The Second Ninth Chapter: Another Battle with Kaido! Bloodthirsty Blade! Overwhelming

On the Egghead Island, atop a tall building in the center, Kaido stood, drinking and surveying the island.

It's very similar to the current Wano Country; it's basically a giant factory.

Amidst the densely packed steel forest of factories, workers move in and out like numb worker bees in a beehive. They are an indispensable part of this hive, yet also the most insignificant.

"It's quite a lively affair."

Kaido wiped the wine from his mouth, unmoved by the incident, only noticing that Roa's weapon production capacity was still increasing.

The strong should ruthlessly crush the weak.

"But."

Kaido looked up and saw the enormous creatures walking along the roads between the factories.

They were two giants, chatting and laughing, acting with impunity.

Not only the giants, but also a squad of hairy soldiers patrolling the roadside along their journey.

"Tsk!"

Kaido snorted unhappily, but his eyes betrayed undisguised envy.

That kid Roa, he really has a lot of hidden talents under his command!

Giants, Mink Tribe, Fish-Man Race —did he also want to create a multi-racial nation like that old hag Linlin?

Oh, and there are more than just these guys.

Kaido turned around.

Behind him stood a boy who was very short for him.

He had fiery red hair, an expressionless face, and eyes as calm as still water.

"Artificial humans?"

A hint of envy flickered in Kaido's eyes.

Compared to the giants and the Mink Tribe, this guy is the one who deserves the most attention!

Because, with the continuous advancement of technology, sooner or later, the scientists under Roa will probably master the ability to mass-produce these artificial humans with Lineage Factor!

"Hey, how about coming over here?"

Kaido's recruitment was incredibly unethical, mainly because, apart from Hanafusa and Sien, he really didn't have any other capable subordinates.

Although we have indeed recruited quite a few powerful pirates in the past year, their strength is still not enough.

Let alone comparing it to Roa's star-studded lineup, it's far inferior even to Linlin's.

Putting everything else aside, Katakuri has also become famous in the past year. He has shown great skill in hunting down pirates who do not join the Charlotte Family, and has taken down several well-known pirates. Now he is a monster known New World!

With this comparison in mind, Kaido craved even greater power, which is why he appeared here.

Despite Kaido's recruitment efforts, Spark, one of the first five Calamity Knights and the strongest fighter on Egghead Island dispatched by Roa to guard the island, didn't even raise her Spark Red eyelids, remaining silent.

"Tsk."

Kaido clicked his tongue in displeasure once again.

Have they completely ignored my invitation?

As expected of that brat Roa's subordinate, he's just as arrogant as him.

"Hey, hey, hey, that's really going too far, Big Brother Kaido. I specifically sent him to greet you."

A complaining voice came from the sky, "In the end, they're trying to steal my man here, how hurtful!"

Kaido suddenly raised his head.

In the sky, Roa slowly descended, flapping his wings. However, this time he did not fully transform into a beastman; he simply grew a pair of jet-black wings. This was not difficult; when a humanoid character fully unleashes their calamity powers, horns will even grow.

Roa, who was almost seventeen years old, was tall and slender, already over two meters tall. With his striking good looks and unusually fair skin, he looked like Fallen Angel had descended from the heavens.

"You're so slow!"

Kaido acted as if he had no intention of recruiting Spark Red at all, and just snorted and complained.

"However, recruitment efforts are ineffective against them."

Roa, seemingly oblivious to Kaido's words, pointed to Spark Red, who had knelt to greet him upon his arrival, and said with a smile, "They have no emotions, no fear, no greed; neither coercion nor bribery matters."

Kaido's lips twitched.

A year has passed, and you're still as annoying as ever!

"Etc,"

Kaido realized something, "How did you get here, kid?"

Where are the snails?

The island was originally inhabited by many snails, who served as one of its guardians.

However, the snails that were supposed to carry Roa did not appear on the sea!

"Haha, I just moved recently."

Roa laughed and took flight, "Come on, Big Brother Kaido, let me show you my new home."

New home?

Kaido somewhat confused, but he instantly switched into his dragon-man form and chased after them, riding on a cloud of flames.

The two of them soared into the sky, one after the other.

Soon, they had plunged headlong into the thick clouds in mid-air.

Even from within the clouds, Kaido's expression changed.

Their Observation Haki had already detected something.

When he finally pierced through three layers of clouds and arrived high in the sky, Kaido couldn't help but be somewhat stunned.

