Chapter 284

"Curse it! Who knew that up in the skies, this island would still have believers of that idiot!" Ishtar huffed, kicking the figurehead of Aqua on the Endless Dream's prow, throwing any semblance of a "goddess-like" image to the wind.

Despite being a goddess summoned by Zyhark's wish, unlike Aqua, she didn't gain more divine power through faith from followers. But this wasn't about divine strength; she just couldn't stand the thought of Aqua outshining her!

"Ohhh, that lightning! Just reminiscing about it makes me want to stay up there even longer!" Darkness purred, her battered armor barely covering her, as she writhed on the deck, reminiscing over the pleasure of being struck repeatedly by Birka's lightning bolts. Compared to Ishtar's determination, she left far greater shock and awe among Birka's residents.

Meanwhile, at a corner tea table on the deck, Zyhark, Hancock, Rayleigh, and Shakky leisurely sipped tea, catching up.

"Haha! So these are the new allies you've invited? Lively ones, indeed!" Rayleigh chuckled as he watched Ishtar and Darkness, neither of whom could be considered "normal" by any stretch.

"They do fit your… unique recruiting standards," Shakky teased, taking a delicate sip of her tea.

"Ahaha… it's all fate, really," Zyhark replied, scratching his head awkwardly.

Nyaban and the Snake Pirates, including Granny Nyon and Hancock's sisters, had stayed behind on Birka. Given the scale of their impending war with the World Government, their strength, though commendable, wouldn't tip the balance. No need to risk them unnecessarily.

They wouldn't be idle, however, as they aided Morgans in rebuilding the once-great World Economy News from the shadows, reassembling the network and personnel the World Government had scattered over the last three years.

Control of public opinion was essential; Zyhark had no intention of overthrowing the World Government only to be stabbed in the back by a misinformed global populace.

All the preparations were falling into place. Amid the banter and squabbling of Ishtar and Darkness, the Endless Dream sailed through the air, finally returning to Shadow Island.

Surprisingly, the World Government and Marines had not launched an assault here. On the contrary, ever since news of the Demon King Organization's return broke, there had been an eerie silence—even Marine bases around Shadow Island had been evacuated.

Everyone knew that this silence was no surrender. It was the calm before the storm.

With Rayleigh and Shakky now on board, Zyhark gathered his core team—minus the two clumsy goddesses—to plot their strategy deep into the night.

Under the cover of darkness, Zyhark became a streak of lightning, crossing the sea toward the New World's Marine Headquarters.

With his Observation Haki blanketing the area, he deftly evaded the guards, slipping undetected into Fleet Admiral Sengoku's quarters.

The abilities of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit allowed such infiltration to be effortless. So long as he suppressed his killing intent, detection was nearly impossible.

Having mastered the three forms of Haki, Sengoku sensed Zyhark's presence almost immediately.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Zyhark greeted with a smirk, standing atop a makeshift high-voltage lamp made of lightning, with countless legendary weapons floating menacingly around him.

"Zyhark…" Sengoku's pupils narrowed. He hadn't expected Zyhark to be bold enough to waltz into Marine HQ alone. More astonishing, though, was the sheer power he now wielded—each weapon hovering around him was at least on par with the Great Swords.

"If you don't mind, Sengoku-san, I have a matter to discuss," Zyhark said, stowing away his weapons and descending from his lightning perch.

Sengoku's expression grew somber, though he didn't reject Zyhark outright.

…

Their covert discussion lasted nearly two hours, with the exact details unknown.

However, by dawn, a bombshell announcement sent shockwaves through the New World, already bubbling with tension:

"Captain Zyhark of the Demon King Organization publicly challenges Kaido, Emperor of the Beasts, to a duel!"

Though many wondered why Kaido, and not the World Government, had become the target, it didn't deter the pirates already preparing to set sail.

Of all the pirate crews in the New World, Kaido's alliance with Big Mom made them the strongest, surpassing even Whitebeard's forces.

The Demon King Organization, having taken on the Marines and World Government head-on, needed no further introduction.

The impending clash between these two titanic forces—powerful enough to reshape the New World—had every pirate scrambling toward Wano.

