The King's Death

"Kamunabi!" Black-red lightning flashed across Roger's blade, wrapped in Conqueror's Haki and trailing an intense black gleam as he slashed once more.

Facing Roger's move, Garp naturally didn't let his confidence get the better of him. He threw a powerful punch of his own. "Fist Bone: Star Shatter!"

The world changed color. The clash of just one move had caused such a huge disturbance. The live broadcast camera shook, and the Reporter Bird beat its wings furiously, trying to steady itself. But the air was moving too fast, greatly affecting its flight.

"Steady yourself! Steady yourself! A promotion and a raise are within reach! When we get back, I'll double your bonus out of my own pocket," Morgans called. "Triple it! No, quadruple it! And three months of free vacation. Just make sure you stay steady!"

"Stay steady, stay steady." Countless people were repeating those words in their hearts, and some even shouted them aloud. At a time like this, they no longer minded Morgans' incessant talking. They wanted to keep watching this incredible battle. It was a fight between the Marine hero and the legendary pirate Roger, after all.

Although the image was shaking and blurry, the two men's terrifying strength was still clear. A single brief clash had caused such a huge disturbance.

Hearing Morgans' words—or perhaps the countless people's pleas—the Reporter Bird beat its wings with all its might, struggling against the powerful air currents. Promotion, a raise, a bonus, a vacation: each word filled him with boundless motivation.

The image gradually steadied, and Morgans breathed a sigh of relief. It became clearer. He turned to the editor behind him and said, "Did you get that? The legendary pirate Roger's signature move, Kamunabi, and the Marine hero Garp's signature move, Fist Bone: Star Shatter. Write them down." "Yes, I've got them," an editor replied with a nod.

Morgans' words traveled through the Den Den Mushi and reached everyone watching the battle. They couldn't help but commit the names to memory. Some even grabbed a pen and wrote them down on paper—or on their own hands.

"Who's this damn commentator? I want to strangle him." Marshal Kong watched the broadcast and heard Morgans' words. He slammed his palm down on the table, then turned to see several Marines in the meeting room writing the information down.

This clash was a contest of strength and technique. Roger and Garp were old rivals, but this wasn't a duel. Their crew had come to teach Garp a lesson, so Roger wouldn't be the only one attacking.

A flash of sword light slashed toward Garp as he fought Roger. Garp glanced to the side and leaped back, dodging the strike. Before he could even catch his breath, Roger charged straight at him. An axe was waiting for him as well. Faced with such powerful attacks, Garp was forced back.

The two newcomers were Roger's right-hand men, Rayleigh and Gaban. Apart from a few exceptions, the rest of the Roger Pirates had closed in too.

"Hahaha, Garp, we're not interested in playing duels with you! Like we said, we're here to help our trusted partner, the Jackson, get revenge. We have to teach you a good lesson." Roger laughed, holding his sword. "If you can't handle it, then run."

"How despicable! They're ganging up on him!" Everyone had expected a duel between the two, but it had turned into a group fight in the next instant. Their anticipation plummeted.

"What's wrong with that? I think it's exciting. Maybe we'll get to see the hero Garp's true strength."

"Hmm? You've got a point."

Hearing Roger's words, Garp couldn't help smiling. He swung his arm and flung off the Justice coat from his back. Wearing a black suit, he rolled his neck and loosened his collar before clenching both fists and preparing for battle.

"I'm not running! You're the one who'll have to run, Roger. You're not going to teach me a lesson," Garp said with a laugh.

"Wow! The hero Garp looks so cool!" a woman cried excitedly.

"Hahaha! The hero Garp is taking on the Roger Pirates alone! An even more thrilling battle is about to begin!" Morgans' voice rang out. Like the declaration that opened a show, it heralded the start of the fight.

Facing so many opponents, Garp was under tremendous pressure. So he took the initiative and charged straight at Roger. The next instant, someone stepped in front of him, holding a sword sideways with one hand and blocking Garp's fist.

"How could we let you attack our captain so easily? You'll have to get past us first." It was Rayleigh, smiling behind his glasses.

Garp didn't answer. He let his actions speak for him. His body vanished from the spot in an instant—he was moving too fast. "Fist Bone: Meteor!" He slipped past Rayleigh and charged straight at Roger. Roger was ready for him, and slashed with all his strength. His blade collided with Garp's punch.

Garp was sent flying. A muscular man in a military uniform seized the opportunity to attack him, landing a powerful punch that sent Garp hurtling away. It was Douglas Bullet, a powerful fighter among the Roger Pirates, with monstrous talent and strength.

Garp steadied himself, his feet sinking into the ground, and charged again without hesitation. This time, he punched Bullet away. In the next instant, Rayleigh and Gaban appeared, and their two slashes sent Garp flying.

In a battle between such powerful fighters, every one of them had an impeccable sense of timing. Garp was strong, but he couldn't handle this many opponents. Sooner or later, one of them would find an opening.

Garp faced several members of the Roger Pirates at once. His whole body had become a weapon, his Armament Haki powerful. He fought Roger's blade, Rayleigh's sword, Gaban's axe, and Bullet's fists, while a gunman fired at him from the shadows. The rest were strong too, but those four were the main fighters.

Garp panted as his fist met Roger's blade. Powerful currents of air and black-red lightning burst out. At the same time, his other fist met Bullet's charge without losing ground. But it was clear to anyone watching that Garp was being worn down more quickly—and his Haki in particular.

Kaido and Brady's battle continued. One enormous beast after another charged in. While fighting, Kaido kept glancing at Garp and the others. He knew very well that he still fell short of Roger and Garp. Fighting them would be extremely beneficial to his growth.

The thought filled him with anticipation. He wanted to take Brady down quickly and join the melee.

