Chapter 5: A Glimpse of the Monster’s Power

The entire castle trembled, the air thick with the scent of smoke and blood. The sounds of swords clashing and warriors screaming in defiance filled the background, but all I could focus on was the massive shadow standing at the entrance.

Kaido had arrived.

He stepped forward, his sheer presence crushing the air around us. My body tensed instinctively, an unnatural pressure sinking into my bones. Even without using Haki, he exuded an aura of absolute dominance.

My mother's grip on Hiyori tightened as she pulled her close, her face a mask of calm. But I could see it in her eyes—the quiet acceptance of fate.

I clenched my fists, the newly copied Advanced Conqueror's Haki inside me roaring in defiance, but I forced myself to stay still. I wasn't strong enough to fight yet.

Kaido's glowing red eyes landed on me.

His massive form cast a long shadow over my small body.

Then, before I could react—

His hand shot forward.

A thick, calloused hand wrapped around my throat, effortlessly lifting me into the air. My legs dangled helplessly, my small fingers clawing at his massive grip, but it was useless.

I couldn't breathe.

A suffocating pressure crushed my windpipe, my vision already darkening at the edges. His fingers dug into my skin, and I could feel the sheer power behind his grip—like he could snap my neck with the slightest squeeze.

I struggled, gasping for air, but he didn't even flinch.

His monstrous face twisted into a sneer as he brought me closer.

"What's your name, boy?"

His voice was deep, carrying the weight of a conqueror—heavy, immovable, and drenched in mockery.

My lungs burned, my body screamed for oxygen, but I forced myself to remain calm.

I knew what I had to do.

The real Momonosuke had cried. He had screamed. He had shown fear.

But I was not the same Momonosuke.

I would not cry. I would not break.

I forced my expression to remain blank, staring into his glowing red eyes.

And at that moment—

Ding!

A sudden chime rang inside my mind, and a panel flashed before my vision.

[Copy System Activated]

Kaido (1 Skill Available for Copying)

What?!

Even as my body was being crushed, my mind snapped into focus.

I could copy Kaido's skills?!

For a moment, I almost lost control of my expression, but I forced myself to stay still, to not react. If Kaido saw the shock in my eyes, he might get suspicious.

I kept my face neutral, just as I had planned.

Kaido's sneer deepened as if my lack of response annoyed him. His grip tightened, and white-hot pain shot through my throat.

Damn it—I'm going to pass out.

Then, with a snort, he tossed me aside like trash.

My small body soared through the air, crashing into a wooden beam with a sickening thud. Pain exploded across my ribs, but I gritted my teeth, forcing myself not to scream.

I hit the floor hard, my vision swimming. Black spots danced in front of my eyes, but I refused to lose consciousness.

Through the blurriness, I saw Kaido turn away, stepping outside.

His massive frame shifted as his body began to transform, blue scales rippling across his skin. His dragon form coiled upward, and in the next moment—

He took off, soaring into the sky.

He didn't see me as a threat.

He didn't care.

I was beneath his notice.

Good.

Because if he knew what had just happened, if he knew that in the moment he had touched me, I had copied his abilities—

He would have killed me on the spot.

I coughed violently, every breath sending sharp pain through my ribs. I barely registered my mother and Hiyori rushing to my side, my mind still locked onto the system panel in front of me.

[Copy System - Select Skill to Copy]

Kaido (1 Skill Available for Copying)

✅ Mythical Zoan: Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu (Fish-Fish Fruit, Azure Dragon Form)

✅ Advanced Armament Haki (Destructive Level)

✅ Drunken Fist Combat Style

✅ Monstrous Durability & Recovery

✅ Flame Clouds Manipulation

I sucked in a breath, ignoring the pain in my chest as my heart pounded.

This… this was insane.

I had Kaido's skills in front of me.

His Mythical Zoan Fruit—the power of an Azure Dragon itself.

His monstrous durability and recovery, which made him nearly unkillable.

His Advanced Armament Haki, which could annihilate enemies with sheer force.

His Flame Clouds, the ability to lift and control objects in the air, something that allowed him to float Onigashima itself.

Even his Drunken Fist Combat Style, an unpredictable fighting technique that made his movements erratic and nearly impossible to read.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

This was the strongest creature in the world.

And now, I had the chance to take a piece of his power for myself.

My breath trembled. Which one should I choose?