“How’s the battle…?”
“Who won?”
…
It was 5 AM, the darkest hour before dawn.
Everyone who knew about and was following the epic battle outside Whitebeard’s territory was in a frenzy. An hour ago, all unclear but barely viewable images had vanished, and everyone lost track of the battle’s progress!
“Send people to verify immediately!”
In Mariejois, Marineford, Baltigo, and of course, the New World, leaders issued urgent orders!
At the center of the commotion, the sea was still the focal point.
The three colossal Tengu still towered between the heavens and the sea, but their divine bodies were severely damaged. Their armor, blades, limbs, and even heads had various degrees of destruction!
And in the middle of these three Tengu, Kaido’s appearance had significantly changed.
Kaido, already incredibly burly, had grown even larger. This increase in size did not look bloated at all, as his knotted muscles had become even more robust and terrifying.
…
An hour and a half ago, Nagato had knocked Kaido into the depths of the sea once more.
But Nagato knew that what the world considered a defeat wasn’t really effective, as an invisible layer of energy had shielded Kaido, absorbing nearly all the damage.
Having fought Doflamingo, Nagato knew that this wasn’t Armament Haki. That layer of energy, which Nagato detected through his visual prowess and powerful perception, was likely stronger and more resilient than any Armament Haki.
Kaido’s unscathed hands after clashing with the Tengu’s blades and fists were due to this protection.
Only after the two Tengu shadow clones crushed their fists against him did they manage to break that energy layer, causing Kaido to emerge from the sea with bloodstains!
Reappearing, Kaido was eager for more battle. This time, seemingly realizing the stakes, Kaido fought with less recklessness. His attacks and defenses were nearly seamless, with both sides going all out!
Nagato and Kaido, Tengu and Beasts!
For a time, the wind and clouds raged, and the world trembled! Amidst the surging waves, Kaku and the fourth warship couldn’t hold out any longer, retreating hastily and cutting off the broadcast!
The fierce battle had already lasted an hour and a half, bringing both fighters to their current states.
“Boy.” Amidst the rising steam, Kaido’s muscle-bound body laughed menacingly, “Your toys are useless now. Why don’t you fix them? Don’t tell me you’re out of strength!”
As Kaido finished speaking, purple flames flared up. Under Nagato’s visual prowess, the Tengu’s heads, limbs, and armor began to regenerate, but the blades remained broken.
The intensity of the battle had exceeded expectations. Although Nagato was far from exhausting his chakra, to conserve energy, he decided not to restore the blades immediately.
“All show, no substance, Kaido.” Nagato, standing atop the Tengu, looked down at Kaido on the sea, “Your strength, speed, and defense have indeed improved.”
The three Tengu still encircled Kaido, and Nagato stood in the air: “Even this full-body Susanoo can hardly harm you now. But looking at your state, it won’t be me who can’t hold on—it’s you who will kill yourself!”
Nagato’s voice was calm and certain because, with his Rinnegan, he saw Kaido’s exaggerated muscles, suggesting his body was now almost entirely muscle, covered by a thin layer of skin, with nothing else inside.
Moreover, Kaido’s swollen body was covered in blackened veins, and his grimacing face suggested he was pushing his body to extreme limits to unleash his power.
If that wasn’t clear enough, the sight of Kaido’s body, red from broken capillaries and seeping blood, emitting red steam, would dispel any last doubts.
Kaido was fighting desperately!
But Kaido didn’t see it that way!
“Hahahahaha!” Kaido laughed wildly, “Kill me? That’s the biggest joke I’ve heard all year!”
Kaido shouted at Nagato above, “Swords, cannons, storms, lava, the sea… I’ve tried everything, but nothing can kill me! You fool, do you even know that?”
Seeing Kaido’s nearly manic state, Nagato shook his head, “Pathetic, Kaido. Boasting about self-destruction, I thought you were an immature child.”
Nagato’s gaze sharpened, “But unlike children who can be taught, you’re an unstable element that should be eliminated.”
Kaido, looking mad, charged without hesitation, “Then try it, boy!”
With a brutal smile and what seemed like sincerity in his eyes, Kaido roared, “I’ll thank you for it!”
In the blink of an eye, Kaido had reached the Tengu’s chest.
Although Nagato belittled Kaido in words, he understood Kaido’s terror better than anyone. If at the beginning of the fight, Kaido’s moves were like those of a giant whale or bull, now, in his monstrous form, Kaido was a primordial beast!
Thus, the three Tengu, with two broken blades and a pair of demonic fists, struck Kaido with full force!
Boom!
But Kaido, who had always relied on brute force and speed, suddenly changed direction in mid-air!
His dodging maneuver was almost inexplicable, with his beastly arms thrusting back, propelling him forward to Nagato’s face!
Standing atop the Tengu, Nagato was surprised, “Gaining thrust from striking the air?”
“There is nothing a punch and strength can’t achieve!” Kaido roared, “Boy!”
Boom!
With a furious roar, Kaido shattered the hardest gem on the Tengu’s forehead with a punch!
His fist, unstoppable even by absolute defense, continued towards Nagato!
However, Nagato had never underestimated Kaido, and seeing Kaido’s reckless display, he abandoned his passive strategy.
Nagato was a ninja, unashamed to use any means to win, and never slackened against the worst possibilities. Given Kaido’s history, his arrogance might indeed be justified; conventional limits might not apply to him!
So Nagato decided to change tactics.
“Shinra Tensei!”
A massive force surged forward, and even Kaido couldn’t resist it. A second before Kaido’s fist could hit Nagato’s face, the Deva Path’s power blasted Kaido away.
In the night sky, the clouds scattered, and with them, Kaido’s body was sent flying, far into the distance!
The three full-body Susanoo, two of which dissipated in flames, then the shadow clones flew to Nagato’s side.
“Preta Path.” Nagato placed his hands on the shadow clones’ chests, “Sealing Technique: Absorption Seal!”
With two puffs of white smoke, the shadow clones vanished.
Normally, chakra can’t be reclaimed from destroyed or dispelled shadow clones, but with Rinnegan’s ability, Nagato absorbed all the remaining chakra from the clones back into his body.
After an hour and a half of fierce battle, Nagato was back to full strength!
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