Moria's revenge!

"Is this truly the power of one of the Four Emperors, Whitebeard? He's actually holding Kaido down with ease..."

"Is the gap between the Four Emperors really that big?"

"Heh, don't forget, Whitebeard isn't just the most senior of the Four Emperors. He's also a legend from the previous era, a pirate who once competed with Roger for the title of Pirate King. Even when he's aged, Whitebeard can still hold his position among the Four Emperors. Let alone in his current state."

Someone watching the scene commented seriously as they observed Whitebeard, who showed no signs of decline.

In the New World, where strength is everything, the notorious criminals sailing the seas care nothing for fame. Even if you're the Pirate King, if you lack the power to back it up, they wouldn't hesitate to overthrow you. The fact that Whitebeard, even in his advanced age, can still maintain his position speaks volumes about how formidable he remains. None of the other Four Emperors dare to underestimate him.

"Shanks, have you made up your mind? If you don't give an answer, that guy might really make a move on you."

As he spoke, Dragon turned his gaze to where Nicholas was slowly approaching.

Shanks looked at the approaching Nicholas, then smiled wryly and shook his head. "To be honest, I really don't want to fight that guy, but..."

Shanks drew Gryphon from his waist, the blade humming as it sliced through the air. His expression turned serious as he said in a deep voice, "I don't believe that guy will bring this world into a new dawn. I'm not placing my hopes on him. I believe in Luffy more. Even though he's still weak now, I'm convinced that one day, like the Sun God Nika of old, Luffy will bring light to those shrouded in darkness. Nicholas!"

The last part was clearly meant for Nicholas to hear. And Nicholas knew it.

"Still passing the buck to the next generation, Shanks?" Nicholas said, his voice calm as he watched Shanks prepare for battle.

Shanks frowned, feeling that Nicholas had misunderstood him. He, Red-Haired Shanks, wasn't one to shift responsibility onto others. But before he could respond, Nicholas continued.

"Each generation has its own mission. Leaving unsolved problems to the next generation—it's a sign of irresponsibility. Trusting the wisdom of those who come after—how amusing! If you don't want to get involved, then stay out of our way!"

"This isn't good..." Ben Beckman muttered to himself as he watched the escalating tension.

"It seems we can only settle this with our swords."

Just as Shanks finished speaking, a figure flashed by.

Clang!

He instinctively raised Gryphon to block, but the immense force sent him flying backward, carving deep trenches into the ground.

"Dragon!"

Nicholas called out to Dragon.

"I got it."

In response to Nicholas's command, Dragon instantly vanished, turning into a gust of wind.

Shanks' eyes narrowed sharply as he shouted to his crew, "Beckman, watch out!"

Almost simultaneously with his shout, Ben Beckman and the others were surrounded by swirling winds. These winds, sharp as blades, immediately slashed toward them.

"Damn it!"

Even without Shanks' warning, Ben Beckman had already anticipated this as soon as Nicholas spoke and Dragon disappeared. With Nicholas and Dragon clearly being allies, Dragon wouldn't let the Red-Hair Pirates' crew go easily.

The senior members of the Red-Hair Pirates all unleashed their abilities to fend off the relentless wind blades. Though they were known as the most well-rounded and unbreakable pirate crew on the seas, some of their weaker members, like one with red, explosive hair reminiscent of a certain past pirate overlord, were shredded to pieces by the storm of blades.

Once a fight begins, mercy is off the table!

"You bastard!"

Shanks glared at Nicholas furiously.

"If you want war, then war it is!"

"If it's war you want, then I'll give you war!"

Boom!

The moment those words left his mouth, Shanks' eyes widened, and an overwhelming wave of Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, sweeping across the entire island of Lodestar. Shanks' Haki was ferocious and aggressive this time!

On Lodestar Island, some pirates who were barely holding on immediately fainted under the intense pressure of the Haki.

...

"Hey, Absalom, don't pass out on me!"

In a hidden corner, Moria slapped his fainted crewmate awake.

Under Moria's rough treatment, Absalom slowly opened his eyes.

"Moria-sama, maybe we should get out of here. This place is way too dangerous."

Absalom suggested nervously after regaining consciousness.

"No way!"

Moria immediately refused.

For him, this was a chance he had waited for years. Coming to Lodestar Island took a lot of courage, and if he gave up now, he knew he'd never have the guts to face Kaido again.

As Moria and Absalom whispered, loud crashes echoed from the distance.

Thanks to Absalom's ability, the hidden Moria watched with growing astonishment as Kaido, with his seemingly inexhaustible stamina, fought back against Whitebeard using Armament Haki, martial arts, and his Devil Fruit powers. Despite being on the defensive, it was clear that even Whitebeard found it difficult to bring Kaido down.

But as he watched the battle, Moria's excitement grew. He knew this was his best chance since his last fight with Kaido—perhaps his only chance.

"Absalom, if a fight breaks out, you should escape. This kind of battle isn't something you can get involved in."

Moria suddenly turned and said to Absalom.

"Moria-sama, I'm not someone who's afraid of death!"

Absalom responded passionately.

"Listen, Absalom, you've done enough. Leave the rest to me. If I survive, come find me again. If I die, then go find the life you want."

Moria looked at Absalom seriously. "That's an order from your captain!"

Shadow Asgard!

After Absalom nodded, Moria opened his mouth wide, and countless black shadows surged forth, most of them stolen during the chaos on Lodestar Island. Moria swallowed all of these shadows.

As the shadows entered his body, Moria's size began to swell, quickly reaching over twenty meters tall.

Looking at Kaido battling Whitebeard, Moria's lips curled into a sinister grin. "Heh heh heh, damn you, Kaido, your end is near."

Feeling the surging power within him, Moria's confidence grew.

"Let's go, Absalom."

With that, Moria, now towering over twenty meters, along with the invisible Absalom, began to sneak toward the battlefield where Kaido and Whitebeard clashed.

As Kaido and Whitebeard fought fiercely, a shadow suddenly appeared beneath them, and from it, a massive black spear over fifty meters long shot upward, aimed at Kaido with terrifying power.

"Heh heh heh! Die, Kaido! Super Shadow Lance!"

With Moria's wicked laughter, his massive figure suddenly materialized in the air.