2 days ago
Countless dazzling sword lights burst out from under the pile of rocks, brutally pulverizing it.
Garin Saint emerged, with countless rock fragments raining down before him.
He had sword-like brows and starry eyes, a handsome face, thin lips, and Red Hair. He wore the armor of the God's Knights, with a large red cape draped behind him, fluttering in the biting cold wind.
Garin Saint frowned slightly in displeasure: "Is this your way of treating guests, Kaido?"
Kaido transformed into human form, shielding Bullet behind him, and sneered: "Should I really treat a World Government lackey to a grand feast?"
Garin Saint's expression was grim, but he patiently said: "The World Government has no authority to command us… We only serve God, and we can execute and correct the degenerates among the Celestial Dragons."
"Easy for you to say… Celestial Dragons. Although I don't know how you entered Winter Island, you trespassed on my territory. Do you think I'll let you leave?"
Kaido and Garin Saint confronted each other, their eyes suddenly glowing red. Two extremely vast surges of Conqueror's Haki erupted like a tsunami, sweeping towards each other with destructive force!
Countless crimson lightning bolts collided, and the overflowing lightning tore at the ground. The entire island began to tremble.
The atmosphere made a cracking sound as if it were about to shatter. Torrential rain danced in the sky, and the terrifying force of the collision powerfully ripped open the ground, creating ravines and cracks that continuously spread outwards!
Boom!!!
The Conqueror's Haki of the two collided, actually tearing open the sky!
A pitch-black crack hung in the sky like an abyss. The crack sucked in wind and clouds, emitting a rumbling, muffled sound.
"Not bad potential, state your name!"
Kaido laughed heartily, a fire seemingly burning in his chest, his fighting spirit intense.
"Figarland Garin Saint."
Garin Saint also showed a keen, eager look, drawing the sword from his waist. A crimson dark light spread from the hilt to the tip, and red-black lightning crackled around the blade.
"Haoshoku coating…"
Kaido's eyes lit up, remembering how Garin Saint and Whitebeard had fought to a standstill at God Valley, realizing that Garin Saint was not simple.
And… for some reason, seeing this face reminded Kaido of another annoying red-haired guy in the future.
An unprovoked anger rose in his heart!
Kaido also drew his Hassaikai, and his Conqueror's Haki surged out, spreading from his palm to the Hassaikai. Immediately, red-black lightning circulated, and a stray red-black lightning bolt strangely shot out, locking onto Somaz Saint.
Somaz Saint was greatly alarmed; this red-black lightning actually made his entire body numb, continuously eroding his flesh and rendering him unable to move.
"Damn it, what is this!?"
Garin Saint looked at Kaido in surprise, somewhat unexpected that Kaido would use an advanced application of Conqueror's Haki.
At the same time, he became even more certain that coming in person to recruit him was worth it.
Kaido's aura was cold, violent, and greedy, the ultimate embodiment of brute force: "Bullet, step back. This is not a battle you can participate in."
Bullet knew the disparity in strength and that staying would only burden Kaido, so he nodded solemnly and said, "Boss, don't let them look down on us!"
Bullet swiftly moved away from the scene.
Bang!!!
Kaido continued to increase his Conqueror's Haki output. The lightning locking onto Somaz Saint suddenly grew larger and stronger, making Somaz Saint scream piercingly.
Then, with a loud bang, Somaz Saint directly vanished from the spot, forcibly teleported back to the Holy Land.
Kaido smiled grimly at his handiwork.
Garin Saint's expression suddenly turned cold, and black lines appeared on his forehead: "Kaido, I came to invite you to join the God's Knights."
"God's Knights? I'm not interested in such things… Garin, if you want to fight, show me your true power!"
Kaido roared fiercely, his Conqueror's Haki transforming into a shockwave that spread out like a violent tsunami, causing a series of violent explosions on the surrounding ground!
Garin Saint's eyes were sinister. His long sword, trailing wisps of Haki, slashed fiercely towards Kaido!
Kaido laughed heartily, likewise swinging his Hassaikai, unleashing his Haoshoku as a shockwave!
Their Haki collided, sword and Hassaikai clashing with an intense force separated by only a foot, the immense compressed energy in between intertwining and colliding!!
In an instant, a furious hurricane rose, engulfing an area of several kilometers around. The island trembled violently as if an earthquake had struck!
The surface of the earth was powerfully destroyed and violently stretched, with shocking ravines extending for several kilometers, like canyons!!
Mountains broke apart, and buildings collapsed!
The nearby sea surged with powerful tides, as if living creatures were startled, and ripples vibrated densely!
Dazzling red and black light completely swallowed the vicinity!!
"What's happening on the back mountain!?"
Roya's face changed drastically, and he cried out in alarm.
"A mysterious figure is fighting with Boss Kaido!"
