Ever since Jerry and the Black Star Pirates had caused tremendous upheaval on Treasure Island, most major powers had been eager to take immediate action against them. However, the Beast Pirates and Big Mom Pirates had chosen a different approach—secretly monitoring every movement of the Black Star Pirates for their own strategic considerations.
After departing from the Whitebeard Pirates, Jerry's crew had attracted attention from numerous factions like a powerful magnet drawing iron filings.
When it gradually became clear that the Black Star Pirates' destination was Wano Country, the Beast Pirates not only refrained from obstructing their approach, but had actually cleared out various rival forces that might have interfered with Jerry's journey. In essence, they had provided free escort services to ensure their enemies arrived safely at Onigashima.
Although Jerry and his companions remained confident they could handle any interference without Kaido's "assistance," these unwitting bodyguards had indeed ensured that the Black Star Pirates encountered virtually no attacks from other enemies during their voyage.
On Onigashima, witnessing Ace being struck and sent flying by Kaido's devastating kanabo attack, Jerry couldn't help but internally observe that he and Luffy were indeed brothers—even the "educational experiences" they received were remarkably similar.
Then Jerry fixed his sharp gaze directly on the oppressive figure before him, grinned with obvious confidence, and declared: "Well of course we came here! We have friends in Wano Country, and we can't allow you to continue terrorizing innocent people. I'm here to defeat you, you oversized tyrant!"
"Defeat me? Your arrogance knows no bounds!" Kaido instantly transformed into his magnificent Blue Dragon form and roared toward the heavens: "Then come and let me experience the true power of this so-called 'leviathan'!"
Along with Kaido's thunderous roar came countless razor-sharp wind blades radiating outward from the dragon's massive maw.
In an instant, overwhelming crescents of compressed air cut through the atmosphere and slashed toward Jerry from every conceivable direction.
Jerry responded by waving his left hand, causing countless water droplets to materialize and spin rapidly around his body. These formed an impenetrable defensive barrier that continuously deflected the incoming wind blades while his form moved like a phantom, rapidly closing the distance between them.
Within moments, Jerry had rushed toward Kaido like a warrior cutting through all obstacles. The fishing rod in his hand—now crackling with advanced Armament Haki—transformed into a projectile that tore through the air as he brought it down toward his draconic opponent.
"Water Blade: Dragon Slayer!"
Under Kaido's widening eyes, the Haki-enhanced fishing rod landed with tremendous force, striking the dragon's face with pinpoint accuracy and sending his enormous serpentine body flying backward. Kaido crashed into the top of the skull-shaped fortress with a thunderous impact that kicked up tremendous clouds of dust and debris.
Jerry understood perfectly that his opponent possessed incredible durability and recovery abilities, so he had no intention of waiting for Kaido to regain his footing. Instead, he chose to press his advantage immediately.
He launched himself through the air with explosive force, creating a sonic boom as he kicked toward the smoke-filled impact site with devastating intent.
Just as Jerry's body disappeared into the swirling dust cloud, his combat instincts suddenly screamed danger.
A violent gust of wind erupted from his side, and Jerry had almost no time to react properly. The tail of a gigantic dragon swept into view, moving like lightning as it struck him with merciless force.
Like a catastrophically powerful badminton smash, Jerry was launched through the air and crashed heavily onto a distant rooftop. The previously flat surface suddenly developed a massive sunken crater surrounded by smoke, dust, and scattered debris.
"Boy! Don't think that just because you've made a reputation for yourself in the outside world, you can come here and run wild!" Kaido's voice boomed across the battlefield. "Let me show you what real Hot Breath looks like!"
Maintaining his Blue Dragon form, Kaido opened his colossal maw and expelled scorching flames like a concentrated energy cannon. The extreme temperature instantly charred everything in its path to blackened ash.
"Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"
As Jerry's voice rang out from the smoke that hadn't yet dissipated, what met Kaido's Hot Breath was an equally massive water dragon technique.
The collision produced a tremendous explosion as both attacks met in mid-air, completely canceling each other out. Fire and water proved incompatible as always, and instantly enormous volumes of steam rose up, shrouding the entire battlefield in thick, obscuring mist.
"Hey there, Kaido-sensei! You didn't bother teaching me back then, but now I don't need your guidance anymore!"
Through the mist, Jerry charged forward with his fishing rod raised, shouting something that left Kaido genuinely puzzled about the reference.
Although Kaido couldn't quite comprehend what his opponent was talking about, he swung his massive kanabo without the slightest hesitation.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Seeing the thick, lightning-wrapped black club about to connect with his face, Jerry's movements immediately accelerated beyond normal perception. He instinctively brought his fishing rod up to intercept the devastating attack.
The advanced Haki coating both weapons collided with tremendous violence, creating invisible shockwaves that swept across the battlefield. Smoke and dust spread in all directions while even the clouds overhead were torn apart by the sheer force of their clash.
Both combatants involuntarily stepped backward several paces, then—as if drawn by some invisible magnetism—they rushed forward simultaneously and engaged once again in thrilling close-quarters combat.
"Ugh, that was careless of me..."
On the ground level of the island, feeling the supernatural phenomena caused by the fierce battle raging overhead, Ace pressed his hands to his head and shook it ruefully.
A gleam of competitive fire flashed in his eyes, but it quickly dimmed as he loosened his tightly clenched fists with obvious reluctance.
"Fire Fist Ace! Your head belongs to me!" At that precise moment, a massive black bird streaked across the sky like a dark comet, diving directly toward Ace while he remained on the ground and hadn't yet recovered his footing.
At the critical instant, a bolt of lightning shot through the air as a flash of sword light mercilessly intercepted the aerial attacker, striking the giant bird and sending it tumbling dozens of meters away.
"Are sneak attacks really the only tactic the Beast Pirates can manage?" Cavendish called out, standing suspended in mid-air as he flicked his sword dismissively. A sneer played across his lips, though careful observers might have noticed a hint of concern in his eyes.
Despite successfully deflecting the assault, he could sense something unusual about the impact—his blade had connected, yet somehow the enemy appeared completely unharmed.
At that moment, flames erupted along the black bird's back before it returned to human form, revealing King the Wildfire in all his intimidating glory.
"Hmph!" King seemed too focused for casual conversation. He simply snorted with cold disdain before launching a fierce counterattack against Cavendish.
"So you can't argue with my assessment? Does that mean you agree?" Cavendish muttered to himself, showing no signs of backing down. He transformed into brilliant lightning and courageously met King's assault head-on.
Watching the two powerful fighters engage in their wordless duel, Ace blinked with surprise, glanced up at the supernatural phenomena occurring in the sky above, and suddenly felt like he had become a complete outsider to the main action.
Then Ace noticed that Deuce and his companions were severely outnumbered and about to be overwhelmed by Beast Pirates forces, prompting him to make an immediate tactical decision.
Temporarily abandoning any thoughts of joining the aerial battlefield above, he moved with lightning-quick reflexes. His body shot forward like a blazing comet as he rushed toward Deuce's position, determined to rescue his endangered friends before addressing any other priorities.
The battle for Wano Country's liberation was intensifying on multiple fronts, and every member of the Black Star Pirates would need to prove their worth against one of the Four Emperors' most powerful organizations.