Chapter 27: Three Dragons Descend upon Wano!

Facing her father, Yamato was like a mouse caught in the gaze of a hungry cat. The mere sound of his voice made her pale with fear, and she clung to Edie, desperately trying to hide.

"F-Father..." she stammered, her voice trembling with timidity.

Edie gently rubbed Yamato's head, trying to soothe her. "Mr. Kaido, if you keep scaring your daughter like this, she's only going to resist you more when she grows up."

Kaido's expression remained stern as he approached, his gaze fixed on Yamato. The once lively pirate banquet fell into an uneasy silence. All around, pirates stood up in respect, their eyes on the imposing figure of their leader.

King, standing by, spoke in a low, authoritative tone. "Edie, this is Master Kaido's family matter. It would be wise not to interfere."

"That's cool," Edie replied nonchalantly. "I don't remember giving a shit."

Queen, sensing the tension, quickly moved to Kaido's side and whispered something in his ear. Whatever Queen said made Kaido narrow his eyes, shifting his attention from Yamato to Chenlong, sizing him up.

After a moment, Kaido's expression softened, and he addressed the gathered pirates. "Little ones, today is a day of celebration! After a long and hard-fought campaign, Wanokuni's samurai rebellion has been crushed under our heel! From this day forward, this land belongs to the Beasts Pirates!"

Cheers erupted as Kaido continued, his voice booming with pride. "This victory is thanks to our ally, Edie. The AK-47s and the improved bullets he developed gave us the firepower we needed to dominate!"

"Let's have fun tonight!" Kaido roared, raising his arms in triumph.

"Long live Kaido-sama!" the pirates shouted, their voices echoing through the courtyard.

"Long live Lord Edie!" another cheer rose, their loyalty unwavering.

As the celebration reignited, Kaido made his way to Edie's table, his eyes glinting with something unreadable. Chenlong, sensing the shift, stood up, ready to act.

"Hold on," Edie said, stopping Chenlong with a subtle gesture. He smiled at Kaido. "Mr. Kaido, congratulations on finally taking control of Wanokuni."

Kaido, ignoring Yamato, got straight to the point. "Edie, here are today's newspapers, along with the three new bounty posters issued by the Marines."

Edie glanced at the papers Kaido handed him and chuckled. "I've already seen them."

Kaido grinned, his sharp teeth flashing. "You've got guts, Edie. The Marines are calling you the 'Evil Scientist,' and your subordinate Chenlong, with the power of the Mythical Beast Dragon, just like mine!"

"Indeed," Edie responded, shifting the conversation back to Yamato. "Mr. Kaido, I must remind you that your method of raising your daughter might be a bit too harsh. Just look at how terrified this little girl is."

Kaido's expression hardened again, but there was a hint of pride in his voice as he responded. "She's my daughter. I'm going to train her to be the Shogun of Wanokuni. How can she rule this country without immense strength?"

Kaido glanced at his daughter, Yamato, and then back at Edie with a different tone. "Since you've said so, I'll give you face. But..."

Face? Do I have the fruit of face as well? Edie chuckled inwardly. The pirate world wasn't just about fighting and killing; it seemed even Kaido could be reasoned with. But just as the thought crossed his mind, Kaido's tone turned cold.

"But... answer me one question."

Kaido's eyes narrowed as he continued, "Did you artificially create a Blue Dragon fruit? In the past two years, have you hidden your true intentions from me and crafted a Zoan, Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Beast Model—a Devil Fruit in the form of a Blue Dragon? Did you come to Wanokuni for me, just to replicate my fruit?"

Edie's demeanor remained relaxed, even leisurely, as he picked up a grilled fish from the table and offered it to Yamato. Blinking in confusion, but with food within reach, Yamato quickly ate it, knowing she couldn't afford to miss a meal.

Edie... No, Uncle Edie is a good man! she thought, her cheeks full of food.

Edie's smile didn't waver as he replied, "So what if I did, Kaido? What are you going to do about it?"

Kaido's aura darkened, Conqueror's Haki seeping out as he retorted, "Stop talking nonsense and answer me!" His presence grew heavier, and the pressure of his Haki wrapped around him like an invisible shroud.

Above the Flower Capital, the skies suddenly shifted. Thick, dark clouds blotted out the moonlight, and the wind began to howl as the atmosphere grew tense. The pirates who had been celebrating moments ago froze, sensing the change. Pedestrians in the city below looked up, puzzled by the sudden shift in weather.

