Ivankov and Kuma sprinted toward the warehouse, desperate to reach the prizes. Just as Ivankov pulled the heavy doors open—
BOOM!!
A strike like a bolt of lightning crashed down beside him. The ground trembled violently, sending bricks and debris flying through the air. The sheer force of the shockwave knocked Ivankov and Kuma off their feet. As the thick dust began to settle, Kaido stepped through the haze, his eyes burning with a sinister light.
Seeing the monster before him, Ivankov's face went pale. He scrambled to open the gold-inlaid red treasure chest in his arms, desperate to swallow the strangely patterned Devil Fruit inside.
"Brat, that's mine!"
Kaido's eyes snapped wide. A wave of terrifying Conqueror's Haki exploded from his body, manifesting as jagged streaks of crimson-black lightning that surged toward Ivankov.
"AAAGH!!"
Ivankov shrieked as the Haki washed over him like a high-voltage current. His body seized up, and he began to foam at the mouth. With his last bit of strength, he gasped, "Kuma, run! Even if only one of us makes it... it's a win!"
Kuma didn't hesitate. He grabbed another treasure chest, turned on his heel, and vanished into the distance.
"Tenacious little pest," Kaido grunted, giving the unconscious Ivankov a look of brief respect. He reached down and snatched up the fruit—a blue, scale-covered orb. It was the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon.
He shoved the fruit into his mouth and swallowed. A sudden wave of intense nausea hit him, making his face turn a sickly shade of purple.
Gulp.
As the fruit settled, a spark ignited in Kaido's mind. The raw, primal power of the Mythical Zoan began to flood his veins. Shimmering scales sprouted across his skin, and his pupils shifted into eerie, golden slits.
"After three months... this power is finally mine again!" Kaido growled. The red trails of light following his eyes flickered as the scales on his face slowly receded.
"Kaido! You ate it, didn't you? I saw that!" Linlin shouted as she skidded to a halt nearby. She hopped off Zeus, planting a hand on her hip with a look of pure fury. "Don't you dare try to deny it!"
"Take your pick, Linlin!" Kaido pointed his club at the four treasure chests scattered across the floor.
Linlin's expression softened instantly. "Well, at least you have a conscience."
She reached down for two of the chests, but a sudden, deafening roar echoed through the valley, followed by a massive arc of sword energy.
"Hey! Those belong to me!!"
The slash was unstoppable, shearing through mountains and stone like they were made of butter. The earth tore open in a chilling, jagged trench.
CRASH!!
The nearby mountain was split clean in two, the echoes of the destruction rolling through the valley. Linlin shoved a massive boulder off herself, clutching a single treasure chest tightly. Her face was dark with rage as she glared at Golden Lion Shiki, who was flying toward them. If she hadn't sensed the attack in time, she would have been buried under the rubble. Even so, the force of the strike had sent her flying hundreds of meters into the mountainside.
On a nearby ridge, Kaido stood holding another chest, unbothered. He tucked it into his coat while Shiki glared at him with murderous intent.
"Shiki!" Linlin roared. "Are you looking for a fight?!"
"A fight? With you?" Shiki sneered, his lip curling in disdain. He gripped his legendary blades, Sakura Ten and Kogarashi, their edges swathed in ribbons of pitch-black Haki. He turned his gaze to Kaido. "Brat, hand over the treasure. I won't ask a second time."
Kaido bared his teeth and slammed his club into the ground, shattering the hillside. The madness in his eyes was uncontrollable. "You want it? Come and take it, Shiki!"
The tension was thick enough to choke on, but it was interrupted by more arrivals.
"No wonder you two ran off so fast. You found the stash!"
On a hilltop above them, Silver Axe, Ochoku, and John appeared, stepping over the burning wreckage of the town. The battlefield was a mess of competing ambitions. Silver Axe, Ochoku, and John immediately scrambled for the two remaining chests on the ground. Slashes and Haki-clashes tore the buildings apart.
In the chaos, Shiki managed to snag one chest, while the other was intercepted by Whitebeard, who was currently trading blows with Saint Figarland Garling of the God's Knights.
"I didn't know the World Government kept a force like this hidden away," Whitebeard remarked, his expression grim. Even a brief exchange told him that Garling was a dangerous opponent.
"There is much you don't know, you humble ant," Garling replied coldly. "It is an honor to die by my sword!"
"Is that so? Gurararara! Then let's see what you've got!"
Whitebeard swung his Bisento, Murakumogiri, the blade swirling with dense, black Haki. Garling met him head-on, his own weapon crackling with power.
BOOM!
The collision sent a shockwave across the island. The ground fractured, and a blinding white light engulfed the area. When the dust cleared, Whitebeard stood tall amidst the ruins, grinning at Garling, whose cape fluttered in the gale.
"This isn't your personal stage, Newgate!" Shiki laughed, lunging forward.
"It's every man for himself, Shiki! Don't expect me to be nice!" Silver Axe shouted, intercepting the Golden Lion.
Nearby, John and Ochoku closed in on Linlin and Kaido.
"You're targeting me?" Kaido tapped his club, a smirk spreading across his face as Ochoku approached.
Ochoku licked his lips arrogantly. "This kind of fight isn't for a kid like you, Kaido. Give me the fruit, and I might let you walk away."
"You talk too much," Kaido sneered. "I think I'll start by smashing that mouth of yours!"
On the west side of God Valley, Rocks D. Xebec stood amidst the bodies of thousands of Marines. He had just finished slaughtering several World Nobles when the Roger Pirates blocked his path.
Rocks looked at the crew and scoffed. "Roger... you here to join me at last?"
Roger stepped forward with a sharp smile. "That wound you gave me a year ago still aches, Rocks. Let's settle this once and for all!"
"You weren't a match for me then, and you're even less of one now," Rocks laughed wildly, his voice making the sky and sea tremble. The air itself seemed to crackle and warp around him. "Come at me! All of you!!"
Rayleigh and Gaban moved to draw their weapons, but Roger raised a hand to stop them. "Stay back, everyone. This is between him and me."
"Roger..." Rayleigh looked worried. He remembered how badly Roger had been hurt in their last encounter. But seeing the fire in his captain's eyes, Rayleigh simply smiled and sheathed his sword. "Fine. Everyone, leave this to Roger! There are plenty of other enemies on this island—let's make sure nobody interferes with the Captain's fight!"