Kaido's Attention

Kizaru scratched his head helplessly. "What a monster!"

Still, for Kizaru, it was only a bit troublesome. He just had to kite Kaido around. Kaido was not very mobile and could only stand there and take the hits. Who told him not to like using Armament Haki for defense?

Aokiji arrived quickly and unleashed a barrage of attacks on Kaido. As they fought, they ended up back inside the G-2 base.

"That's about enough. You go fight Kaido now!"

The four Vice Admirals nodded, looking at Carl expectantly. It left Carl completely baffled. They're not asking me to go up, are they? No way!

Wait. Carl slapped his forehead. He had nearly forgotten that the Holy Light in their bodies had almost run out. It was time to refresh their buffs.

"May the Holy Light bless you!"

It was a little monotonous, but it was simple and effective. One charge could last them an hour.

With the Holy Light's blessing, the four Vice Admirals' confidence surged, and they charged at Kaido together.

At this point, Aokiji and Kizaru returned one after another. They looked to be in decent condition and were barely even breathing hard. After all, the whole point of taking turns was to achieve exactly this effect.

"Whew, this guy is getting harder and harder to fight," Aokiji complained helplessly.

Staff Officer Tsuru nodded with a grave expression. "Aokiji, how long do you think it'll take to take Kaido down?"

"Hmm, about three days, probably. But with Major Carl here, two days should be enough."

Staff Officer Tsuru rubbed her temples and smiled at Carl. "Major Carl, can your stamina hold out for two days?"

"Rest assured, two days will be more than enough!"

As long as they fed him, even if they ground the Grand Line away, Carl could keep healing them.

On the battlefield.

"Why is it you lot again? Where are Aokiji and Kizaru? Did they admit defeat?"

"Shut up, pirate!" Momonga roared, gripping his greatsword with both hands as he thrust it toward Kaido's kidney.

Kaido sneered. If he swatted these annoying flies to death, Aokiji and Kizaru would have no choice but to step in!

So, the instant Momonga charged over, Kaido raised his Kanabo high and swung it down with all his strength. A pillar-like blast of club force struck the dodging Momonga squarely, sending him flying in an instant.

"Pwah—"

Momonga spat out a mouthful of blood. He was grievously injured and lay on the ground, his fate unknown. The Holy Light within him was instantly depleted as it focused on healing his wounds.

That was how the Holy Light worked. When there were no injuries, it focused on strengthening the body. But once its host was wounded, it prioritized restoring the host's injuries.

But this had been a full-force blow from one of the New World's overlords. This little bit of Holy Light was nowhere near enough.

Sensing that the Holy Light inside Momonga had vanished, Carl's expression tightened. "Not good. Vice Admiral Momonga has been severely injured. If he isn't treated quickly, his life may be in danger."

"What? Didn't you use Holy Light on Momonga?"

Carl gave a bitter smile. "It's precisely because I did that Vice Admiral Momonga is only severely injured."

Staff Officer Tsuru shot to her feet. "Aokiji, Kizaru, the two of you cover Major Carl. Hold Kaido back and don't let him interfere with Carl's treatment of Momonga."

Aokiji and Kizaru exchanged a glance, then both joined the battle, working with the Vice Admirals to hold Kaido off.

"Carl, the chance is here. Momonga is counting on you!"

"Mm!"

Carl's expression turned serious. After all, he was about to face one of the New World's three great overlords, Kaido of the Beasts. A single swing from someone like that could knock his brains out.

Geppo!

Carl ran through the air and arrived at Momonga's side, while the battle raged fiercely not far away.

"Carl, is Momonga all right?" Gion withdrew from the fight and came to Carl's side, temporarily acting as his guard.

"It's not a major problem."

Carl took a deep breath and placed his hand against Momonga's sunken ribs. Holy Light poured continuously into Momonga's body, rapidly healing his injuries.

Momonga's pale face gradually regained its color, and his broken ribs began to mend.

Three minutes later, Momonga opened his eyes and spat out a mouthful of clotted blood. His aura gradually returned to its peak.

"Thank you, Carl. I almost thought I was going to die just now!" Momonga looked at Carl gratefully and thanked him again and again.

Carl waved it off. "You're too polite, Vice Admiral Momonga. It's what I should do. Besides, if I were in danger, would you just stand by and ignore me?"

Momonga immediately grabbed Carl's hand, his expression solemn. "Of course not. From today onward, you're my brother. If you ever need anything, just come to me. I'll go through fire and water without hesitation."

Now that was social grace.

"Brother Momonga, I appreciate it. Can you still fight in your condition? Maybe you should rest for a while. Leave it to Sister Gion and the others."

Gion nodded repeatedly. "That's right, Momonga. Leave it to us!"

Momonga looked gravely at Kaido nearby. "Running away just because I'm injured isn't my style. Wherever I fall, that's where I'll get back up!"

"Carl, be careful. Vice Admiral Gion, let's go!"

Are you telling me how to do my job? Carl promptly and decisively ran away.

What a joke. What kind of monsters were these people? Weevil, Kaido—did either of them look normal? If they were all like Smoker, Carl would absolutely charge in with his fists swinging!

Meanwhile, when Kaido saw Momonga rejoin the battle completely unharmed, he looked as though he had seen a ghost.

He had clearly looked half-dead just moments ago. How had he recovered so quickly?

So who the hell was the one with an immortal body?!

Seeing Carl's retreating figure, Kaido's heart jolted. Could it have been him?

Kaido could not help recalling the Marines' performance in battle just now. The more he thought about it, the more something felt wrong.

Being hard to deal with was one thing, but every one of them had ridiculously powerful recovery abilities. There was definitely something strange going on, and it had to be related to that brat from earlier!

"Hey! Is that kid the reason you all have this kind of recovery ability?"

Gion snorted coldly and could not help mocking him. "Didn't expect you to be pretty smart!"

Kaido grinned. Of course he was. His mother had given birth to him, after all.

"Stop wasting time talking to him! Keep attacking!"

And so, under the repeated assaults of four Vice Admirals and two Admirals, Kaido's stamina gradually ran dry. In the end, Aokiji knocked him down with a single Ice Saber, and he never rose again.

It had happened faster than Aokiji had expected. Perhaps he had subconsciously overlooked the Vice Admirals' combat strength and Carl's Holy Light.

Carl looked at the devastated G-2 base and let out a sigh. It was finally over.

After watching this battle, he finally understood just how formidable the overlords of the seas truly were. He had gained a deep understanding of Kaido's strength.

A powerful body, invincible defense, seemingly bottomless stamina, terrifying recovery ability, refined combat techniques, profound mastery of Haki...

All of it combined to establish his status as an overlord of the seas.

The moment the battle ended, the four Vice Admirals were already panting heavily from exhaustion. Aokiji and Kizaru were in much better shape; even if Big Mom showed up now, they could still fight her.

Whitebeard was another matter.