At this moment, the battle between Kuzan and Charlotte had reached a fever pitch.
The two had already left the arena and were fighting on the sea nearby.
One could create ice to stand on the sea, while the other could inject souls into the seawater, making it carry her.
Without their battle, the arena could still be used.
The champions remained unchanged: Shisui, Jack, Yasopp, Ace, and Hawkeye Mihawk. The latter two were rarely challenged due to their decisive fighting styles, which deterred challengers.
Crocodile and Edward Weevil were still fighting. Weevil was almost numb; Crocodile was too insidious. His left hand was accidentally sucked dry, leaving only shriveled skin.
Only Rob Lucci, who took the stage last as a champion, received the most challenges, but he endured them all. Rob Lucci's strength had already reached the level of a Three Sweet Commander, making him formidable against ordinary pirates.
The World Government and the Marine laughed heartily as they watched everything unfold via Den Den Mushi broadcast, feeling that the more such competitions, the better.
Red-Haired Shanks felt something was amiss, but he couldn't pinpoint what. After all, most of the deaths seemed to be on Big Mom's side, along with some ordinary pirates he would usually deal with anyway, so he didn't take it to heart.
Kaido, on the other hand, didn't have as many thoughts; he just watched whichever match was exciting.
His attention was fixed on Linlin and the former Marine Admiral. In the distance, a colossal ice giant battled Charlotte, who rode a thundercloud, wielding a sword, and constantly circling the ice giant.
Watching their fight made his hands itch, and he wanted to join in, eagerly anticipating tomorrow so he could also make a move.
However, by the fifth day, when the time limit expired, Charlotte and Kuzan had not determined a winner. Crocodile won his match, and Weevil conceded at his Big mom's request.
Edward Weevil's ability wasn't strong enough to suppress a Logia-type Devil Fruit user of Crocodile's caliber. Although his stamina was strong enough, he still couldn't outlast a Logia user. Edward Weevil had been swinging his sword for days and nights; he would probably dream of sand when he went back to sleep.
"Time is up. The challenger did not defeat the champion, so the champion wins. This battle must end."
Uchiha Tamahiko stood up and announced this to the people in the arena using a Den Den Mushi megaphone.
"We're so close to a winner! Why stop such an exciting battle!" Kaido said, somewhat displeased.
He had very much hoped to see the end of this great battle. Although he had watched for days and nights, he didn't feel tired at all.
Moreover, he felt that the battle between the two would soon determine a winner, and he didn't want to miss the result.
"Kuzan will use Uchiha's spot to continue the fight. He can keep fighting then."
After Uchiha Tamahiko finished speaking, he immediately rushed towards the direction of the two's great battle. At this point, they were already more than five kilometers away from the arena.
Kaido, upon hearing Uchiha Tamahiko's words, suddenly looked puzzled.
"Is this guy saying that his subordinates are strong enough to fight us?" Shanks said, somewhat annoyed, feeling completely underestimated.
Kaido's face also darkened with rage after hearing this explanation, but he ultimately restrained himself. He wanted to earn the title of number one under heaven fairly through this competition.
If he were to start fighting now, it wouldn't be as honorable.
Ever since his battle with Kozuki Oden, when someone interfered, allowing him to gravely wound Oden and claim victory, he felt no sense of triumph. This time, he didn't want to let such an opportunity vanish due to his own anger.
Therefore, he did not immediately act on Uchiha Tamahiko's words, choosing instead to suppress his rage and release it all during the battle.
"Clang Sword!"
Charlotte used a combined technique formed by her Homies, creating a giant energy ring that released a high-density laser, directly splitting the enormous ice giant in half at the waist.
As Charlotte prepared to strike again, intending to cleave the upper body of the ice giant, she noticed Uchiha Tamahiko approaching.
Overcome with rage, she had little rationality left. She raised her three-in-one Homies emperor sword and slashed towards Uchiha Tamahiko.
The moment she swung, the Perfect Susanoo instantly appeared, drawing its own laser sword from its waist to meet the attack. The two slashes collided, and the immense impact shattered the frozen sea.
