At that precise moment, a violent explosion—like a nuclear detonation—roared from the distant western battlefield. It was Ace's ultimate finishing technique reaching its devastating conclusion.
Brilliant light and tremendous shockwaves spread in all directions, yet somehow failed to interfere with the duel between Jerry and Kaido.
As Kaido roared with primal fury, a terrifying heat wave suddenly erupted from his flame-wreathed form. The temperature was so intensely high that it instantly vaporized Jerry's massive water sphere prison, sending countless droplets flying through the superheated air.
Because of this dramatic evaporation, the vision that had been obscured by the aquatic barrier became crystal clear once again.
Amid the countless flying water droplets, Jerry and Kaido's figures flashed toward each other. The distance between both combatants closed to within striking range in a single heartbeat.
Kaido maintained his hybrid Dragon-Man form, with extremely high-temperature flames clinging to every inch of his massive frame. His entire body seemed to glow red-hot, radiating a heart-stopping explosive aura that made the very air shimmer. Dense black lightning from his Conqueror's Haki coiled around the spiked kanabo he gripped with both hands, transforming the weapon into something resembling a divine instrument of destruction.
On the opposite side, Jerry's right hand bulged with prominent veins as he gripped the end of his fishing rod with desperate intensity.
Countless streams of Conqueror's Haki coiled and circled like enraged dragons, moving rapidly around the fishing rod in patterns that appeared chaotic yet somehow perfectly ordered. The weapon seemed to be covered with a crackling coat of black lightning.
Simultaneously, a seemingly modest stream of seawater quietly and silently merged with the Haki enhancement. At first glance, the combination didn't appear particularly impressive, but there seemed to be an entire universe contained within—filled with tremendous compressed energy waiting to be unleashed.
Kaido's expression grew solemn, though he didn't waste time analyzing the technical details. Instead, he placed absolute faith in his own overwhelming strength. He swung his enhanced kanabo forward with every ounce of power his legendary body could muster.
Facing Kaido's imminent strike that seemed capable of shaking the very foundations of the world, Jerry secretly gritted his teeth. A dazzling gleam flashed in the depths of his eyes as he twisted his waist, pivoted sideways, and thrust forward with every fiber of his being.
"Water Blade: Sky-Piercing Breakthrough!"
Both weapons collided with a thunderous impact that shook the heavens themselves. The massive, thick kanabo and the comparatively slender fishing rod met in a clash that defied all logic.
Kaido's weapon carried violent flames and overwhelming Conqueror's Haki, while Jerry's rod bore wildly swirling seawater and his own advanced Haki mastery.
Water and fire fundamentally cannot coexist peacefully. The two earth-shaking manifestations of Conqueror's Haki refused to yield to each other, intertwining fiercely in an instant of pure conflict.
Steam rose and spread everywhere around the point of impact. If this had been ordinary seawater, it would have been vaporized by the raging flames instantaneously. However, this water was far from ordinary—its very essence was Jerry's own spiritual energy made manifest.
The tremendous aftermath of their fierce clash caused the air itself to roll with invisible ripples, spreading across vast distances. The sky above changed color while the ground of the skull dome cracked into countless fragments before crumbling to powder.
However, the two fighters maintained their stalemate for only the briefest moment before Jerry roared with absolute determination: "A drill is a man's romance!"
Before his battle cry finished echoing, the Haki surrounding Jerry's fishing rod intertwined with the flowing seawater, spinning endlessly at speeds beyond what the naked eye could track. The technique truly formed a razor-sharp drill with the fishing rod's tip serving as the penetrating head.
In a brilliant flash, Jerry's drilling attack—delivered with every ounce of his remaining strength—seemed capable of tearing through the very fabric of reality itself. It suddenly pierced clean through the mighty kanabo before him, nearly breaking the legendary weapon in half. Under the reflection of Kaido's sharply contracting pupils, the technique streaked forward like a meteor cutting through the night sky—absolutely unstoppable.
The two figures crossed paths in a single instant, with the smaller combatant immediately being launched away by the shattered remains of the massive club.
The clouds in the sky had completely dispersed from their battle's shockwaves. The full moon hung brilliantly overhead, its bright silver light penetrating the vast universe to cast gentle illumination across the devastated battlefield, bringing a touch of serenity and warmth to this world of darkness and destruction.
Even on such a quiet and beautiful night, Kaido felt an unusual chill spreading through both his body and soul.
