Outskirts of Flower Capital.
"What's wrong, Doffy?"
Trebol looked at Doflamingo who had suddenly raised his head to gaze into the distance, moving closer with concern.
"Nothing, just suddenly felt something wasn't right..." Doflamingo shook his head, only to turn and see Trebol's large face with its dangling mucus strands.
"I told you not to suddenly get this close!"
"Shihihihi, Doffy, you're very nervous right now."
"We're currently trying to take over a country, and not some small nation like Dressrosa..." Doflamingo watched as members of the Donquixote Family placed Dyna Stones around them.
"And using something like Dyna Stones as bargaining chips... This is an unprecedented gamble."
"Speaking of Dyna Stones... Doffy, if we lose this bet, are we really going to detonate them and blow up all of Wano?"
"What do you think?" Doflamingo flashed an utterly wicked smile.
At that moment, the Den Den Mushi in his pocket began ringing.
"Purupurupuru, purupurupuru, click."
"Hello, who's this?"
"Doflamingo... it seems you're not in Dressrosa right now."
"Ah, Vice Admiral Tsuru." Doflamingo was taken aback, his smile vanishing instantly. "I'm just out for some fresh air... surely no one expects a king to be chained to his throne at all times?"
"If it's just a casual stroll, then do be careful. The seas are turbulent these days... wouldn't want you to capsize in shallow waters."
With that, Tsuru ended the call.
Doflamingo's face darkened as he tossed the Den Den Mushi into Trebol's arms.
"D-Doffy, have we been discovered by the Marines?"
"Of course. Did you think the Marines were incompetent? As one of the Seven Warlords, we're under constant surveillance..." Doflamingo stared at his hand.
"But this time, if we succeed... the Marines will never be able to control me again!"
"But... what if that person appears again..."
"You mean Michael?" A faint smile crossed Doflamingo's lips.
"Facing Kaido, Bullet, Redfield and the World Destroyer head-on, with Dyna Stone as a looming threat behind him..."
"Even if Michael were truly an angel from the Bible, he'd be sent back to the Silver City in the sky!"
...
"Your strength is indeed extraordinary." Kaido shook his head as he examined the wound on his chest.
"This is the first time I've seen Conqueror's Haki Coating suppressed by Ryou."
"There's still much you haven't witnessed."
Michael's Wings stretched slightly, Holy light gently spilling onto the ground.
The barren wasteland, nearly devoid of life, began to sprout greenery under the nourishing radiance.
The entire figure appeared so... Divine.
"Is that so? Then I'm eager to witness your full power soon."
Kaido exhaled deeply, his overwhelming Conqueror's Haki erupting once more.
But to Michael...
It wasn't enough.
Even though Kaido possessed a stronger, healthier body than Shiki...
It still fell short.
He had already witnessed the pinnacle of Conqueror's Haki in Shiki.
And with Kaido, Michael knew that no matter what, Kaido's Conqueror's Haki could never surpass Shiki's final performance.
Yet...
He held a different expectation for Kaido.
It was his "physical body."
Among all his opponents, Kaido had the most formidable physique.
Even after witnessing Whitebeard in his prime and Charlotte Linlin before her hunger pangs took hold...
Michael would still describe Kaido this way.
His body was the perfect fusion of natural talent, Vegapunk's experiments, and relentless physical training.
Whitebeard's strength came only partially from his body.
As for Charlotte Linlin, despite possessing the greatest innate physical gifts, she never trained, coasting on her natural abilities to become one of the Four Emperors.
"Kaido, this is still far from enough."
"Your spirit, your killing intent—it's all too lacking!"
"Right now, I can't see even a sliver of possibility that you might defeat me!"
"Please, Kaido. You're the strongest opponent I've faced since slaying Shiki... Don't disappoint me like this."
As he spoke, Michael completely opened himself.
His own Conqueror's Haki surged skyward.
The collision of the two forces transformed heaven and earth.
Kaido listened to Michael's words, his originally grave expression gradually growing more and more conflicted...
But in an instant, it completely settled into calm.
His entire demeanor underwent a dramatic transformation.
"It seems... fighting someone like you requires absolute focus without the slightest distraction."
"I admit, I've been stalling for time all along. After all, once Bullet—who's combined the powers of the combine Fruit and the more more Fruit—arrives in Wano, and the Beasts Pirates land with the Dyna Stone... no matter what, victory would be mine."
"But it was precisely this mindset that made me lose sight of the true essence of battle..."
Kaido suddenly raised his head, revealing a faint smile.
Yet beneath that smile lurked a murderous intent as piercing as a vengeful spirit's gaze.
"I should thank you, Michael... Battle truly should be a fight to the death." As he spoke, Kaido rolled his shoulders.
"Stalling for time is an insult to you as an opponent... and even more so to myself."
The moment his words fell...
Kaido's figure vanished from sight.
Michael's pupils contracted sharply.
Kaido's speed and agility had always been incongruent with his massive frame.
It had still been within Michael's expectations before.
But now... Kaido's speed had at least doubled compared to earlier.
Was this the true might of the world's strongest creature, unshackled from all burdens?
Michael...
Felt nothing but exhilaration.
The next instant, Michael swung Morning Star without warning, blocking the massive spiked club descending from above.
Though it lacked the infusion of Conqueror's Haki, in Michael's eyes, this strike carried far more power than any of the previous attacks.
"Michael! Come! Fight me to the death!"
"Gladly—to the death."
Abandoning all technique, they pursued only the purest collision of physical might and speed.
"Kaido... Though you're a despicable schemer, I must admit your strength... But now, my heart holds only the fiercest thirst for battle!"
"Michael, enough with the nonsense! Either kill me... or—"
"Die by my hand!"
"Michael!"
"Kaido!"
After locking eyes, both Kaido and Michael bared feral, bloodthirsty grins...
"Ora ora ora ora!"
"Muda muda muda muda!"
---------
Read 40 chapters ahead and support me on patreon.
patreon (.)com/Newbietranslator