The structural makeup of the world of Falmart.
It was mainly divided into the continental mainland and the archipelago to the south.
But to call the latter an archipelago was hardly accurate—it was really just two large islands, along with some scattered reefs nearby.
The eastern island stretched long and flat; this was also the farthest colonial territory of the Empire.
The western island, on the other hand, had an irregular, pentagonal outline—and this was Kaido's destination.
It was the domain of the God of Flame and Forging, home to the world's largest active volcano, which spewed colossal flows of magma year-round.
At this time, Kaido, in his Azure Dragon form, flew on flame clouds beneath the stars and moon.
At that moment, a blazing firelight suddenly erupted ahead, illuminating a radius of more than ten kilometers in an instant.
"Your Excellency must be the Azure Dragon, general of the World Government's Air Force headquarters?"
"I am Duncan, God of Flame and Forging of this world. I have come to test Your Excellency's strength!"
Roughly one kilometer ahead, stood Duncan, his hair and beard made of living fire, his physique broad-shouldered and towering like a beast. His body was clad in ornate crimson armor, and in his hands he wielded a bright red axe-hammer—its material unknown, yet it ignited the very air around it.
He stood imposingly upon the back of a mighty Fire Dragon, some 40 m in length, his steadfast gaze locked on Kaido's Azure Dragon form.
Kaido narrowed his eyes, examining the absurdly small figure.
In his human form he himself was over 7 m tall, while this Duncan was barely 1.5 m at most.
From his aura alone, however, this god radiated like a pillar of fire piercing into the heavens.
"Not bad. Don't let me down, or else…"
Kaido bared his dragon maw, rows of razor-sharp fangs gleaming.
"I do not wish to be your enemy, but as a main god, I must give my all to protect this world."
"Azure Dragon, would you follow me westward, out over the sea? There are many uninhabited islands there, fit for us to fight to our hearts' content."
On the Fire Dragon's back, Duncan made his request with utmost sincerity.
Kaido glanced below and replied, "Fine. Lead the way."
"Your Excellency is merciful. I am deeply grateful. Should you be defeated, I promise you this: I will spare your life!"
Duncan's words brimmed with sincerity, but they only made Kaido laugh.
"Worororo…"
He didn't bother saying more.
Silently, he followed after the Fire Dragon beneath Duncan, flying west toward the open sea.
Sure enough, the waters there teemed with islands and reefs. Duncan chose the largest one and descended.
"Go, Bobaka. If I do not return, protect the dwarves in my stead."
Duncan leapt from the dragon's back and stroked its lowered head.
"Roar!"
The Fire Dragon met his eyes for a long moment, then gave a low rumble before beating its wings and soaring southward into the night sky.
"You're not letting it fight?"
Kaido, who had shifted back from Azure Dragon form into human form, landed on the ground and asked curiously.
"That would not be fair. Among us dwarves, a duel must be one-on-one." Duncan shook his head.
"Wororororo~~~~!"
Kaido threw back his head and roared with laughter.
Yet there was no mockery in the sound—only sheer fighting spirit.
He pulled the gourd at his waist free, first taking a long swig himself.
Then he tossed the gourd—larger than Duncan himself—onto the ground before his opponent.
"Here. Try some Starfish wine!"
"My thanks. It has been centuries since I've tasted drink from another world."
Without hesitation, Duncan drew out the liquor with divine power and poured it into his mouth.
"Hu—! Fine wine! Strong and fierce!"
Duncan's face was full of exhilaration and satisfaction, but soon he sighed in regret.
"What a pity. I did not bring our dwarven brew with me—else I would have let you taste it."
"There will be another time," Kaido replied flatly.
"Of course there will. The promise I made earlier still stands!"
Duncan raised his blazing axe-hammer high, his voice resounding with solemn emphasis.
[Zzzhhh—]
But even before his words had fully fallen, Kaido's figure flashed into a streak of violet lightning, appearing right before Duncan.
The god's pupils shrank violently, his heart seized in shock. So fast!
At the same time, a jet-black kanabō crackled with arcs of violet lightning and crimson sparks, carrying an unfathomable, crushing force as it swung down toward his body.
[BOOOOM——————!]
In the next instant, the island beneath them, nearly 10 km2 in size, was blasted apart on the spot—shattered into four pieces amidst a blinding storm of lightning and thunder.
Kaido's Thunder Bagua slammed against the flame-empowered axe hammer in Duncan's hands.
Purple lightning tangled with blazing blue pillars of fire, spearing into the heavens.
"Not bad strength."
