NOVEL NEXT Chapter 219: Chapter 219
"Before that brat grows up, you will be my opponent, Aokiji!" Kaido's booming voice echoed as he swung his massive mace down toward Aokiji.
I'm not Luffy's babysitter! Go bother Borsalino with this kind of thing! Kuzan thought bitterly, his mind racing. The mace, wrapped in deadly red and black lightning, hurtled toward him, giving him mere seconds to react.
With no time to dodge, Kuzan crossed his arms, encasing them in layers of ice and Armament Haki to brace for impact. But as Kaido's attack connected, it was clear that his defense wasn't enough. The overwhelming power of Kaido's blow shattered through his guard, the impact sending him flying through the air.
As Kuzan soared backward, he felt a sickening crack in his arm, signaling a fracture. Guess I wasn't prepared enough, he thought with resignation, closing his eyes as he braced himself for impact. His body hit the ice with force, scattering icy shards across the battlefield. For once, he had genuinely underestimated his opponent—and it had cost him.
After landing, Kaido staggered, and before he could make his next move, he dropped to one knee, clutching his chest as he coughed up a mouthful of blood. Luffy's eyes lit up at the sight. So my blast did work, he thought, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
But his relief was short-lived. Kaido took several deep breaths, steeling himself as he rose again, towering and unyielding. Luffy's smile vanished as he saw Kaido rolling his shoulders, the scrape on his left shoulder from the electromagnetic cannon already scabbing over, flesh regenerating as though nothing had happened.
How can he still be standing? Luffy wondered, stunned by Kaido's insane resilience.
Kaido inspected his freshly healed wound, wiping blood from the corner of his mouth. With a satisfied nod, he muttered, "Good. I've recovered enough. Now, let's continue."
With that, his form expanded, scales gleaming as he transformed into his full dragon form, soaring into the sky. He let out a thunderous roar, his voice shaking the battlefield below.
Luffy stared up in disbelief, swallowing hard before muttering, "This guy's like some kind of… perpetual motion machine. Fine! I don't care how strong you are—you're going down, one way or another!"
Pulling himself free from Hancock's supporting grip, Luffy clenched his jaw and smashed a chunk of ice beneath him, shoving pieces of it into his mouth to regain some strength. Hancock watched, torn between worry and admiration.
As she opened her mouth to speak, Garp's furious voice interrupted, his face dark with anger. "Those idiots!" he growled, his gaze darting between the fallen Aokiji and the missing Kizaru. What are these two even doing here? he thought in exasperation. They're supposed to be the Marine's top fighters, and they're running off like this!
With a determined scowl, Garp tore off his tie and discarded his suit jacket, standing in just his blue shirt. He'd had enough. He wasn't just angry at Kaido for the damage he'd inflicted on Luffy—he was furious with the lack of support from his fellow Admirals.
Kaido's eyes sparkled with anticipation as he saw Garp ready himself. The dragon took a deep breath, summoning his fiery dragon breath as he watched Garp approach in a series of powerful steps across the ice.
The two giants faced each other, each gathering their strength for the impending clash. Garp's fists tightened, ready to strike, while Kaido's dragon mouth glowed with the searing heat of his attack.
But before either could unleash their attacks, the shrill ring of a Den Den Mushi echoed from both directions, shattering the tense silence.
The sound was unmistakably urgent, the tone indicating an expedited message. Startled, both warriors hesitated, glancing at each other before reluctantly pulling back, distancing themselves as they each reached for their Den Den Mushi.
Kaido transformed back into his human-dragon hybrid form, scowling as he fished the Den Den Mushi from his clothes, clearly annoyed. He was just about to yell at whoever dared to interrupt him when a panicked voice crackled over the line.
"Governor! Governor Kaido! There's trouble—the Marine! The Marine is here! They're climbing the waterfall—we can't stop them! They're about to enter Wano Country!"
Kaido's eyes widened in shock, his anger melting into disbelief. "What did you just say? The Marine is attacking Wano?!"
The urgency in his subordinate's voice left no room for doubt. Kaido's expression darkened as he turned his gaze to Garp and his comrades. So this was their plan all along, he thought bitterly, a new fury kindling within him.
A dreadful suspicion crossed his mind, and he shouted into the receiver, "Is it Akainu? Did that damned magma bastard bring his forces to Wano? Tell me now!"
On the other end, the Beast Pirate soldier hesitated, his voice trembling. "N-no, Governor Kaido. Akainu is here, but… but he's not the one leading them. It's… it's Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
Kaido's expression shifted from rage to horror as his worst fear was confirmed. The soldier's voice grew even more desperate. "And it's not just Sengoku. The Marine brought Vice Admiral Gion and Tokikake, as well as Vice Admirals Momonga, Onigumo, and Doberman. They're all here, Governor! We can't hold them off! Please, come back quickly!"
Hearing the terrified plea of his subordinate, Kaido's face twisted into a snarl. "Damn it!" he roared, his fists clenching with rage. He hadn't expected such an elaborate ploy, and for the Marines to launch an attack on Wano itself—led by Sengoku, no less—was an outright declaration of war.
He clenched his teeth, cursing the Marine's audacity. The Marine's entire force is after me, he thought bitterly. I didn't kill any Celestial Dragons, so why this relentless vendetta?
Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Kaido barked, "Where are King and Queen? Tell them to hold the line—I'm on my way back now!"
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