Chapter 118 118: 118: Hakai
Kaido's disheveled state stirred excitement among the onlookers. Some even began whispering that his defeat was inevitable.
Without hesitation, flame clouds lifted Kaido back into the air as he charged forward again. Having fought in wars since childhood, he lived by a simple rule, the strong survive and the weak perish. If he wanted respect, he would take it through battle.
A thunderous impact echoed as their weapons collided once more. The fight resumed with relentless intensity. Every clash released bursts of dark red lightning, and the aftershocks shattered the terrain. The edges of the island began collapsing into the sea, water rushing inward as the port was reduced to ruins. At this point, the area was beyond recognition, and rebuilding it would cost an enormous amount of Berries.
Aether raised his blade with one hand, blocking Kaido's descending kanabo. The force bent his posture slightly, yet he responded instantly, driving a backhand punch into Kaido's chest. Advanced Conqueror's Haki surged through his fist, sending Kaido flying again.
Kaido slid across the ground, carving a deep trail behind him. A clear imprint of a fist marked his chest. Even so, the damage was superficial. Injuries of that level meant little to him and would recover quickly.
The battle continued for several more minutes. Then, after another violent collision, the ground beneath them gave way.
Cracking sounds spread as large sections of land collapsed into the ocean. Within moments, a massive stretch of the island disappeared beneath the waves.
Aether frowned. He quickly realized that their fight was exceeding the island's limits. If this continued, Black Spear Elephant Island would be destroyed entirely. The port alone was irreplaceable, the only location suitable for a deep-water dock.
Before he could confirm whether Kaido had noticed, Kaido leaped into the air. Spinning his kanabo, he drew lightning down from the sky, wrapping it together with advanced Conqueror's Haki.
"Conqueror of Three Worlds, Ragnarok!"
Aether immediately understood the danger. That attack could not be allowed to land on the island.
"Chain of Heaven!"
The partially restored chain tore through space despite visible cracks and wrapped around Kaido's legs, halting his descent for a brief moment.
"These tricks again?"
Kaido's irritation was clear, but he also recognized the threat. A weapon that could move through space was difficult to defend against. If it were stronger, it would be far more dangerous.
With a sharp motion, he shattered the chains.
That moment, however, gave Aether the opening he needed.
Gripping Ace with both hands, Aether gathered crimson energy and unleashed a long-range slash toward Kaido in midair.
"Hakai!"
A violent shockwave surged upward, sweeping away debris and distorting the air itself. Kaido's expression changed as he recognized the technique.
"Impossible… Roger can use Hakai? That's a secret technique of the Giants, something Big Mom went to great lengths to learn."
There was no time to dwell on it. His Observation Haki had already shown him the outcome. Taking the attack directly would result in serious injury.
Kaido immediately unleashed his attack again.
"Conqueror of Three Worlds, Ragnarok!"
Black lightning clashed against the incoming shockwave. For a moment, the two forces held each other in place. Then the lightning began to break apart under the overwhelming pressure.
Moments later, Kaido was blasted away, disappearing from sight.
Cheers erupted from Aether's side.
Their leader had driven back one of the Yonko. Red-Haired Shanks had already admitted inferiority, and now Kaido was being suppressed. To them, it seemed clear who stood at the top.
"Leader Aether is incredible!"
"As expected of the Pirate King, he's the strongest!"
"Wait, why do some call him Aether and others Roger?"
The question caused a brief pause.
"Does it matter? Aether and Roger are the same person. Just different names."
It was an imperfect explanation, but no one pressed further. Aether himself always used his current name, yet the legacy of Gol D. Roger carried immense weight.
Rain continued to fall.
Only the weaker pirates believed the battle was already decided. The captains of the allied crews remained focused. They understood that a Yonko's endurance was monstrous. The fight was far from over.
Taking advantage of the brief lull, Aether walked toward Shiki, drawing the attention of many. The reunion of two legendary pirates was something few had ever witnessed.
Aether observed him carefully. The once-dominant ruler of the seas now appeared worn and aged.
"Shiki, your condition is worse than Whitebeard's. You won't last much longer like this. Still, losing to Straw Hat Luffy in that state is unexpected."
At the mention of his defeat, Shiki's expression darkened.
"That was luck! Roger, did you come here just to mock me? If you can regain your youth, then I can do the same. When that happens, those who refused me will regret it."
Aether looked at him, noting that despite everything, his personality remained unchanged.
"That was years ago, and you're still holding onto it."
Even now, Shiki was the same man who once charged into Marineford alone.
Aether shook his head slightly, dismissing the thought.
"I came to thank you. If you hadn't held Kaido back earlier, my crew might have been wiped out. And Rouge is here as well, my wife. Are you envious?"
Shiki snorted.
"Envious? Of a woman? Don't be ridiculous. I didn't help you, I just couldn't stand Kaido's attitude."
Aether let the comment pass without pressing further.
"Shiki, if I gave you something that could extend your life by thirty years, what would you offer in return?"
The statement stunned everyone nearby.
Shiki's pupils shrank as the weight of those words sank in.
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