"I refuse to believe you have no weaknesses!"
Ryokugyu manipulated his vine tendrils, writhing as they drilled toward Caesar seven orifices.
"Borororo, I can completely seal all seven orifices and pores—give up! There's nothing you can do to me. And..."
Caesar grinned wide, revealing gleaming fangs.
"Are you really so certain you've got me cornered?"
"What?" Ryokugyu heart skipped a beat as an ominous premonition surged within him.
"My weapon isn't some lifeless object, Borororo!"
"Ever seen a blade that's eaten the Mythical Zoan, Fish-Fish Fruit, Model : Zhu Long, kid?"
"ROAR!"
A dragon roars echoed across the sky as the greatsword Caesar had dropped suddenly underwent a bizarre transformation.
Purple scales emerged across the blade's surface, while the hilt swelled and morphed into a draconic tail.
The slender edge expanded rapidly as purple patterns surged, the sword growing larger and larger.
Under Ryokugyu wary gaze, the greatsword transformed into a hundred-meter-long purple dragon, claws bared as it soared into the air!
"A purple dragon? That corrosive poison could it be...?" Ryokugyu frowned, observing his own pockmarked body.
"ROAR!"
The purple dragon roared again, its massive maw opening wide before spewing a thick column of purple smoke!
"Damn it! I'm vulnerable to this venom!"
Ryokugyu black hair erupted wildly, instantly transforming into a dense, hundred-meter-wide thicket of vines—impenetrable, blocking the dragon's toxic breath.
Yet, in the blink of an eye, the thick vine barrier began emitting scorched black smoke, releasing a foul stench so potent it could kill an ordinary person on the spot.
Like scalding water poured over thick snow.
"Devouring Domain!"
Ryokugyu unleashed his awakened Devil Fruit ability, actually absorbing and digesting the dragon deadly venom!
Though countless resilient vines withered instantly, his strategy proved effective.
As the vine tendrils continuously absorbed and converted the toxin, the purple dragon breath gradually thinned before vanishing entirely!
"Hah, it works!" Ryokugyu face relaxed into a smile.
Crack-crack-crack.
The sound of snapping vines reached his ears, and his expression twisted in alarm.
He spun around—only for a terrifying black fist to smash into his skull!
BOOM!
Ryokugyu face caved in, his nose shattered, and half his teeth were pulverized.
His body spun through the air like a helicopter rotor, 3600 degrees of disoriented flight before crashing into the unconscious Kaido!
BAM!
Kaido massive frame was sent flying from the impact, colliding with Big Mom before all three crashed into the ground in a heap.
Caesar rose leisurely, his muscles and bones swelling unnaturally until he stood over ten meters tall.
Gaping slits split open along his neck, opening and closing rhythmically like gills.
"Hybrid Form!"
His entire body gleamed in obsidian and gold, with razor-sharp spikes jutting from his elbows, knees, and shoulders.
His massive fists were knotted with bony protrusions, harder than diamond.
WHOOSH!
The towering figure vanished—only to reappear right before Ryokugyu.
BOOM!
A devastating punch tore through the air, instantly reaching Ryokugyu face, his hair whipping violently as his skin wrinkled under the pressure.
"Oh no! He's too fast!"
Ryokugyu had no time to activate his Devil Fruit ability and could only release Armament Haki to defend himself.
BOOM!
His barely risen body was sent flying like a bowling ball once again.
Whoosh! Whoosh!
"Conqueror's Infusion! RAIJIN HAKKE!"
A giant fist wreathed in lightning followed closely behind, clinging like a persistent shadow that couldn't be shaken off.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Moments later, Ryokugyu lay amidst the ruins, his body broken in countless places, his face and head covered in blood.
His chest rose and fell slightly—he was still breathing.
Caesar tilted his thick neck and flexed his wrist.
"Not bad. There aren't many on the seas who can take a beating like you."
The purple dragon circling in the sky swooped down joyfully, dancing around Caesar.
With a smile, Caesar beckoned to the dragon, which gradually shrank until it transformed into a massive blade, landing in his grasp.
Glancing down at Ryokugyu, Caesar rubbed his chin and raised the blade.
"Should I finish you off? You're clearly an enemy—no way you'd surrender willingly, right?"
As he spoke, Caesar tightened his grip on the blade, ready to end Ryokugyu life.
At that moment, King, suppressing his agony, called out in a hoarse voice.
"Caesar-sama! Don't kill him yet. He's the Navy Admiral, Ryokugyu. He's valuable—he could be a crucial bargaining chip for us."
Caesar paused, then nodded in realization.
"So he's a Navy Admiral. No wonder he's so damn tough."
King eyebrow twitched at what he could only describe as a flex from Caesar.
Caesar walked over to King and crouched to examine his injuries, frowning.
"You're in bad shape, kid. Huh? Your heart been pierced?"
Caesar sounded surprised as he noticed the gaping hole in King chest.
"How are you still alive?"
King gave a pained smile. "Caesar-sama, I'm a descendant of the Lunarian Clan. Even if my heart is damaged, I won't die unless my entire body is obliterated."
"Ah, the Lunarians. An ancient and powerful race that opposed my kind long ago" Caesar mused, though he soon sneered.
"But you're weak. Seems my idiot brother didn't recruit many decent subordinates."
King could only smile bitterly.
"Well, whatever. I may have awakened, but I've been out of the loop for too long—I can sense about thirty years have passed. I need someone to catch me up on the world today. That'll be you." Caesar pointed at King.
"Caesar-sama I don't think I can last much longer. Ryokugyu wrecked my insides—most of my blood vessels are ruptured" King replied weakly.
Caesar grinned, baring his fangs.
"Tch! Just a few scratches. So what if you lost some vitality? I'll lend you some of mine!"
With that, he flicked his index finger.
A single drop of blood, crystalline like a ruby, fell from his fingertip and flew straight into the hole in King heart.
"Who knows if you can even handle the life force in one drop of my blood? Borororo!"
King watched as Caesar blood dripped into his chest, about to say something when—
Boom!
At his chest, a surge of vigorous blood energy, brimming with vast life essence, erupted like a volcanic explosion, causing King body to arch violently.
"Argh!"
King couldn't suppress a pained groan, feeling an astonishing heat scorch his entire body, as if he were submerged in boiling water—an overwhelming warmth.
His previously tattered and withered body rapidly recovered, muscles filling out, his spirit revitalized.
Even the wings that had been severed by Zoro and torn apart by Ryokugyu began to heal and regrow, sprouting anew.
"Incredible... this is a miracle" King murmured, observing his own body.
He felt his stamina fully restored to its peak, even sensing a faint hint of being stronger than before.
Beside him, Queen gaped in shock, his gaze toward Caesar brimming with longing.
Caesar shot him a glance and snorted coldly.
"Don't even think about it. I'm not running a charity here. I won't waste any more resources on trash."
Damn it.
Queen couldn't hold back his tears.