King, still in his pteranodon form, flared his massive wings and launched himself skyward, tearing through the curtain of sword energy like a shadow through rain. High above, he traced a broad arc, then dove straight down—fierce and fast as a thunderbolt.
"Tankyudon!"
Both wings crackled with Haki, their edges sharp as blades. He shot toward Karol at breakneck speed.
Clang! Clang! Clang! Clang!
Steel rang out, sparks flying as King's wings hammered down like twin greatswords. He pressed the attack, relentless, refusing to give Karol a moment's reprieve.
But Karol's Sakura Ten danced with ghostlike afterimages, parrying every blow—never missing a beat. He fought while falling back, the ground beneath them shattering with every clash. Dust and sword energy mingled, swallowing their figures in a storm of chaos.
Suddenly, King let out a muffled grunt. His body faltered for an instant, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. The brief, furious burst had torn open the wounds Sakazuki had left in his organs.
Karol's eyes sharpened. He seized the moment, Haki and sword aura exploding to sweep away the dust. Both hands gripped his blade tight.
"One-Sword Style: Blue Bird!"
A clear, piercing cry echoed. Blue sword energy shaped itself into a swift azure bird, zigzagging like lightning as it shot toward King.
King's pteranodon head snapped back, then whipped forward:
"Tempura Udon!"
A laser-like shockwave streaked out to meet the sword energy.
BOOM!
The collision tore the battlefield apart, scattering smoke and dust. Both fighters were blasted backward by the shockwave, but each righted themselves midair, eyes locked with burning resolve.
From afar came a furious roar—Kaido's voice.
An azure dragon shot skyward, only to be yanked back down and smashed into the earth.
BOOM!
The ground trembled. In the sky, King shifted into his hybrid form, worry flickering across his face. He drew his blade, flames swirling around him and channeling into the steel. With a mighty swing, he unleashed a fire dragon over a hundred meters long—alive with roaring flame.
"Fire Dragon Emperor!"
ROAR—!
The fire dragon surged forward, flames blazing ever brighter as it barreled toward Karol.
Karol exhaled, steadying himself. Blue Haki shimmered around his body as he drew his sword to his right.
"One-Sword Style…"
He swept his blade, leaving a glowing arc.
"Imperial Azure Dragon!"
ROAR—!
A dragon of pure sword energy burst forth, its cry echoing across the battlefield. It shot toward the fire dragon, blade song ringing in its wake.
Sword and flame collided—savage sword energy clashing with explosive fire. The two dragons battled midair, their forms shattering, merging, and annihilating each other.
Sizzle—
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
With a final, earth-shaking blast, both dragons exploded. A searing heatwave swept the field, mushroom cloud rising high. Karol was forced to leap back, while King used the shockwave's force to rocket away, gritting his teeth through the pain.
He transformed back into a pteranodon, streaking toward Kaido's position.
———
Meanwhile, on Kaido and Sakazuki's side—
Kaido, in his half-beast, half-dragon form, was pinned to the ground. Several magma spears, each coated in Armament Haki, had shattered his joints, forcing him to kneel.
Sakazuki strode forward, Kaido's spiked club dangling from his hand. He watched as energy gathered in Kaido's mouth—but he didn't care.
Every joint in Kaido's body had been broken, magma spears locking him in place. Even with the powers of the Mythical Azure Dragon, his recovery would take time—especially since he hadn't awakened his fruit. There was no miraculous healing here.
Suddenly, Sakazuki looked north.
A burning pteranodon—King—was diving toward him, deadly energy building in his jaws.
Sakazuki raised an eyebrow. "So you can fly, huh?"
He raised his hand, palm open toward the oncoming King.
"Precipice Sword!"
A magma greatsword, dozens of meters wide, erupted from the earth in front of King. Moving at blinding speed, with Observation Haki guiding its aim, it cut off any hope of dodging.
King's eyes flashed with savage resolve. He was just about to unleash his own attack on Sakazuki—
But at that moment, Kaido, still pinned by magma spears, suddenly lifted his head. He unleashed a Heat Breath straight at King's path—a beam of golden fire, meters thick, colliding with the tip of the Precipice Sword.
Kaido's bellow echoed:
"Run, and find your chance—!"
BOOM!
Before he could finish, the air split with a whistling sound. Sakazuki's spiked club, now wrapped in Conqueror's Haki, smashed down on Kaido's head, silencing him mid-sentence and shattering the magma spears as well.
Kaido collapsed, unconscious.
Sakazuki exhaled, a wicked glint in his eye. He muttered with dark amusement:
"Thunder Bagua."
He tossed the club aside.
Above, King had already become a black speck on the horizon.
Sakazuki narrowed his eyes. The last survivor of the fourth race from the Sky Island murals...
At that moment, Karol approached.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki."
"Mm." Sakazuki nodded. "How long until the warship arrives?"
"About half an hour," Karol replied.
Sakazuki nodded again. He conjured chains of magma, coating them in Haki, and bound every joint of Kaido's body.
"Bring a few extra Seastone chains," he instructed. "We're taking him to Punk Hazard."
He extended his Observation Haki, arms morphing into magma as he raised them toward the remnants of the Beasts Pirates fleeing across the sea.
Billowing smoke and molten rock erupted from his hands:
"Meteor Volcano!"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
Explore More Amazing Fanfiction on My Patreon!
Unlock 30+ Advance Chapters and Enjoy Exclusive Stories Early!
��patreon.com/GoldenLong