"This is!"

What appeared before him was an island surrounded by clouds, floating high in the sky.

Only when you fly higher and look down from above can you see the entire island.

On the island stands a city of towering skyscrapers!

"Floating Sky Island - Calamity City! I've always envied Uncle Shiki for being able to fly around in his ship, so I got one too."

Roa flapped his wings and floated not far from Kaido, deliberately drawing out his words in a somewhat sarcastic tone, "Not bad, right?"

Kaido's face tightened.

Compared to that, what prestige did his palace in the Flower Capital of Wano Country have?

Although he could use his fiery clouds to drag an island into the sky, it wouldn't last long; even if he worked himself to death, he couldn't float in the Sky City for more than a few days.

Roa, what have you been doing all year?!

"Alright! Set aside these unnecessary items for now!"

Kaido sneered and pulled out his spiked club, "Let me see just how far you've come!"

"Well."

Roa sighed.

I have no idea why Kaido is so persistent.

The gap between the two sides has long been obvious.

Could it be a masochistic tendency?

That makes sense; in the original work, Kaido did have suicidal tendencies, didn't he?

Okay, I don't understand, but I respect it.

Let him have his way, that's what a good brother does.

"Then I won't be polite!"

Roa raised the corners of his mouth.

"Bring it on!!"

Kaido's black iron rod surged with Haki Inazuma.

He couldn't quite explain his own feelings; he probably just wanted to see just how far the gap between him and Roa had widened.

Only by clearly seeing the gap can we work even harder to catch up!

Without any hesitation, Kaido, riding on a cloud of flames, charged directly towards Roa.

"Thunderclap Eight Trigrams!!"

The usual opening.

So Roa slowly drew out the Tiger Soul.

The flame-like black patterns on the scarlet blade emitted wisps of dark red energy the moment they were exposed to the air.

As the blade was fully drawn, the air currents seemed to distort the very air itself!

Amidst these air currents, Kaido seemed to see an endless sea of blood, within which countless wronged souls wailed!

What?

That knife!

Kaido's pupils suddenly contracted.

Was it always this terrifying?

"Here comes Big Brother Kaido."

Roa flashed a set of pearly white teeth.

The wings on his back disappeared, completely dispelling his powers, and then he launched himself out of the air.

In an instant, he appeared in front of Kaido, who was charging towards him, and brought his raised blade down.

The two weapons collided in mid-air.

Boom!

The Air Shock, and huge ripples were blasted out of the air, which then turned into a storm that swept across the sky.

Even faster than the wind was the explosive, Haki thunder.

A huge hole was instantly pierced through the clouds below, and even the massive floating Sky Island trembled and was pushed to one side.

Then.

Whoosh!

A dark shadow fell to the ground.

Let's rewind to one minute ago.

On a spacious training ground somewhere on the floating Sky Island.

"Hahaha! Is that all the skill you've got, Dylan!"

The colossal creature, over thirty meters tall, laughed heartily, wielding a massive spiked club crackling with black lightning with incredible speed.

The sharp, Flying Slash that fell from mid-air were easily shattered.

"Things are different now than they were a year ago!"

Loki stared at the figure flying rapidly through the air, a grin spreading across his face.

"Now, I am stronger!"

"Is that so?"

The pterosaur circling in the sky suddenly swooped down at an astonishing speed, like a black Inazuma bolt, instantly circling behind Loki.

The wings, resembling giant blades, were wreathed in surging domineering Haki as they slashed towards Loki's back.

"Don't look down on me! What do you think I've been working so hard on my Observation Haki and Life Return techniques for all this year?!"

Loki displayed an agility far beyond what one would expect from someone his size, and then swung his club at Dylan.

Boom!!

Dark Inazuma flashed everywhere, and the deafening roar made Doflamingo, who was watching the battle, grimace.

Then.

Whoosh!

Dylan was sent flying by a blow.

"Hahaha! How about that! This is the power of your great master!"

Loki staggered back two steps, then burst into triumphant laughter, "So, Armament Haki with internal sabotage isn't all that invincible after all!"

"Good!"

Dylan, who had been sent flying a distance before regaining his footing, was not discouraged. Instead, he nodded in satisfaction.

"Your Observation Haki is excellent, and Life Return is indeed very suitable for you!"

Using willpower instead of the nervous system to command the body can greatly improve the giant's reaction ability.

"Tch, don't try to act all high and mighty in front of me!"

