CHAPTER 158

"Hey, Yamato, don't tell me you forgot the combo we came up with back then," Alastor teased, a mischievous grin tugging at his lips.

Yamato's eyes narrowed at him, her cheeks flushing slightly. Memories of their so-called "training" flickered in her mind—Alastor lying on the ground, her standing behind him, and his absurd excuse about grabbing her forehead for balance. She quickly shook her head, dispelling the embarrassing images.

"Of course I didn't forget," she retorted, glaring at him. "It's just that you didn't have a proper grasp of Conqueror's Haki back then. Don't mess it up this time!"

Alastor chuckled, relieved. He knew Yamato remembered everything, even the awkward moments, and he silently vowed to recreate those memories—under better circumstances. Hiding his amusement, he put on a serious expression.

"Let's begin."

Alastor focused his will, channeling every ounce of Conqueror's Haki into his Kitetsu II, the cursed blade that now crackled with black and red lightning. Beside him, Yamato did the same, infusing her mighty kanabo with her overwhelming Haki.

The two weapons, one a blade and the other a club, crossed and intertwined. Black and red sparks erupted where they met, and their combined Haki began to resonate, creating a whirlwind of destructive energy.

Kaido, watching from the distance, widened his eyes. His deep voice rumbled like thunder.

"This… This is a combination technique?!"

The sight triggered a long-buried memory. He recalled fighting alongside Big Mom in the God Valley Incident, their combined attack wreaking havoc on their enemies. But even then, their partnership lacked the seamless coordination he now saw between Alastor and Yamato.

"These two," Kaido muttered, his muscles tensing. "They've achieved a level of synchronization even Linlin and I couldn't. Damn brats!"

Unlike his turbulent relationship with Big Mom, riddled with mutual distrust, Yamato and Alastor moved with perfect harmony. Their Haki intertwined not as rivals but as partners. The bond between them was undeniable—a balance of strength and will that even Kaido couldn't ignore.

As their combined energy reached its peak, Alastor and Yamato swung their weapons together, their voices ringing out in unison.

"Batian!"

The name of the technique echoed through the battlefield, paying homage to the Hakai (Conquest of the Sea) and Baguo (Supreme Kingdom) attacks used by Kaido and the giants.

Their strike unleashed a cataclysmic shockwave. Black, red, and golden energy swirled together, forming a monstrous wave of destruction that tore through the air toward Kaido. The sheer intensity of the attack distorted the atmosphere, creating a roar that could be felt in the bones of everyone on the island.

King, who had been cautiously approaching the battlefield, froze in place. His eyes widened in disbelief at the overwhelming energy barreling toward Kaido. Even in his Lunarian flame form, he knew he couldn't withstand such a terrifying strike.

Behind him, Who's-Who, Sasaki, and even the fearless Ulti were left slack-jawed. The sheer power of the attack sent chills down their spines.

Kaido, for the first time in decades, felt genuine danger. His massive frame tensed, and the muscles across his body bulged. He could feel it—a strike that could rival his own full-power moves.

The corners of his lips curled upward in a manic grin. Danger. Excitement. The thrill of battle. Kaido hadn't felt this alive since his days as a young pirate on Rocks' crew.

"Impressive," Kaido bellowed, his voice shaking the heavens. "I admit it, you two have the strength to stand before me!"

But Kaido wasn't one to back down. He tightened his grip on his kanabo, his Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki exploding outward in a surge of black and purple lightning.

"You think you can take me down? Let's see you try!"

Kaido swung his kanabo with all his might, releasing his most devastating attack: "Shin Tenjin: Thunder Bagua!"

The two opposing forces—Alastor and Yamato's Batian and Kaido's Thunder Bagua—collided with unimaginable ferocity. The explosion of light and energy was so intense that it blinded everyone watching. The resulting shockwave ripped through the battlefield, shaking Onigashima to its core.

When the light faded, the battlefield was in ruins. Craters and cracks scarred the ground, and the once-mighty roof of Onigashima seemed on the verge of collapse.

Kaido stood, bloodied but unyielding, his eyes blazing with determination. Across from him, Alastor and Yamato panted heavily, their weapons still crackling with residual energy.

Kaido let out a booming laugh, wiping blood from his lip.

"You two are something else. A brat who dares to call me his 'father-in-law,' and my rebellious daughter who can't stop defying me. Fine—consider me impressed."

He swung his kanabo over his shoulder, his voice carrying a hint of grudging respect.

"I'll listen to what you have to say. But don't think this means you've won!"

Yamato grinned, her grip on her kanabo tightening. "You're stubborn as ever, old man. But I'll take that as a yes."

Alastor smirked, the cursed blade humming faintly in his hand. "Negotiations are always better after a little 'warm-up,' don't you think?"

Kaido's laughter rumbled once more, as the tension began to shift from war to an uneasy truce.

For now, at least, the battle had ended with words rather than blood.

