The moment King Elizabello I shouted "King's Punch," he lunged forward like a seasoned boxer and threw a devastating right hook.
A shockwave visible to the naked eye tore through the air.
BOOM!
The powerful force from the punch blasted across the plaza like a bulldozer, ripping through solid stone and sending debris flying. A gaping trench was carved into the earth.
Seeing this, Ares leapt into the air and in midair, he transformed into his Dragon-Human Form.
"This is our ship! I won't let you lay a finger on it!"
Even though that shockwave was monstrous in power, Ares couldn't stand by and let it destroy their pirate ship. Despite his injuries, he threw himself into the path of the incoming force without hesitation.
Energy surged through his arms.
He raised his claws, left hand forward, right hand drawn back, and slashed.
Brilliant blue swordlight exploded from his claws. Eight massive arcs of light, each over ten meters long, crossed into an X-shaped barrier and collided with the shockwave.
BOOM!!!
The violent impact shattered the plaza's stone floor. The resulting energy burst spread in all directions, ripping up everything in its path in a devastating circular pattern.
"It's just like Zephyr from the Navy... he creates shockwaves with his fists!"
The howling wind ripped past Ares' face and bare torso. His gaze remained locked on the epicenter of the explosion.
He called this technique: Fist Shockwave.
This was the second time Ares had ever seen someone use raw fists to unleash such power. It confirmed what he had begun to realize physical combat alone could carry terrifying, long-range destructive potential.
The explosion's light illuminated the entire plaza under the night sky.
Everyone whether the pirates guarding the ship or Elizabello I's soldiers winced or instinctively shielded their eyes.
When the light faded, Ares stared intensely at the king, committing every movement to memory. He hadn't fully understood how the technique worked yet, but he was sure of one thing:
One day, he would grasp it. And when he did, his attacks would be even deadlier.
"To think you blocked a punch I charged for a full minute…"
Elizabello I looked at the monstrous figure before him, surprised at first, then smirking coldly.
"Pirate. Name yourself. At least you've earned the right to die with your name known."
Behind him, the soldiers gawked at the hulking, half-dragon warrior covered in sinewy muscle and blue scales.
"He's a Devil Fruit user!"
"He blocked His Majesty's full-power punch!"
No one could believe what they'd just seen. They had watched countless pirates get obliterated by that same attack, left without even bones to bury.
But Ares his face lit with exhilaration declared in a booming voice:
"Bloodhand, Ares!"
The name struck recognition in the king's face.
"Rocks Pirates… Bloodhand Ares. Bounty: 40 million Berries."
He cracked a confident smile.
"Good. Turning you over to the Marines will be more than enough to cover tonight's losses."
Almost a minute had passed.
Even more white steam was now rising from Elizabello I's body he was charging up again.
BOOM!
A loud crash echoed beside Ares.
Kaido had leapt down from the ship, and the impact of his landing cracked the stone beneath his feet.
"Boss Ares, you're injured! Leave this guy to me!"
Carrying his massive spiked club on his shoulder, Kaido stepped in front of Ares. His towering figure nearly eight meters tall exuded the brutal presence of a wild beast.
Ares frowned. "Kaido, this guy's no pushover. Let me handle it."
"Relax, Boss. I might not be as strong as you, but I ain't weak!"
Kaido grinned, his fierce face even more terrifying in the dark.
And in his heart, he added silently:
"You're hurt. There's no way I'm just going to sit back."
Kaido lowered the club from his shoulder, then charged forward like a berserker bull. The ground rumbled beneath each thunderous step.
His thick neck, broad shoulders, and coiled arm muscles bulged like inflated tires except unlike balloons, they weren't fragile. They were steel. Hardened muscle packed with devastating strength.
With a roar, Kaido raised his club and swung it down toward Elizabello I.
If that landed, even steel walls would be pulverized into pulp.
"One and a half minutes…"
Elizabello I muttered those words under his breath. Then, he pulled his arm back.
His glowing, red-hot limb looked feverish, pulsing with massive veins that stood out like cords of rope.
"King's… Punch!!!"
The punch was unleashed.
Kaido's club was halted mid-swing by the sheer force of the shockwave.
A moment later.
BOOOOOM!!!
Kaido's enormous body was engulfed by the explosion of force.
His muscles, hard as iron, seemed to ripple and twist under the impact like water struck by a cannonball.
Seconds later, Kaido was sent flying blasted away like a cannon shell.
His club flew from his grip as he smashed through several buildings in the distance.
Crash after crash.
Less than three seconds of screen time. And Kaido had already been knocked out of the fight.
"Kaido!!"
Seeing him hurled through the air, Ares' face changed dramatically. He sprinted toward the spot where Kaido had landed.
Meanwhile, Elizabello I's soldiers roared in celebration, shouting joyfully.
The pirates on the other hand were pale, drenched in cold sweat.
Kaido might've been a rookie but he wasn't weak. He was easily strong enough to warrant a bounty in the tens of millions.
And yet he had just been smashed away like a toy.
Fear gripped their hearts.
BOOM!
BOOM!
...
Ares dug through rubble, pushing aside debris until he found Kaido's body.
His golden slit pupils narrowed sharply.
Kaido was lying there, blood dripping from the corner of his mouth. His eyes were rolled back completely white like a dead fish.
Ares quickly checked for a pulse and breath.
Relieved to find both, he gently patted Kaido's face and called out:
"Kaido!"
"Kaido!!"
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