Chapter 59

Future chapters (15+) at patreon.com/FFAddict.

Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish! 

Chapter 59: Admiral-Level Vergo! (Part Five)

At the G5 Branch, Vergo hung up the phone and lay down amidst the ruins, wrapping himself in bandages he had found in the debris. He tossed the phone bug aside and took two deep breaths. Deep inside, he felt a pang of sorrow. He thought to himself, 

"I don't know if Governor Kaido plans to risk his life in battle." "But this is a significant opportunity. If Governor Kaido manages to take down one, two, or even three Admirals, my promotion to Admiral should be assured. Even Momousagi and Tea Dolphin, who are Admiral substitutes, are no more qualified than I am. I shouldn't worry about it; Governor Kaido must have a strategy. I just need to focus on my job." He let out a long sigh, and sparks of lightning danced on his body. Suddenly, he became a bolt of lightning and shot straight into the sky.

On the frontline of the battlefield facing Kaido, countless soldiers had red eyes. These soldiers had witnessed their friends and brothers fall to Kaido's might, one after another. Their firearms and cannons proved ineffective against Kaido's defenses. 

They continued to unleash every possible weapon attack, hoping to inflict even a minor wound on Kaido, but their hopes seemed in vain. Suddenly, a thunderbolt struck the ground not far from Kaido's position. The nearby soldiers were momentarily blinded by the intense light and instinctively squinted, tears streaming down their faces. 

Then, they heard the crackling of lightning and a familiar voice ring out. "You guys stand down. I'll take on Kaido now!" Vergo's encouraging words warmed the hearts of these soldiers who had been prepared to die. They wiped away their tears as hope surged within them.

Reopening their eyes, the soldiers gazed at their beloved and respected Vice Admiral, who still bore bandages. A lump formed in their throats, and they thought of Vergo not only as a Vice Admiral but as a father figure. Some soldiers wanted to stay and fight alongside Vergo, but he firmly said, "Trust me! I know my limits. 

You'll only get hurt if you stay." With that, no one else attempted to join the fight. Many were moved to tears by Vergo's words, realizing he was speaking kindly because he did not want them to hold him back.

Kaido watched as his opponents withdrew, making no move to stop them. He swung the mace that he wielded, and, with a knowing look, he asked with a taunting smirk, "Where did you find the courage to face me? Have you stolen my Thunder Fruit?" "I am simply the most deserving base commander on this island!" Vergo replied confidently, his face slightly pale but his posture firm like a pine tree.

"Sacrificing yourself for those weaklings? You make me laugh, Base Commander," Kaido said, readying his mace. "I'm trading my life for theirs. I see nothing wrong with that," Vergo retorted, shaking his head. The retreating soldiers felt a surge of admiration for Vergo, their eyes welling with tears, realizing he valued their lives over his own.

Vergo, feeling that he had shaped his image effectively, enveloped his body with Armament Haki, turning himself into an iron man. 

"Enough talk!" he shouted. "Prepare to meet your end, Four Emperors!" Kaido sneered, "Try your luck then, Marine Vice Admiral." The mace came swinging with a burst of Haki, and Vergo met it head-on with a spare bamboo pole from the base, lightning crackling around the weapon. When the weapons collided, it was clear that Vergo's power was no match for Kaido's. He was sent flying by Kaido's strike, crashing through the wall of a fortress and sending smoke and debris into the air. A

 bolt of lightning burst through the fortress's dusty veil to attack Kaido, but it was effortlessly dispersed by a casual swing of his mace.

The nourishing electric light dissipated in the air. Shortly thereafter, blue thunder crackled in every direction around Kaido. The first figure kept moving through it, firing off lightning. As Kaido nonchalantly swatted another bolt that struck the door, Virgo appeared suddenly behind him, thrusting his bamboo pole at Kaido. 

This incredible mobility was granted by the Thunder Fruit, which allowed him to teleport like a bolt of lightning, catching enemies off-guard. But this was Kaido – what could possibly exceed his expectations? Everything was foreseen with his knowledge of the future.

Kaido's mace, as if with a life of its own, transformed into a half-black dragon's body. It didn't just block the bamboo pole's attack; under Virgo's shocked gaze, it wrapped around and dragged the Vice Admiral to Kaido. "Give it your all and find your spirit. My power is beyond your wildest dreams," Kaido whispered chillingly, pulling him closer by the dragon-shaped stick handle.

He was somewhat disappointed with Virgo's performance. From the very moment his Eight Trigrams first met Virgo's attack, Kaido had initiated "Daigo Empowerment." However, it seemed that Virgo hadn't fully grasped the concept after exchanging a few more blows. Virgo's eyelashes fluttered, puzzled by Kaido's words. He thought he had been using his full strength – or had he? His power had increased? This included his Devil Fruit and Haki! How had he improved so much without realizing it?

Kaido read the changing expressions on Virgo's face and knew he must have sensed the transformation within. Tossing him aside with the dragon-shaped Eight Trigrams, Kaido said dismissively, "Either use your life to try to stop me or just lay down and die."

Virgo slowly picked himself up, sensing the newfound power coursing through him. It was like he'd become a vessel being filled without end. With his head bowed and fists clenched, he realized his strength was now greatly enhanced, and he could feel more potent lightning than before.

Taking a deep breath, Virgo marveled at Kaido's bizarre strength. The power within him burst forth, and azure lightning flickered over his form. The previously clear skies began to thunder.

Suddenly, a bolt streaked toward Kaido, with Virgo following in its wake. His fists, now intensely hardened with armament Haki, crackled with electricity as he struck Kaido's mace, synchronizing with the thunder from above. Kaido, unfazed by Virgo's thunderous assault, pushed back with a simple twist of his wrist, sending Virgo flying.

Sensing the intensity of Virgo's punch, a smug grin spread across Kaido's face. Virgo was now on the level of an ordinary Admiral. Kaido could now exert himself without worry – he had been concerned about accidentally finishing Virgo too quickly before. With a powerful kick, he gripped his mace with both hands and instantly appeared before Virgo, who was caught off guard.

The Eight Trigrams hammered against Virgo's face. "Thunder––– Eight Trigrams!" The electrified strike generated a booming shockwave that sent Virgo flying backward like a cannonball. He crashed through structures and pillboxes, plowing a path through the landscape. The aftermath kicked up dust and scattered armaments before Virgo finally hit the island's foundation, weak and defeated.