Loki, looking like a punk with blond hair, slung his spiked club over his shoulder and sullenly said, "You think you've beaten me up so badly this past year?!"

"If you want revenge, you can do it anytime."

Dylan didn't care at all.

He was simply pleased that he had helped the Boss cultivate another powerful subordinate.

Seeing his expression, Loki, who had been eager to fight, seemed to have lost interest.

Well, no matter what, this guy has never spared any effort when teaching me.

Meanwhile, the spectators were marveling at the spectacle.

"That guy!"

Doflamingo clicked his tongue in astonishment, "Is this already above Dylan?"

"Hahaha! Wasn't this something we should have predicted?"

Teach laughed heartily, "Loki is a born monster, inheriting the powerful physique of the Ancient Giant Tribe! Now that he's made up for his Haki in Haki, it's only natural that his strength will leap forward."

What monster?!

Doflamingo gritted his teeth in annoyance.

It's all because a portion of Enma was taken from him; otherwise, how could his rudimentary Armament Haki possibly contend with Dylan's destructive Haki?

What's the point of comparing yourself to this monster?

Bege shook her head. "Let's just stick to practicing Haki properly."

Teach eleven, Doflamingo is twelve, Bege is thirteen; they have also begun their training in Haki.

Meanwhile, Abel, who was also watching the game, had a somewhat puzzled expression.

Are we already closer to us than Dylan?

That's too fast!

"Hmph, it's still a long way off."

Bullet, standing not far from him, snorted coldly.

Abel couldn't help but turn his head to glance at Bullet.

Hateful!

Do I really not have Conqueror's Haki?

Just then, a violent roar came from the sky.

Before anyone could react to what was happening, a dark figure suddenly fell, crashing directly into the center of the training field.

The solid ground shattered instantly, and the violent shockwave sent Loki flying.

"Huh?"

Covered in dust and dirt, Loki rolled over and exclaimed, "What?!"

The next instant, the smoke from the explosion was swept away by the gale, and a dark shadow shot into the sky once again.

"Roaring Thunder Eight Trigrams!!"

"It's Kaido!"

Teach gasped.

"I see, so we're going to fight again?"

Abel looked up, fully understanding the situation.

Kaido?

Loki raised his head.

Even Moria and Enel, who had been training silently in the distance, couldn't help but look up.

A rare battle between the strongest; who would want to miss it?

In the sky.

Roa looked down at Kaido flying towards him, simply hovering in place, stepping on the air.

Only at the very moment Kaido's iron rod came crashing down did he calmly deliver another slash.

Boom!

With a deafening roar, Kaido more.

"Hateful!!"

Kaido released a cloud of flames that enveloped his body, forcibly stabilizing him.

The ferocious dragon-man's face was filled with resentment.

Is it already so difficult for me to defend myself even without using any abilities?

Brat!!

Compared to last year, it has become much stronger!

Kaido's anger did not slow him down.

In the next instant, he was launched back, the iron rod in his hand transforming into a storm.

"Kundali Longsheng Army!"

A strange red light flickered in Roa's eyes.

Then, he strolled through Kaido's storm of iron rods as if walking on air.

"Future Sight?"

Kaido exclaimed in surprise.

Has this kid mastered this move?

"Certainly."

With a smile, Roa swung the Tiger Soul in his hand, and a deep gash was torn open in Kaido's chest.

At the same time, a dark red glow appeared on the Tiger Soul Blade in Roa's hand.

"Forehead!"

Kaido grunted.

He opened his mouth and unleashed a burst of blazing flame, "Heat Breath!"

Facing the oncoming pillar of fire, Roa simply swung his sword.

The dark red aura instantly transformed into a massive shockwave, smashing the flames like a hammer blow before slamming into Kaido.

Kaido's massive body was smashed flat on the invisible hammer like a fried egg, his face deformed from the pressure, making him look quite comical.

Rocks's moves!

Before Kaido could even process this thought, his body was already sent flying like a cannonball once again.

"He got sent flying!"

This scene drew gasps of amazement from Teach, who was watching the battle from above. "The difference in strength is even more outrageous! Just how strong is the Boss? That's Kaido!"

The others also looked on in astonishment; the difference in strength was even more pronounced than a year ago!

A year ago, Boss had to use his powers to suppress Kaido!

"Wow! It flew so far!"

Roa shaded his eyes with his left hand and gazed into the distance, while carrying the Tiger Soul on his shoulder with his right hand.

