The immense power of Enel's lightning completely refined Crocodile's sand, turning it into glass-like crystals.
Crocodile glanced at the crystallized battlefield, then at Enel.
The brat who once trailed behind him had now grown into a powerhouse of the sea. From a pure strength perspective, perhaps he was no longer an opponent Crocodile could handle.
The Thunder-Thunder Fruit was simply too overwhelming. Seeing the crystallization before him, Crocodile couldn't help but wonder—was his own Sand-Sand Fruit vaguely countered by it?
Such thoughts were ultimately meaningless, mere distractions.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the crystallized battlefield, accompanied by a sharp creaking sound.
A scorched and bloodied arm, still crackling with residual lightning, emerged from within.
"Still not dead? The title of 'strongest creature' isn't just for show," Crocodile murmured.
At the same time, the sand in his hand began to surge once more, ready to strike the moment Kaido fully emerged.
However, the devastating counterattack Crocodile had anticipated never came.
Instead of breaking free with a terrifying display of power, Kaido's arm merely pressed against the crystal for a moment, as if trying to pull himself out. Yet, for some reason, the strength just wasn't there.
He attempted three or four times, barely managing to push his upper body out of the crystallized prison.
The sluggishness of his movements spoke volumes, Kaido's injuries were far worse than they appeared.
Claudius, watching the scene unfold, smiled slightly and muttered, "Not enough."
Then, he pulled out a cigar, lit it, and took a slow drag before turning to Crocodile and offering him one.
"Want one?"
Crocodile glanced at Claudius, then smirked.
"Trying to bribe me?"
Despite his words, he still took the cigar.
Claudius chuckled. "Ahahaha, you bastard—what could I possibly bribe you for?"
"For example, making me promise not to challenge you for the next three to five years?" Crocodile replied with a grin.
Claudius paused for a moment before exhaling a plume of smoke. "Now that you mention it, I almost forgot. You haven't pulled a stunt like that in over a decade. Thinking of trying again?"
Crocodile remained silent for a moment, then exhaled a puff of smoke himself. The corner of his mouth curled into a faint smile.
"Forget it. You're right. It would be a pointless endeavor."
Claudius laughed and patted Crocodile on the shoulder.
"Don't flatter yourself too much. As the king of Alabasta, a member of the World Government, I simply have to maintain some dignity," Crocodile scoffed.
At that moment, Kaido's heavily wounded body finally managed to break halfway free from the burning crystal. His upper body was exposed, while his lower half remained trapped.
Surrounding him were Sakazuki, Borsalino, Enel, Crocodile, and Claudius.
Kaido coughed a few times, spitting out a mouthful of blood. After a moment, he smirked.
"Linlin's presence… it's gone."
Claudius flicked the ashes off his cigar and nodded.
"Yeah, I'd say that old hag has already followed in Shiki's footsteps. You're next, Kaido."
"Shiki's footsteps, huh?" Kaido murmured. "I thought that old bastard might've escaped… But it turns out the 'Golden Lion' was the first to go?"
"Did you really think I'd let him get away?" Claudius replied calmly.
Kaido's gaze turned distant. After a long silence, he muttered, "...Yeah, guess we never really had a chance to run."
Then, with a bitter smile, he asked, "Am I the last one? Bullet and Shanks… they were just distractions, weren't they?"
"No. Neither Bullet nor Shanks were distractions," Claudius replied. "I have no interest in Shanks. As long as he behaves and maintains the status quo, I won't bother with him. Pirates can't all be exterminated, after all.
"As for Bullet, I did plan to kill him here. But for whatever reason, he slipped away."
Claudius spoke in an almost casual tone.
Kaido suddenly burst into laughter.
"Is that so? So I'm your final threat? That's all?"
"That's all," Claudius confirmed with a nod.
"I don't know if I should feel honored," Kaido said. "But Claudius, you're wrong. Pirates… can't be erased. Sooner or later, you'll experience the terror of pirates again."
Claudius sighed. "Is that your final message? If so, it's incredibly dull, Kaido."
Pirates couldn't be wiped out?
Claudius had never been afraid of pirates.
This world was never meant to belong to them.
Not in the past.
Not now.
Not ever.
"Final words?" Kaido sneered. "Take it as my 'blessing' to you."
Claudius curled his lips. "In that case, as thanks for your 'blessing,' I'll give you a choice—suicide, or death by my sword?"
Kaido laughed again—wild, unrestrained laughter.
Then, his battered aura suddenly surged, his fighting spirit igniting once more.
"Who the hell do you take me for? I am Kaido of the Beasts! If I'm going to die, I'll go out with a bang! COME AT ME, CLAUDIUS!!!"
As he roared, Kaido's broken body erupted with a final burst of strength.
Shattering the crystal that still bound his legs, he charged forward with no hesitation, aiming straight for Claudius.
Sakazuki and the others moved to intercept, but.
Claudius simply raised a hand.
A silent command.
Stop.
Then, he calmly removed the cigar from his mouth and flicked it aside.
The moment Kaido lunged, Claudius' hand dropped to the hilt at his waist.
"Single-Sword Style… Sever."
The name was offhanded, almost improvised.
Claudius' blade, Shindō, flashed.
Kaido's massive fist, aimed directly at Claudius' head, halted mid-strike.
For a brief moment, time seemed frozen.
Then—
A soft "click" echoed.
The demon blade Shindō returned to its sheath.
Blood sprayed into the sky like a fountain.
Kaido's massive head soared through the air.
With a heavy thud, it landed near Claudius' feet, rolling to a stop.
Kaido's eyes, once filled with unyielding defiance, gradually lost their light.
Hatred.
Unwillingness.
But Claudius didn't care.
He merely sneered.
"An 'immortal' body, huh?"
(To be continued.)