Kaido shook his head, regaining some clarity.
He surveyed the surroundings of Onigashima.
Smoke filled the air, magma flowed unchecked, and in the distance, Pirate ships and Navy battleships had already engaged on the sea.
However, the Navy had more Vice Admirals, while the Beasts Pirates were running low on officers above the Tobiroppo level.
In the distance, an overwhelmingly powerful presence was watching the battlefield with a predatory gaze.
Kaido let out a sigh.
He knew it—the Beasts Pirates were finished, utterly and completely gone.
Even the officers above the Tobiroppo level would all die here today.
Kaido was filled with resentment, but it was useless.
The Navy's strength far surpassed what a single one of the Three Emperors could contend with.
Now, he could only pray that Charlotte Linlin and Shanks would arrive soon.
He truly couldn't hold on much longer.
"Kaido-san, you should go."
"With your abilities, you can leave Wano Country and rebuild the Beasts Pirates anywhere in the New World."
"That's right, Lord Kaido, we'll hold them off for you."
King and Jack were still loyally discussing plans for Kaido's escape.
"King, Jack. None of us may be able to leave." Kaido said bleakly.
Since the Navy had mobilized so many powerful fighters, their goal was to eliminate Kaido completely.
In the face of two Admirals and over a dozen Vice Admirals, Kaido simply had no chance of escape.
Enel descended from the sky, landing beside Sakazuki, while Bullet exited his fusion mode and walked over from the beach.
Raleigh surveyed the battlefield.
After dealing with the officers above the Tobiroppo level, he left the rest to the Vice Admirals and Navy soldiers.
A gust of wind swept by, and Raleigh appeared beside Sakazuki's left hand.
Onigumo and Gion, having dealt with their own opponents, also appeared beside Sakazuki and Raleigh.
Kaido, King, and Jack silently watched as the chaotic scene on the sea gradually turned into nothing but the wails of Pirates.
"Kaido, your end has come." Sakazuki took a step forward and loudly declared.
Raleigh looked at Sakazuki in confusion—this was clearly his catchphrase, yet Sakazuki had beaten him to it!
With a grim expression, Kaido raised his Hassaikai. "Sakazuki, wait a moment. I have a life-or-death duel to settle with Raleigh first."
The grudge between Kaido and Raleigh had festered for far too long.
Back then, the man who emerged from the Rocks Pirates was arrogant and overbearing.
After being defeated by Raleigh, he became like a toy in Vegapunk's hands, subjected to blood draws, skinning, and flesh carving.
If not for his sheer luck in escaping from Karakuri Island, he would have remained a research subject for the rest of his life.
"Raleigh, do you remember the first time we met? I've kept it firmly in my mind all these years. What I could never forget was you and those damned researchers."
Veins throbbed at his temples—Kaido's eyes held nothing but hatred.
Raleigh found it quite strange.
He truly didn't know where Kaido, this defeated foe, found the courage to challenge him again.
Perhaps years of smooth sailing had made Kaido overconfident.
"Since you're seeking death, I'll make you remember what terror feels like once more."
Raleigh drew the Minazuki Munechika and charged fiercely toward Kaido.
At the same time, Sakazuki made no move.
He understood himself, and he understood Raleigh even more.
Raleigh was just like him.
When facing a formidable enemy, they only wished to confront it alone—perhaps this was one of the marks of a strong individual's pride.
Clang!
The Minazuki Munechika came down heavily on Hassaikai, its unparalleled sharpness even slicing off a corner of the weapon.
At the same time, both combatants swung their other hands toward each other—thud, thud.
After two dull impacts, Kaido and Raleigh's figures retreated simultaneously. Kaido steadied himself and immediately threw another punch at Raleigh.
Boom!
Kaido's fist collided with Raleigh's strike.
Even with Kaido's formidable defense, he struggled to withstand it.
Raleigh suddenly exerted force, landing a punch squarely on Kaido's head and sending him flying once more.
"Kaido, it seems you're still no match for me. Did you think talent, influence, and a powerful Devil Fruit were enough to stand at the pinnacle of the world? You're wrong! You haven't changed at all. In my eyes, you're as weak as ever."
Kaido's face twisted with rage!
What he hated most was his past.
Since childhood, Kaido had never received any help.
Even after becoming one of the Three Emperors, he never forgot those humiliating memories.
"Stop spouting nonsense!"
Gripping Hassaikai, Kaido charged at Raleigh with all his might.
Raleigh felt no panic at all.
Just a defeated foe.
Even if Kaido had grown stronger over the years, Raleigh didn't believe he posed a threat.
When Hassaikai struck the ground, all it left behind was a crater in the earth—no one was injured.
"None of you will die a good death." Kaido had already leaped into the air, his Raimei Hakke aimed directly at Raleigh's position as he charged forward.
Raleigh showed no trace of fear. Why would he be afraid of an opponent he had already defeated?
"Raleigh!!" Kaido's roar seemed to resonate with the very weather.
As Kaido bellowed, dark clouds churned and rolled across the sky.
Conqueror's Haki was unleashed without restraint since Kaido had lost all reason.
Crack!
Lightning from the sky converged into Kaido's Hassaikai, crashing straight toward Raleigh's head.
The thunderbolts exploding in the sky seemed to foreshadow the brutality of the battle.
Raleigh caught Kaido's spiked club with his left hand, refusing to let go even as blood streamed from it.
With his right hand, he thrust the Minazuki Munechika directly at Kaido's face.
Even though Kaido dodged in a fraction of a second, a deep gash was carved across his cheek.
"Are you angry? Hahahaha, Kaido. It's too early for you to be angry!"
While Raleigh and Kaido battled fiercely, the fight between King and Jack also erupted.
Two Vice Admirals against a Commander of an Emperor—it was almost too easy.
Raleigh chuckled lightly, "Kaido, the empire you've toiled for all your life is about to be completely destroyed here. The Wano Country you've occupied will be divided among Navy soldiers, and your legacy and rebellious bonds will be torn apart."
This thought set Kaido's rage ablaze.
Kaido immediately unleashed his full power, trying to make Raleigh release his grip and feel the same pain.
Unfortunately, as soon as Kaido soared into the sky, several immensely powerful lightning bolts struck him, seemingly suppressing his abilities.
"Come down, Kaido!"
Sakazuki finally made his move as well, transforming into a magma giant and grabbing Kaido's tail.
He forcibly dragged Kaido down from the sky.
"Kaido-san!" King shouted anxiously.
At this moment, both Kaido and the other Pirates understood clearly—the Navy had come with the intent to annihilate the Beasts Pirates, and naturally, they would show no mercy.
Jack was the first to buckle under the attacks of two Vice Admirals.
Bullet's relentless heavy blows inflicted internal injuries on Jack, who had transformed into a mammoth.
After letting out one final roar, Jack's arms were violently torn off by Bullet, while Gion's Konpira pierced through Jack's neck.
Under this two-pronged assault, Kaido lost yet another of his Commander.
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