Brady charged at Kaido, throwing a powerful punch at his head. At the same time, one huge beast after another rushed toward Kaido. Kaido abandoned defense—he didn't need it. With his powerful physique, there was no need to defend himself. He wielded his spiked club, and beast after beast fell.

Attacked from every direction, Kaido faced three huge beasts at once. With a Thunder Bagua, he sent all three flying. Brady appeared behind him. "Beast King Fist!" It was his strongest punch, and not one Kaido could take lightly. The ferocious blow came like a beast, as if accompanied by a series of roars.

It was the culmination of Brady's martial arts. Through countless battles with wild beasts, he had imitated their attacks and eventually fused them into a single technique. He had complete confidence in this strike. He aimed for Kaido's temple and punched.

Kaido sensed the attack and turned his head aside. The punch landed hard on his right cheek.

Struck by the tremendous force, Kaido's body leaned backward. But he stepped forward with his left leg, spread his legs apart, and forced himself to remain standing.

Brady's expression changed. His confident strike hadn't had the effect he'd expected.

"Your punch is no good. Garp's is at least a hundred times stronger," Kaido sneered. Brady's heart sank. He tried to dodge, but it was already too late. Kaido didn't want to waste any more time. He grabbed one of Brady's feet, which was still hanging in the air.

Everyone watching the battle saw the same thing and knew Brady was finished. They could imagine what would happen next.

The three princes didn't dare go too near the battlefield. From a distance, they watched the ruins of the palace. Their father, King Brady, had been the focus of their attention throughout the battle. He had already been at a disadvantage, and they had quietly feared this might happen. Now, seeing their father caught, they couldn't help feeling their hearts sink. They had seen what kind of monster Kaido was in the earlier fight. They knew what would happen next.

Most of the people in the royal city had already left. They were watching the battle from the nearby towns and the wilderness outside the city.

The main reason the Kate Kingdom was a great and powerful nation was its king's strength and capability. If the king died, the kingdom could no longer be as safe as it was now. Its rich lands would attract pirates in droves. The thought left the people in a panic.

Kaido seized Brady by the foot and slammed him hard into the ground. The tremendous force rattled Brady's chest, and he spat out blood. The next instant, Kaido planted a foot on him. Brady was grievously injured and could no longer fight back. Kaido reached out with his left hand, grabbed Brady by the head, and lifted him up to face him. In his right hand was the spiked club. This would be the final blow.

Seeing this, Garp tried to go help Brady and rescue him. But just as he was about to move, a barrage of attacks came at him.

"Focus on the fight, Garp! You're distracted while fighting us?" Roger laughed, blocking his path.

"Thunder Bagua!" Kaido shouted. He swung his spiked club with all his might and smashed it into Brady's body. The sharp spikes pierced Brady, breaking through his defenses. Some people couldn't bear to watch the brutal scene and shut their eyes.

The spiked club slammed into Brady's abdomen, half its length sinking into his body. The blow had missed his heart. Thanks to Brady's powerful vitality, he didn't die, but he was close to it.

Kaido pulled the spiked club out of Brady's body and let go of his head. The flesh and damaged organs inside Brady's abdomen, including his stomach, were clearly visible. Blood poured out without stopping.

Brady hadn't expected to die here today. In that final moment, he seemed to return to the joyful days of his youth, when he had first gone to sea. Though he had returned to become king, deep down he had always yearned for the ocean. Dying in battle like this was better than slowly growing old, unnoticed by anyone.

"But I'm Brady!" Brady didn't fall. He remained standing and roared at Kaido, burning through the last of his life. He unleashed the strongest punch of his life, and before everyone's eyes, he shone one last time.

The mighty punch drew closer and closer to Kaido. Kaido sensed the threat. Brady's life force was burning, his Haki was burning, and so was the unyielding heart of a strong fighter. Golden light flashed across Brady's fist as he struck Kaido in the abdomen. Unlike the previous blow, this final punch sent Kaido flying and crashing into the ruins.

Brady's powerful body grew gaunt. Wrinkles appeared on his face and body. That had been a final burst of vitality, and this was the price he paid for burning through his life force.

"I'll remember you. What's your name?" Kaido stood up among the ruins and looked at Brady, whose life was nearly spent. He knew Brady's name, but there was something else he vaguely remembered about him. That punch, however, had left a deep impression.

"Me? I'm the pirate Brady." Brady smiled, then closed his eyes. He had thrown that final punch as a pirate.

His body fell to the ground. The mighty king who had protected the kingdom for so many years had died in battle just like that. Many people watched in silence, unable to say a word.

Whatever kind of person Brady had been, he had brought decades of peace to the kingdom.

Brady was dead, and his ability vanished with him. All the controlled giant beasts and wild animals returned to normal. They hadn't expected to be captured by those wretched humans, and now they went berserk. But the fighting between the powerful warriors was so terrifying that they came to their senses, fled the city in fear, and ran into the wilderness and the dense forests throughout Pet Island.

After killing his opponent, Kaido turned his attention to the battle between Garp and the Roger Pirates. Holding his spiked club, he charged over and joined Roger's side. "Die, Roger!" Kaido shouted, swinging his club at him. Roger raised his sword and blocked the blow.

With Garp there, Kaido wouldn't be mobbed by so many people like last time, so he wasn't afraid at all. And with Kaido holding off some of the Roger Pirates' strength, the pressure on Garp eased considerably.

The battlefield's balance shifted. After Kaido killed Brady, the king of the Kate Kingdom, the two-on-two fight turned into the Roger Pirates ganging up on Kaido and Roger—or rather, a three-way melee. In Kaido's eyes, everyone else was an enemy. Sometimes Garp appeared beside him, and Kaido would swing his spiked club at him without hesitation. "What a pain!" Garp wasn't about to back down either, and threw a punch at him.