BOOM!
A thunderous impact erupted, the force blasting open a massive hole in the storm clouds above the island. Around the gaping wound in the sky, black clouds churned and began to close in again.
Jagged golden lightning crashed down in torrents, savagely tearing into the island below.
Beneath the thunder and lightning, two beasts that seemed ripped from primordial times clashed with earth-shaking ferocity.
"Ghidorah!!"
A massive black gorilla roared, hefting a boulder the size of a fortress and hurling it toward the three-headed golden monster.
Zzzzt!
Blazing golden energy lanced out, instantly pulverizing the rock and continuing on toward the gorilla with undiminished force.
Yet, facing such terrifying destruction, the giant ape showed no panic. With a sudden surge of strength, its four limbs drove into the ground, propelling its colossal body high into the air to narrowly evade the blast.
Mid-leap, Kong twisted his torso with uncanny agility, performing a backflip with the grace of a gymnast before landing squarely before Ghidorah.
The sight was jarring—such a towering ape, moving with a fluidity that defied reason.
Before Ghidorah could register surprise, one of his necks—the one still spewing a golden ray—was suddenly seized in the gorilla's massive hand. The beam sputtered and cut off instantly.
"Legends… are nothing more than this."
Muscles bulged along the arms of the white-haired, white-bearded ape. With a beastly roar, he heaved, tearing Ghidorah's multi-ton body clean from the ground and slamming it through the air with a brutal arc.
RUMBLE!
The ground quaked violently as if struck by an earthquake.
CRASH!
A sweep of Ghidorah's massive golden wings lashed out like blades, striking the giant gorilla with devastating force and hurling him into a distant green-stone mountain.
CRUMBLE!
The peak shattered, rockslides thundering down, a storm of debris burying the ape beneath in moments.
"Heh… is this all you amount to?"
"This so-called Vajra Form of yours falls far short of the first wielder."
Ghidorah shook his heads, rising from the impact. His golden eyes fixed on the cloud of dust in the distance.
"The World Government dared to unleash you. In that case, I'll take that fruit back myself. After all… I did promise someone I'd replace it with something more fitting."
His massive frame unfurled its wings, whipping up a hurricane. In the next breath, he hurtled down toward the debris.
"Damn it… he's this strong!?"
From within the swirling dust, a black-furred hand shot out, seizing one of Ghidorah's legs. A moment later, a massive fist followed, bursting upward with explosive force.
BAM!
The blow struck Ghidorah square in the abdomen, ringing against his golden scales like a temple bell.
"ROOOAR!!"
Reeling from the strike, Ghidorah's right head howled and instantly spewed a golden beam straight into the dust cloud.
BOOM!
The explosion detonated outward, unleashing a colossal shockwave.
The invisible ripple spread like radiation, flattening everything below.
Dust, rock, and debris turned into bullets under the pressure wave, pelting the island and punching craters into stone where they struck.
"ROOOAAAARR!!"
As the dust cleared, the giant gorilla let out a pained scream.
Blood sprayed like rain. His chest fur was scorched black and smoking.
Ghidorah showed no mercy—never had any intention of sparing him. Both side heads lunged down with a snapping crunch, biting into the ape's shoulders.
"Little brat… is this what you were boasting about?"
"If this is all, then say goodbye to the world!"
With a thunderous crash, Ghidorah stamped the ape into the ground, pinning him beneath one taloned foot.
The central head's jaws opened wide, golden energy gathering for the finishing blow.
But in the very next instant, Ghidorah's movements froze. His wings beat furiously, carrying him skyward.
Two chilling words had cut through the air:
"Rankyaku."
A crescent slash, vast as the moon and over a hundred meters long, tore upward. It grazed Ghidorah's tail and carved into the sky itself.
The hole in the clouds above, only just beginning to close, was ripped open again—this time into an immense, jagged rift.
The heavens split apart, black clouds rolling back like curtains. At a glance, it was as though the sky itself had been cleaved in two.
An ape was not frightening. A giant ape was not frightening.
But an ape in Vajra Form who could wield the Marine's Rokushiki—that was terrifying.
Heaven torn, earth trembling, the massive gorilla with a charred chest rose once more. He hammered his fists against his wound in a frenzy, roaring in rage.
"Damn you! You dared burn what I take the most pride in!"
The seared chest ignited his fury, unleashing his full might without restraint.
To toy with a monkey, you'd best be prepared to hand him a stick.
But against a Marine Commander who embodied history itself, Ghidorah could only clash with brute strength.
Fortunately, his defense and regeneration were monstrous. For a time, neither could gain the upper hand.
Yet both knew the truth: the fight would not last forever. Kong's stamina could not outmatch Ghidorah's.
All Ghidorah needed to do was wait for his foe to exhaust himself. Then, the ape would be at his mercy.
Knowing this, Ghidorah was in no hurry. But the one to suffer was the island beneath their feet.
Though their bodies were not impossibly large for a landmass this size, their destructive power was apocalyptic.
Every clash tore up the ground like a farmer's plow, turning the island's rocky terrain into churned, loosened soil.
In time, after one good rain, the barren island would be transformed into a lush cradle of life.
"Huff… huff…"
After another titanic collision, Kong did not pursue. Instead, he crouched low, hands braced against the earth, chest heaving.
His once-glossy black fur now looked ashen and ragged. He was clearly worn down.
By contrast, Ghidorah, blessed with monstrous recovery, seemed hardly worse for wear. His form was battered but far from exhausted.
He sneered.
"Big monkey… you're at your limit, aren't you?"
"Limit?" Kong growled.
"You want to find out? Try the old man's fists!"
"Fist Bone!!"
The ape's dark-furred fists gleamed as Armament Haki encased them in metallic sheen, as if forged from iron.
With a roar, he leapt skyward, fanged maw open in fury.
"Die, monster!!"
"Hah! You're covered in hair yourself, and you dare call me a monkey? How laughable!"
Ghidorah's wings thundered, propelling him upward. His talons reached for the onrushing ape as his mouths mocked him.
High above the island, two titans collided once more amidst lightning and storm.
RUMBLE!!!
The sound of their clash and the peal of thunder fused together. Golden lightning speared down in multiple bolts, illuminating both sky and land.
The apocalyptic spectacle froze the crew aboard the distant warship.
In their eyes, the scene was seared like a painting—an eternal vision of the ancient kings of monsters locked in battle.
PS: Access the complete chapters/series at