"An unrefusable deal? It seems you've just hatched. What do you have to offer in trade? I admit your strength is impressive, but it's still a bit lacking for a deal. Otherwise, what's the difference from joining me?
It's better to join my ranks. What does being wanted matter? You can just stay behind me. I won't hand you over to anyone!"
In Kaidou's view, the other's impressive power was what he admired, but he was more inclined to recruit them under his command.
He favored Zoan-type ability users, and at this moment, that idea came to him. In the future, he wouldn't have thought of creating a Zoan-type Legion otherwise.
Although Arceus wasn't a Zoan-type ability user, rounding up, an animal with immense power and wisdom was also an enticing target for him.
Kaidou awaited Arceus's response, and at this moment, the guards providing backup arrived near again, which irritated Kaidou.
A powerful aura erupted from within him; Supreme King Haki swept across the scene, felling the rushing guards like cut wheat.
He was showcasing his qualifications. To recruit excellent subordinates, one must have the qualifications, and Kaidou's main target was those guards. However, this aura also affected Arceus and his companions. In the next moment, an even more majestic aura soared into the sky, pushing back against Kaidou's Supreme King Haki.
Arceus, born from the egg in the Land of Chaos, created the entire world. From the start, he stood at an endpoint unreachable by some.
But the loss of the Plates drained much of his power. The missing Plates meant he couldn't be immune to certain attribute attacks, and his energy recovery would slow down, but the aura belonging to the Creator God would not disappear.
Regarding his power, he had a rough estimation.
At worst and in the most unrefined scenario, using his body to withstand a meteor would injure Arceus. That size shouldn't even be called a meteor but rather an asteroid.
Moreover, at that time, Arceus didn't shatter it but completely neutralized it.
Fujitora could summon meteors; for him, that was quite a big move.
According to the strange theory of relativity, only an Admiral Level and above could inflict such harm on Arceus, and that's based on the worst-case scenario. If Arceus had been more sensible at the time and handled it differently, the effect should have been better.
Though he had just been born and lacked many Plates, Kaidou was not at his peak either, having recently left the Rocks Pirates and had yet to establish the Hundred Beasts Pirates.
While Kaidou could become stronger, Arceus believed he could also grow stronger.
The clashing of their auras did not produce a victory. They each tacitly withdrew their auras.
After the clash of presences ended, the corners of Kaidou's mouth gradually lifted, and he began laughing uncontrollably.
"Wororororo, interesting, too interesting. A future like this is worth anticipating!"
The aura from Arceus did not belong to Supreme King. Even if it wasn't Haki, he could still tell, but someone with this kind of aura was no ordinary person.
But the stronger the foe, the more he wanted to recruit them. If it could be said Kaidou was only tempted before, now he was completely enthralled.
If the other party was an enemy, he'd simply confine them and deal with them slowly. However, since the relationship between them was still relatively amiable due to the Lunarians, he thought it would be best to go step by step – first trade with them, then slowly recruit.
Although he didn't yet know the content of the trade, having such strength and audacity meant the trade content didn't matter as much.
But now, they needed to leave here first. Many more people were closing in according to his perception.
"Let's leave here first. We can discuss other matters slowly."
Kaidou's body began to expand, and then a massive blue dragon burst through the roof, spewing Hot Breath at the surrounding crowd.
"Lord Sacred Beast, shall we leave here too? Can you fly?"
Shaina and Abel spread the wings on their backs, planning to leave here, but seeing the wingless Arceus with slightly short legs, Shaina hesitantly asked this question.
If he couldn't, they would have to carry him out of here. However, Kaidou had always been good to his own. Observing the situation below, a vast expanse of flame clouds appeared, carrying Arceus and others into the sky.
Flying through the air, Kaidou occasionally breathed Hot Breath downwards, turning the place into a sea of fire, then planned to leave. Arceus, however, stopped him.
"Wait a moment."
"Hmm? What do you want to do?"
"First, let's reclaim some interest for the Lunarians. They've really looked after them during this time. Let's start here."
The ring-like object at his waist turned crimson, a Plate hovered behind him, and a light ball began to form above his head.
"Judgment!"
Judgment, Arceus's exclusive skill, was also his most potent skill at the moment. Both he and Kaidou were flexing their muscles, with Kaidou keen to recruit him, while he sought to take the upper hand in the trade with Kaidou.
The Energy Ball soared into the sky, erupting above the buildings below, rain of Fire Meteors rained from above, flattening the buildings into ruins.
Those engaged in firefighting and rescuing data, alongside the guards pursuing them, upon witnessing the changes in the sky, some even abandoned the desire to escape.
A man-made disaster could be evaded, but how does one escape a world-ending catastrophe...
...
Kaidou's Hot Breath turned the ground below into a sea of fire, while Arceus's fire-attribute Judgment razed the place to ruins.
"The power of two Plates can only accomplish this?" Arceus didn't hold back; he also wanted to see the extent of his attack. However, he wasn't very satisfied with the power.
Consuming quite a bit, he could only launch such a full-scale strike about three times. However, Judgment was a wide-range AOE skill; if the power was concentrated, the power might increase.
"You're indeed strong; this power is equivalent to a Buster Call. Such thrilling firepower!"
Completely enthralled couldn't describe Kaidou's feelings; it was intoxicating power, a single being rivaling an entire army.
"Where are you headed to?"
"To a person I made plans with, not far from here."
Kaidou flew into the clouds, taking a wide circle before coming back, then arriving at an island close to the Red Earth Continent.
From here, they could still see the aftermath left by their prior destruction.
Sometimes, the most dangerous place is the safest. The escaping test subjects were right under their noses, which was something many wouldn't think of.
From the buildings on the island, one could tell it was a commerce-heavy island, with many people watching the rising black smoke in the distance, discussing what had happened.