"The aftermath of their battle has already reached the town!"
"Should we support Governor Kaido?!"
Wald suddenly shouted coldly: "Retreat immediately! At this level of battle, getting close will instantly tear you to shreds!!"
Conqueror's Haki…!!
Wald's face was overcast. Winter Island was eighteen kilometers wide and nearly twenty kilometers long, with a three-kilometer radius around the back mountain being an uninhabited area.
He hadn't expected the aftermath of Kaido and the mysterious person's battle to reach the royal palace. The two clashing auras made even him feel a chill throughout his body!
Outside the palace, large numbers of pirates and soldiers had already fainted, and many buildings were shaking precariously from the powerful impact!
Was this the clash of kings of the Grand Line?!
At this moment, Kaido and Garin Saint fought together, both using Haoshoku coating. The moment their weapons swung, the already dilapidated ground beneath their feet became even more treacherous, and the spreading transparent airwaves, like blades of death, powerfully tore through the earth!
"Kaido!!"
Garin Saint was furious. His normally calm demeanor was replaced by bulging veins on his forehead, and the dented part of his shoulder was recovering.
His entire body was now releasing Conqueror's Haki, which surged like an electrical storm towards the surroundings and high into the sky!
"Devil Fruit ability?"
Kaido paused for a moment, revealing his sharp white teeth. Green scales appeared all over his body, and in an instant, he directly entered his Human-Beast form: "I don't care what you are! All I know is I hate Red Hair!!"
Kaido stomped on the ground, crushing rocks, and let out a long roar to the sky, directly exhaling a blast of hot breath. Then, he casually unleashed a Bad Wind Slash, and with a whoosh, he leaped high into the air, transforming into a blue light. He swung his Hassaikai, which was wrapped in trailing Conqueror's Haki, and brought it down fiercely from above onto Garin Saint!!!
Boom!!!
Garin Saint's expression was grim. He used all his might to battle Kaido!!!
This battle continued until dawn the next day!
Most of Winter Island was destroyed!
Edit
"However, speaking of which… if we could study the Lineage Factor of various races, perhaps it could perfect our research."
Vegapunk smiled faintly at Ferland.
Ferland asked, puzzled, "What is Lineage Factor?"
With his hands behind his back, Vegapunk spoke eloquently, his eyes shining with anticipation: "Lineage Factor is the blueprint of life for living organisms, containing the core substance of their inherited traits. If we could decipher the Lineage Factor of every organism, perhaps we could create a 'new life' that fuses the characteristics of all races."
Worried that Ferland still didn't fully understand, Caesar walked over, excitedly saying, "Imagine if humans could fuse the muscle genes of ants, the carapace of beetles, the electrical discharge of electric eels, the flames of fireflies… and even the long lifespan of the Giant Race!"
"Think about it, Mr. Ferland, we are now ushering in a new era of human civilization! Our names will be forever remembered alongside Lineage Factor!"
Ferland was moved by what he heard. And who wouldn't want to have a lifespan three times that of a human, like the Giant Race?
"I'm investing in this project, Vegapunk, Caesar, Judge, Queen… you absolutely must succeed in your research. As for the other races, don't worry, I'll find a way to get them for you."
Ferland's eyes gleamed, his heart surging with excitement, and he left the Peace Research Institute with his bodyguards.
Vegapunk thought of how the Lineage Factor extracted from ants had indeed achieved human muscle enhancement, and he frowned slightly: "The discovery of Lineage Factor… I wonder if it's a good thing or a bad thing…"
"Why worry about such things, Vegapunk!"
Judge walked over, his voice booming, "This is a great invention worthy of being recorded in history! Your discovery, at least for me, has changed the fate of a kingdom!"
Judge is the prince of the Germa Kingdom. The Germa Kingdom once operated as an assassin family in the Underworld, dominating the North Blue for many years.
But ever since technology was no longer the Germa Kingdom's advantage, various countries rose up against the Germa Kingdom, breaking its sole dominance in the North Blue.
However, the discovery of Lineage Factor gave Judge new hope for the Germa Kingdom's rise!
He wanted to make the Germa Kingdom great again!
Vegapunk chuckled, "Is that so… If it can change the fate of a kingdom, then what we are doing must be right."
In fact, Vegapunk also discovered from Lineage Factor the possibility of perhaps unraveling the secret of Devil Fruit powers… but everything had yet to be verified.
Moreover, while Vegapunk disliked wasting time on trivial socializing and reading people, he knew that his other colleagues were not single-mindedly dedicated to achieving world peace.
"I hope Lineage Factor truly brings progress to the world."
Vegapunk thought to himself.
In the following year (1487), Ferland continuously ordered various races to be brought for Vegapunk and others to research and experiment on.
