After being struck by overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, many of the Beast Pirates collapsed into comas.
Kaito and his crew, however, remained completely unaffected. They pressed on toward Onigashima.
In the distance, the ghostly port came into view, dotted with artificial animal Devil Fruit users guarding the docks.
"Bullet!" Kaito called.
"Ready," Bullet replied.
A surge of deep blue Conqueror's Haki surged from Bullet's body, spreading across the sea like a tsunami. The waves roared, shrouding the distant port in an eerie haze.
Thump! Thump!
One after another, the artificial Devil Fruit users guarding the port fell unconscious. The strongest among them fought a moment longer, but even they eventually collapsed.
When Kaito's pirate ship anchored by the docks, only one guard was left standing; he swayed unsteadily, dazed.
"You damned invaders!" he growled, voice trembling. "I'll never let you pass!"
But before he could draw a sword, his head pounded with pain. His eyes went wide—and he collapsed, joining the others in unconsciousness.
Bullet retracted his fist, sneering. "Trash."
Kaito let out a slow breath, gazing at the massive skull-shaped island.
"This is Onigashima," he said softly.
The rocky skull mountain loomed in front of them, carved masterfully into a terrifying visage.
"Incredible craftsmanship," he added with a wry smile. "Kaido really isn't ordinary."
He turned to his crew. "Let's go in. Kaido is probably waiting for us."
Redfield's expression flickered. "Cap,… you sure Kaido isn't dead?"
At first, they had seen Kaito split Kaido's body. How could he still be alive?
Kaito fixed his gaze on the island. "He isn't. I can feel his breath." His voice was calm—unmoved.
For Kaito, Kaido's survival didn't change anything: he'd struck once, and if he had to strike again, he would.
Without further hesitation, Kaito led Issho, Bullet, and Redfield into the mouth of the skull.
Inside Onigashima Palace
Torches lined the cavern entrance, their orange flames dancing and casting tall shadows on the walls. The air was warm and flickered with light.
Deeper in, the silhouettes of massive figures came into view. They were imposing, more than familiar—they were Kaido's inner circle.
Kaito's voice broke the silence coolly: "Bullet, handle them."
"Understood."
Another wave of Conqueror's Haki roared out, sweeping through the dim cavern like a tidal wave.
hum! hum!
The weaker ones buckled instantly and fell. Stronger figures sobered up but were momentarily stunned.
Soon, the shadows resolved into the hulking forms of Kaido's top fighters.
One of them sneered, voice deep and mocking. "You think you can take us down? We're not some petty street thugs."
Kaito made no response. He flicked his hand, and in a second, three afterimages of his figure darted forward simultaneously.
In a heartbeat, three powerful pirates dropped unconscious to the ground.
Inside Onigashima, strength grew with distance. The central throne room housed the most fearsome warriors and the most loyal lieutenants.
Kaito, Issho, and Redfield systematically cut through wave after wave of them, until at last, a vast iron gate came into view.
The gate was imposing—not regular iron, but solid seastone, gleaming darkly in torchlight. The weight of it must have been astronomical.
Redfield shook his head in admiration. "As expected from a kingdom built by Kaido. Even the gate is carved from seastone."
Kaito nodded.
He entered first, stepping into a long corridor lined with torches and a red carpet. The passage glowed as though lit by daylight.
At the end of the hall, a massive throne room opened up. The skull's eye sockets allowed daylight to stream in, bathing the chamber in pale, eerie light.
A booming voice echoed from the front: "Welcome! Welcome! Welcome to my domain, Kaito!"
DONG DONG DONG!
The ground trembled as Kaido himself appeared, towering and monstrous.
Next to him stood his two top calamities and several of his strongest subordinates.
Kaido's eyes burned with fury. "You can see that I am still alive even after I was split in two!" His voice thundered as he stared at Kaito.
Kaito smirked, tilting his head.
Kaido laughed, a cruel sound. "What a pity. That blade should have killed me."
"You asked for death," Kaito replied simply, corners of his mouth rising.
Kaito's electromagnetic rhythm pulsed faintly—he sensed that Kaido had not fully regained his strength. His body was still unstable, still healing.
He hadn't yet returned to his peak—cut in half once, his recovery would be long and painful.
Kaito's confidence was clear.
Turning, he looked at Redfield, Bullet, and Issho. "Redfield, Bullet — handle the two calamities. I'll face Kaido myself. Spare no lives unless I order it."
Redfield nodded sharply. Bullet cracked his knuckles. Issho prepared himself.
"We fight now," Kaito said, fist clenched, grinning. His figure blazed forward in a lightning-fast afterimage.
Kaido responded instantly. He brandished the Thunder Eight Trigrams, energy crackling around him.
Redfield flicked open a red umbrella, its lacquered canopy glinting. He leapt forward.
"King! Queen! You two face me."
King and Queen exchanged a glance, then surged forward, blades ready.
On the other side, Issho, Bullet, and the rest surged into the fight with Kaito.
Thunder crackled. In Kaito's hand, a long, gray-black thunder sword materialized, lightning converging along its blade.
He didn't hold back—this was more than a fight. This was his declaration.
KA-CHOOM!
Kaido's Thunder Eight Trigrams clashed with Kaito's Thunder Sword in a violent explosion of light and sound.
Crackle! Crackle!
Electricity arced wildly. With Kaido's own blade conducting the current, the massive beast roared in pain.
His body convulsed, lightning sparked along his scarred flesh, and the smell of burnt ozone mixed with flesh filled the air.
Kaido's lieutenants and subordinates watched in horror—their leader, the mighty Kaido, was being overwhelmed.
Kaito pressed forward, unflinching, filled with the aura of Conqueror's Haki.
This fight would decide their future.
____
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