Chapter 120.2 : Kaido?

Originally, Hyuga Neji intended to volunteer but was halted by Hyuga Hiashi.

"Neji, there's no need for unnecessary risks. We've already secured our participation in the competition through other means, ensuring ample rewards for our clan. Besides, Whitebeard is reputed as the mightiest, surpassing our previous opponents. The Fourth Raikage's power nears that of the Six Paths and boasts one-shot capabilities comparable to them. Let him handle this," Hyuga Hiashi advised.

"Yes, uncle," Neji acquiesced.

In the arena, the imposing figures of Whitebeard and the Fourth Raikage stood ready for combat. Despite their presence, the Fourth Raikage seemed notably smaller compared to the towering frame of Whitebeard.

"Damn, why are these Otherworldly folks so towering? Are they even human?" Fourth Raikage exclaimed, his frustration evident.

Observing through the screen didn't quite capture the magnitude, but face to face, the difference felt profound. Whitebeard's sheer bulk was undeniable, yet Fourth Raikage remained undeterred.

"Hum!" A surge of Lightning Style armor enveloped Fourth Raikage, crackling with formidable electrical energy. The Eye of the Thunder Dragon pulsed in synchrony. Aware of Whitebeard's formidable reputation, Fourth Raikage braced himself for the challenge.

In a swift motion, Whitebeard launched his attack. Though Enel, the unfamiliar enemy, and Crocodile's fate held little relevance to him, as a denizen of the same world, witnessing its dignity trampled upon by another world ignited a fierce resolve within him.

With a mighty fist infused with the power of the Tremor Fruit, Whitebeard unleashed a devastating blow. The air shattered before him, rending space itself asunder. The ground quaked as waves of destruction surged towards Fourth Raikage.

Struggling to withstand the onslaught, Fourth Raikage's Lightning Style armor neared collapse, forcing him to reinforce it with the Eye of the Thunder Dragon. He barely managed to hold his ground against the overwhelming force.

"What incredible might! A single strike capable of rupturing space! No, it didn't entirely rupture space, but rather fractured it, a precursor to complete fragmentation!" Fourth Raikage realized the vast chasm in strength between himself and Whitebeard, understanding that even a lesser Super-Kage-level opponent would likely fall to such power.

Undeterred, Whitebeard charged forth, prompting Fourth Raikage to retaliate swiftly with his signature move — Lightning Straight! Infused with Chakra and propelled by astonishing speed, Fourth Raikage launched himself, aiming to strike Whitebeard with all his might.

Yet, Whitebeard met his assault head-on, countering with another Tremor Fruit-infused punch. In an instant, Fourth Raikage's Lightning Style armor shattered, sending him hurtling backward, his body trembling from the impact.

"What an overwhelming attack!" Fourth Raikage grimaced.

In the live chat room, voices chimed in with concern.

[Killer B: "It's over, Big Brother seems outmatched. Quickly, admit defeat!"

[Darui: Lord Raikage is in a tight spot. Whitebeard is truly fearsome!]

[Third Raikage: Is Ai really in danger?

Many ninjas in the Cloud Shinobi Village were urging the Fourth Raikage to give up, but at this crucial moment, he couldn't entertain such thoughts. Surrender was out of the question now.

"I still have one last trick up my sleeve: the Thunder Dragon Armguards, comparable to attacks at the level of the Six Paths!" Fourth Raikage pondered.

It was a strike that pushed beyond his own limits. Although he could only unleash it once, it was indeed a Six Paths-level attack.

However, he harbored a fear that Whitebeard might evade this blow. Hence, he directly challenged, "You are formidable, but I possess a unique technique as well. Will you dare face it?"

"I fear nothing," Whitebeard replied coldly.

"Then let one move determine the victor!"

Fourth Raikage gathered chakra throughout his body, pushing the Thunder Dragon Eye to its limits. His entire right arm transformed into the Thunder Dragon Claw.

With a motion reminiscent of the Lightning Straight, he unleashed the Thunder Dragon Armguards.

Not to be outdone, Whitebeard channeled the power of his Devil Fruit to its fullest.

