Chapter 513: Confronting Kaido (Part 2)

"The Black Serpent Orochi... with the Mythical Zoan Model: Yamata no Orochi," Daniel mused, "I bet Orochimaru would love a fruit like that, it would be perfect for him." Orochimaru's own Eight-Headed Serpent Technique had similarities, and with a Mythical Zoan power, his strength would surely reach new heights. However, as Daniel knew from observing Wano's conflicts, Devil Fruit powers relied on the user's skill. Even a non-offensive fruit could become a formidable tool in capable hands. 

Wano itself was proof. Thanks to Kurozumi Higurashi's Clone-Clone Fruit mastery, she had manipulated powerful figures like Sukiyaki and Kozuki Oden into defeat. Such talents were rare—much more effective than the current user, Bentham.

"The capital still seems prosperous enough, despite everything going on." Rather than heading straight to Onigashima, Daniel strolled through the Flower Capital, taking in sights he hadn't seen on his last visit.

"Sea Prism Stone mines, weapon factories… the Beast Pirates really do run a war machine here. Guess that makes me a bit of an arms dealer myself." Daniel chuckled. He'd once resolved never to deal in weapons like Stark, who gave up the industry after a near-fatal explosion. But in the One Piece world, such resolutions had proved fragile. At least he'd never cross his true line—no dealing in narcotics. After all, for Daniel, exploiting that particular market was absolutely non-negotiable.

From the capital, he visited Udon's mines, where the island's finest Sea Prism Stone was harvested. Many skilled samurai had been conscripted into labor here after the Kozuki clan's downfall. It would later serve as the setting for Luffy's own "training" in conquering his Haki. Through the sale of arms and Sea Prism Stone, Kaido's Beast Pirates had secured a powerful position across the world, and with Doflamingo as the primary distributor, Kaido had access to a vast market. In Doflamingo's absence, Kaido would lose not just his supply of SMILEs but also a significant client base. 

Weapons from Wano were of top-notch quality, particularly its cold weapons. In certain respects, they were even more refined than those Daniel had supplied the Revolutionary Army. But while Wano's craftsmanship specialized in swords, Daniel had focused on firearms. Thanks to Stark's technology and the efficiency of RED's factories, he could mass-produce advanced weapons. Compared to Kaido's low production costs, Daniel's cost advantage was significant.

And now, after securing information from Udon's guards, Daniel knew Kaido was currently on Onigashima—a lucky break given the Emperor's tendency to wander.

"Looks like Jack isn't so fierce after all when he's around the other Calamities." Jack had a reputation for arrogance and recklessness across the seas. He'd brazenly challenged opponents like the giant elephant Zunesha and even War Admiral Fujitora and Sengoku, earning a notoriety not unlike Luffy's. But on his own turf, Jack obediently deferred to the other Calamities, showing a surprisingly restrained side.

"Time to witness some magic." Once Daniel confirmed Kaido's presence, he flew high above Onigashima. Clouds gathered, darkening the sky, and lightning crackled ominously, drawing attention across the island below. 

The Three Calamities stepped out from their respective quarters, their expressions grim as they gazed up at the brewing storm. They'd seen similar phenomena whenever Kaido unleashed his powers, but with Kaido still relatively sober, this felt different. The ground shook as lightning split the air, and a massive black dragon emerged from the clouds, its roar echoing across Onigashima.

"Kaido! Show yourself!" Daniel's voice thundered down from the skies, reaching all corners of Onigashima and even Wano itself.

"No way… who is that?" Below, the Beast Pirates and the Calamities gaped at the sight of a second dragon—an unheard-of phenomenon. Daniel had changed his natural pink dragon form to a jet-black hue using his abilities, adding a mysterious and ominous feel.

"Who dares…?" Kaido smashed through the ceiling of the palace, a large jug of sake still in hand. He squinted up at the dark figure above, momentarily taken aback. 

"Who are you?" He finally called, his dragon form rising into the air to meet Daniel's.

"I'm Akatsuki."

"Don't care who you are—you're dead." Before Daniel could elaborate, Kaido lunged, his dragon form crackling with electricity as he charged.

With Kaido's strike imminent, Daniel darted forward to meet him head-on.

Boom!

