Kaido lowered his head, his gaze falling upon the spot where he had just been struck.
His originally ferocious expression now showed traces of solemnity.
Indeed, Lancelot's earlier strike hadn't truly wounded him, but the faint, throbbing pain was undeniably real.
One must understand that this immensely powerful body of his had always been his greatest asset in dominating the Four Seas and establishing his rule.
Having battled countless formidable foes throughout his life, he had naturally experienced defeat before.
While those who could defeat him were few, they did exist.
However, opponents capable of actually harming him—across the entire world—numbered only one!
And that one person had been dead for over ten years.
Therefore, in this current world...
Apart from those few individuals... whenever others launched attacks against him, most of the time their fierce assaults felt like ants trying to shake a tree when they landed on him—completely incapable of making him feel even the slightest pain.
Let alone causing actual harm.
Yet now, someone had actually managed to make him feel pain...
Such strength, even among the world's powerful fighters, would likely place them at the top of the second tier—at least possessing combat prowess comparable to King's!
Recalling the majestic Conqueror's Haki that Lancelot had displayed earlier, Kaido's mind involuntarily conjured an image of Red-Haired Shanks.
Kaido had already reached a conclusion in his heart.
When he turned his gaze back to Lancelot, the look in his eyes had undergone a dramatic transformation.
Although his arrogance and domineering attitude remained completely undiminished, all traces of initial contempt had vanished, replaced by deep wariness appropriate for a rival of equal standing.
Indeed, after careful consideration deep in his heart, he concluded that while the strength Lancelot had currently demonstrated was still somewhat inferior to his own...
There was no doubt they were already within the same tier of power.
To thoroughly defeat him, let alone take his life, would likely be far from as easy as he had initially imagined...
As these thoughts surfaced in his mind, he couldn't help but clench his fist tightly.
No matter what, Jack's vengeance must be carried out.
Therefore, even if this Rear Admiral before him was absurdly strong, he absolutely must be struck down with his club.
With a furious roar Kaido Unleashed his attack, "Kongō Kabura!"
Instantly, his immensely heavy iron club was raised high, and with the powerful swing of his arm, a pillar-like torrent of club energy shot forth.
This was one of the famous techniques named after the Wisdom Kings.
The club energy transformed into what resembled a flying slash unleashed by a master swordsman, cutting through the void at astonishing speed as it charged directly toward Lancelot.
Its velocity was so incredible that it closed in on Lancelot in the blink of an eye.
In response.
Lancelot showed no fear at all.
The corners of his lips curled slightly upward, forming a confident and composed smile.
Simultaneously, his sharp eyes remained fixed intently ahead, his right hand already resting silently on the hilt of Shusui hanging at his waist.
In the blink of an eye, as Kaido's overwhelmingly fierce club aura surged toward Lancelot like a storm Lancelot decisively drew Shusui.
Instantly, a cold glint flashed as Shusui sliced through the air like lightning cleaving the night sky, meeting the onrushing club aura head-on.
A deafening "Clang" erupted, sparks flying in all directions.
Lancelot had actually withstood this ferocious strike, but under the mountainous force of the club aura, his entire body was forced backward.
One step, two steps... he was pushed back a full seven or eight meters.
Yet, Lancelot showed no intention of retreating.
Instead, as he retreated, he swiftly adjusted his posture, then stomped one foot down with thunderous force.
A heart-shaking rumble followed, as if the ground had been struck by a violent earthquake.
Under such immense power, the ground cratered instantly.
From the center of the crater, cracks spiderwebbed outward at incredible speed.
In moments, the entire ground fractured like glass.
His backward momentum halted abruptly!
At that instant, the muscles in Lancelot's arms tensed violently, veins bulging, as a terrifying surge of power erupted from the depths of his being.
With a loud shout, he swung Shusui once more, unleashing unparalleled might as he slashed fiercely toward the club aura.
As Lancelot's blade descended, the previously unstoppable club aura seemed to hit an insurmountable barrier, forcibly diverted to roar off in another direction.
Everything in its path—whether massive boulders, trees, or any other obstacles—was instantly obliterated as if crushed like dry weeds.
When the furious club aura finally dissipated, observers were horrified to see the trail it left: a glaring scar etched into the earth—a massive trench ten meters wide and several meters deep, stretching across the ground like a hideous torn wound.
This alone demonstrated how utterly terrifying Kaido's earlier strike had been!
Yet, even such a devastating attack had been forcefully blocked by Lancelot!
Witnessing this from afar, Kaido felt a jolt of shock, his pupils involuntarily contracting.
Though he had already surmised earlier that this fellow was likely a powerhouse on par with himself, seeing it unfold before his eyes still left him incredulous.
After all, he was one of the renowned Four Emperors of the Sea in the New World!
Bearing the title of "Strongest Creature in the World."
His strength was peerless, unquestionably among the very pinnacle of this world.
But then, consider his current age?
Fifty-nine years old!
'I've already stepped into the stage of past fifty.'
'By comparison, among the Four Emperors, the oldest is Whitebeard, who is already seventy-two years old; Charlotte Linlin is one year younger than him.'
'The youngest among these four Emperors, Red-Haired Shanks, is also thirty-seven years old.'
'But what about this Rear Admiral before me?'
'Is he even thirty?'
'No...'
'He doesn't even look thirty... more like around twenty. Such youth, such power... it's truly astonishing!'
Kaido's eyes narrowed involuntarily, his already hostile gaze now filled with killing intent.
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