CHAPTER 286: RUSHING TO ASSIST
The energy Brett stored within his body could convert into strength or stamina, significantly enhancing his fundamental attributes. In prolonged combat, Brett had full confidence he could defeat Kaido.
But currently, no time remained for such wasteful battles. Though Zephyr was avoiding direct Navy confrontation now, who knew when sudden encounters might occur? So Brett directly unleashed his strongest attack—converting all stored internal power, using King's Fist technique to explosively release everything in one strike!
This was a heaven-piercing, earth-shattering punch! Kaido felt his entire vision completely filled by this massive fist! He couldn't help but widen his eyes in shock.
The world seemed frozen in that instant. Then—
BOOOOM!!!
The sky itself seemed ready to tear apart, air violently twisting—even visibly warping space itself with creases! The distorted air exploded the next moment, transforming into an unmatched shockwave scattering in all directions.
Sky clouds were completely swept clean this time. The sea surface even depressed from the blast. Onigashima, already precarious from King's earlier fall, now trembled continuously—the massive skull shattered completely from the shockwave's impact!
Faster than the spreading shockwave was a dark shadow shooting backward. Ring after ring of vapor clouds expanded outward from him like circular halos tracing his backward trajectory.
Sonic boom clouds—phenomena appearing only after exceeding sound speed.
"Whew—" Brett shook his fist, slowly exhaling. "Truly thick-skinned."
"Haki's still slightly weak," he muttered. Though absolutely overwhelming in power, relative Haki weakness had greatly diminished this punch's potency.
Brett didn't linger. As he turned, electric light cascaded across his body. The next second, he transformed into radiance shooting skyward, vanishing instantly.
Only then did something spin down from Brett's former position—half a kanabo club.
That figure blasted away was about to plunge into the sea. If falling into ocean depths, even a pirate emperor could only await death helplessly. After all, he was an devil fruit user, unable to resist the sea's curse like Brett.
Fortunately, just before ocean plunge, flame clouds released, completely wrapping his body.
"UWAAAAAH!!" Kaido groaned painfully, wrapped tightly in heavy clouds, eyes bulging nearly from their sockets.
His chest bore a deep fist imprint—scales shattered, skin torn, deeply impressed into bone.
"Gah!" Kaido coughed another mouthful of blood, body trembling slightly.
"Damn it!" He ground his teeth, lifting his head. Where in the sky was Brett's figure anymore?
"THAT BASTARD!!" Kaido roared unwillingly, blood continuously pouring from his mouth.
But what was up with that guy? Such power! Though Haki was merely that level, his strength suddenly skyrocketed to unbelievable heights! Just one punch inflicted genuine heavy injury, even caused momentary unconsciousness.
How could he be so strong?! Even Roger and Captain Rocks couldn't possibly possess such power!
That bastard!! Already powerful to this degree!! Fear actually crept into Kaido's heart.
Naturally, Kaido didn't know Brett's punch was absolute full effort. Before replenishing energy, Brett couldn't throw a second such punch short-term. Though continuing battle would naturally result in Brett's victory.
Originally, Brett had slight advantage fighting Kaido. Though Haki remained somewhat immature compared to Kaido's, Brett held superiority in physical attributes. Even if Kaido had drunken mode transformations, how could an already heavily-injured Kaido defeat Brett in perfect condition?
Kaido now fell into profound existential doubt. Why was Brett—clearly just a counterfeit—stronger than him?!
Meanwhile, Brett had already left Wano, rapidly flying toward the New World's midsection. Kaido's problem was resolved, but true trouble remained far from solved.
The Navy's grand fleet searched for Zephyr and NEO Navy's whereabouts—far more troublesome than the Beast Pirates. So how to repel these bastards?
Maybe directly bomb with Dyna Stones? Just uncertain whether Zephyr would mind.
Whatever method employed, first reunite with Zephyr. Brett accelerated.
This might be an excellent opportunity. If the Navy's operation ultimately proved fruitless, the World Government's prestige would suffer tremendous damage.
---
While Brett rushed toward the front section, at a certain island in the New World's front region—
This island held only a solitary small town housing several thousand residents. Even pirates rarely visited. Yet today, a massive fleet docked here. Raised sails' shadows completely covered the entire town. Soldiers serving in the fleet far exceeded the town's permanent population.
"Seriously, where did Zephyr-sensei run off to?" Kizaru sat on the ship's rail, complaining lazily. "Still no news from CP?"
They'd indeed come aggressively, but the problem—they couldn't find where the enemy went! Their Zephyr-sensei had vanished from the New World after the Navy fleet set sail.
Even with World Government plus Navy intelligence capabilities, confirming their position proved difficult. Though discovering traces occasionally, they quickly disappeared into formlessness. This was most troublesome.
Zephyr's group could keep hiding, but the Navy fleet couldn't endlessly pursue! The Navy shouldered responsibility for maintaining ocean-wide peace. Their enemies were all pirates on the seas. Three admirals couldn't waste excessive time on pursuit.
"No news from Kuzan either?" Kizaru complained.
The three admirals hadn't acted simultaneously—they'd split into two routes. Kizaru and Akainu handled frontal advance, while Aokiji led another fleet circling for rear encirclement, preventing Zephyr's escape.
But the current problem—this tactic proved utterly useless. They didn't even know the enemy's location.
Akainu's brow also furrowed tightly. Most annoying.
Then, a transponder snail rang.
"What? That bastard Brett went to Wano?!"
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