"Kid, what do you mean?"
Hearing Kaidō's question, Link smiled playfully. "Do pirates need a reason to fight?"
"Fine, then die. Heat Breath."
Kaidō couldn't be bothered to talk, opening his jaws to spew a colossal pillar of fire at Link and Karina.
At the same time, Karina opened her mouth and unleashed a flame column no weaker than Kaidō's.
The two pillars collided and bloomed into a giant firework in the sky.
"Flame Dragon Emperor!"
As the battle broke out, King the Wildfire shifted from beast to hybrid form, soared above Karina and Kaidō, drew his massive katana, and slashed down a great flaming dragon at the easy, oversized target that was Karina.
Link still didn't move, folding his arms to watch.
Driven back by the blastwave and scorching gale from the colliding fire, Karina's nine golden tails swayed behind her. Four tails twisted together, flashing red and white, then fired a gigantic beam straight at the roaring flame dragon.
Beam and dragon met. In sheer density the beam overwhelmed the dragon, but the dragon carried potent Haki, so the beam couldn't crush it outright and both exploded together.
The searing gale howled like a storm.
Even Onigashima below was ravaged by the winds.
"So strong."
Atop a rocky peak on the island, Yamato, wearing a demon-face mask, gazed up at the beasts and figures in the sky, eyes shining as if seeing the hope that would defeat her father and free Wano.
"Dog-Dog Fruit, Mythical Model: Nine-Tailed Fox. A fine ability indeed."
Seeing Karina's power so similar to his own theme, Kaidō suddenly stopped rushing his attacks and asked, "That lucky one who ate the artificial Mythical Model Azure Dragon—where is he?"
From that, it was clear he knew about Shirahoshi's gift and about artificial Devil Fruits.
No doubt Doflamingo told him.
Learning that Vegapunk used blood to create a Mythical Zoan didn't anger Kaidō; it shocked and pleased him.
It meant not only standard Zoans but even Ancient and Mythical Models could be manufactured.
An army of beasts was no longer a dream.
But when he learned the artificial Azure Dragon had been eaten by someone else, Kaidō's rage flared again.
He hated that someone now bore a power like his.
That Devil Fruit might have fallen into his hands.
If he'd known Vegapunk labeled it a failure because of its color, he would've snatched it himself, not left it for Link.
As for Shirahoshi, Kaidō felt fondness.
Her beast form could rival his, and it was clear her strength was considerable.
If she were human, he'd make her his adopted daughter and raise her into someone surpassing Yamato.
Link had no interest in Kaidō's musings.
He answered without concealment. "I sent them to deal with Joker, so he's in my way, Kaidō-senpai."
"Joker?"
Kaidō blinked, then roared in fury. "You dare lay hands on my man."
"Isn't it obvious?"
Link sneered. "Why else would I be here?"
"Turbulent Blast."
Kaidō stopped talking. His vast body spun, whipping up a gigantic tornado that swept toward Link and Karina.
"Karina, go keep that one busy."
Before Karina could summon the power of wind, Link gave the order. "Leave the rest to me."
She nodded obediently, shrinking from full beast form to hybrid.
Two flame clouds held Link and Karina aloft.
"Wood Release: Wood Dragon."
Facing the howling twister, Link lifted his arm. Branches surged from it, swiftly weaving into a colossal wooden dragon brimming with fierce Haki. It ignored slicing wind blades, smashed straight through the tornado, and tore it apart.
From start to finish, Link hadn't formed a single seal, not even one-handed.
Since gaining the ultimate Yang power, his boost wasn't just in Wood Release's might but in his freedom to shape it at will.
He finally understood why Hashirama could bring forth Sage Art Wood Release: True Several Thousand Hands with a simple double clap.
At this realm, like the Ōtsutsuki, there was no need for hand seals. It was the "I reckon" technique—will it, and it is.
Hand seals were invented by Ōtsutsuki Indra to let ordinary people use techniques.
Indra himself needed none.
Nor did Ōtsutsuki Asura.
Link and Hashirama could do the same.
The wood dragon shattered the tornado and lunged roaring for Kaidō.
Kaidō had dismissed the wooden dragon as a fake. But when it coiled around him, his expression changed.
Glaring at Link with great dragon eyes, Kaidō spoke in disbelief, like others before him. "You've developed the Logia Mori Mori no Mi to this level?"
Everyone who read the Devil Fruit compendium knew the Mori Mori no Mi could drain nutrients from the body.
But the premise was that roots had to pierce defenses and enter the body.
Now Link had pushed it further. Without piercing at all, he was sapping bodily energy directly.
Such imagination and development outstripped even Doflamingo's countless tricks with the Ito Ito no Mi.
Shocked, Kaidō instantly shed his dragon form and dropped to the rooftop of Onigashima.
Link stepped off the flame cloud as well, descending astride the wood dragon to the rooftop.
Karina, meanwhile, returned to full beast form and clashed with King in the sky.
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