As the hand rested lightly on Luffy's shoulder, the rhythm of the Drums of Liberation that had been ready to resound once again suddenly faltered.
Luffy's youthful features, which had just been restored, twisted back into the aged visage that had appeared moments before. Slowly, he turned his head, long tongue flicking out, and stared at the figure beside him.
"Rolan? What are you doing here? I'm about to send Kaido flying!"
Naturally, it was Rolan, standing firmly beside him.
Kaido's laughter boomed across the battlefield. "Worororo, so the younger one shows up just as the older one does? Bring it on!"
He slammed his kanabo into the ground. The already shattered terrain cracked again, red and black lightning streaking across the ruined earth.
Luffy gritted his teeth. "Rolan, let go! I have to finish this! Gear Five awakened—there's no way I can lose now!"
His body radiated strength, a terrifying force that seemed capable of bending reality itself.
Rolan studied Luffy for a long moment, noting the stubborn determination in his eyes. Finally, he released his grip from Luffy's shoulder.
Thump… thump…
A surge of energy resonated from deep within Luffy's heart. His wrinkled face slowly regained elasticity, his jet-black hair returning to its white brilliance. His aura, once fading, grew increasingly dominant.
"Hahaha! Ahahaha!"
Kaido's massive eyes widened, astonished. "What kind of ability is this?"
Just moments ago, he had felt Luffy teetering on the edge of defeat. Yet now, a strange rhythm had resurrected him entirely. This was unlike any opponent he had ever faced. Luffy's movements were reckless, playful even, but his strength—especially his Conqueror's Haki—was undeniable.
The aura reminded Kaido of the battles against Red-Haired Shanks and Whitebeard. Whatever had transpired, Luffy had clearly reached the pinnacle—emerging as a warrior of Four Emperors' caliber.
Kaido shifted his gaze to Rolan, brow furrowed. From the start, Rolan had appeared indifferent, letting Luffy fight freely, as if overseeing the battle like a strategist.
"Worororo, Rolan Boy, are you not concerned I might kill your precious disciple?"
Before Rolan could respond, Luffy barked, "Kaido! I will send you flying!"
Kaido chuckled, amusement dancing in his massive eyes. As a Four Emperors ruling the New World, countless challengers approached him daily. Most would boast before their inevitable demise under his club.
This Luffy was different. Reckless, yes, with a powerful master behind him, yet still fundamentally no different from all the others in Kaido's eyes.
"Worororo, anyone can boast. I've crushed countless arrogant brats like you!"
Rolan shook his head and stepped aside, no longer intending to intervene. He knew the outcome. Even with Nika awakened, Luffy's victory against Kaido in the original timeline had come against a weakened Kaido. Here, Kaido was at full strength.
Kaido's aura still dwarfed Luffy's. Luffy would fall, and that failure was necessary. Since leaving the East Blue, his journey had been too smooth. A setback now would temper his arrogance, force him to grow.
"Worororo, Straw Hat, don't think I'll hold back just because Rolan is here!"
With a stomp of his feet, Kaido surged forward, the sheer force of his aura twisting space itself. Red lightning streaked from him, shattering the surrounding air as he advanced like a living storm.
"Hahaha, Kaido, let's settle this!"
Luffy stomped onto the ground, which instantly transformed into a giant rubber trampoline. Using its elasticity, he propelled himself toward Kaido at breathtaking speed.
"Gomu Gomu no… Over-Hardened Fist!"
Red and black lightning enveloped Luffy's fist as it slammed against Kaido's kanabo.
Boom!
The collision sent shockwaves racing outward, winds tearing across Onigashima. Their combined auras rose high into the sky, dispersing clouds and bathing the island in sunlight for the first time in years.
The Beasts Pirates, many of whom had been asleep, stirred as the overwhelming Conqueror's Haki swept across the battlefield.
"What… what is that power?"
"Is Lord Kaido fighting?"
"It's terrifying!"
Ace, having cleared his opponents, looked up, shielding his eyes. "Is that… Rolan?"
He shook his head, disbelief crossing his face. "No… Rolan's aura isn't like that. Then… it must be Luffy."
A smile crept onto his lips. "I knew you wouldn't fail so easily."
The Haoshoku Haki that had surged from Luffy moments before had vanished, only to return now with renewed intensity. It was not Rolan—it was Luffy, revitalized and ready.
"Kaido!"
"Straw Hat!"
Both warriors channeled their Conqueror's Haki into their strikes, colliding in a stalemate of titanic power.
"Do you think you can survive this?" Kaido bellowed, eyes blazing.
"Afraid? That's not me," Luffy said, grinning casually, entirely unconcerned.
Kaido's expression darkened. "Worororo, he truly is reckless."
He intensified the Haki on his kanabo.
Bang!
The force of the impact sent both combatants hurtling hundreds of meters apart, the ground beneath them cracking from the sheer violence of their collision.
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