80. Kaido's Invitation

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Kaido's immense height cast a daunting shadow, his presence radiating a weight that settled like a thick fog.

Even injured, Kaido's form was imposing, as if the power he wielded was too vast to be contained within one body. His every movement seemed to cause a ripple in the air, suffocating those around him under an invisible but tangible force.

Anos couldn't help but feel a tightness in his chest as if the oxygen had thinned under the weight of Kaido's aura.

For a moment, he considered retreat. Facing someone with Kaido's sheer power and resilience was a gamble he wasn't entirely willing to take. But this was not the time for fear.

Beside him, Daiki had taken a cautious step back, his face set in grim determination, though his eyes betrayed a flicker of hesitation.

Sensing his companion's unease, Anos leaned in and whispered, "Let's act according to the situation."

Daiki nodded, his fingers twitching instinctively toward his weapon.

The question of why he'd come so suddenly, without warning, lingered in Anos's mind, but he set it aside for now.

They could settle those matters later assuming they made it out alive.

Anos straightened, adopting an air of composure as he turned back to Kaido.

With a respectful yet guarded tone, he said, "Mr. Kaido, we don't have much fondness for the New World. We'd rather stay in our quiet corner." Anos's gaze remained steady, refusing to waver under Kaido's cold eyes. "But we're honoured by your invitation."

For a moment, Kaido seemed to consider Anos's words. The silence was thick, each second stretching as if the entire world held its breath.

Finally, Kaido's lips twisted into a humourless smile, his voice chilling as he replied, "So, you're refusing my invitation?"

Anos felt the shift in Kaido's energy as his aura flared, sharp and suffocating.

He held his ground, but Daiki flinched, instinctively pressing back as though to escape the weight of Kaido's presence.

Anos, however, remained composed, keenly observing Kaido's body. He noted the fresh scars that marred the Yonko's skin, rapidly healing even as he watched, an awe-inspiring display of vitality and resilience.

It was clear if they lingered much longer, there would be no escape.

Anos met Kaido's gaze, voice calm and resolute. "If we are declining, may I ask what Mr. Kaido intends to do?"

There was a subtle shift in Anos's energy as he spoke, a subtle yet undeniable sense of authority that clashed with Kaido's oppressive aura.

The Conqueror's Haki of both men collided, creating an invisible storm between them.

Waves of raw power lashed out, the island itself seeming to tremble under the strain.

The air crackled with energy, and a distant rumbling sound echoed as the seawater at the island's edge was forced back by the sheer force of their clashing wills.

Kaido's laughter was a low rumble, dangerous and mocking. "What if I say… join or die?"

Anos's eyes narrowed, his stance shifting subtly as he readied himself. "If we weren't cornered like this, then we would gladly risk our lives to test your strength Kaido"

He felt the adrenaline coursing through him, sharpening his senses as he held his ground, refusing to yield even a step.

Kaido's eyes glinted with a mixture of amusement and irritation, and Anos sensed that he was testing them, gauging how far they were willing to go.

In response, the demon sword Muramasa appeared beside Anos, hovering as if drawn by the rising tension.

A dark red aura seeped from the blade, pulsing in sync with Anos's heartbeat.

It was as though Muramasa sensed the danger surrounding its master, and its presence only intensified the tension.

Anos glanced at the blade, feeling a strange comfort in its presence. He understood why Kaido was injured like this he must have broken free from Impel Down recently, barely escaping with his life.

It was an incredible feat, yet Anos couldn't imagine who could have inflicted such damage upon the Yonko.

Kaido's taunt pulled him back to the present.

"You dare challenge me?" Kaido sneered, his right hand rising, massive and calloused, ready to strike. "Then I'll indulge you just this once!"

"HRAAAAH!!!!!!"

Despite his size, Kaido moved with an eerie speed, the ground shaking beneath his heavy footsteps. His massive figure was imposing enough, but the true terror lay in the force behind each movement.