Below the crumbling roof of Onigashima, more than 30,000 members of the Beast Pirates cowered in fear. The ground beneath them trembled violently, cracks forming with every aftershock of the battle above.

"What the hell is happening up there?!" one pirate screamed, his voice breaking.

"Is this the end? Will the entire island collapse?" another cried, sweat pouring down his face.

"It's just a family squabble between Governor Kaido, Master Yamato, and Lord Alastor! Why is it shaking the heavens?!"

Desperation began to take hold. Some pirates dropped to their knees, hands clasped in prayer.

"Governor Kaido, please stop! You'll destroy everything!"

On the roof of Onigashima, a dazzling light consumed the battlefield. For an instant, it was brighter than the sun, spreading out in a wave that stretched for thousands of meters. The energy exploded outward, obliterating everything in its path.

The sheer force of the impact hurled Kaido, Yamato, and Alastor in different directions, each of them coughing up blood as they crashed into the shattered ground. The tremors echoed like distant thunder, shaking the entire island for several minutes before gradually subsiding.

When the dust finally settled, the sight left even the strongest warriors stunned.

A massive chasm split the roof in two, plunging downward like a cliff into darkness. The iconic skull of Onigashima, once a symbol of the Beast Pirates' dominance, had been utterly obliterated. Rubble cascaded from above, and the roof itself seemed to teeter on the brink of total collapse.

King, the right-hand man of Kaido, watched in horror. He knew that if the battle continued at this intensity, Onigashima would be reduced to ruins. Spreading his massive pterodactyl wings, he flew to Kaido's side and spoke urgently.

"Master Kaido, please stop! What Lord Alastor said earlier is true. We must focus on defeating the Navy and the World Government. This internal conflict can wait!"

Kaido lay sprawled on the ground, his massive chest rising and falling as he gasped for air. His body was covered in blood, and even his Azure Dragon Form's incredible resilience was struggling to keep up. For a moment, he didn't move.

Then, a deep, rumbling laugh escaped his lips.

"Those two brats… I underestimated them," he muttered, wiping the blood from his mouth as he slowly stood up.

Kaido turned to King, his expression unreadable.

"King, do you remember why I saved you from the World Government all those years ago?"

King's heart skipped a beat. His mind flashed back to his youth, when he had been a prisoner of the World Government. Kaido had freed him and given him purpose, a reason to live.

Kaido continued, his voice steady despite the destruction around them.

"You believed in the legend of Joy Boy back then. You wanted someone to liberate this world, to end the tyranny of the Celestial Dragons. But that ideal faded, didn't it?"

King remained silent, his masked face hiding the turmoil within.

Kaido chuckled, a rare softness in his tone.

"I never cared about being Joy Boy. But now… those two brats, Yamato and that damn son-in-law of mine, they might just have what it takes."

King's wings twitched as Kaido's words sank in. The distant memories of his people, the Lunarians, and their hope for liberation stirred within him. Could it really be possible that Yamato and Alastor would bring about the change he had once dreamed of?

Kaido's laughter echoed through the ruins. He patted King on the shoulder, his massive hand nearly knocking the All-Star off balance.

"It doesn't matter what fate has in store. I haven't lost yet. Just watch, King. I'm curious to see where this road leads."

King bowed deeply, admiration shining in his eyes.

"I will follow you, always, Master Kaido."

Kaido smirked, turning his gaze to Yamato and Alastor, who were both rising to their feet, bloodied but unbroken.

His attention settled on Alastor.

"Boy, I admit it. Not only do I have a rebellious daughter, but now I have an equally troublesome son-in-law."

Kaido's voice grew sharp.

"Enough games. Tell me what you can bring to the table. Convince me not to flatten you the next time you annoy me."

Alastor, still catching his breath, met Kaido's gaze without flinching. He wiped the blood from his face, a confident smile forming.

"Father-in-law, what I can offer you is far more valuable than anything Doflamingo ever did."

Kaido's brows furrowed, intrigued.

"First, the production of SMILE fruits. Caesar Clown is now under my control. I can guarantee you a steady supply of SMILEs, just as before."

Kaido's eyes lit up, but Alastor wasn't finished.

"The arms trade? I've already taken over Doflamingo's network. Trafalgar Law—yes, the underground thinks he killed Doflamingo, but he's actually working for me. He'll use his position as a Warlord of the Sea to operate as the new Joker, ensuring all transactions flow through us."

Kaido's lips curled into a grin.

"You've been planning this for a while, haven't you?"

Alastor nodded humbly.

"How could I not? If I want to earn your respect, I have to be thorough. Together, we'll control the entire underground market. No outsiders, no risks."

Kaido laughed, a booming sound that shook the remains of the roof.

"Fine, boy. You've got my attention. Let's see if you can deliver."

With that, Kaido extended his hand, and Alastor grasped it firmly.

For now, the Beast Pirates had found a fragile truce—but the future was far from certain.