Then, as if confirming his own suspicions, he stated: "That form... It's unmistakable. That's the Awakened Zoan Form... Meaning you really are a Multi-Devil Fruit user, aren't you?"
Although such a thought was absurd, Luke was already known as the wielder of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit.
But now, with his demonic wings and flame-like aura, signs exclusive to Zoan awakening,
Kaido could not help but have some doubts.
"Yeah. It's Bat-Bat Fruit, Model: Vampire..."
Luke admitted freely.
His crimson eyes gleamed like blood-red gemstones.
Licking his lips with a hint of bloodthirst, he smirked playfully:
"Not bad, right?"
"Wo ro ro ro ro!"
Kaido let out a booming laugh.
So, his suspicions had been correct.
"That means that old bastard, Redfield, is dead, huh?"
If he remembered correctly, that ability originally belonged to Redfield, and it was already rumored that the Netherworld Pirates had a way of stealing Devil Fruit's ability.
So it wasn't a surprise.
"Redfield was strong, no doubt..."
Luke cracked his neck while smiling.
"But that power was mine to begin with. I only let him borrow it for a while."
In truth, he had given Redfield a chance.
Since the Vampire Fruit was compatible with the Shadow-Shadow Fruit, Luke didn't necessarily need it himself.
But Redfield was too proud and arrogant to surrender.
So, Luke didn't hesitate; he took back what was his.
"Wo ro ro ro! If a monster like you sets his sights on someone, they really are out of luck..."
Kaido grinned wildly while stepping forward.
Like an unstoppable primordial beast, he radiated an overwhelming presence.
Swinging his massive Kanabo, he charged forward.
"But all those fancy Devil Fruit users... They're nothing more than decorations!"
"In the end, only Haki reigns supreme!!!"
Boom!
A terrifying collision erupted with a deafening sound, and a violent, overwhelming shockwave spread out in all directions.
His right arm, covered in Armament Haki, was raised in front, firmly blocking the incoming Kanabo.
"Heh, so only Haki reigns supreme over everything?"
With his wild hair flying and his robes flapping in the wind, Luke remained unfazed after blocking the ferocious attack. He looked straight at Kaido, his expression brimming with unrestrained arrogance and confidence.
"You're absolutely right, but have you considered the possibility that, whether it's Haki or Devil Fruit ability, I surpass you in all aspects, Kaido...?"
"Wo ro ro ro ro, you sure have some nerve!"
Kaido was knocked back but didn't seem angry. Instead, he grabbed the sake gourd at his waist and began guzzling alcohol down his throat.
"Oh? Are you getting serious now?"
Seeing this, Luke remained indifferent, making no move to stop him.
From beginning to end, he hadn't taken this fight seriously, let alone gone all out.
After all, even though Kaido had awakened his Devil Fruit ability, it was only enough to make Luke acknowledge him slightly.
It didn't mean that Kaido could truly stand on equal footing with him, Obask Luke.
From the moment Luke had surpassed him, Kaido had ceased to be a true threat in his eyes.
"Gulp, gulp..."
Kaido downed the alcohol in large gulps. His stance became slightly unsteady as if he were truly drunk.
But in the next instant, his entire aura shifted dramatically. Like a prehistoric beast, he lunged forward with a ferocious roar.
"Lightning Hammered!"
His Kanabo, wrapped in black and red lightning, swung wildly like a violent storm, raining down a relentless barrage of attacks.
Whoosh!
The countless afterimages of his attacks filled the sky, making it impossible to distinguish the real from the fake.
Swoosh!
At that moment, a red gleam flashed in Luke's eyes.
Relying on his Shadow-Shadow Fruit ability, his body instantly transformed into a flowing shadow, precisely predicting every strike Kaido launched.
Boom!
Kaido's Kanabo smashed against Luke's form over and over again.
But bizarrely, each hit only stirred up dark shadows that dispersed into the air.
"Huh? He can turn into an element ahead of time, like a logia user?"
Kaido's eyes narrowed.
Still reeking of alcohol, he let out a drunken hiccup and glared viciously at Luke.
This monstrous, demonic-looking man, whose mere presence was intimidating, was mimicking a woman's delicate tone: "Hic... Damn it, this is so unfair..."
"You bastard, are you looking down on me, huh? Damn you—"
"Lightning Hammered Ragnaraku!!"
In an instant, Kaido shot upward like a bolt of lightning.
As if completely enraged, he swung his Kanabo with blinding speed, bringing it crashing down toward Luke.
"Flap, flap..."
But at that moment, Luke didn't dodge or defend himself. He stood there and took the hit directly.
His body exploded apart, scattering into a swarm of countless bats that fluttered around in the air.
Boom!!
The devastating impact continued downward, striking the ocean below.
Splash…
The already turbulent sea surface erupted into massive waves, churning violently.
"Flap, flap..."
The blood-red bats swiftly gathered together again.
Before Kaido's eyes, Luke's body reformed in mere seconds, completely unharmed.
"Is that your ability, too? No... Wait..."
Kaido had initially been stunned by Luke's ability.
But then, he noticed something even more shocking, his Observation Haki had inexplicably failed.
He could no longer lock onto Luke's presence, nor could he foresee any future movements.
"Could it be...?"
Kaido's expression grew grim. He stared at Luke in disbelief and exclaimed: "You bastard... Have you mastered Observation Killing?"
Observation Killing!
Kaido had heard of it before from none other than Rocks D. Xebec.
It was a technique achievable only by those who had mastered Conqueror's Haki to its absolute limit.
Against a user of Observation Killing, even the most advanced Observation Haki would become completely ineffective.
It was impossible to sense them or predict their next moves.
"So you've figured it out?"
Luke gazed down at him, his tone filled with absolute confidence.
"Whether it's physical prowess, Haki, or Devil Fruit ability, I'm superior to you in every way!"
"No matter how hard you try, no matter how much you struggle, you will never be able to defeat me, Kaido!"
This was the absolute confidence of someone who had perfectly mastered three Devil Fruit abilities, as well as pushed Haki to its peak.
Perhaps somewhere in this world, there existed beings that Luke couldn't defeat.
But not in this sea.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have made such a bold decision to declare all-out war against the World Government.