Surprised, Kaido had no time to think. His massive dragon body curled inward, forming a protective sphere. Gleaming Azure Dragon scales overlapped one another like natural armor, the ultimate defense granted by his Mythical Zoan, the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.
Kaido was certain his form could withstand anything Ashveil threw at him.
The first invisible blade struck.
A piercing cry echoed across the sky as pain lanced through the beast's body.
Zzzzt—
Blood arced through the air, scattering in crimson streaks.
Kaido's face twisted with disbelief.
"Roar!" His anguished cry shook the heavens, the sound guttural and broken.
Impossible. His scales were supposed to be indestructible.
The strongest defense in the world.
No execution had ever claimed his life. The gallows broke beneath his weight, the guillotine shattered on his neck, spears splintered against his flesh. He was the beast no man or weapon could kill.
And yet—this pain cut straight to his bones.
Before he could recover, a second blade struck, then a third. Each impact tore deeper, dragging guttural groans from the Yonko's throat. By the time the hundredth blade had carved across his body, Kaido's massive form was drenched in blood. Only his tightly guarded head remained intact.
The Azure Dragon's scales had been reduced to tatters, wounds gaping wide enough to expose white bone. His roar of agony rolled across the sky, haunting and unending.
On the shore, Urouge stood frozen. His eyes bulged wide, bloodshot with shock, his lips trembling.
"Too terrifying… this is Captain Ashveil's power?" he muttered. "Even a Yonko falls into such a state before him. Whoever dares make an enemy of Captain Ashveil is already doomed…"
High above, a squadron of journalists from the World Economic Journal, en route to Marineford, stopped dead in their flight. Their leader, a bespectacled man with a Den Den Mushi camera, peered through his binoculars, his hands shaking.
"We… we have to report this to President Morgans at once," he whispered. "This is beyond belief."
The call went through. Morgans, impatient at the interruption, snapped, "Didn't I say only news about the war is worth—"
His words cut off in an instant.
"What?! What did you say? Kaido—covered in blood?!"
The newsroom fell silent. Staff turned their heads toward their boss, stunned.
Kaido of the Beasts. A Yonko. The so-called strongest creature alive. Unstoppable even at the execution block. How could anyone believe such a being had been struck down like this?
Morgans' voice thundered again, filling the room.
"Ashveil?! It's Ashveil again! First Admiral Sakazuki, and now Kaido?!" His eyes gleamed with manic excitement.
The last report had made him billions of Berries in profit. This new scoop was another fortune delivered straight to his claws.
"Forget the war for now! Focus every lens on Ashveil's fight with Kaido!" Morgans ordered, feathers ruffling in excitement.
Back on the battlefield, Ashveil stood relaxed, an almost lazy smile tugging at his lips.
"How is it, Kaido? My attack isn't too much for you, is it?" he asked, mocking laughter in his eyes.
Strongest creature? Strongest defense? Invincible in one-on-one combat?
Nonsense.
If this was Kaido's limit, then one-on-one, Ashveil could beat him into the ground.
Groaning, Kaido's colossal form shuddered. At last, he shed his dragon body, reverting to his human form. His Wolf Fang Club dug into the earth as he collapsed to one knee, chest heaving.
Blood coated his body, scars carved deep across his skin—scars that would never fade.
He sucked in harsh breaths, relief flickering across his face. His incredible recovery was already knitting flesh together, sealing the worst of the wounds. But the price was permanent. His body now bore the marks of this humiliation forever.
Ashveil tilted his head slightly, studying him.
"Not bad, Kaido. You didn't fall," he said coolly. Even without using his full strength, his Conqueror's Haki had nearly shattered the Yonko. Yet Kaido endured, steaming wounds slowly knitting together.
The words burned Kaido's pride. His eyes narrowed dangerously.
"Brat… don't be so arrogant! You unleashed that much power and still failed to kill me. Now it's my turn!"
But his body betrayed him. He could only pant heavily, leaning on his club for support.
Ashveil's lips curled faintly. "Take your time. Five minutes should be enough, right? I'll wait."
The calm, mocking tone hit harder than any blade. Kaido's face flushed with rage, veins bulging on his temples.
Arrogant. Presumptuous. This boy—this upstart—was mocking him.
But five minutes would be enough. Kaido gritted his teeth, determination hardening in his gaze. Once his body was restored, he would unleash his strongest form—the fearsome hybrid Human-Beast form. In that state, his speed, strength, and ferocity would skyrocket. He would strike while Ashveil's guard was down and end this insolent brat.
Yes. He had already decided.
Ashveil… strong as you are, your inexperience in battle will be your downfall.
Kaido's eyes glowed with killing intent as he prepared for the moment his recovery was complete.
____
Updates might come a bit slower for a while.School resumed, My final year has started, and I'm currently focused on my project work and defense preparations. I'll still be posting whenever I can, just at a steadier pace for now (ㆁωㆁ)