Kaido stood where he was, a trickle of blood running from the corner of his mouth.
He looked up, saw Luffy weakening like this again, and pressed a hand to his forehead.
"Worororo, Straw Hat brat, is that all the time you can last?"
He had thought Luffy would put some pressure on him after rallying again.
He had not expected it to last such a short time.
Granted, the pressure Luffy had put on him after his Awakening was no less than that of Red-Hair or Whitebeard.
But it had lasted far too briefly. Luffy had wilted before Kaido could get his fill of the fight.
"Worororo, it really is lonely at the top."
Thinking back over all these years, not one of his challengers had made him feel this way.
Everyone who reached this level was, without exception, among the best in the world.
Their every move had far-reaching consequences, so naturally, they could not fight on a whim.
Someone he could finally have some fun with had appeared, only to turn out to be a quick finisher.
Huff, huff...
Luffy panted heavily, struggling to raise his eyes to Kaido.
His eyelids felt heavy now, almost too heavy to lift.
The side effects of Gear Fifth set in at that moment.
He recalled that this transformation of his had been recorded in detail in the diary Lott had given him.
His earlier gears had not harmed his body, supported as they were by his powerful physique and Haki.
But after this Awakening, he could clearly feel that his body was struggling to cope.
"Kaido..."
He tried to force himself to gather his strength again.
Lott appeared beside him in an instant. "Luffy, show some restraint, you brat!"
Luffy looked up at Lott. "Lott..."
Seeing guilt gradually emerge on