Tap, tap, tap...
The rhythmic sound of military boots striking the ground echoed as Kaido peered into the dust-filled impact zone.
Two figures faintly appeared within the haze.
"As expected of the 'Hundred Beasts' Kaido. Your physical prowess is truly remarkable."
A voice of calm praise emerged from the smoke.
As the words fell, the tall figure of Raleigh stepped out first, dusting off his shoulder.
Kaido looked at the handsome and dashing Marine with a puzzled expression.
He didn't recognize Raleigh's face immediately, but judging from the earlier exchange, the threat this man posed was undeniable.
"A Marine officer I've never seen before. Who are you?" Kaido grunted, confused.
At that moment, King, in his human form, flew to Kaido's side, leaning close to his ear to whisper.
"Kaido-san, his name is Christian Raleigh. He's a newly promoted Vice Admiral from Headquarters. It's said he was the key figure in the recent world-shaking incident where the Golden Lion was killed."
After hearing King's words, Kaido became visibly more vigilant.
Kaido knew all too well what kind of person Golden Lion Shiki was.
That man was arrogant, possessed terrifying strength, and was a true hegemon of the previous era.
In fact, Kaido was only planning to venture into Shiki's territory precisely because the old lion had fallen.
Now, encountering the man suspected of killing the Golden Lion—even if the reports were exaggerated—was enough to put Kaido on high alert.
"Marines... it seems we have no personal grudges between us," King stepped forward, addressing Raleigh and Enel diplomatically.
"How about this: let's act as if we never saw each other today and go our separate ways."
As the right-hand man of the Beasts Pirates, King had the authority to make such a call.
Kaido enjoyed fighting, but their strategic goal was Wano Country and securing territory, not engaging in a meaningless deathmatch with a Marine monster here.
Yet, while Kaido's pride wouldn't allow him to back down, King hoped to negotiate a tactical withdrawal.
"Hmph... since when do the scum of the seas deserve to make deals with the Marines?"
Enel sneered contemptuously, spinning his golden staff.
Thanks to Raleigh's persistent "guidance," Enel now regarded pirates as nothing more than trash on the seas—pests to be eliminated on sight by "God."
"You...!"
King couldn't contain his anger, his composure cracking at the blatant disrespect.
Kaido raised a massive arm to stop King and grinned savagely.
"In that case, let our weapons do the talking."
Kaido once again gripped his massive spiked club, the Hassaikai, with both hands. He coated it heavily with Armament Haki and infused it with Conqueror's Haki.
The black lightning flickering around the weapon showed just how serious Kaido had become.
"Thunder... Bagua!"
Kaido roared, swinging his club toward Raleigh's head with unstoppable force.
The howling wind and shattered air currents testified to the sheer terror of this signature move.
A confident smile spread across Raleigh's face as he swiftly drew the Mikazuki Munechika with his right hand.
The blade gleamed, coated in high-level Armament Haki, and he slashed it directly against Kaido's club.
Clang!
The sound of metal clashing reverberated through the air, a high-pitched screech that tortured the ears of all who heard it.
Immediately after, both sides unleashed their spiritual pressure simultaneously.
Zap! Crackle!
Countless bolts of black and red lightning—the sign of a Conqueror's clash—crackled and vanished within the area.
Then, a violent surge of shockwaves swept out in all directions, shattering the ground beneath them.
Kaido's face flushed with the ecstasy of battle, and he roared excitedly.
"Worororo! Again!"
Kaido felt the blood in his veins ignite.
An endless surge of power welled up from every part of his body—more than he could ever expend.
Relying on his sheer physique and Mythical Zoan durability, Kaido launched one relentless assault after another at Raleigh.
Raleigh could clearly sense that Kaido was like an untiring beast, recklessly charging forward with brute force and impenetrable defense.
Though Raleigh was confident he could break through Kaido's defenses, he also knew Kaido's resilience was no illusion.
So, Raleigh bided his time, using his superior speed to deflect and weave, waiting for the right moment to strike.
Frustrated by his repeated failed attacks, Kaido grew irritable.
"Hey, damn Marine! Are you just going to hide like a rat?"
He raised the Hassaikai high and brought it crashing down toward Raleigh's skull, intending to crush him into paste.
Raleigh instantly vanished from his spot.
Boom!
The club, brimming with destructive force, struck the ground hard, instantly cracking the solid surface with a spiderweb of fissures spreading outward for dozens of meters.
Before Kaido could retract his weapon, Raleigh reappeared right in front of him.
In his hand, the Mikazuki Munechika gleamed coldly.
"Blade of the Falling Meteor!"
Like a shooting star streaking across the night sky, the blade sliced toward Kaido's chest at a speed almost invisible to the naked eye.
"Kaido-san!"
Seeing this exposed opening, King swiftly descended from the sky in haste.
Having transformed into his Pteranodon form, he utilized gravity to dive-kick toward Raleigh's head.
The tearing airflow and his terminal velocity ensured that if Raleigh were struck by King's beak or talon, his head would surely explode.
However.
Just as King was about to strike Raleigh, a golden trident appeared in his path.
Clang!
With no other choice, King was forced to deflect his attack against the golden trident.
Then, flapping his massive wings, he swiftly retreated backward to regain altitude.
Enel, bare-chested and holding the golden trident, revealed a triumphant, arrogant smile.
"Birdman, with me here, don't even think about sneak-attacking Raleigh-sama."
"Let's take this to the sky—that's my domain!"
Enel raised his hand toward the thunderclouds gathering above.
Rumble...
Slowly, the massive golden gears of the Ark Maxim descended from the clouds.
It was the flying ship crafted for him by Vegapunk.
Previously, Enel had been reluctant to use it, keeping it cloaked in the clouds above the warship.
But now, as he was about to engage in an aerial battle, Enel naturally wouldn't hold back.
Besides, he was confident that King couldn't possibly damage the Ark Maxim through his defensive lightning grid.
King hovered, glancing somewhat worriedly at Kaido below.