Kaido gasped for air, a rare glint of astonishment in his eyes. He didn't respond to Marco's words. After more than ten days of relentless combat, Kaido was at a disadvantage. This was unprecedented for him—a battle of such length, and the first time he had been worn down in a prolonged fight.
In his past duels with Whitebeard, Kozuki Oden, and Red Hair Shanks, fights never lasted more than an hour.
Against Whitebeard, he had lost; the Pirate King's power was overwhelming, and Kaido simply could not withstand it.
Against Kozuki Oden, the opponent's attacks were sharp enough to scar Kaido, but Oden's fragile body and lack of foresight led to his instant defeat.
And against Red Hair, Kaido had reached his full potential, capable of enduring Shanks' blows. But Shanks, ever cunning, would retreat if victory was uncertain, never allowing a prolonged struggle.
Only Marco, whose raw attack power paled in comparison to these legendary figures, had managed to wear Kaido down, relying solely on his extraordinary recovery and endurance.
Yet this extended battle also brought a revelation for Kaido. For the first time in a decade, he glimpsed a breakthrough in his own strength.
Taking a deep breath, Kaido's eyes burned with renewed focus. Despite the disadvantage, he sensed a chance to surpass his limits.
"I think I understand now why Linlin lost to you," Kaido admitted, his voice low but intense. "Aside from that Old Hag constantly having children, which wasted her strength, your prolonged combat ability is terrifying."
"All this time, you've hidden your true power beneath Whitebeard's shadow," he continued. "Everyone only saw Whitebeard's might. In the Whitebeard Pirates, you kept a low profile. What we usually saw was only the tip of the iceberg."
Marco's lips curled into a playful smirk. "Is that praise from the 'strongest creature of land, sea, and sky'? I'm honored. Recognition from an opponent is always more valuable than from a comrade."
Kaido let out a deep, rumbling chuckle. How long had it been since he felt such exhilaration, such the thrill of facing possible defeat? Marco's tenacity rekindled the passion of his youth.
"Impressive," Marco teased, "even without awakening your Devil Fruit, your stamina, recovery, and self-healing are astonishing. This isn't from a Devil Fruit, but from your Oni physiology, right?"
Kaido didn't reply, his silence acknowledging the truth.
Marco smiled broadly. "Monsters born this way are truly enviable."
Kaido's frown deepened, blood rushing to his head as he coughed repeatedly. Marco didn't rush to exploit it. He remembered the first three days, when Kaido, despite his dominance, never attacked him while he recovered. Respecting that, Marco maintained the same honor.
Observing Kaido gradually regain composure, Marco said coolly, "Even if your stamina barely keeps pace with mine, your recovery still falls short of my Phoenix Fruit. The injuries you've accumulated over eighteen days—even if invisible—aren't minor."
Kaido touched the scar on his waist, a mark left by Kozuki Oden, tangible evidence of past battles. But Marco's injuries, caused by endless blows and internal strain, were hidden beneath the surface. Kaido smiled wryly.
"Indeed. You've inflicted serious damage. In terms of recovery, I'm willing to call you 'the strongest.'"
Marco's eyes narrowed with determination. "I don't need compliments. I will defeat you and claim the title of 'strongest' myself."
Kaido grinned, the glint in his eyes sharpening. "Wororororo, taking the title from this old man won't be done with words alone."
"Then let's settle this!" Marco charged, his presence blazing.
"Iron Body: Phoenix Flame: Phoenix Elbow!"
"Blazing Bagua!" Kaido roared, meeting Marco head-on.
Their fists collided, each strike shaking the ground. Kaido coughed blood from old injuries, yet he refused to yield.
Marco's hand morphed into a blade. "Undying Azure Flame: Phoenix Sword!"
Sizzling blue flames, imbued with Conqueror's Haki, Armament Haki, and the Phoenix Flame, tore through Kaido's dragon scales, striking directly into his body. For the first time, Marco shattered Kaido's famed scales without relying solely on Haki.
"Phoenix Flame: Super Spiral Incineration Cannon!"
A surge of blue fire exploded from Marco's palm, radiating a devastating shockwave through Kaido's body. Blood spurted from his mouth and nose as he was hurled backward, sliding a hundred meters across the scorched earth before finally coming to a halt.
Marco panted heavily, his eyes never leaving Kaido. A fallen opponent was no guarantee of victory—he remained cautious.
King and the Phoenix Pirates watched in disbelief. "Kaido…" King whispered, stunned by the unprecedented sight of Kaido on the ground.
The Phoenix Pirates erupted in cheers. Over eighteen grueling days, both sides had been relentless, rising again and again after each fall. But now, Kaido lay still, giving hope that victory might finally belong to Marco.
"Could it be… Captain Marco has won?"
"Eighteen days, and yet he prevails! Incredible!"
"Captain Marco has inherited the title of the world's strongest from Pops!"
Cheers shook the island. For the Phoenix Pirates, hope and exhilaration surged. For the Beasts Pirates, disbelief and shock froze them in place—they could not accept what they were seeing.