Meanwhile, atop Onigashima's roof, Kaido's forces had assembled, joined by Big Mom's officers. Facing them were throngs of hardened pirates.

A chilling wind swept through the crowd, the silence broken only by an ominous aura suffusing the air.

This was the might of two Emperor crews—a gathering of such caliber was unprecedented since the beginning of the Great Pirate Era.

At the front, flanking the skull throne and the confectionery throne, stood Kaido and Big Mom.

"Mamamama! That brat's strong, Kaido. Think you stand a chance?" Big Mom cackled, stuffing cake into her mouth.

Kaido grinned, downing a few gulps of sake. "Sorry, Linlin, but I don't see myself losing."

Excitement danced in his eyes. This duel with Zyhark would be a highlight of his life, a fight worth remembering.

"If you say so. Should be quite the show," Big Mom replied, casting a wary glance forward. "Still, his companions won't be easy pickings either."

In her mind, only Zyhark and his so-called "strongest under the sun," King, were the most concerning. The memory of King's apocalyptic punch remained vividly etched in her mind.

After the God's Kingdom battle, many speculated that King's attack had been a one-off, fueled by his very life.

However, the recent Impel Down incident had proven them wrong—King was very much alive and still a force to be reckoned with.

If he joined the fray, Kaido and Big Mom would stand little chance.

"If that were the case, they'd already be here. They wouldn't bother with an official challenge," Kaido replied, unfazed.

What he sought was a battle that would push him to the brink, whether it was one-on-one or not. He would face the Demon King and his crew without fear.

"True enough. Besides, I'll be here to back you up," Big Mom's eyes gleamed with a deadly glint.

If the Demon King Organization wanted war, they wouldn't cower in fear—they were kings of the seas.

"They're here," Kaido muttered, stopping the conversation short.

Lightning crackled across the sky, announcing Zyhark's arrival over Onigashima.

Boom!

With thunderous force, lightning struck, illuminating Onigashima and all of Wano.

As the dust settled, two distinct figures emerged.

All eyes snapped to the scene, some pirates quaking in terror, barely able to hold onto their weapons.

Kaido sensed Zyhark's aura, his muscles trembling—not in fear, but in raw anticipation.

"Dammit, Master! Did you have to go this fast?!" came Ishtar's voice.

Headfirst in the ground, Ishtar struggled upright, covered in dust and frustration.

"Smoke's clearing, Ishtar. Don't want to ruin your grand debut with that embarrassing look, right?" Zyhark smirked, ignoring the dust Ishtar had sprayed on him.

Ishtar scrambled to compose herself, posing dramatically atop her bow-shaped Noble Phantasm, pulling off a haughty grin. But to her dismay, no one paid her any attention; all eyes were on Zyhark.

Curse you, Master, for stealing the spotlight! She fumed, considering giving Zyhark a good smack on the head.

Just then, Kaido's ominous Conqueror's Haki, laced with a fiery red aura, surged forward.

With each step he took, Kaido's body expanded, covered in azure dragon scales, his horns twisting menacingly as he transformed into his most powerful hybrid form.

"Brat, did you bring back my sake gourd?" Kaido demanded, his beastly gaze intensifying under the weight of his Haki.

"Right here. Care to come and take it?" Zyhark smiled, tapping the gourd hanging from his waist.

He activated his Ashura Haki, his aura clashing fiercely with Kaido's, sending out a wave of spiritual pressure.

Encased in a dazzling electric armor, Zyhark's form grew to match Kaido's height in his dragon form.

"Interesting," Kaido smirked, vanishing instantly, reappearing before Zyhark within a heartbeat.

His kanabo, Hassaikai, crackling with red lightning, swung down with unstoppable force.

In a split second, Zyhark's eyes glowed red as he drew his twin swords, their jet-black blades imbued with Conqueror's Haki and Armament Haki.

"Raimei Hakke!"

"Stellar Burst Slash!"

Boom!!

The kanabo and twin blades clashed with explosive energy, tearing through the skies over Wano, rending the heavens themselves apart.

(End of Chapter)

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