198 194. Confronting Kaido
"Francis!!!"
The enormous azure dragon, Kaido, floated menacingly above the G-5 base, bellowing in fury. His beard and hair billowed in the wind, and his dragon scales bristled. His massive eyes, resembling copper bells, glared coldly at the Marine Base beneath him. He focused intently on what he observed and heard, tracking the movements of Francis, a member of the Marines.
'This scoundrel...'
Kaido clenched his teeth.
"How could you betray me?!"
The eyes, filled with a violent rage, displayed a fierce intensity. Suddenly, the enormous mouth and sharp fangs opened wide, unleashing a blazing torrent of dragon's breath. The scorching heat and distorted air threw the entire G-5 base into chaos, as if imminent destruction loomed. All the commotion was heading straight for Smoker and the others!
"No way! Why did Kaido just show up out of nowhere?"
"Where's Vice Admiral Hakuryu? He should be showing up soon, right?"
"Darn it, is this the Sanko's might? I sense the stench of death..."
Unlike the other Marines, Smoker didn't succumb to panic; instead, he clenched his fists tightly. 'Brother Atlas hadn't arrived yet...'
"Shishi Odoshi: Chimaki (Lion Menace: Earth Coiling)!"
Roar--!!!
Before the scorching breath could reach, a massive surge of seawater swiftly approached from the ocean. A lifelike gigantic sea lion materialized out of nowhere, opening its fierce jaws, casting a colossal shadow over the G-5 base. The entire blast of heat breath was promptly swallowed up by the sea lion.
Suddenly, a misty white fog rapidly blanketed the entire G-5 base.
"Hiss~!"
"This is... the Vice Admiral's technique!?"
"That's a relief, I made it through!"
"I genuinely thought I was done for just a moment ago..."
Following the catastrophe, the entire Marine base, including Francis, let out a collective sigh of relief.
Even if Vice Admiral, the Marine's Candidate Admiral, can't beat Kaido, he can at least hold him back. This should provide ample time for the Marines on the base to evacuate safely.
"Hmm!? When?"
Kaido abruptly lifted his head, his eyes brimming with astonishment.
A colossal island ship materialized from nothingness and gradually came into view. The majestic fantasy creature stood fully revealed in front of Kaido.
'How could I not have witnessed a ship of this size approaching! ! !'
"Kaido..."
Atlas utilized the power of the Rooster Talisman to ascend into the air, positioning himself in front of Kaido's massive dragon head. He stared fearlessly at Kaido in his azure dragon form, his eyes ablaze with intense fighting spirit!
"Let me face you!!"
Just a few years ago, he needed Akainu to hold him back before he could even approach Kaido.
And now.
Whether it's physical abilities, swordsmanship, or mastering Haki, everything has evolved since those days. It's time... Time to measure up against the might of this Sanko! !
"Kid! So, it's you. Do you believe beheading that old man Shiki will make you equal to me?"
"He's just some old guy on his deathbed!!"
Kaido held a strong impression of Atlas. After all, it's hard to forget someone as meaty as Atlas.
'I might not know how this guy managed to sneak up on him, but that's not too crucial anymore!'
"Bolo Breath (Heat Breath)!!"
Without warning, Kaido exhaled the searing dragon's breath once more, unleashing flames even more intense than before.
Snapped!
Atlas showed no fear, and with a snap of his fingers, an equally massive pillar of flames shot into the sky, accompanied by the sudden roar of an enormous phantom beast!
Genjuu Bakuen! (Illusionary Beast Explosion Flame)
The blazing dragon's breath and the eruptive flames clashed intensely. In an instant, Genjuu Bakuen gained a significant advantage, overpowering Kaido. For the Dragon Talisman, which leans towards explosive power, the flames are just its secondary ability. Naturally, Kaido's Bolo Breath couldn't gain the upper hand.
Witnessing the oncoming explosive flames, Kaido opened his mouth once more and expelled a multitude of wind blades. They swept out, sharp and fierce like the slashes of a sickle and weasel.
"Kaifu (Demolishing Wind)!"
The fire seized the opportunity presented by the wind, and the hot breath, which had momentarily pulled back, reopened its teeth and claws. It surged towards Atlas like a reorganized force!
Atlas remained composed, raising one hand as the sky inverted, causing the sea water to flood in. The tumultuous waves soared into the sky, roaring towards the menacing dragon's breath!
Chichi——! !
As the Kaifu and Bolo Breath clashed with the sky-high seawater, water and fire resonated loudly. High-temperature steam rapidly ascended, majestic fog instantly enveloped the surroundings, and visibility was significantly reduced. However, for both parties with the ability of observation haki, it posed no hindrance.
'This kid...'
Kaido squinted his eyes slightly, taken aback by Atlas's intricate and unpredictable abilities.
'Could it be that he's a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit user like me?'
Even though Kaido had crossed paths with Atlas before, the impression left was that he was thick-skinned with decent talent, lacking such a variety of abilities.
"Marine brat..."
Kaido glared at Atlas from across the white mist with icy eyes, hot breath flowing from his mouth, his resonant voice continually vibrating the air.
"Hand over the traitor Francis, or else this Marine Base below will cease to exist. You should know you can't stop me!"
"Hahaha!!"
Atlas remained entirely unfazed, a sardonic expression on his face. "Did a donkey kick you in the head? Oh, I almost forgot, you were just thrashed by old man Garp. You probably haven't woken up yet, huh?"
"You little devil..."
Kaido appeared as if struck in a sensitive spot, and his face swiftly darkened. "Enough of your nonsense. I want to see how strong you really are..."
"Is there any progress?"
Roar! ! !
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaido's fangs opened once more. The roar echoed like thunder. The colossal dragon body spun in a circular motion like a top, swiftly closing in on Atlas. Countless wind blades materialized around it, as if capable of shattering space entirely!
Tatsumaki (Dragon Twister)
Atlas flashed a horrifying smile and, with a sweeping motion of his large hand, altered the wind and clouds. In an instant, dark clouds rolled in, lightning flashed, celestial phenomena unfolded, and thick thunder descended from the sky.
A thought clouds rise, a thought thunders!
The left hand cloaked in the fire dragon, containing explosive power yet unreleased. The right hand struck by thunder, the majestic phantom beast roaring. The formidable energy, nearly transforming into plasma, fluctuates wildly as the thunder and fire fists collide head-on!
Kenrai Enbu (Fist Thunder Flame Dance)! ! !
Boom!
The force of thunder and fire clashed once more with the Tatsumaki, and Atlas pierced through the eye of the storm. Amidst the thunderous roar, two iron fists landed forcefully on Kaido's jaw, and the scent of burnt flesh wafted through. Immense power surged forth.
Huge ripples reverberated throughout the space, terrifying airwaves transmitted to the sea's surface, and massive waves surged endlessly!
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Bonus for 100 power stones
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