The air exhaled from Kaido's nostrils was visibly distorted by heat, as if it would melt.
This scene was broadcast in real-time to all corners of the world. Countless powerhouses were amazed by it.
"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the strongest application of Devil Fruit abilities, Devil Fruit Awakening."
"What? Devil Fruits can awaken? Is this the power of a Four Emperors?"
"An Emperor who reigns over the seas, no wonder he has a bounty of over 4.6 billion. He's incredibly strong, beyond biological comprehension."
"It's hard to imagine how Admiral Seiryu will deal with such an opponent."
"Look, the air is distorted by the high temperature. I can't believe what would happen if he touched me. I'd probably be reduced to ashes."
In New Marineford, within the Fleet Admiral's office.
Akainu stared at the crimson fire dragon on the screen. He looked at the distorted and deformed air, and the hard rocks that had already melted into slag around the crimson fire dragon before even being touched.
He couldn't help but compare himself to it, and at the same time, he was very curious.
If he were to encounter Kaido in his current form, would his Hellhound melt the opponent's scales first, or would the opponent's high temperature burn him to ashes?
A moment later, he looked at Renji on the screen with a serious expression.
"Renji... you said you would win, right?"
Akainu stood up and walked out of the room, leaving only a faint sound echoing in the empty Fleet Admiral's office, with no reply for a long time.
Mary Geoise.
The screen was still showing the battle between Renji and Kaido.
Looking at the massive fire dragon that had emerged, the Gorosei looked at each other.
"I didn't expect Kaido to have reached this level." Peter's eyes were gloomy.
Nusjuro held the black blade in his arms, the blade trembling slightly.
"As the Four Emperors we selected, it would be strange if he didn't reach this level."
Warcury gave a dry laugh. "It's just... he's indeed one of the guys from Rocks's ship back then, isn't that right?"
Mars shook his head. "No matter what, our mission this time must succeed."
"At that time, what happens to Kaido will no longer be our concern."
Saturn nodded. "Just wait for Imu-sama's order."
The Gorosei were ready, filled with killing intent.
On the ground beneath their feet, an intricate and ancient pattern was carved, like an array from some fantasy world.
At the same time, in a magnificent hall filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers, a long, dark figure opened its eyes. They were a pair of blood-red, heavy-lidded eyes.
There was no emotion in those eyes. The owner of those eyes picked up a map with their gloved hand, their blood-red, heavy-lidded eyes scanning the map, finally settling on an island.
That was Galzburg.
Near the coast, on Renji's warship, the Straw Hats, who were prisoners, erupted in an argument.
"Law, is this the target you wanted to form an alliance with us to take down?"
Zoro scrutinized Law with extremely suspicious eyes, while the latter had a gloomy expression, only staring at the crimson fire dragon on the screen without speaking.
"Is Kaido that strong? He's so scary. But if that's the case... maybe we can take that guy down." Nami's chest heaved, her eyes filled with both anticipation and fear.
"Robin, what do you think?"
Facing Nami's question, Robin slowly shook her head. "I don't know the answer to that question either. But from Renji's expression, he doesn't seem to be panicked."
Sanji exhaled, his tone filled with unwillingness and helplessness, "Robin-nee is right, I haven't seen a hint of fear or hesitation in that guy's eyes."
On the deck, Yamakaji, like the other Marine soldiers, showed deep concern on his face.
"Is Admiral Seiryu going to face such a monster all by himself?"
Their worries were not unfounded. Kaido in his current form was terrifying. No matter how invincible Renji's previously displayed strength was, encountering such a crimson fire dragon would make anyone's heart tremble.
However, among the crowd, there was one person who still showed confidence and certainty.
Miguel stood with his arms crossed, his fists clenched. "He won't lose."
As the crimson heat permeated the surroundings, Fujitora could even feel the terrifying power emanating from the island from a great distance through his Observation Haki.
"What an astonishing temperature. This aura is just like Akainu's." Fujitora exclaimed.
—
"Lucci, what's the situation now?" Kaku asked anxiously.
Just now, Lucci had already informed them of the Gorosei's intentions but they didn't understand.
Of course, Lucci didn't quite understand either, but he always obeyed the Gorosei's orders.
"No need to say more, let's get to it."
"My order, gather warships, surround this island. Those who disobey will be killed without mercy."
On the Blackbeard Pirates' ship.
"Captain, the World Government's ships are moving. One of them is coming towards us. Should we...?" Laffitte said with a cold sneer.
"Zehahahaha!" Blackbeard let out an evil laugh.
Milky white and inky black darkness alternately lit up in his left and right hands.
"Are you ready, my little ones? Let's have a big fight."
Beneath the sky.
One man and one dragon stood opposite each other across the distance.
Renji's body was even smaller than the crimson fire dragon's eyeball, but no one dared to underestimate him.
"To fight in this form, this must be your full power, right?" Renji grinned, revealing a mouthful of white teeth, his eyes full of confidence.
Sizzle... Sizzle...
The scorching heat continuously rose. Even though the crimson fire dragon made no movements at this time, merely slowly traversing the high sky, the terrifying temperature had already melted large areas of rock.
Even the originally raging storm seemed to be suppressed and extinguished by Kaido's current form.
Under this temperature, Crocodile below could barely endure it. With a flicker of his body, he retreated hundreds of meters further, but still felt the extremely high temperature in the air.
"Has he become this strong? In this form, any small movement from Kaido can bring the most extreme damage."
Crocodile's eyes showed astonishment, and he couldn't help but recall that figure from the Marineford War back then.
"Compared to Akainu, he seems to be no less formidable."
"This should be the final moment of this contest."
"Who will win?"