Kaido stood in place, a thin trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth. He lifted his head and rubbed his forehead slowly, eyes fixed on Luffy, who was weakening before him.
"Worororo, Straw Hat, you can only last this long?" Kaido mocked lightly, amusement in his tone. He had expected Luffy to press him after recovering, to put up a real fight, but it turned out to be brief. The pressure Luffy brought after awakening rivaled even the likes of Red Hair and Whitebeard, but the duration was short. Kaido had hoped for a meaningful battle, yet Luffy dwindled before it truly began.
"Worororo, it really is lonely at the top."
He thought back on the countless challengers over the years, none of whom had ever given him that feeling. Everyone strong enough to stand before him was a pinnacle individual, each move capable of shifting the entire battle. Then, for the first time in years, someone appeared who could have given him a proper fight. Only, that fight ended too quickly.
Luffy panted, struggling to lift his gaze to Kaido. His eyelids felt unbearably heavy, and he could barely keep them open. The side effects of Gear Five were fully manifest now. He remembered the entries from the journal Rolan had given him. In the past, Luffy's Gears hadn't harmed him because they were supported by his extraordinary body and Haki. But after the awakening… this was different.
"Kaido—" Luffy tried to rally his strength, voice wavering.
Rolan appeared beside him instantly, expression unreadable, "Luffy, control yourself!"
Luffy's eyes met Rolan's, guilt creeping into his features.
Seeing this, Rolan punched him sharply.
Bang!
Luffy was sent rolling more than ten meters backward. Yamato was quick to his side, catching him and easing him to the ground.
Once seated, Luffy clutched at his throbbing forehead, breathing hard. He looked up at Rolan, annoyed and bewildered. "Hey, Rolan! What was that for?"
Yamato glanced between them, worry in her eyes, "Rolan, he's already so weak…"
Rolan flicked his finger and a senzu bean shot into Luffy's mouth. After a moment, Luffy swallowed it, his body rapidly knitting itself whole again. His aged, fragile form faded, replaced by his youthful, energetic physique.
Despite her shock, Yamato muttered under her breath, "He really does look like a demon master."
Rolan heard her remark and spared her a glance, face impassive. Then he turned toward Kaido, standing tall.
"Kaido," Rolan asked coolly, "Did you expect something like this?"
Kaido sat on the ground, chuckling. "Worororo, Rolan Boy, don't waste time talking. Come at me if you can." His voice was unwavering, confident. "This world is built on the strong preying on the weak. The victor writes the rules. If I win, I'm right. If you win, then you may judge me as you please."
Rolan shook his head subtly. Such a worldview was common in the pirate age, and even in his previous life on earth it was the same: might made right.
As Kaido spoke, he rose to his feet, club resting on his shoulder, an aura of raw power radiating from him.
Rolan walked forward steadily, eyes blazing with certainty. "This world can no longer tolerate you. It's time you die and join your sister, Charlotte Linlin, in the depths below."
Kaido laughed, almost cheerful. "Worororo, such arrogance, Lotte Boy. Do you really think you can best me?"
Lightning crackled across the sky and the ground beneath Kaido groaned, fracturing from the force of his Haki.
Rolan closed his eyes briefly, then vanished from sight, reappearing in front of Kaido in an instant. His fist connected with Kaido's face with immense force.
Bang!
Kaido shot backward like a cannonball, but Rolan was already above him again. With a swift kick imbued with Conqueror's Haki, Rolan sent Kaido crashing into the ground. Terrifying cracks spidered out across the earth beneath them. The dome of Onigashima groaned and began to collapse.
Rolan stepped on Kaido's chest and advanced into the main hall of Onigashima.
"Lord Kaido!"
"Governor!"
"How is this possible? Kaido being trampled like this?"
"Who is that?"
"That… that's Rolan!!"
Members of the Beasts Pirates watched in disbelief as Rolan's foot pressed down on their once-unbeatable captain.
Robin's eyes widened at the sight. Luffy hadn't been able to finish Kaido, so Rolan had stepped in himself.
Hancock turned to Rolan, eyes soft with admiration, "Husband…"
Her voice trembled slightly with emotion.
Before more could be said, the ground shook violently again, cracking and collapsing downward through multiple layers, finally striking the cavernous depths below.
"Cough, cough…"
Kaido's voice echoed upward, his body battered and broken. Blood spilled with each desperate breath, flecks of internal damage showing through. His aura was greatly diminished, but unbroken.
Rolan's expression remained calm as he vanished again, reappearing atop the shattered dome.
Yamato looked at him with excitement, "Rolan, did you defeat Kaido?"
Rolan raised an eyebrow, voice cool, "Do you really want your father beaten that badly?"
Yamato nodded without hesitation, "Even if you don't beat that bastard today, I will still push myself to grow stronger!"
Before she could finish, a tremendous roar resounded.
Everyone turned to see a massive blue dragon break through the shattered dome, soaring into the sky.
"Worororo, Boy! That hurt like hell!" Kaido bellowed, climbing upright aboard the dragon's back, battered but undeniably alive.
Rolan's brow lifted at the sight of Kaido's resilience. He truly was the strongest, nearly invincible in one-on-one combat. His defense and durability were unmatched. Speed didn't matter
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