Chapter 15: Chapter Fifteen: Master Kaido

“That guy Kaido has grown far too strong.” Whitebeard watched the battle with grave concern.

“Fufufu, how fascinating.” Doflamingo observed the unfolding events, sensing his plan still held opportunity: “Whitebeard, your era should have ended.”

Koby was numb.

“I knew that man was strong, but I never thought Luffy could fight a Four Emperor.”

Amid all the attention, Su Lin’s points kept climbing steadily, just as he expected—no need to disguise himself; just being watched was enough.

Yanzaijin stared in shock at Kaido on the TV broadcast, then glanced outside the room at the real Kaido standing on the ship’s bow, sipping wine.

Anger surged within him.

“Mr. Kaido!”

“Hm?” Kaido turned, puzzled—he rarely saw Jin this flustered.

“Someone is impersonating you at the Summit War!”

“What? How bold!”

After hearing Jin ’s account, Kaido immediately turned to the TV, enraged, transforming into his Fish-Fish Model: Dragon form.

“Quin, how far are we from Marineford?”

“If we just sail, the shortest route takes about three hours.”

Yesterday I planned to seize Whitebeard’s territory, but that meddling Red-Haired showed up.

After facing off, I intended to follow Shanks and fight him again, but realized his target was Marineford, so I just turned back.

“Damn.”

Kaido was displeased: “You sail over. I’ll go ahead and teach that fool who imitates me a lesson.”

He seemed to have some strength—Kaido watched the ‘himself’ on screen; even if nothing else, he truly had the vibe.

Kaido suddenly wanted the two fighters on screen to become his subordinates—after first beating them senseless.

Kaido, transformed into a green dragon, shot into the sky, racing toward Marineford.

“That Kaido guy—what’s he rushing off to do now?” Shanks, wine bottle in hand, noticed Kaido flying past his field of view: “Isn’t that toward Marineford?”

“Shanks, wasn’t Kaido facing off with us yesterday?” Buggy stared at the TV: “I remember his ship was trailing us for a long time.”

“Yeah, he just flew past the back of our ship seconds ago.”

“What’s going on?”

A crowd gathered around.

On the screen:

“Fail!”

‘Kaido’ swung his hammer at Luffy, sending him flying toward Ace’s side.

When striking Luffy, the amount of Haki weakened considerably.

This blow extinguished the intent of several Admirals to launch an attack.

Because ‘Kaido’ was closing in—if they struck now, who knew what the bastard might do.

“Tch.” Akainu gritted his teeth, wishing he could kill Kaido right then.

But he wasn’t a fool—Whitebeard was almost upon them, and Kaido was already battling the Straw Hat brat; that would save them considerable effort.

If Kaido was dragged in, and he abandoned the Straw Hat to join the fight—even with Hero Carver and Admiral Zhanguo fighting him—

Once chaos erupted, a Straw Hat brat nearly as strong as Kaido’s current state and Whitebeard would be freed to turn on them.

“Damn Kaido—if you’re going to fight, get the hell away.”

“Luffy!” Ace cried out in panic, flames igniting on his hands as he moved to attack Kaido.

No one would harm his brother before his eyes!

“Ace!” Luffy reached out to stop him: “Leave him to me. You all retreat.”

“What nonsense—I’m your brother, I won’t let my little brother protect me!”

A fireball hurled at ‘Kaido’ was casually shattered by a single swing.

“You haven’t even trained your Haki properly.”

“You’re lazy, Fire Fist Ace.”

“Shut up! I don’t need you to teach me!” Ace’s fists ignited with flame: “Come on then.”

“Stupid Logia user—dodge!”

‘Kaido’ sneered: “Roger was a non-ability user too. Do you know why he became Pirate King?”

“Only Haki! Supreme above all!”

The spiked club swung toward Ace, carrying black lightning.

If that blow landed, Fire Fist Ace would kneel.

“Ace, get out of the way!”

“Rubber, King Kong Gun!”

The spiked club and fist collided again.

Those watching felt as if cherry blossoms were blooming and swirling across the battlefield.

That was the effect of mastered Haki.

“Flowing Cherry Mastery: 98 points.”

‘Kaido’ kicked off the ground, leaving a deep crater; his spiked club swung midair, narrowly grazing Luffy’s cheek.

Coincidentally, it also struck the two Admirals watching the spectacle.

Of course, they dodged.

“Observation Haki: 99 points.”

“Next—Conqueror’s Haki Coating!”

Kizaru and Aokiji stepped back involuntarily.

These two fighters hadn’t used their Devil Fruit powers yet—especially Kaido; they knew his power surged further when he activated it.

They themselves weren’t afraid—but there were too many soldiers around.

“Admiral Zhanguo ,” Aokiji warned.

No words needed— Zhanguo understood the situation.

“All officers below Vice Admiral, disperse and pressure Whitebeard’s side.”

Thus, back and forth, chaos erupted around them; whenever Admirals or Vice Admirals tried to strike, Kaido and the Straw Hat brat—intentionally or not—always redirected the battle toward them.

Meanwhile, Ace, watching Luffy’s battle up close, realized just how strong his younger brother had become.

He was delighted—but also felt the gap in his own strength.

Luffy, younger than him, who set sail later, could now fight a Four Emperor.

“Luffy...”

Mr.3 lay unconscious.

They fought for nearly ten minutes.

‘Kaido’ suddenly stopped, glancing sideways at the two Admirals slacking off and the murderous Akainu: “Dare interfere, and I’ll deal with you first.”

“You’re just a pirate—what do you think this place is?”

Akainu’s fists dripped magma, ready to unleash at any moment.

Zhanguo commanded: “Sakazuki, assist the Warlords and surround Whitebeard!”

“Hmph.” Akainu turned and charged at Whitebeard: “Crimson Lotus!”

Whitebeard grunted, summoning a white spherical barrier.

“Carver!”

“Got it.” Carver walked forward, pulling on his tiger gloves: “Kaido, my grandson doesn’t need your teaching.”

“Then you teach him? Wukukuku!”

Seeing Carver about to interrupt his performance, Su Lin began rambling.

“Do you know how long it took me to train your grandson to this level?”

“Oh? How long?” Carver was caught off guard.

“Three swings!”

“What do you mean three swings?” Carver asked, confused.

“I only used three swings to turn the Straw Hat brat into this.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?” Zhanguo walked toward Kaido—clearly planning to join forces and suppress him.

“First swing: mastered Flowing Cherry! Second swing: awakened Coating! Third swing: Devil Fruit Awakening!”

“Ask your grandson himself—how many times did I hit him before he learned these skills?”

Su Lin blurted out lines he’d once read online.

“Devil Fruit Awakening?”

Those nearby seemed to have heard something extraordinary.