The power of the Perfect Susanoo was naturally stronger, directly forcing Charlotte back. She almost lost her balance while riding Zeus, nearly falling.
"The battle is over. The challenger did not win; the champion is victorious."
"Tomorrow morning at nine, the semi-finals will take place."
Uchiha Tamahiko said as he dispelled his Susanoo.
"Who cares about that!"
An angry woman has little rationality.
Charlotte was about to counterattack, but Uchiha Tamahiko's words immediately calmed her down: "Do you want to fight two against one and fall here directly?"
These words somewhat brought her back to her senses. She stopped the sword she was about to swing, and her wrinkled face was incredibly grim at that moment.
"Kuzan, tomorrow you will use Uchiha's spot and continue to fight."
Uchiha Tamahiko said to Kuzan, who had already stopped his attack. After he arrived, Kuzan had ceased his assault, a courtesy that needed to be extended.
Kuzan emerged from the ice giant, nodded, then immediately dispelled the giant, without any further unnecessary words.
"Hmph!"
Charlotte, on the other hand, snorted coldly and immediately rushed back to the arena, riding Zeus.
Soon, the eight champions stood in the arena, their expressions varied.
Uchiha Tamahiko, meanwhile, acted as the host.
"For the semi-final opponent selection, the four youngest will freely choose their opponents."
"Fire Fist Ace, you choose first."
Uchiha Tamahiko announced the rules directly, without ceremony.
Kaido and Red Hair didn't have strong feelings, only Charlotte was very displeased, but she didn't waste words, already preparing to teach her opponent a good lesson.
"I choose Uchiha, Kuzan!"
Ace looked at the former Marine Admiral Kuzan, who was indirectly responsible for his father's loss.
Red Hair had helped them, Kaido and Charlotte held no major grudges, and he had no interest in Hawkeye Mihawk, Crocodile, or Rob Lucci.
If he could defeat Marine Kuzan, it would be enough to prove his strength was capable of competing for the Four Emperors, and that was sufficient.
"Rob Lucci, it's your turn."
"I choose Crocodile!"
Rob Lucci was very calm. He didn't choose a Four Emperor, an opponent he couldn't defeat. Compared to Crocodile and Hawkeye Mihawk, fighting Crocodile was naturally the best option.
Having practiced Ninjutsu, he was confident in dealing with this Logia-type user.
"Red Hair, it's your turn."
Uchiha Tamahiko continued.
"I didn't expect to be third. It seems I'm still very young!" Shanks said with a wry smile.
"Mihawk, it's been a long time since we last fought, hasn't it?"
"This time, let's rely purely on swordsmanship and see how much our strengths have progressed!" Shanks finally chose his good friend.
Mihawk rolled his eyes. The moment he saw Shanks could choose an opponent, he knew he couldn't escape.
"Then, the rest are Kaido and Charlotte, you two have no other choice."
Uchiha Tamahiko looked at the two largest figures.
"I don't want to fight Linlin. It's too boring." Kaido's expression was grim.
"Hmph, you idiot, who wants to fight you?" Charlotte was equally displeased and immediately retorted angrily.
"If you think you can't win, you can forfeit." Uchiha Tamahiko provoked.
"Who can't win!" the two said in unison.
"Kid, are you scared, so you don't dare to enter the arena yourself?" Charlotte immediately challenged Uchiha Tamahiko.
"If Kaido is willing to give up his spot, I can fight you." Uchiha Tamahiko said without changing his expression.
"No!"
"Linlin, I want to fight!"
"You can forfeit. I'll fight him and I'll definitely win for you!" Kaido was startled and quickly said, simultaneously promising Charlotte.
"Is that so?"
"Good, then let me see how much your strength has progressed since back then!" Hearing this, Charlotte's face broke into a smile, like an old witch whose scheme had succeeded.
"Whatever." Uchiha Tamahiko didn't care about this.
Tomorrow is also the day the Revolutionary Army announces its control of North Sea. With the Four Emperors fighting fiercely here, what will the Marine do then?
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