Chapter 44 The Battle Between The Two Emperors

Punk Hazard.

The steel gate at the entrance had been crushed by an immense force, twisted and shattered into fragments scattered across the ground. A large group of people slowly emerged from the wreckage.

Behind them, the research institute bore the scars of battle, with corpses strewn everywhere.

"Well, well, well—"

"Vegapunk! Did you see that? Not even the World Government can stop our Big Mom Pirates!"

"Instead of working for others, you should stay on Whole Cake Island and create a race of giants for me!"

In the middle of the crowd, Vegapunk wore Seastone handcuffs, tears streaming down his face.

Just a few days ago, the World Government had evacuated everyone from Punk Hazard except him. Dozens of CP agents had disguised themselves as researchers, hiding in wait to ambush the Big Mom Pirates. But their plans had failed; the well-trained assassins were discovered and killed within half a day.

Vegapunk didn't care much about whether he worked for the World Government, the Beasts Pirates, or the Big Mom Pirates. But the real issue was—

He had no idea how to achieve human gigantification. In a moment of desperation, he had exaggerated his capabilities to buy himself more time.

As the group escorted Vegapunk to the entrance of the research institute, Katakuri suddenly sensed something. He looked up at the sky, his expression turning serious.

High above, hidden within the thick clouds, there was an ominous and terrifying presence.

"Charlotte Linlin! Why did you attack my men?!"

A voice like thunder boomed through the air.

A suffocating pressure descended upon everyone present!

A massive blue dragon, thousands of meters long, broke through the clouds and loomed over the research institute. Its cold, bloodthirsty eyes glared down at them.

Big Mom licked her lips, gripping Napoleon in her hand as she sneered.

"Well, well, well—"

"Kaido, I didn't expect you to show up here."

"Attack your subordinates? What nonsense are you spouting? Haven't we already declared war?"

As soon as Big Mom finished speaking, an earth-shattering roar filled the air.

The dragon's mouth began to glow with intense heat.

In the next moment, a massive beam of flames, hundreds of meters wide, shot towards them!

The expressions of everyone behind her changed dramatically. They recognized this attack as Kaido's signature move—

Blast Breath!

The attack's range was several kilometers long, and its power was terrifying enough to vaporize a mountain in an instant!

Big Mom sneered, gripping her serrated sword, Napoleon, with both hands. She swung it down with all her might.

Ikoku Sovereignty!

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The fierce and domineering slash cleaved the fiery beam in two!

This wasn't the first time the two had clashed. Big Mom was well-acquainted with Kaido's dragon form.

After all, she had originally given Kaido the Devil Fruit that granted him this power.

She had gone to great lengths to obtain the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu, a Mythical Zoan Fruit. And now, the two of them were enemies...

The thought infuriated Big Mom even more.

"Zeus!"

"Yes, Mama!"

Big Mom leaped onto Thundercloud Zeus and charged towards the dragon above!

As soon as they met, an earth-shattering battle erupted.

Zoan-type Mythical Beast users not only gain immensely powerful physical abilities but also command mysterious and formidable powers.

In his Azure Dragon form, Kaido could control the elements of fire, wind, and lightning.

His massive body generated roaring hurricanes that transformed into countless wind blades, which he sent hurtling towards Big Mom.

But Big Mom wasn't one to be outdone.

Wielding Napoleon with both hands, she unleashed a series of giant slashes.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

The aftermath of their clashes caused shockwaves that forced everyone below to retreat, seeking shelter within the research institute.

Even the solid walls of the facility began to crack under the pressure. It was clear they wouldn't hold for long.

Suddenly, the clear sky darkened.

Thunder roared within the thick clouds, and tens of thousands of lightning bolts as thick as arms rained down.

"Zeus!"

"Yes, Mama!"

Not to be outdone, Thundercloud Zeus released his own barrage of lightning.

Rumble—

The sky was lit up by dazzling flashes, turning night into day.

The next moment, another Blast Breath descended from the sky.

Prometheus, the living sun, expanded into a massive fireball with a diameter of a thousand meters, resembling a miniature star. The intense heat from both forces clashed.

In an instant, the sky turned into a sea of flames once again.

Slashes, lightning, and fire continued to rage.

The terrifying energy swirling above Punk Hazard seemed to create a no-man's land, where life itself was in peril.

The scene unfolding before them was like a natural disaster, and just watching from a distance was enough to inspire fear.

Katakuri slowly drew his trident from his back.

"The Marines could arrive here at any moment. We don't have time to waste."

"Perospero, Oven, the three of us will go support Mama."

"The rest of you, escort Vegapunk to the port and prepare to leave at any time."

There was no doubt about Katakuri's strength—he was the strongest member of the Big Mom Pirates after his mother. Reliable and powerful, this was the Charlotte family's unanimous assessment of him.

Although Perospero was the eldest son, he knew better than to question his younger brother's orders in a situation like this.

Everyone nodded silently and split into two groups, moving swiftly to carry out their tasks.

…

The waters near Punk Hazard.

Twenty warships formed a circle around the island.

On the deck of one of the ships, a tall man removed his blindfold, stood up from his chair, and looked toward the island.

"Ara, ara, these two Emperors really are going at it."

"But the timing of our arrival is perfect. The World Government's intelligence network is as sharp as ever..."

An adjutant hurried over and saluted sharply.

"Admiral Kuzan, the Big Mom Pirates seem to be moving toward the port. Should we engage?"

"Hmm?" Aokiji scratched his head and pulled out his communicator.

"Hey, Akainu, it looks like the Big Mom Pirates are planning to leave."

"Do we move in now, or let them wear each other down a bit more?"

The Marines had dispatched two Admirals and five Vice Admirals this time, with their primary target being Kaido. Of course, if possible, capturing Charlotte Linlin would be a bonus.

Aokiji initially thought the task would be straightforward.

But the ferocity of the battle between the two Emperors had completely changed his perspective.

These two truly lived up to their titles as Emperors of the Sea—their strength was beyond even his expectations.

In a one-on-one fight, Aokiji wasn't confident of victory against either of them.

It might be wiser to let them exhaust each other before making a move.

Akainu's cold voice came through the communicator.

"Why hesitate? Don't forget—they're both pirates!"

"Letting them go isn't my idea of justice."

"Fire! Sink them into the sea along with the island!"

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