"Waaahhh!" Kaido's roar shook the skies, his dragon form twisting violently through the air. "I'll tear you to pieces, you arrogant bastard!"
"Raiju Style"
Ritter merely raised a finger.
Suddenly, nine blood dragons shot toward Kaido, wrapping around him before he could react. Kaido tried to transform fully into his beast form, but even in his Azure Dragon state, the blood dragons coiled around him even tighter.
Ritter: Hehe, Ritter, Kaido's strict tutor. Hehe.
"Conserve your energy." Ritter stepped forward, each footfall seeming to rest on air as blood mist solidified into steps beneath him. "I am the Lord of Mist, the undisputed Emperor of the Seas."
Yamato was completely stunned. She lifted her small face to watch the man move gracefully through blood mist and fire every motion calm and measured, rendering her father, the so-called "Strongest Creature," utterly helpless.
"This… this…" Yamato whispered.
Hearing this, Kaido's whiskers trembled with rage. "Nonsense! I "
"Shh." Ritter appeared suddenly in front of the dragon's head, whispering, "If you interfere, I will kill you."
This single gesture froze Kaido solid. A chill surged from his nostrils into his body, instantly locking his vocal cords.
Ritter's right hand gripped his sword, his left hand behind him, as all nine blood dragons lifted their heads and let out silent roars.
"Mist God Style: Thousand Needles."
The blood mist instantly transformed into thousands of fine needles, raining down on Kaido. Each needle collided with his dragon scales, sending sparks flying. Kaido writhed in pain, unable to make a sound.
"Mist God Style: Dragon Swim."
Ritter blurred, then appeared in nine different directions at once. Each afterimage performed a unique sword technique, striking Kaido from all sides.
"Mist God Form: Kai Ten."
Black Tide Greatsword surged a hundred meters with world-destroying force, creating a vacuum along its path.
"Prosperity!"
When the dust cleared, Kaido had returned to human form, kneeling on one knee, covered in blood. Ritter's sword tip lightly pressed against his forehead.
King, Queen, Jack, and the others froze, preparing to fight.
As they readied themselves, a bolt of golden lightning struck before them. A deep blue lightning giant hundreds of meters tall and a shadowy armored general rose from the ground, blocking the battlefield and Yamato.
"Who allowed you to interfere in our captain's fight? You are unworthy!" Enel sat atop the giant's shoulder, looking down at everyone.
"Hehehe… the Beast Pirates are much better in the anime~"
Of course, King and the others wouldn't stand by.
Guardians: Fire Dragon Emperor
"Wrist Dragon Bomber"
"Susanna Mammoth"
The five clashed, unable to end the fight quickly. Yet Enel and Moria achieved their goal: as long as they didn't interfere with the main battle, the five could fight for days.
"Will you surrender?" Ritter asked.
Kaido locked eyes with him, then grinned. "Surrender? That word doesn't exist in my dictionary!"
He lunged, dragon claws aimed straight at Ritter's heart. But
"Pop Music."
Ritter simply snapped his fingers.
Kaido froze instantly. His pupils constricted violently as blood mist enveloped his body, every muscle trembling uncontrollably.
"You…" Kaido ground out between clenched teeth, "what… did you… do…"
"Nothing." Ritter sheathed his sword. "You'll still be useful. I just wanted to remind you of the fear you should feel for me."
Ritter: Forgot our little secret? Wano Country.
"Don't bully my dad!"
A small figure suddenly burst through the blood mist, wielding a spiked club and charging at Ritter.
This time, neither Moria nor Enel stopped her, allowing Yamato to reach him.
Although her eyes welled with tears, a determined light shone within them.
Ritter: She's scared, her legs trembling, yet she bravely attacks the "Strongest in the World" to protect her father? Little one, I respect your spirit.
Without turning, Ritter raised his left hand. The blood mist gently lifted Yamato, suspending her in midair.
Yamato swung her spiked club, but her reach was too short fatal in such a battle. She couldn't touch him.
"Child, your courage is commendable." Ritter finally turned. "But courage alone isn't enough. I am far stronger than you imagine."
With a gentle wave, he sent Yamato flying over ten meters. She tumbled across the ground before coming to a stop.
Ritter: Well, seems I'll have to start playing the villain, hehe.
"Ugh…" Yamato gritted her teeth, picked up her fallen spiked club, and charged again. "Let go of my father! I am Kaido the Second!"
This time, Ritter waved his hand, and scarlet mist condensed.
Whoosh Bam!
Yamato was hurled violently, crashing in front of Kaido.
"Son! Don't go!" Kaido's eyes were bloodshot, yet he was immobile. "You're no match for him! Run! Avenge your father! Son! Run!"
Her face scraped, her knees bleeding. But she stood again, trembling legs straight.
"I… I won't give up!" She raised her spiked club, awkwardly assuming a fighting stance. "Come! My lifelong rival!"
Ritter raised an eyebrow, a hint of admiration in his eyes. He sheathed Black Tide and crouched, meeting Yamato's gaze. "Why are you fighting so hard?"
"Because…" Yamato panted, "he is my father!"
Kaido could only lie helplessly, watching Yamato.
Ritter: Playing the "incompetent father" role, huh? Not surprising, pure-hearted Yamato is still a good kid! Heartwarming, haha! Just acting.
Ritter was silent for a moment, then suddenly laughed. "Fine, I'll give you a chance."
Yamato wiped the blood away. "I will never submit to my enemy! I am Kaido the Second!"
The next moment, her voice shifted. "Now… tell me."
The camera pulled back, showing Ritter's blood mist blade suspended just 0.01 centimeters from Kaido's neck.
Ritter: Little Yamato, you wouldn't want your father to get hurt, would you?
He stood, forming a small bell from blood mist in his palm. "Kaido! If one day you feel strong enough to surpass me, come challenge me. I will accept. Win, and I will acknowledge you as Kaido. For now, you are, at best, just a Kaido disciple."
"And if you lose, you must call me, 'Grandpa, I truly cannot win, you're too amazing.'"
Ritter: Hehehehahaha.
Yamato grabbed the bell tightly. "Deal! My lifelong rival, I will defeat you."
"But…" Ritter glanced meaningfully at Kaido. "During this time, if your father dares to act out of line…"
He snapped his fingers, and Kaido began convulsing violently. Threads of blood mist seeped through his dragon scales.
"Dad!" Yamato screamed, hugging Kaido.
"Don't worry, he won't die." Ritter turned and walked toward the sea. "Just reminding him to keep his promise."
Blood mist formed a red carpet under his feet, nine blood dragons circling protectively. Midway, Ritter turned:
"Oh, and the child."