Both emperors withdrew simultaneously.
Kaido dropped Golden Lion, and the Azure Dragon's body twisted in the air in a huge arc before pouncing towards Linlin.
Before the Golden Lion could even react, its target had vanished.
Just as Linlin was preparing to launch another attack on Roy, a huge shadow suddenly loomed over her head.
She looked up and saw a hundred-meter-long azure dragon with its blood-red maw wide open, lunging at her.
" Kaido!! You--"
In her haste, Linlin raised Napoleon to block, but Kaido's dragon claw was already aimed at her face.
The force of that claw strike was many times greater than Roy's slash, and Zeus beneath Linlin's feet was forced to sink a considerable distance.
" Linlin! Your opponent has changed to me! Hehehehe!"
Kaido's laughter exploded in Linlin's ears, making her eardrums ring.
"It's been years since we last fought, hasn't it? Let me see if your skills have improved in the last few years, Big Sister!"
"You stupid dragon!!!"
Linlin's furious voice came from beneath Kaido's dragon claws.
Meanwhile, Roy had already turned to face the Golden Lion.
He activated his Telekinesis, leaving a trail of afterimages in the air, and rushed straight towards the densest area of the floating Sky Island.
Shusui a swift stroke, a slash flew towards the Golden Lion.
When the Golden Lion saw Roy charging towards him, the corner of his mouth twitched.
To be honest, he would prefer to fight Kaido.
Although Kaido is tough and has terrifying attack power, his fighting style is straightforward and easy to predict.
Roy is such a slippery guy, and his ability is a perfect counter to his Float-Float Fruit, making him a very difficult opponent.
But even if it's difficult, we have to fight.
Pluton is right next to Onigashima. Whoever takes down Pluton will be able to roam freely on the seas. This level of strategic weapon is worth any price.
"Hahahaha!"
The Golden Lion let out a strange laugh, crossing his twin swords in front of him to block the attack.
Roy,
Are you really determined to go against me, kid?
"How about this, you lend me Pluton for a year, and I'll return it to you after that. In return, I'll help you destroy the Marine Headquarters, how about that?"
"You've got a pretty good plan."
Roy stopped less than 100 meters from the Golden Lion, the tip of his knife pointing diagonally downwards.
"However, I don't have much confidence in your credit."
"Then there's nothing to discuss?"
There was nothing to discuss to begin with.
Their gazes met in mid-air, and their Conqueror's Haki erupted simultaneously.
Dark red arcs of electricity collided with golden shockwaves in mid-air, causing the surrounding floating rocks to vibrate and hum.
Some small floating rocks could not withstand the pressure of the two Conqueror's Haki and split in two.
The Float-Float Fruit versus the Telekinesis Fruit. Two-Sword Style versus the Great Swordsman.
This showdown was destined to be different from the very beginning.
Roy hovered in front of the three largest floating Sky Island of the Golden Lion, his Telekinesis: Barrier fully deployed, completely blocking the Sky Island ' path forward.
Shusui held the blade in her hand, the Conqueror's Haki emanating from it hissing.
The Golden Lion landed on the edge of the largest floating Sky Island, its golden mane dancing wildly in the sea breeze.
He held a Famous Sword in each hand— Oto and Kogarashi —the blades gleaming coldly in the sunlight.
The floating Sky Island beneath his feet slowly rotated, with loose rocks constantly falling from its edges into the sea below.
"Hahahaha!"
The Golden Lion grinned, revealing a mouthful of yellow teeth.
" Roy, you can't stop me! Did you see that?!"
He pointed in the direction of Onigashima.
"My Flying Pirates has already landed! Can your men stop them?"
Roy knew without even looking that what he said was true.
Several members of the Flying Pirates have broken through the coastline and are advancing towards Pluton.
But there was no sign of worry on his face.
"You should worry about whether you can get past me first," Roy said.
In the distance, Kaido and Linlin were locked in a fierce battle in the sky.
The Azure Dragon's breath clashed with Prometheus's flames in mid-air, the flames and smoke obscuring the sky.
Kaido unleashed a breath of dragon fire, and a pillar of blue flames turned half the sky blue.
Linlin rode Zeus through the flames, while Napoleon transformed into a giant sword, unleashing a strike imbued with Lightning and Conqueror's Haki, cleaving Kaido's dragon body.
Scales flew everywhere. Kaido roared and swept his dragon tail back, sending Linlin flying along with her cloud.
The battle between the two monsters involved no skill whatsoever; it was purely a clash of brute force.
Each collision caused new cracks to appear in the ice field below, with shards of ice being swept up by the shockwaves and flying everywhere.
"Floating against Telekinesis." The Golden Lion made the first move.
The floating Sky Island beneath his feet suddenly split into dozens of enormous rock formations, each as big as a house.
These rocks, controlled by the Golden Lion, came crashing down on Roy from all directions at such a speed that it seemed less like manipulating stones and more like launching cannonballs.
Roy raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly spread.
The Telekinesis spread out like an invisible giant net, forcibly fixing the oncoming rock mass in mid-air.
Dozens of giant rocks floated around him, as if a pause button had been pressed.
Both exerted their strength simultaneously.
Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit ability continuously propelled the rocks forward, while Roy's Telekinesis held them firmly in place, preventing them from moving forward.
The two forces were locked in a fierce tug-of-war in mid-air, and dense cracks began to appear on the surface of the rock, with gravel falling down from the cracks.
Some rock formations could not withstand the simultaneous tearing force of the two forces and exploded in the middle, shattering into dust everywhere.
The Float-Float Fruit controls objects, Telekinesis Fruit also controls objects; the two similar yet opposing forces are locked in a stalemate in mid-air.
The sea surface trembled violently from the aftershocks of their abilities.
"Your ability—it's practically my kryptonite!"
The Golden Lion gritted his teeth and said.
His Float-Float Fruit requires him to make contact with objects before he can control them, but it consumes very little energy afterward. He can control dozens of floating Sky Island simultaneously with minimal effort.
However, Roy's Telekinesis was more direct, and although it consumed more energy than his, he was not at a disadvantage in a power struggle.
"You flatter me," Roy said expressionlessly.
The two remained locked in a stalemate in mid-air, surrounded by dozens of massive rock formations, resembling a frozen scene of war.
Dozens of nautical miles away, the unremarkable Marine warship lay quietly on the sea.
Garp stood at the bow of the ship, arms crossed, his justice cape fluttering in the sea breeze.
His Observation Haki locked onto the distant battlefield, taking in every detail of the battle between the Four Emperors.
Zephyr stood beside him, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles made a soft cracking sound.
His brow was furrowed deeply, and the wrinkles on his face appeared particularly deep in the sunlight.
" Golden Lion, Big Mom, Kaido, and Roy —four emperors are locked in a fierce battle."
This scene hasn't been seen since the end of the Rocks era.
Akainu leaned against the ship's railing, his right arm transformed into magma, dark red magma slowly flowing between his fingers, dripping onto the deck and burning out charred holes.
He said with a gloomy face,
"Charge in now, and while they're fighting amongst themselves, destroy Pluton directly."
Aokiji, unusually, took the initiative to speak.
He leaned against the cabin door frame, his eyes half-open and half-closed.
"No.
If we rush in now, we'll become the target of everyone's criticism.
None of the four emperors are fools. If the navy appears, they will likely join forces against us first.
Kizaru squinted as he looked toward Onigashima, from where he could see the massive black silhouette of Pluton.
He tapped his chin lightly twice with his fingers.
"But Pluton is right there~ If we delay any longer, he might really be snatched away by someone else."
"Whoever gets Pluton will face the worst possible outcome for the Navy."