Thankfully, Kaido was unarmed though, perhaps, the lack of a weapon made him even more dangerous, as he would be relying purely on his brutal strength.

Anos noted that, even as a Devil Fruit user, Kaido hadn't shifted into his true form.

He must have calculated the risks, knowing that transforming would risk drawing the Marines' attention.

While Kaido couldn't be killed easily, the endless pursuit that would follow wasn't something even he would want to face.

"Daiki, retreat to the air…" Anos shouted, his voice cutting through the mounting tension.

The younger man nodded, leaping upward with swift agility, creating a safe distance as Anos prepared to confront Kaido directly.

Grasping Muramasa's hilt, Anos focused, feeling the aura within him shift. His eyes began to glow with a blood-red intensity, his energy taking on a more lethal form.

"Flying Sword Style – Nine-Headed Dragon Flash…"

It was his strongest technique, and he knew he could hold nothing back against an opponent like Kaido.

The thought crossed his mind he wasn't entirely sure if this would be enough to bring Kaido down, but it was a gamble he had to take.

Anos moved so quickly that his form seemed frozen in place, a mere afterimage lingering as he unleashed his attack.

The Nine-Headed Dragon Flash was a technique of blinding speed, but its true power lay in the buildup of energy, which exploded in a sequence of devastating strikes.

Kaido, sensing the danger, activated his Armament Haki, his skin darkening as he braced himself.

He also relied on Observation Haki to anticipate Anos's movements, though even that was barely enough to keep up with the barrage.

"One cut…"

A flash of silver and a diagonal slash appeared on Kaido's waist.

Though protected by his Armament Haki, the blade cut deep enough to draw blood, a feat rarely achieved against Kaido's impervious skin.

It may have been a mere scratch to someone of Kaido's size, but it was enough to stir anger in the Yonko's eyes.

"Two cuts… nine cuts…"

The island trembled as Anos's relentless assault continued, each cut filling Kaido's frame with new wounds.

For the Yonko, it wasn't a matter of survival; the attacks weren't enough to kill him. But the sheer force and precision were enough to make Kaido reconsider.

Anos, however, hadn't been aiming solely at Kaido. His true target was the ground beneath them.

As the final cut struck, the island began to tremble, fissures splitting the earth as the very land itself started to crumble.

As the island collapsed, Kaido braced himself, glaring at Anos with a mixture of fury and grudging respect.

He hadn't expected to meet someone willing to take him on so boldly, nor did he foresee the cunning behind Anos's tactics.

From above, Daiki's voice rang out. "Your Majesty…!"

"Boy, I'll remember you!" Kaido's voice echoed, promising retribution even as the ground gave way beneath him.

With one last surge of energy, Anos propelled himself into the air, narrowly escaping the collapsing island. He joined Daiki, who watched with a mixture of awe and concern.

"Are you alright, Your Majesty?" Daiki asked, worry evident in his voice.

Anos exhaled, his expression softening slightly. "I'm fine. But that… was close."

He gazed back at the island, now reduced to rubble. His gamble had paid off, though barely.

They had escaped Kaido's wrath this time, but he knew that if his attacks had landed directly on Kaido, the damage might have been more significant.

In the end, though, they had survived and that was enough.

Daiki, attempting to lighten the mood, grinned. "So that's Yonko Kaido of the New World? Looks like he'll be sinking to the bottom of the sea!"

Anos shot him a weary glance. "Don't be naive. Kaido's Devil Fruit ability places him among the strongest. He's a Mythical Zoan, the Azure Dragon of the Fish-Fish Fruit. Even submerged, he has a way to survive."

The reality weighed on them. Kaido would recover and rise again, and next time, he would likely come with reinforcements.

Anos sighed, realizing that their confrontation with Kaido was only the beginning.

They had made it out alive, but this encounter would undoubtedly ripple through the New World.

"Daiki, stay vigilant. From now on, we're marked by Kaido himself. It won't be long before he seeks us out again," Anos warned, the tension in his voice unmistakable.

They shared a final glance at the wreckage below.

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