At this moment, inside Onigashima, massive chunks of stone crashed down from the ceiling, shaking the entire fortress.
"What is happening?!"
"Is Onigashima collapsing?!"
"Run!"
Amid the chaos, Ace sent King flying with a powerful punch. He turned toward Rolan, who sat nearby, calmly drinking tea as if nothing unusual was happening.
"Hey! Rolan! Luffy's presence has disappeared!"
Rolan gently blew away the tea leaves floating on the surface, took a slow sip, and spoke in a relaxed tone. "And? What about it?"
Ace clenched his teeth, irritation clear on his face. "Luffy has already lost consciousness!"
Rolan gave a small nod. "I see. If you're worried, go up and check."
His gaze remained indifferent, but his Observation Haki had already taken in everything happening above the dome.
He knew how things were supposed to unfold. If events followed the original course, Luffy, despite being on the brink of death, would soon awaken a new power.
If he was wrong, if that awakening required more than just strength and will, then Ace would have to step in, or he himself would move.
As for Luffy dying, that was not even a concern.
Rolan tilted his head slightly and took another sip of tea.
Seeing this, Ace understood that Rolan was planning something. Even so, he trusted that Rolan would not ignore Luffy's life.
Still, this was not the time to question him.
He would deal with the enemies in front of him first, then head to the dome himself.
At that moment, King shot back into the air.
Ace clicked his tongue, clearly annoyed. "You're really a persistent bird."
His right hand transformed into a golden sword, Armament Haki coating its blade. In an instant, he vanished using Soru and reappeared in front of King, thrusting forward.
The strike was fast and precise, enhanced by overwhelming force. The blade pierced straight through King's chest.
King's eyes widened in disbelief. He had been certain his defense was absolute.
"You..."
Blood spilled from his mouth as his body fell toward the ground.
"King!"
"Big Brother King!"
"Lord King!"
Shock spread through the Beasts Pirates. None of them had ever seen King injured like this.
Queen and Jack were the most shaken. In their minds, King's defense was nearly invincible, something even Kaido would struggle to break.
Yet now, it had been pierced so easily.
Before they could react further, a sharp voice rang out.
"Insolent man. I will deal with you first, then return to my husband."
"Perfume Femur!"
Queen did not even have time to turn.
A red high heel, coated in Conqueror's Haki, slammed into his head.
The impact crushed him straight into the ground, his consciousness disappearing instantly.
Jack barely processed what happened before another kick appeared before his face.
"You're too ugly. Just disappear."
As the heel pressed against him, petrification spread rapidly across his body, turning him into a lifeless stone statue.
Not far away, Robin stepped forward, unwilling to be outdone.
She crossed her arms over her chest. "Mille Fleur, Gigantesco Mano!"
Dozens of arms bloomed across the battlefield, each one coated in Armament Haki. Lightning crackled faintly around them as they moved in unison.
...
Above the dome of Onigashima.
Kaido stared at the figure before him.
She was strikingly beautiful, with long hair that faded from white to green and then to blue at the tips. Two horns curved from her head, marking her heritage.
She wore a sleeveless kimono top and a long red skirt, her bare feet clad in geta. In her hand, she held a kanabo slightly smaller than Kaido's own.
"Kaido!"
Kaido's lips curled into a grin. "Yamato. You finally showed yourself. I have been looking for you."
Yamato's gaze shifted briefly to Luffy, who lay unconscious nearby. Anger surged within her.
She turned back to Kaido. "I will not stand with you."
Kaido's expression darkened. "You should call me Father."
Yamato stepped forward, her grip tightening on her weapon. "I came here to sever that bond."
"You cannot defeat me," Kaido said coldly.
"I know that," Yamato replied without hesitation. "But until he wakes up, I will stop you."
Conqueror's Haki surged around her kanabo, crackling with blue lightning.
"Thunder Bagua!"
She lunged forward, her attack aimed directly at Kaido.
Kaido met her strike head on, his own weapon coated in Conqueror's Haki. "You foolish child!"
Their weapons collided with a deafening impact.
A massive shockwave tore through the already damaged dome, splitting it further.
Kaido pressed forward, forcing Yamato backward. Her feet slid across the ground as she struggled to hold her position.
She gritted her teeth and pushed back, but the difference in strength was clear.
After several seconds, she was thrown backward, flipping in midair before landing. Even then, she was forced back several steps before regaining balance.
Kaido laughed loudly. "Worororo! Become the Shogun of Wano and rule as you please!"
Yamato slammed her weapon into the ground. "I will not rule, and I will not be ruled."
Her voice sharpened.
"I am Kozuki Oden. I will protect Wano!"
Her body transformed into her Zoan form, the Dog Dog Fruit, Model Okuchi no Makami. A cold mist escaped her mouth as she exhaled.
"Until he wakes up, I will stop you."
She charged again without hesitation.
Kaido's expression hardened, anger rising within him.
The name Oden still stirred something deep inside him. The scar on his chest throbbed faintly at the memory.
Raising his kanabo, he met her attack once more.
The clash of their weapons echoed repeatedly across the battlefield.
Red lightning tore through the sky as their Conqueror's Haki collided again and again.
"Come and protect Wano for me," Kaido said. "I acknowledge your strength."
Yamato lowered her head slightly. "Is that what a parent says?"
"Worororo! What is wrong with that? Orochi is dead. You can rule Wano. Together, we will build a new nation and conquer the seas!"
Yamato exhaled slowly. "I will never stand with you."
Her grip tightened.
"I am Oden. I will protect this land."
Then, suddenly.
Boom.
Boom.
Boom boom.
Boom boom boom.
A strange rhythm echoed across the battlefield.
Like the beating of drums.