"Is it going to rain?" someone muttered, unaware of the brewing storm above.

Back at the banquet, Chenlong unleashed his own Conqueror's Haki in response. The golden stars in his cold, emotionless eyes gleamed as he stared down his own origin.

"Hehehe..." Edie's laughter broke the tension, and in a calm tone, he said, "Mr. Kaido, when did you start believing that the Blue Dragon Fruit you ate was the original?"

Kaido's frown deepened. "What do you mean?"

"There are no two identical Devil Fruits in this world. If there are, then one of them is artificial," Edie explained. He gently placed Yamato down and rubbed her head affectionately. As he did so, he discreetly twisted a ring on his right hand, unnoticed by all.

Azure Dragon Fruit Activate!

"You've convinced yourself that the fruit you consumed is the true Devil Fruit, and that Chenlong's Azure Dragon ability comes from an artificial replica. You're so ignorant, Kaido."

As soon as he finished speaking, Edie's body began to transform.

Boom!!

In an instant, Edie erupted into a massive blue dragon, shooting up into the sky with a thunderous roar. The mere force of his transformation whipped up a fierce wind, creating a typhoon-like pressure that shook the atmosphere.

The banquet descended into chaos. Tables and chairs were hurled into the air as pirates watched in terror, their world turned upside down.

"Kai... Kaido-sama?" one stammered.

"No, no, that's not Kaido!"

"What's going on!?"

The Beasts Pirates stared up at the sky, paralyzed by an overwhelming sense of dread.

Even Kaido was momentarily stunned. King, Queen, and Yamato—all of them were left speechless, unable to comprehend what was unfolding before their eyes.

"Edie... who the hell are you?" Kaido roared, his body beginning to change as well. He morphed into a blue dragon, his neck elongating, mouth protruding into a fierce snout, teeth sharpening, and scales hardening into armor.

Roar!!

Now, another blue dragon soared over the Flower Capital.

"I'm just a scientist," Edie replied, his voice calm but resonant.

Kaido, seeing the dragon before him, burst into maniacal laughter. "Oh, you really did it, didn't you? I don't care who you are, or what your purpose is. The research funds I gave you over the past two years weren't wasted, after all!"

"My Zoan ability army can't exist without your technology!" Kaido's voice thundered as he challenged Edie. "Come on, Edie, let me see how far your skills have come!"

Azure Dragon Edie and Azure Dragon Kaido faced each other in the sky, two monstrous forms locked in a confrontation that defied imagination. Below, countless onlookers stood in shock, their minds reeling at the sight of two dragons battling for supremacy.

"Edie, I knew I was right about you!" Kaido's laughter tore through the heavens as the battle began.

As Kaido opened his massive jaws, a fiery "Boro Breath" surged forth, the scorching flames transforming into a devastating dragon's breath aimed directly at the Blue Dragon, Edie. The attack tore through the air, searing a path toward its target.

But before it could connect, a shadow darted across the sky. Chenlong, with wings unfurled, intercepted the fiery blast, placing himself between Edie and the deadly breath.

"This guy...!" King's voice trembled with shock as he witnessed the scene unfold.

Boom!

The searing flames collided with Chenlong, engulfing him in a torrent of fire. The intensity of the heat seemed to consume everything in its path.

Roar!

From within the inferno, a third dragon's roar echoed across the sky, shaking the very air. Emerging from the flames was yet another Azure Dragon, its scales gleaming with an otherworldly light.

"My Lord Heavenly Father," Chenlong's voice rumbled, filled with reverence and determination, "there's no need for you to act yourself."

With a flick of his mighty dragon tail, Chenlong dispersed the remaining heat effortlessly, his enormous golden star-shaped eyes radiating a fierce, unyielding killing intent.

Kaido's own dragon eyes narrowed in disbelief. The reports had been true, but even so…

"Boro Breath!"

"Boro Breath!"

"Boro Breath!"

In unison, the same devastating attack erupted from the mouths of both Chenlong Edie and Kaido. The three blasts collided in mid-air, creating a deafening explosion that lit up the night sky over the Flower Capital like daylight. The fiery glow illuminated the three colossal dragons, their forms etched against the heavens.

Below, countless people looked up in sheer terror, their hearts gripped by an unspeakable fear.

"Three... three-headed dragons!?" they whispered in awe and dread, unable to comprehend the sight before them.