There were Longarm Tribe, Longleg Tribe, Fishman Tribe, Snake-Neck Tribe, Mermaid Tribe, Tontatta Tribe, Mink Tribe… and also various common and uncommon wild beasts were brought in to enrich their Lineage Factor gene database.
Ferland's human trafficking of races gradually attracted the attention of the Marine. World Government agents sent some stolen confidential information to the head of the intelligence agency.
The intelligence officer looked at the information in his hand, pondered for a moment, and immediately went to the Holy Land to meet the Gorosei and report on the research of Vegapunk and others.
"Lineage Factor… have they really researched this power?"
The Science Defense God of War, Jaygarcia Satan Saint, said in a booming voice, leaning on his cane. His face, covered in white whiskers, made it impossible to discern his thoughts.
"The Peace Research Institute… such talents should be used by the World Government."
The Agriculture God of War, Shepherd Ju Peter Saint, said coldly.
"Only Vegapunk is useful."
The Finance God of War, Topman Warcury Saint, spoke.
The Finance God of War, Ethanbaron V. Nusjuro Saint, who was wiping the famous sword Shodai Kitetsu, stopped, his glasses gleaming white:
"Continue to have agents contact Ferland. If they don't comply, then directly issue a worldwide warrant for the Peace Research Institute… the power of science must not be allowed to remain outside."
The Environment God of War, Marcus Mars Saint, suddenly asked, "I heard that the God's Knights sent someone to contact Kaido?"
Satan Saint's face was unperturbed: "This is Figarland Garin Saint's intention… he wants to recruit Kaido into the God's Knights."
"That kind of monster won't obey. We've seen too many like him before, haven't we?"
Warcury Saint shook his head, then looked at Satan Saint: "You were also present at the God Valley Incident back then."
Satan Saint nodded: "Indeed… Without a doubt, Kaido will absolutely not obey anyone's orders. Figarland Garin Saint's recruitment this time is destined to be fruitless."
...Winter Island.
"Hanafuda, the newcomer?"
Kaido looked at the wanted poster, his eyes flickering slightly, and the corners of his mouth curved up.
You've arrived, Hanafuda. You've finally appeared.
In his previous life, his good friend Hanafuda died tragically in the Grand Line. Meeting again in this life, Kaido would never allow such a thing to happen.
Just as Kaido was about to give instructions to Wald, he suddenly sensed an evil, terrifying aura. Several black chaotic lightning bolts struck the snow-shrouded back mountain.
"Hmm?!"
Kaido suddenly looked up, his Observation Haki instantly spreading out, covering the entire Winter Island.
"Heh heh, what a rare guest, to actually come to my stronghold." Kaido rose to his feet with a whoosh, then lowered his head and said to Wald: "Please send someone to keep an eye on Hanafuda's news. I will personally go to recruit him after a while."
Wald also felt the faint evil aura, startled, vaguely sensing something on the back mountain, but he still nodded, patting his chest and assuring: "Don't worry, I won't make any mistakes."
With that, Kaido directly transformed into a Azure Dragon, rushed out of the palace, and headed straight for the back mountain of Winter Island.
At this moment, Garin Saint, dressed in a red knight's robe, was clutching Bullet's neck, slowly lifting him up: "Conqueror's Haki… a lowly wretch, but with decent potential."
He had blood-red crescent-shaped hair and a handsome appearance, completely out of place with the ugly Celestial Dragons.
Beside him was another member of the God's Knights, Shepherd Somaz Saint.
Bullet was originally training hard in the back mountain as usual, but unexpectedly, a strange six-pointed star magic circle suddenly appeared on the ground. Then, terrifying black lightning burst from the magic circle, and two unfamiliar men appeared there.
Disturbed, Bullet angrily launched an attack, but it was easily resolved by Garin Saint. In a moment of crisis, Bullet awakened his Conqueror's Haki.
However, he was still no match for Garin Saint.
Suddenly, Garin Saint sensed something and looked into the distance.
He saw an Azure Dragon sweeping over with boundless thunderclouds. Garin Saint's eyes narrowed, and he threw away Bullet from his hand.
Garin Saint stared at the approaching Azure Dragon, muttering, "This Haki… it's truly extraordinarily powerful."
"Celestial Dragons… how dare you trespass into my territory alone!!"
Kaido swooped down, his sharp claws reaching for Garin Saint and Somaz Saint.
The two resisted with their swords, and the clash of swords and sharp claws produced dazzling sparks. Taking advantage of this gap, Kaido changed his move, scooped up Bullet from the ground, and his body leaned forward due to inertia, crashing towards the snow mountain.
But just as he was about to hit, Kaido suddenly ascended, his tail fiercely slapping the snowy mountain cliff, and countless rocks, along with snowballs, smashed down towards Garin Saint and Somaz Saint.