"But it's not over yet, Big Brother Kaido."

"Um?"

Kaido, who had flown out and released another cloud of flames to stabilize himself, looked down in astonishment.

Not to mention the excruciating pain throughout his body, his body was enveloped in a dark red aura, and blood was gushing out of the wound on his chest like a water pump. In fact, not only the wound, but also some blood was being drawn out from the gaps in the scales all over his body.

The blood was swallowed by these air currents, which in turn made these air currents even deeper and deeper.

Kaido roared, "Get the hell out of here!"

Haki surged forth.

A powerful Haki can dispel all kinds of abnormal abilities.

The dark red airflow was also directly deflected.

Then, like swallows returning to their nests, it turned back into the distance and finally merged into the knife in Roa's hand.

Roa smiled warmly.

After Tiger Soul evolves, the most obvious change is that it becomes sharper and stronger—exceptionally sharp and exceptionally strong.

Then, the intensity of the released Blood Qi greatly increased, and it was able to completely merge with the Haki, forming a special dark red aura.

Finally, Roa's ability to devour blood, which he had previously thought was no longer useful, was also enhanced.

Not only does it absorb blood at a significantly increased rate, but the released Blood Qi also inherits this characteristic.

Although the absorbed blood cannot further evolve the Tiger Soul, nor can it be stored, it can be temporarily added to the Blood Qi to enhance Blood Qi power.

"What the hell is that?!"

As Kaido launched himself forward again, he roared and kept chugging sake down his throat.

"The Black Blade, not bad, right?"

Roa laughed and said, "I think I should now be qualified to be called the World's Greatest Swordsman."

Although many of the older generation of pirates used swords and knives, he was the only one who forged Black Blade.

If I'm not the World's Greatest Swordsman who is?

Black Blade?

Kaido knew that Roa had been training with the Black Blade, after all, he had personally witnessed Roa obtain the Black Blade Shusui.

But really so fast?

Even Kaido knows that the Black Blade is a symbol of a top-tier swordsman!

Throughout history, very few swordsmen have been able to achieve this!

But that kid Roa actually did it!

Calling him the World's Greatest Swordsman doesn't seem like an exaggeration at all!

Since that's the case, then let me see for myself just how powerful the Black Blade is!

"Great Powerful One Thunderclap Eight Trigrams!!"

Kaido's face became even more ferocious, and the color of his scales deepened, indicating that he had entered killing mode.

The Haki Inazuma on the iron rod collided repeatedly, even bursting out with a dazzling light.

The meteor hurtled towards Roa.

Roa finally gripped the sword with both hands, and the dark red aura swirling around the blade instantly transformed into a storm, surging outwards almost frantically, even taking on a phantom form resembling flames.

Then Roa swung his sword forward.

"Tiger Devour!"

A dark red stream of energy roared out and transformed in the next instant into a gigantic tiger head, hundreds of meters long, which opened its massive maw and lunged directly at Kaido.

This time it's a real Tiger Devour!

Faced with the ferocious tiger lunging at him with its jaws wide open, Kaido simply swung his iron club in a fit of rage.

Dragons and tigers collide in the sky above.

The atmosphere was shaking, and the sky was wailing.

Thick, Haki Inazuma instantly filled the sky like a spider web.

The deafening roar silenced the entire world.

The violent shockwaves caused the floating Sky Island below to plummet downwards.

"Wow! Earthquake!"

Amidst the earth-shaking tremors, Bege exclaimed in alarm, "Has this gone too far? The Calamity City is about to fall!"

That's really exaggerated!

Loki looked up at him, "That kind of Haki, is it really not a joke?"

Let alone Roa, none of them even have enough Haki to carry Kaido's shoes! Not even Bullet!

Only after truly beginning to cultivate Haki did I realize how vast the world of Haki truly is!

Then.

"Well!!"

The tiger's head, with the ferocious dragon-man in its jaws, flew swiftly through the air.

"You bastard!!"

Kaido, his body covered in blood from being devoured by a tiger, roared helplessly.

Has the gap in strength become this large?

Even a full-force attack couldn't force Roa to use his abilities!

"That's enough, Big Brother Kaido,"

Roa raised his beloved sword, and the tiger's head that was tearing at Kaido's head instantly transformed back into a dark red stream of energy, returning to the blade.

You need to work even harder.

Even for a dragon in fire form, the human form is sufficient.

Even without using my abilities, I'm not much less capable than I was a year ago.