On Nanku Island, all 1,600+ members of the Phoenix Pirates' main crew stood ready, prepared for battle. Today, they would face one of the Four Emperors—the Beasts Pirates led by Kaido, the so-called strongest creature in land, sea, and air. Every soldier understood they could not afford a single mistake.
Suddenly, Marco sensed a tremendous aura overhead. He looked up, his gaze sharpening, and spotted a massive dragon-shaped figure faintly appearing in the clouds. He said gravely, "So he came straight here…"
The others followed his gaze as the colossal form descended over Nanku Island. Slowly, the dragon's enormous head emerged from the clouds, and a deep, thunderous voice spoke: "worororo, you're early, Marco…"
"Kaido…" The sight of Kaido's true Azure Dragon form struck terror into everyone present. Even those familiar with Sak's Pink Dragon transformation were shaken; this was Kaido in his full, authentic form.
Marco activated his level scan immediately: Kaido, Zoan-type, Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon form. Estimated strength: Strong General Emperor Level.
Strong General Emperor Level… Marco exhaled slightly. Relief washed over him—at least Kaido wasn't King Level. With their strengths comparable, the battle would hinge on skill and endurance.
Both of them were Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit users, so the fight would be a grueling war of attrition. Marco predicted this clash might even surpass his battle with Big Mom in intensity. Yet, he remained calm. He had reserved 8,000 attribute points specifically for this encounter. When both sides reached exhaustion, he could boost his power and recover stamina, potentially taking Kaido by surprise.
Rising into the sky in his beast form, Marco met Kaido's gaze. "I didn't expect you to come alone. You remember our agreement, right? Or did you think you couldn't lose?"
Kaido's immense dragon body circled above, radiating colossal pressure. "worororo, I don't expect to lose. Don't worry—I remember our agreement. Jack and the others are right behind me, but sailing is slow, so I came ahead."
Marco smirked. "I can feel it. You've reached an impressive level yourself. This fight will be interesting—I hope you can last a little longer."
Kaido laughed deeply. "Confidence, huh? Big Mom was confident too, yet you defeated her. But that Old Hag is long past her prime, and her weaknesses were clear. Don't think beating her means you can beat me."
Marco didn't argue. He knew Kaido's strength far surpassed Big Mom's. Prolonged combat was Big Mom's vulnerability, but Kaido's stamina and resilience were legendary. It would be an uphill battle, but Marco was determined.
With a direct gaze, he asked, "Kaido, would you show me how to use Conqueror's Haki Infusion?"
Kaido blinked in mild surprise. "Conqueror's Haki Infusion? What are you asking?"
Marco grinned, teasing. "There's a story across the seas: that you, Kaido of the Beasts, were once a famed Haki instructor, Teacher Kai, whose legendary lessons were overshadowed by your Four Emperors status. It's said someone trained under you: first strike, Ryou; second, Conqueror's Haki Infusion; third, Awakening. Three strikes, and a world-class pirate emerged. True, or just rumor?"
Kaido's eyes blazed with fury. "What nonsense! When did I become Teacher Kai? I've struck countless weaklings with my spiked club, yet I've never had anyone learn Haki so quickly!"
He paused, recalling Yamato had learned Haki in a similar way. Marco might be referencing her. Shrugging off the thought, he said coldly, "Fine. If you want guidance on Conqueror's Haki Infusion, and your head is hard enough to withstand it, I can give it a try with my Hassaikai."
"Perfect! Let's see what you've got!" Marco replied, smirking.
Though Marco had Whitebeard's Conqueror's Haki manual, theory alone couldn't advance him further. He needed a true combat trial.
According to the manual:
Newly awakened Conqueror's Haki spreads a 360-degree invisible aura, entry-level mastery.
With practice, it can be controlled, forming beginner-level Conqueror's Haki.
Expanding the aura and increasing its power leads to intermediate mastery.
Concentrated Haki, forming a Haki sea for directional attacks, avoids harming allies. Marco had reached this stage.
Conqueror's Haki Infusion focuses the Haki into fists or weapons, causing both physical and mental damage—Whitebeard's limit.
Whitebeard also noted that highly skilled Conqueror's Haki could temporarily suppress a Devil Fruit's power, but only the strongest, like Roger, Red-Haired Shanks, and Rocks, could fully nullify it.
Marco's goal was clear: to refine his Conqueror's Haki under Kaido's guidance and test his limits in the ultimate trial against one of the world's strongest beings.