"So next, all that's left is—"
Jack looked up.
On the ruins of Onigashima, the battle between the two monsters had also stopped.
The giant monster controlled by Bullet was battered and torn, but largely intact.
By comparison, Kaido had almost no damage, just a few broken scales here and there.
It looked like Kaido had the upper hand.
Bullet was already impressive—able to fight the enhanced version of Kaido to this level. Though he hadn't forced Kaido to use his ultimate move, it was already remarkable.
"Guhahaha! Is the appetizer finally over?"
The enormous Azure Dragon twisted its head, staring intently at Ian, who was perched on the shoulder of the Flame Spirit.
Today, Ian was dressed in a suit and tie, with a long coat draped over him.
As everyone knew in this world, a coat or cloak was the mark of a true powerhouse.
Ian had put a lot of thought into this day.
The coat fluttered in the wind across his shoulders as Ian smiled and spoke, "No more delays, Kaido-sensei. It's just the two of us now."
"Guhahaha!"
Kaido laughed heartily. "Well done! Kid! You've really assembled a team stronger than mine!"
Ian smiled lightly.
Stronger? Much stronger.
"Bullet, step back."
Ian placed his hand on Surtur's head, and golden flames instantly enveloped his body.
With a casual flick of Ian's right hand, the brilliant flames erupted, scattering into countless sparkling lights across the sky.
The Golden God, wielding a flaming sword, now stood tall in the sky.
"Ugh!"
Bullet strained his eyes, staring at Ian. "Is this… Ian's ability?"
Although he had faced Ian three times before, this was the first time he had truly seen him use his power!
So divine… so majestic!
It was as if a god had descended to this world!
Ian!
Is this the ability you possess?
Let me see it.
Just how strong are you after using it?
Ian raised the golden sword in his hand, pointing it at the teacher he respected most. "Kaido-sensei, are you going to fight me in this form?"
What could the clumsy beast form do against him other than take the hits?
"Guhahaha!!"
With a roar of laughter, the enormous Azure Dragon shrank, finally transforming into a dragon-human hybrid floating on a cloud.
Kaido swung his iron staff and laughed wildly. "Come on! Ian!!"
Finally, was it really starting? He had been looking forward to this for so long.
Ian didn't flap the wings on his back, stepping forward calmly.
Yes, he was actually walking in midair!
Stepping on air felt just like stepping on solid ground!
Yet with each step, ripples spread out in the air beneath his feet.
"Moonwalk?"
Bullet exclaimed in disbelief.
Ian seemed completely effortless, strolling through the air like he was taking a casual walk.
He didn't need to exert any force to maintain the Moonwalk—what kind of terrifying power was this?
"Kaido-sensei, then take this."
Ian smiled.
The wings on his back suddenly shuddered.
Flames shot out like rocket thrusters.
He pushed off with his right foot, ripping the air beneath him into a web of cracks, as if Whitebeard himself had unleashed the power of the Gura Gura no Mi.
The three forces combined, stretching Ian's body.
Through Bullet's eyes, it seemed as if Ian was instantly elongated into a single line!
"So fast!!"
A red glow flickered in Kaido-sensei's eyes as he struggled to raise his iron club and block the incoming Flaming Sword.
This kid's already exaggerated speed had now become unbelievably fast!
But even more outrageous than his speed—
"Whoosh!!"
Kaido's massive body became like a meteor, tearing through the air and sending a cloud of mist scattering behind him.
He watched in disbelief as Ian, like a shooting star, caught up to him.
What insane power!
The last time they clashed on Onigashima, this kid's strength had already been terrifying.
But now, his power had grown even more extreme!
In terms of sheer strength, Kaido could no longer compete!
"Kaido-sensei, don't get distracted!"
The golden monster moved like a shadow, gripping his sword with both hands and bringing it down, "Rising Sun Blade!"
"Ugh, gya gya gya!"
Kaido, though shocked, felt no fear of his disciple's strength.
He laughed wildly and swung his club to counter, "Roaring Thunder Eight Trigrams!!"
Boom!!
Black lightning suddenly radiated in all directions, and when it struck the ice plains below, it shattered them completely.
"Ugh!!"
Black Maria raised her hand to block the terrifying hurricane sweeping down from above, unable to hide her awe.
"Seriously, every time they fight, it's like the sky and the earth are collapsing!"
"The last time they clashed, I was really afraid that if they weren't careful, their attacks would fall on us bystanders and wipe us all out."
Viola recalled the battle on Onigashima—the immense Flame Dragon and the Fire God facing off in the sky made her scalp tingle.
Back then, whether Kaido or Ian's attacks hit Onigashima, the island would have been shattered in an instant.
"This time, that shouldn't happen," Law said calmly, arms crossed. "Kaido won't get another chance to confront Ian."
Above the sky.
After a thunderous boom, a dark figure plummeted from the heavens.
"You brat!!"
Kaido nearly crashed into the icy plains and fell into the sea, but at the critical moment, he unleashed a massive burst of flame clouds, wrapping his body and forcing himself back into the air.
Above, Ian silently flapped his wings, looking down at him.
"Kaido-sensei, strength, speed, agility, defense… now, in every aspect, I surpass you."
In response came a roar like thunder, accompanied by black Haki lightning that shone even brighter than the storm itself.
"Great Vigor—"
The concentrated Haki emitted a faint purple glow, like a meteor streaking against the current, as Kaido shot upward from below.
His body had even changed—muscles swelling in his upper torso, teeth sharp, eyebrows resembling clouds.
"Thunder Eight Trigrams!!"
The iron rod slammed down!
Ian's lips curled into a smile, gripping the Flame Sword and bringing it down like a strike splitting Mountain.
He didn't practice swordsmanship much—he barely learned it.
But the strike he delivered now was undeniably the strongest slash in the world.
The golden Holy Sword was covered in dense black patterns, appearing both sacred and eerie.
The writhing patterns were the fusion of Armament and Conqueror's Haki.
Boom!!
The sky trembled violently.
Even without mentioning the exploding Haki lightning, the shockwave alone tore the icy plains below into chaos, as if the solid, thick ice were about to be crushed completely.
Kuma, amidst the pirates, silently used his ability to swat away the falling Haki lightning.
"What terrifying Haki!"
Tesoro, watching from below, couldn't help but exclaim.
Even the residual waves of Haki spreading outward sent chills down his spine.
"Is this the power of the Emperors?!"
Amid the explosion in the sky, Kaido was once again ruthlessly knocked down.
"Damn it!"
He roared in frustration.
That last strike had already been the strongest attack he could unleash in Human-Beast Form.
An attack that pushed his Haki, martial skills, and physical strength to their absolute limits!
Yet Ian remained calmly floating in the sky, sword in hand, smiling as he said,
"Of course. Now, even my Haki is stronger."
**********
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