Kaido snorted in disdain, but his eyes kept flicking toward Yamato's position, his expression betraying disappointment.
"Oh? Where are you looking, Kaido?"
He abruptly turned his head to find a certain naval admiral pointed at him—his finger glowing with dazzling golden light.
"Tch, you insufferable yellow monkey."
Kaido glared, gripped his spiked club with both hands, and launched it toward Kizaru.
"Roaring Thunder Bagua!"
It was clear how much Kaido despised Kizaru, unleashing an advanced form of Thunder Bagua from the outset.
Kizaru didn't dare face it directly. His body dispersed into light and ascended skyward—just as Kaido intended. Transforming into a colossal dragon, he pursued Kizaru.
High above, the clash of laser blasts and the dragon's roar filled the air. Akainu, in a brief pause against Big Mom, raised both hands skyward.
Balls of magma shot into the clouds, staining the sky red.
Akainu's intervention to aid Kizaru infuriated Kaido. Moments later, the dragon's head burst through the clouds, nostrils expelling scorching gusts. He opened his maw toward the ground and unleashed countless wind blades.
Big Mom struck next, directing Zeus to hurl a thick purple lightning bolt at Akainu.
Facing a pincer strike from two Emperors, Akainu remained unshaken. He slammed his fists onto the ice and roared:
"Pirates! Don't get ahead of yourselves!"
Boom! Boom! Boom! Scorching magma erupted around him, blending with wind blades and lightning. Thunder clapped, and fierce gales whipped the sky.
Akainu's Navy coat billowed, the word Justice glowing red in the magma's reflection.
Despite his resolve, fending off two Emperors alone was no small feat. Some unleashed attacks broke through and hurtled toward him. Just then—
A beam of light descended before Akainu and coalesced into Kizaru.
Gone was the previous smugness from Kizaru's face. Wielding the Light Sword, he sliced apart the wind blades and unleashed piercing lasers at Big Mom, forcing her to retreat.
The immediate danger passed. Kizaru, back-to-back with Akainu, murmured:
His aerial positioning had been precarious; without Akainu's aid, he'd be wounded.
Akainu, unused to Kizaru's gratitude, grunted:
A familiar warmth sparked within Kizaru, and a smile curved his lips as he replied:
"Yes, we fight for Justice."
Elsewhere, Whitebeard slammed onto the ground, wiping fresh blood from his mouth as he fixed his gaze on Chiga.
Whitebeard's crew attempted to intervene, but Aokiji barred their advance.
Clad in Susanoo Armor and brandishing a chilling Susanoo Sword, Uchiha Chiga—stepped forward like a purple grim reaper.
"Whitebeard, your era ends. Are you prepared to meet Roger?"
Whitebeard laughed explosively.
"Don't test me, brat!"
He struck the ice, launching himself toward Chiga—but he was repelled like a moth at a flame, coughing up blood.
Before he could recover, dark tentacles emerged from a swirling vortex beneath, binding him tightly.
Whitebeard's eyes widened.
"This… the Dark-Dark Fruit of Rocks?"
Chiga knelt, Susanoo Sword poised threateningly.
"That's right. Enjoy your execution platform."
He raised the blade for the kill. All battle paused as eyes turned toward them. Was the world's strongest man about to fall?
Suddenly, a figure appeared before Whitebeard, sword blocking the Susanoo blade. Red-Haired Shanks, long presumed missing, had returned.
Susanoo Sword met Griffon. Chiga frowned; Shanks looked different—his once-red hair now snow-white, a white mark under his right eye.
His entire presence was icy. His gaze at Chiga carried calm disdain. Shanks pressed his sword, pushing Chiga back with unexpected power, then withdrew to reveal a white diamond imprint in his palm.
Squatting, Shanks pressed his hand against the darkness choking Whitebeard. The darkness surged into his palm's mark as Whitebeard rose from the ice in shock.
"Don't ask." Shanks cut him off, then turned to Chiga:
"I'll end this with my power."
Chiga studied him. He was familiar with the transformation. One word escaped his lips.
Shanks's face twisted in disbelief, confirming Chiga's suspicion.
"You couldn't stay away, could you? Your bond with him runs deep."
Shanks fell silent. The new strength coursing through him urged swift action.
A brilliant white aura raced from his palm along Griffon's blade. His form blurred and vanished with lightning speed.
Chiga, bearing Rinnegan and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit power, reacted in time. Boom! The two swords clashed again—ice shattered beneath, seawater surged, and the sky darkened with streaking lightning.
Purple energy pulsed from Chiga's Rinnegan as he laughed.
"Interesting… show me, Red-Haired Shanks."
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