobby's tower, smashing through the third, second, and first gates in succession—only barely managing to steady himself at the very edge of the island!
"Ugh… PFFT!"
Kaido suddenly dropped to one knee, spitting out a mouthful of blood. His chest was slightly caved in, a mangled mess of flesh and blood, with several bones seemingly fractured. Yet when he lifted his head, the excitement in his eyes burned even fiercer.
"How many years… how many years has it been?! On these seas, aside from those old bastards, the last one who could make me bleed internally…"
Was that guy Oden!
Though this time, he had only been injured because he was in his human form and took the hit head-on.
But for an eighteen-year-old brat…
Not bad… no! Far from just "not bad"—this was downright impressive!
"Urorororo!!"
Kaido slowly rose to his feet, tearing off the tattered purple-black cloak on his back to reveal a scar-covered, powerfully built torso. He grinned savagely at Xiano:
"Kid, I'll be honest with you. Even though I agreed to come to this island with you, I never planned to take this seriously. I was just gonna gauge your strength, knock you out, and drag you back to Onigashima!"
"Oh?" Xiano smirked. "Seems you're even more underhanded than I thought, old man!"
"I'm a Pirate! What's wrong with being underhanded?!"
Kaido roared with laughter. "But now I've changed my mind. I just wanna fight you to my heart's content! Let's keep going till tomorrow—show me everything you've got!"
With that declaration—
His body suddenly began to expand and transform, muscles bulging and coiling as blue-green scales emerged across his skin. In addition to the two demonic horns he already possessed, two more pairs of dragon horns sprouted from his head.
His height doubled entirely, shooting from just over seven meters to around fifteen meters!
—This was the human-beast form of the Azure Dragon Fruit, a perfect fusion of a dragon's ability to manipulate natural forces and a human's agility!
It was also Kaido's most frequently used combat form when he truly went all out—his strongest battle state!
"Come on, little brat Xiano!!!"
Kaido roared with wild laughter, "Let me see just where your limits lie!"
"Subjugation of the Three Worlds…"
He raised his Spiked Club high, black-red lightning coiling around it, ready to unleash his full power—
Whoosh!
A blinding golden laser suddenly streaked across the sky, piercing straight through Xiano's chest from behind with lightning speed before he could react.
Thud—!
Xiano stared blankly down at his chest. With Kaido about to unleash his full assault, all his focus, all his Haki, had been concentrated entirely on the enemy before him.
So he hadn't noticed the laser shooting toward him from behind.
Blood gushed out instantly, the scorching energy even charring his flesh as it blasted straight through his chest, leaving a gruesome hollow where his heart should have been.
A leisurely voice drifted down from above at the same time:
"My, my, how terrifying~ Two unbelievable monsters fighting in the first half of the Grand Line—where you don't belong—is one thing, but to bring it all the way to Enies Lobby? As the Navy, we simply can't turn a blind eye to that…"
"Kizaru?!"
Since when had he been following them?!
Kaido froze for a moment before snapping back to awareness, his gaze darting upward to lock onto the lazy figure cloaked in a white mantle high in the sky—
Navy Admiral Borsalino was leisurely retracting his finger.
"Though I must say, this time I just got lucky, catching you when all your attention was completely drawn away—resulting in a perfect strike."
Ignoring Kaido, Kizaru looked at Xiano and chuckled:
"But really, I should say… it's more that your Observation Haki and reflexes were just a bit too slow, Xiano-boy~ That's what let me hit the bullseye so cleanly."
As he spoke these words, Xiano clutched the gaping hole in his chest, swayed unsteadily, and finally collapsed backward.
No trace of life could be sensed anymore.
Completely dead, huh?
But to eliminate all future threats and ensure absolute certainty...
"Farewell, you troublesome young monster with a billion-berry bounty~"
Kizaru crossed his arms, golden light gathering at his fingertips once more as he aimed at Xiano's position, smiling as he delivered the finishing ultimate attack—
"Eight Span Curved Jewel!"
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
Countless golden light bullets poured down like a torrential storm, instantly engulfing Xiano's lifeless body!
BOOM—!!!
The shockwave from the explosion sent towering waves crashing as Xiano's body sprayed blood in all directions, simultaneously being blasted away and plummeting heavily into the raging sea surrounding Enies Lobby.
In the blink of an eye, he was swallowed by the ocean, vanishing without a trace.