A thunderous shockwave blasted through the sky as the blue and black dragons collided, scattering clouds in all directions. Onigashima trembled from the force of the impact, sending Beast Pirates and the Calamities staggering to keep their balance. Even the island itself began to crack from the pressure of the dragons' titanic clash.

The two dragons continued their melee, exchanging ferocious blows and shattering clouds and earth alike. Beneath them, King, Queen, and Jack looked on, concern etched on their faces.

"We need to find a way to stop this. Otherwise, Onigashima will be razed." Queen grumbled, looking at King, who shook his head.

"You go try to stop it."

Queen fell silent. Though they were powerful in their own right, the figure before them was something else entirely. Dragons, especially those wielding Haki and elemental powers, were leagues beyond what they could confront. 

"Kaido, let's take this fight elsewhere." After another fierce clash, Daniel's dragon form turned, flying out toward the open sea with Kaido in pursuit.

Watching the dragons leave, every member of the Beast Pirates on Onigashima felt an overwhelming sense of relief, finally daring to breathe. 

"Get back here!" Kaido's voice thundered as he chased Daniel over the waters, who replied calmly.

"We're going to a place that'll make this fight worth it." He led Kaido in a direct path toward his chosen battlefield.

The location? Marine Base G-1 in the New World. Once destroyed, it would serve as the new Marine HQ after Marineford's fall in the original timeline. 

As Daniel saw it, why waste such a grand battle on an empty island when he could inflict a meaningful blow on the Marines?

---

The weather above Marine Base G-1 had been fair until thunderclouds suddenly rolled in, lightning crackling ominously as dark storm clouds gathered overhead.

"Is that… Kaido? What's he doing here? Alert Marineford immediately!" A nearby lieutenant stammered, his gaze fixed on the giant dragon emerging from the clouds.

Within moments, the Marines recognized another dragon in pursuit, and confusion spread like wildfire. Two dragons? The impossibility left many soldiers dumbstruck.

"Kaido, we'll settle things right here." Daniel landed atop one of G-1's buildings, looking up at Kaido with a taunting grin. "Unless you're afraid."

"Me? Afraid? I'll kill you!" Kaido barely registered where they were, focused solely on his opponent.

"Good." Daniel replied, and with a swing of his tail, he demolished the surrounding buildings, scattering Marines who scrambled to defend the base. Cannons, bullets, swords—every weapon at their disposal fired on the two dragons, though the attacks had little effect.

"Requesting Admiral backup now!" The base's Vice Admiral shouted, charging at Daniel with his sword drawn.

"Get lost." Daniel's tail lashed out, sending the Vice Admiral flying, his sword shattering upon impact.

"Heat Breath!" Kaido roared, releasing a torrent of fire, which Daniel countered with his own Dragon Breath. The flames clashed midair, generating an explosion that reduced the surrounding buildings to molten rubble. The sheer force of the collision melted anything nearby, turning parts of the base into flowing magma.

"Retreat!" Another Vice Admiral called as the fire and magma began consuming the base. 

Though retreating from their own base was humiliating, staying would be suicidal against powers of this scale. The G-1 base housed elite Marines, but they were no match for two Haki-wielding dragons. Even for them, survival was the priority here.

---

Back at Marineford, Sengoku's rage was palpable. The Straw Hat Pirates' escape was infuriating enough, but news of Kaido assaulting G-1 had just arrived. In addition, rumors about the discovery of a Log Pose to Raftel were spreading across the world, inciting chaos among pirates everywhere. While the Four Emperors were yet to react, most major pirates had already set sail.

"Kaido's attacking G-1 with another Devil Fruit user in dragon form?" Sengoku nearly burst with frustration, the constant upheavals pushing him to the brink.

The Straw Hat Pirates weren't the only thorn in his side—now the entire ocean was alive with unrest. The possibility of Raftel's Log Pose being found had every pirate who could gather a crew setting off to secure the ultimate prize, triggering a worldwide scramble. The smaller pirate crews, in particular, were buzzing with the idea that they could finally achieve the dream of becoming Pirate King.

---

Meanwhile, Daniel and Kaido's battle had ravaged G-1, the two dragons' flames turning everything into rivers of lava. Even G-1's Vice Admirals were struggling, managing only to order retreat as Kaido's and Daniel's flames consumed the fortress.

"It's humiliating to flee our own base," one officer muttered, the sight

 of two dragons locked in combat leaving him with no choice but to admit defeat.

"Who is this second dragon?"

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