In front of the spectators, Whitebeard's fist collided with Fourth Raikage's Thunder Dragon Armguards.

The surrounding space shattered, and a tremendous Shockwave crashed against the arena's barrier, yet it remained unscathed.

Puff!

Fourth Raikage was sent flying, his Thunder Dragon Armguards dissipating. Moments later, his right arm exploded due to overload and the impact of Whitebeard's Devil Fruit power. His body cracked, severely injured.

Whitebeard wasn't unscathed either. Though he stood tall, the blow had inflicted hidden wounds, causing him to vomit blood, his face turning pale.

"I surrender," Fourth Raikage admitted.

Indeed, his chakra was depleted, the Thunder Dragon Eye rendered inactive. With his right arm gone, he was defenseless.

[Edward Newgate wins, rewarded with the Life Essence Water, capable of curing all bodily injuries and illnesses, and extending life expectancy by fifty years]

In full view, Whitebeard consumed the Life Essence Water, his appearance undergoing a visible transformation. His face flushed, his breathing improved, and he seemed to grow younger, his aura intensifying.

Boom!

An even more formidable aura erupted from him. This was the power of Whitebeard in his prime, several times greater than before.

Fourth Raikage's eyes widened in shock.

This was the strongest man in the pirate world, and a mere sip of the Life Essence Water had multiplied his strength several times over.

It was evident that despite his age and hidden injuries, Whitebeard still surpassed him.

"There is no shame in defeat," Fourth Raikage conceded.

Before the Fourth Raikage succumbed to unconsciousness, he uttered these words.

His body was swiftly teleported back to the Cloud Shinobi Village arena.

Immediately, the medical ninjas from the Cloud Shinobi Village rushed to tend to the Fourth Raikage's injuries.

Killer B hurried over as well.

In the Pirate World,

Countless individuals were stunned by Whitebeard's resurgence.

Whitebeard had regained his youth, reaching the pinnacle of his fighting prowess.

Unbelievable!

This development signaled a shift in the pirate world's dynamics. Many had assumed Whitebeard, aging and frail, was on the brink of passing, and the stage was set for a new era.

Now, with Whitebeard's return, confusion abounded.

The top brass of the Marine Headquarters found themselves in a quandary.

The Whitebeard Pirates were ecstatic.

"Haha! Dad's injuries have healed, and he's regained his youth! Magnificent!"

"And he's been granted an additional fifty years of life. While most can only dream of living a few decades, it's like a whole new lifetime for him!"

"Facing off against the Otherworld brings such rich rewards! How I wish I could join in!"

"Exactly! Did you see what happened to Crocodile? Defeated and stripped of even the Sand-Sand Fruit's abilities, reduced to nothing!"

"Well, the Otherworld's powerhouses are formidable indeed. The one who injured Dad with that final blow was undoubtedly stronger than us!"

Meanwhile,

Others in the Pirate World Arena were equally thrilled. The rewards were beyond generous. Just the added fifty years of lifespan alone was worth fighting for.

"For the next round, we must defeat the Otherworld contestants at any cost!"

Such was the unanimous sentiment among the denizens of the pirate world.

In the Golden List live room,

[Senju Hashirama: Fourth Raikage has suffered a great loss, defeated, no rewards, and now, he's lost an arm!

[Third Hokage: It seems the Fourth Raikage's fate is to lose an arm, but the previous scene depicted his left arm lost, yet this time, it's his right! He should avoid fighting Sasuke in the future; losing his left arm would mean losing both!

[Killer Bee: Not to worry, Big Brother can undergo Hashirama cell transplantation. However, Cloud Shinobi Village lacks such technology!

[Kakashi: It's fortunate that he wasn't stripped of his abilities. When strong contenders in the pirate world are defeated, their abilities are taken and given to us as additional rewards. They'll be in for a rough time!

[Tsunade: After all, it's a Challenger card belonging to the Hyuga clan, naturally on our side."

[Senju Tobirama: The powerhouses in the pirate world should not be underestimated, and there are even those at the level of the Six Paths!

Just as they spoke,

The fourth round was about to commence.

On the other side of the Pirate World arena, the fourth contender made their appearance.

Kaido!

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