Kaido, now in his hybrid beast-man form, flicked the massive dragon tail behind him. His ferocious dragon eyes gleamed as he looked down at Duncan, who had just taken his blow, grinning as he offered praise.
"Your speed is impressive as well. But if this is all you can manage, then I suggest you withdraw from this world at once!"
Duncan gripped the haft of his axe hammer with both hands, straining against the crackling kanabō, his voice ringing with righteousness as he met Kaido's gaze.
The two stood at the shattered heart of the island, trading words as though the collapsing mountains, roaring tides, and apocalyptic backdrop around them mattered not at all.
"What are you talking about?"
"I'm just saying hello," Kaido replied lazily, narrowing his dragon eyes.
The moment the words left his mouth, Kaido increased his strength, knocking Duncan's weapon aside.
The next instant—
He swung his kanabō once more, its surface rippling with a cherry-crimson glow as even more violet lightning flared to life.
"Bring it on!!!"
Duncan roared in answer, the divine flames around his body blazing hotter than ever, as he swung his hand-forged axe hammer without the slightest trace of fear.
[BOOOOM——————]
The collision unleashed a surge of energy like a world-shattering tsunami.
In that instant, the blinding light banished every trace of darkness from the sea.
The scorching heat wave spread outward in all directions, evaporating vast swaths of ocean water in its path.
A fire pillar, interwoven with crackling purple lightning, pierced straight through the thick cloud layer above.
Moments later, a series of deafening booms rolled across the land, followed by searing hot gales sweeping over everything in their path.
Kaido and Duncan had plunged fully into their battle.
Beneath their feet, the island was no more—only the surging, raging sea, whipped into towering waves by their clash.
Beneath the heavy, brooding clouds, upon the raging sea, the two figures clashed again and again—striking, breaking apart, and colliding once more.
At that very moment, as Kaido and Duncan continued their fierce struggle—
A pillar of sky-blue light suddenly broke through the clouds and shone down upon them.
"I am the God of Vastness and Order. In the name of Zufmuut, I command you—cease all action at once, and do not defy my will!"
These emotionless words echoed across the battlefield, carried by the descending light.
At the same time, that radiant column enveloped Kaido's body, forcing him to halt, his eyes shutting as if bound by the divine command.
"Zufmuut! Who gave you the right to meddle in my duel!!!"
Seeing this, Duncan did not seize the chance to attack Kaido.
Instead, he threw back his head and roared furiously at the figure manifesting within the azure glow above.
"This isn't a duel, Duncan. This is a war between two worlds. I hope you understand—we must secure victory."
Zufmuut held a splendid sword of blue and gold.
His eyes, solemn and unwavering, stayed fixed on Kaido's figure within the pillar of light, yet his tone carried a faint edge of impatience as he pressed Duncan.
"Now is the time—strike him with a heavy blow! His will is unbelievably strong, as if an unbreakable wall were resisting the invasion of divine power!"
"No! I will not do such a thing!"
"Dwarves may accept being outnumbered, but never will we bully the few with the many!"
Duncan, the dwarven High God, shook his head stubbornly.
He seemed utterly obstinate, clinging rigidly to the ancient traditions of his people.
To him, the principles of dwarven combat could never be compromised.
This left Zufmuut unable to comprehend—his expression grew darker and more displeased.
It was not as though he was unaware of the dwarves' traditions.
But what race didn't have its customs, its rituals?
Yet what time was this? The world itself was under invasion! Shouldn't traditions be set aside now?
"Very well, very well! In that case, I shall act myself!"
Grinding his teeth, Zufmuut raised his divine sword.
He knew there was no more time to wait—Kaido could awaken at any moment.
[Slash!]
All at once, a colossal blade of light, over a hundred meters tall, burst into existence, radiating blue brilliance that filled the sky.
It tore through the chaotic void, cleaving straight toward Kaido's body, held fast in midair by the pillar of light.
From afar, Duncan's brows furrowed deeply.
To tell the truth, under ordinary circumstances he would have stepped in to stop it.
But he also knew this battle was no ordinary one.
Refusing to join forces was already the limit of his stance. Any further action would cross into betrayal of his own side.
And betrayal—this too was a dwarven taboo.
Elsewhere—
High above, at some unknown moment, Garp had appeared, staring with a speechless expression at the spatial barrier before him.
This was clearly another trick of the so-called God of Vastness and Order.
Right now, he wrestled with a dilemma: should he smash this "glass" before him?
If he struck, he would be forcefully interfering in Kaido's fight.
If he didn't… and if Zufmuut truly possessed General-level might, Kaido could very well be in danger.
"Eh—ah, what a headache. What should I do?"
Garp scratched his head in distress.
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