Boom!
Flames and dust engulfed the earth.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the dust-covered area.
"Did he not use his Devil Fruit ability?"
Crocodile lost his earlier laziness, his expression serious as he stared at the still-spreading dust. "Was he not fast enough?"
Not just him, everyone else also noticed that Reddy had not retreated into a door before Kaido's Boro Breath arrived.
Even Sakazuki's expression changed drastically.
What happened?
Kaido's Boro Breath was extremely powerful, but everyone had witnessed the bizarre nature of the Door-Door Fruit's abilities.
From any angle, Reddy shouldn't have been so careless as to take Kaido's Boro Breath head-on.
Yet, the result was completely different from what they had imagined.
Was this not his real body?
Crocodile and the others automatically tried to justify Reddy's strange behavior in their minds.
Soon, the dust cleared.
Deep trenches had formed on either side of Reddy's body.
The soil in the trenches emitted a dark red glow, having been melted by the scorching Boro Breath and now gradually cooling and solidifying.
In front of Reddy stood a dark green barrier.
"As long as I'm here, no one can harm Boss Reddy... cough cough cough."
Bartolomeo lay on the ground about ten meters behind Reddy, wreathed in black smoke, barely clinging to life.
Earlier, after being sent flying by Mihawk, he had rushed back as fast as he could.
By chance, he saw Kaido spewing Boro Breath at Reddy, so without hesitation, Bartolomeo activated his ability and erected a barrier in front of Reddy.
The Barrier-Barrier Fruit's created barrier had a limited area.
Bartolomeo blocked the Boro Breath for Reddy but left himself exposed to its residual waves.
Fortunately, the Boro Breath was diverted by the barrier, spreading out to both sides.
Since he was behind Reddy, he was only caught in the residual waves, but even so, he suffered severe burns.
"Uh... thanks."
Reddy flashed to Bartolomeo's side, crouched down, and pulled out a syringe, injecting an activator into him.
"Hehehe..."
Though badly injured, Bartolomeo wore an expression of utter satisfaction.
Soon, the activator took effect.
As soon as Bartolomeo's injuries began to heal, he jumped up from the ground and stood in front of Reddy, glaring furiously at the giant blue dragon circling in the sky, as if to say, "You'll have to step over my corpse to harm Boss Reddy."
What could Reddy say?
Originally, he had planned to rely on the Lunarian race's innate abilities to take Kaido's Boro Breath head-on, using it to gauge Kaido's approximate strength.
But with Bartolomeo pulling this move, he couldn't very well say anything.
Reddy looked up at the dragon in the sky, the corners of his mouth curling slightly. "Air combat... my people are good at that too."
...
Punk Hazard Research Institute Underground Prison.
Kaku stared blankly at the cold floor, his eyes devoid of light.
Fukurou's worried voice echoed through the silent prison. "Captain, what will happen now that guy stole our shadows?"
"I think I've heard of this ability before."
Kalifa adjusted her glasses, racking her brain for memories.
Kaku seemed to snap out of his daze, explaining bitterly, "This is the ability of the former Warlord, Gecko Moria. Those who lose their shadows will turn to ashes if exposed to sunlight."
"Nani?!"
Jabra and the others were shocked.
In his own cell, Lucci raised his head and coldly reminded them, "Don't forget who we are. As long as we're alive, we still have a chance to get our shadows back."
...
Reddy snapped his fingers.
A door opened in the air, and several figures rushed out, stepping on the air as they charged straight at Kaido.
For this war, Reddy had made thorough preparations.
Among them was stealing the shadows of Lucci and the other six CP9 members and inserting them into seven clones, granting them the Rokushiki techniques.
Of these, Moon Walk was undoubtedly the technique Reddy valued most, given its high practicality.
With Pyo at the lead, the other seven clones used Moon Walk to charge at Kaido, while Secretary retreated to Reddy's side, strengthening the defensive forces around him.
"Finally getting serious, huh!"
Mihawk's eyes lit up, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly.
Five of the eight clones now held swords in their hands.
Kogarashi, Sakura Jū, Shusui, Yuki, and Sandai Kitetsu!
Not just Mihawk, but even Jinbe and the others grew serious, unwilling to miss the upcoming battle scenes.
Everyone present knew that Reddy's clones possessed masterful swordsmanship.
Yet, in previous battles, none of the clones had used their swordsmanship.
Thus, they naturally assumed that swordsmanship was the clones' true trump card.
"Can they break his defense?"
Including Reddy, everyone involuntarily had the same thought.
If they could break his defense, it would mean these clones had grown incredibly strong, reaching the level of Yonko or Admiral-tier monsters.
If that were the case... Sakazuki's face darkened to the point of dripping water.
In his Azure Dragon form, Kaido gained the ability to fly.
This was originally a major advantage.
An air force fighting a ground force always held a significant edge.
However, after implanting the shadows of Lucci and the other CP9 members, Pyo and the other clones mastered Moon Walk, neutralizing Kaido's advantage.
While Kaido gained flight, it came with a fatal flaw—his massive size.
The eight clones were like tiny specks compared to Kaido in his Azure Dragon form, but they still posed a threat.
The three clones without named swords simultaneously punched Kaido.
Kaido was barely affected.
Pyo and the other five then attacked, slashing at Kaido's body with their swords... but still failed to deal any damage.
"Tch."
Crocodile was disappointed.
For a moment, he had genuinely believed Reddy had built a force capable of challenging the entire world.
But since none of the clones could breach Kaido's defense, there was nothing more to say.
Jinbe and the others also secretly lamented.
If even one clone could break Kaido's defense, it would mean Reddy had already secured at least 70% of the victory in this war.
After all, these clones were incredibly strong, and with the Door-Door Fruit's abilities, they could effortlessly stall Kaido.
Just a few small wounds would be enough to ensure Kaido's defeat.
"Kaido, can't even handle a brat now?"
Big Mom's anger had reached its peak as she openly mocked Kaido for being suppressed.
"Shut up, Linlin!"
Kaido roared furiously, immediately transforming into his hybrid form and plummeting to the ground like a meteor.
Without the aerial advantage, the Azure Dragon form was just a sitting duck.
With a deafening crash, Kaido landed firmly on the ground and swung his club, Hassaikai, with full force at the pursuing Pyo.
Pyo came to an abrupt stop, and the club missed.
"Damn pests!"
Kaido cursed angrily and changed tactics, standing still and waiting for the pests to come to him.
In his long life of countless battles, never had he felt so utterly frustrated.
"Kaido, sharing the title of Yonko with you is my shame!"
Big Mom was deeply dissatisfied with Kaido's performance and had lost all patience to wait any longer.
"Mom!"
Zeus and Prometheus simultaneously transformed into combat mode, flanking Big Mom.
"Mom, show them your power!"
Prometheus swelled to the size of a small mountain, the scorching heat distorting the air around it.
"Mamamama..."
Big Mom grinned viciously, thrusting her right hand into Prometheus before punching at the eight clones in the air.
A massive pillar of fire shot into the sky, instantly engulfing the eight clones.