Chapter 116: 116: Power Surge
Cracks spread across the ground as the two clashed in a contest of raw strength. Dust and debris rose into the air, yet Kaido failed to rise as he had expected. The hand pressing down on his head remained immovable, like a mountain rooted in place.
Veins bulged along Kaido's neck as he strained. Aether's strength forced him downward, preventing him from straightening his back. A flicker of disbelief crossed Kaido's mind. Was Roger's power truly this overwhelming? It felt barely inferior to his own.
The surrounding fighters stared in stunned silence.
"This is insane. Leader Aether is actually suppressing Kaido with pure strength. Even Whitebeard couldn't do that back then."
"As expected of our captain. Even a Yonko can't overpower him."
Murmurs spread, but no one dared step closer.
Shiki's expression stiffened, his eyelids twitching slightly. He had crossed blades with Roger many times in the past, and he knew that the man he remembered did not possess such exaggerated physical strength. Had Roger grown even stronger after returning to youth?
Seconds passed.
Kaido's body slowly rose. Dragon scales surfaced across his skin, hard and gleaming. He raised both hands and grabbed Aether's wrist, forcing the clash into a direct struggle.
He refused to lose in a contest of strength.
Aether noticed the shift immediately. The pressure increased as Kaido pushed upward with brute force. For a moment, even he felt surprised. Kaido's physical strength exceeded his expectations.
Before Kaido could fully stand, Aether lifted his leg and kicked him away.
Kaido was sent flying hundreds of meters, tearing through the ground before coming to a halt.
The clash ended abruptly.
Kaido steadied himself, anger burning in his eyes.
"Roger, how dare you play dirty!"
Aether looked at him, unimpressed.
In his memory, Kaido was ruthless and cunning, yet now he was complaining about fairness. Aether had never agreed to a pure test of strength, and Kaido had already used his Devil Fruit power. The accusation felt hollow.
Still, Aether reassessed him. The title of the Strongest Creature was not empty. Kaido's raw strength alone justified it.
Only hours had passed since Aether's battle with Sakazuki, yet his current power had risen far beyond that point.
On his way here, he had received a notification from the system. From that alone, he guessed Rayleigh's battle had ended. Otherwise, Charlotte Linlin's emotional state would not have shifted.
Not long after, a Den Den Mushi call confirmed it.
Charlotte Linlin had agreed to pay for Katakuri and the others. The ransom, reduced by Rayleigh, stood at 8 billion Berries.
During the call, she asked the question Aether had expected.
"Roger, do you still have the medicine that restores youth?"
Aether smiled faintly. That question alone gave him the advantage.
"I do. But if you want it, it won't come cheap."
"State your terms."
"I want you to join me and help me conquer the seas."
Silence followed.
She was hesitating.
After a pause, her voice returned.
"Fine. If you can keep me young, I'll become your woman. You'll be my final husband."
Aether coughed, caught off guard.
"You misunderstood."
There was no interest on his side. Even if she had once been beautiful in her younger years, her current state, combined with her countless children, made the idea absurd to him.
He then gave her an even harsher price.
The line went quiet again.
Moments later, an enraged roar burst through the Den Den Mushi before the call abruptly ended.
"Roger, you're too greedy! Get lost!"
Aether was not surprised.
Even if Charlotte Linlin had accepted, he had no intention of giving her the medicine now. A Linlin in her prime would disrupt his plans.
At the same time, emotions gathered from across the battlefield and beyond.
System notifications appeared one after another.
Charlotte Linlin's anger alone granted a notable reward, while the reactions of Marines and others added even more.
His experience surged.
His level rose to 93.
The increase itself did not bring a major boost, but something else did.
Shirahoshi.
A notification revealed that her fate had shifted, granting him a large amount of points. Aether did not know exactly what decision she had made, but the reward was undeniable.
Without hesitation, he used two Purple Gacha draws.
The result met his expectations.
Two pieces of red equipment appeared.
Ancient Red Dragon Spaulders.
Ancient Red Dragon Gauntlets.
With both equipped, the set bonus activated.
Ancient Red Dragon Strength increased his physical power by fifty percent. The surge of strength was immediate and overwhelming, giving him the sensation that he could lift an entire mountain.
This was the reason he could suppress Kaido moments ago.
His Constitution also rose slightly, returning to the level of an Admiral.
Additional abilities followed.
Breath of Destruction, an enhanced form of dragon breath.
High Fire Resistance, a useful trait against opponents like Ace or King.
Clothing Morphing, allowing his attire to change form at will.
Aether flexed his hand slightly, feeling the power flowing through his body.
His strength had reached a new level.
At this moment, he stood among the strongest in the world.
In the distance, Kaido wiped the blood from his mouth and stared at him, his expression darkening.
◇ I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews
(Leave a review/comment)
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100
Power Stones.
◇ Read 80 | 100 chapters ahead on [email protected]/_Zeph