Marco once again unleashed the ultimate combination of Conqueror's Haki Infusion and Armament Haki Infusion, clashing violently against Kaido's spiked club.
Their weapons and fists didn't strike directly. Instead, the surging Haki tore at the surrounding ground, generating invisible forces that shredded the earth and sent wind pressure radiating in all directions.
"Damn it, he's improving!" Kaido's eyes narrowed, frustration bubbling inside him as he witnessed Marco's increasingly refined mastery of Conqueror's Haki Infusion. Instantly, his entire body erupted in a surge of fierce Conqueror's Haki.
Yet, beneath the displeasure, an uncontrollable thrill surged within Kaido. "Worororo! Unwilling as I am, I am Kaido of the Beasts! Devil Fruit awakened or not, Conqueror's Haki mastered or not, I will never lose! In prolonged battles, in one-on-one fights, I have never feared anyone!"
"Take this!" Before finishing his words, Kaido launched another devastating assault at Marco.
Having just fully replenished his strength, Marco, now confident with his mastery of Conqueror's Haki Infusion, dove back into the battle without hesitation, fearless against the Oni.
In the azure waters surrounding Nanku Island, the Moby Dick and the Azure Dragon observed the duel intently.
Jinbe's gaze was fixed on the battlefield. Both Marco and Kaido had withdrawn from their Devil Fruit forms, returning to human-like shapes, clearly nearing their physical limits.
"They've been fighting for three days and nights without pause," Jinbe said, concern etched in his voice. "If this continues, they could both be in mortal danger."
The others, witnessing the intensity of the battle, could not hide their worry.
This fight was unlike Marco's clash with Big Mom. That battle had lasted ten days, but there were moments of rest each day. Here, Marco and Kaido had fought relentlessly from the start, without food or a chance to recover. Members of both the Phoenix Pirates and the Beasts Pirates watched helplessly. Even King, who had always considered Kaido a legendary force, could not help but worry.
On Nanku Island, deep fissures now split the ground, with seawater gushing through, evidence of the devastation wrought by their clash. It seemed possible that, soon, the island itself might give way entirely.
Marco panted, eyes locked on Kaido, who also breathed heavily, staring back. Kaido rose slowly from a kneeling position, using his spiked club for support.
Marco's jaw tightened in astonishment. "No way… your stamina is unbelievable! Your Devil Fruit hasn't even awakened, yet you can endure like this!"
Kaido laughed, a deep, rumbling sound. "Worororo! My greatest asset is my stamina. No one has dared to challenge me in a prolonged fight. Whitebeard, Roger, they all wanted to end the battle quickly. But anyone who dares to confront me for a long fight… the ultimate victor will always be me. And you, Marco, are the first person to hold me this long."
Marco braced himself, understanding the gravity of the statement. His own Conqueror's Haki had reached its top level, and his Devil Fruit was Awakened. Yet even with three days of relentless combat and all his system attribute points allocated, he still could not surpass Kaido.
He gave a wry smile. "Now I understand why your Devil Fruit never awakened. If that abnormal fruit had truly awakened, how could Monkey D. Luffy ever hope to defeat you?"
Marco felt a pang of pity for Kaido. In this story, Kaido existed as a boss designed for the protagonist. No matter how powerful, no matter how much he trained, his fate was ultimately set: he was meant to be defeated by the Sun God.
Kaido, sensing the quiet pity in Marco's gaze, furrowed his brow. "Marco… what did you just say?"
Marco regained his breath, his tone icy and deliberate. "I said… theoretically, your Devil Fruit should have awakened long ago. But perhaps… it has been suppressed by some invisible force, preventing its full potential."
____
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