The Emperor of the Sea reverted to his human form and dropped to one knee, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the fractured ground. He used his broken kanabo as a support in his right hand, bracing against the crumbling surface beneath him. Looking down at his chest and abdomen—nearly half of which had been obliterated—then up at Jerry limping slowly in the distance, he spoke with surprising calm: "Leviathan... tell me truthfully. Are you Joy Boy?"
Jerry approached closer and shook his head with honest denial. "Unfortunately, I'm not whoever that legendary figure is supposed to be, and I've never met him."
Hearing this response, Kaido's eyes flashed with genuine surprise, followed by an odd sense of relief. "Really? Well then... what is your ultimate goal in all this?"
Jerry seemed momentarily startled by the question. After a long moment of contemplative silence, he replied with characteristic dry humor: "I said I just want to lie down and take it easy. Do you believe me?"
After delivering this response, Jerry stared into Kaido's intensely burning gaze and sighed with resignation. "Of course, I know that's completely impossible now. As long as I don't admit defeat, the next thing I'll encounter should be that legendary great treasure. By then, I'm afraid the Celestial Dragons—and even the entire world—will be dragged into the chaos..."
"Excellent! Go ahead and drag those scum who were born as so-called 'nobles' and those in power who indulge in peace and comfort directly into the battlefield!" Kaido's voice grew stronger despite blood gushing from his mouth. "Only through this method can there be true freedom and equality! Cough!"
Blood continued flowing, but he pressed on with his final philosophy: "Only war... can truly determine the value of different races and all human beings!"
Jerry shook his head slightly with disagreement. "That's your perspective, right? I have my own ideas about how things should work."
"Cough!" Blood continued streaming from the corner of Kaido's mouth, yet he nodded with acceptance. The light in his eyes gradually began to dim as he spoke his final words: "That's right... but I believe that you will..."
Before he could complete his thought, Kaido's head gradually drooped forward. He remained kneeling on one knee as his breathing slowly came to a stop.
At this moment, the skull dome's ground across the vast battlefield area—already completely shattered from their epic confrontation—could no longer support its own structural integrity. The entire platform collapsed, carrying Kaido's motionless body downward into the depths below.
"Whew... that really wasn't easy at all." Feeling the extensive fractures throughout the left half of his body from Kaido's final strike, Jerry exhaled a long, exhausted breath. He stepped into the air with Moonwalk and slowly began flying above the devastation.
Just as he prepared to return to the front areas of Onigashima, Jerry suddenly blinked as if remembering something important. He paused momentarily, extending his senses carefully, then continued flying in his original direction with apparent satisfaction.
Aboard the Black Nova
On the ship's deck, Cavendish—who had been lying among the wounded—had cheered excitedly when Big Mom was defeated earlier. But after a brief period of calm, he suddenly catapulted upright with startling energy: "WHOA!"
"Whoa! What are you doing, jumping around like that?!" Skull stepped backward several paces in surprise before asking hesitantly, "Don't tell me that old hag who just got blown up is somehow resurrecting herself?"
After hearing this exchange, Deuce and the others all turned their attention toward Cavendish. Even Kotatsu rotated his enhanced gaze to await the prince's response.
"Ahem!" Realizing that Kotatsu's live broadcast camera was focused directly on him, Cavendish ignored his injuries and quickly straightened his clothing with characteristic vanity. He waved his hand dismissively while declaring: "Of course not! That old woman's life force disappeared ages ago."
His eyes suddenly lit up with tremendous excitement as he shouted: "This time it's Kaido! Jerry has defeated Kaido himself!"
Hearing this announcement, everyone was initially stunned into silence, but soon they all erupted into jubilant celebration.
Skull raised both hands triumphantly while seeking confirmation: "Really?! Boss Jerry actually won?!"
Brook set down his milk bottle and laughed with his signature chuckle: "Yohohoho! I knew that Mr. Jerry would emerge victorious!"
"Incredible! Jerry did it!" Deuce clenched both fists with pride and relief.
"Big Brother Jerry, you're absolutely amazing! Ow..." Carrot jumped up with excitement but immediately winced as she pulled at her still-healing wounds.
Tama's face flushed bright red with pure excitement: "Big Brother Jerry, Big Brother Ace—you really did it! You defeated the Emperors!"
The celebration aboard the Black Star spread to all their allies across Onigashima as news of both victories rippled through the battlefield. The impossible had become reality—two members of the Four Emperors had fallen on the same night, marking the dawn of a new era in the world of pirates.
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