Cut Off The Dragon's Claws! (2/5)

As blood rained from the sky, a sign of the brutal fight taking place, it was clear: Kaido was being pushed to his limit.

Anyone else would have succumbed to their injuries by now, but Kaido was no ordinary being. Yet, even for him, this couldn't go on forever. If the battle didn't end soon, it would be his life on the line.

Kaido roared in defiance, swinging wildly at his opponent, but Finn was untouchable. Blow after blow landed on the dragon emperor, each one deepening his wounds.

The Marines below watched in astonishment. Excitement coursed through the ranks, especially in Sengoku's eyes, which gleamed with an eager fire. Sensing Kaido's faltering strength, he couldn't hold back any longer.

"Kaido's weakened! Now's our chance—everyone, now! We have to take him down for good!"

With a battle cry, the Marines surged into action, leaping into the sky, using Moonwalk to ascend toward the epic battle overhead.

Kaido's heart raced. For the first time, panic crept in. He had faced countless foes, fought with reckless abandon, and even sought death at times—but not like this. Not with the real possibility of defeat.

He snarled, eyes flashing with fury. "You cowards think you can gang up on me? I won't play your games anymore!"

With a mighty roar, lightning crackled along Kaido's massive dragon body, his scales shimmering with raw power. Thunder boomed, and the clouds thickened around him, shrouding the sky in a dense fog of swirling mist and bolts of electricity.

"Thunder—Soaring Cloud and Mist!"

Kaido's enormous form disappeared into the storm he conjured, lightning splitting the heavens as he vanished from sight.

But Finn wasn't about to let him escape so easily. Sharpening his senses, he spread his Observation Haki across the sky, quickly pinpointing Kaido's retreating shape within the storm.

"You're not going anywhere!" Finn muttered, launching himself forward with blinding speed. Using advanced techniques and the full power of his Eight Inner Gates, he caught up to Kaido in moments.

"Immortal Sword Profound Truth—Immortal Guidance!"

With Armament Haki surging through his blade, Yan Mo sang as it sliced through the air, aiming straight for Kaido's neck.

Kaido's eyes widened as the very real threat of death closed in on him. "Damn you, brat!" he bellowed. With no other option, he extended his blackened dragon claws, Haki pouring into them, and met the sword head-on.

CLANG!

The sound of clashing power rang out like a thunderclap, but it wasn't enough. Yan Mo's relentless force shattered Kaido's defenses. With a sickening crack, three of Kaido's dragon claws were severed, and the beast let out a roar of pain.

"Damn you! I'll get my revenge!" Kaido spat as he thrashed his massive tail, propelling himself into the storm and disappearing from sight.

As the skies cleared, three objects fell from the sky, landing with a soft thud. Finn caught them in a basin he'd swiftly pulled out.

Sengoku arrived moments later, his excitement turning to frustration. "Where's Kaido?!"

Finn raised an eyebrow and sighed. "Grandpa Sengoku, if you hadn't shouted, Kaido wouldn't have fled so quickly. I had him! If you had just waited a little longer, I could have drained him further."

Garp, never missing a chance to poke fun at Sengoku, grinned widely. "Ha! Messing up my grandson's work again, Sengoku?"

Sengoku's irritation was palpable. "Don't start with me, Garp!"

Before the argument could escalate further, Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel peered curiously into the basin Finn held. "Master Finn, what are these?"

"Dragon fingers," Finn said casually. "Kaido tried to block my attack with his claws, but I managed to sever three of them."

The Marines gasped in disbelief.

Sengoku's eyes lit up with an idea. "Finn, you're not planning to keep those, are you?"

Finn gave him a knowing look. "What, Grandpa Sengoku, want to make some dragon soup?"

Sengoku waved him off. "No, no. I want to give one of these to Vegapunk. If we can study Kaido's defense and find a way to exploit it, it'll give us an edge in future battles."

"Oh, I see," Finn replied. With a smirk, he handed the basin to Sengoku. "Take one for Vegapunk. The other two? Maybe we can make soup after all—it's said dragon meat is quite a delicacy."

Sengoku rolled his eyes and passed the basin to a nearby Vice Admiral, muttering, "You're as much trouble as your grandfather…"

But Garp wasn't done yet. He grabbed the basin, glaring at Sengoku. "This is my grandson's prize! You don't get to claim it without a fight."

Sengoku, desperate now, shouted, "Alright, Garp, fine! We'll call it even if you let me take just one. That roasted lamb fiasco? It's over. Deal?"

Garp grinned, triumphant. "Ha! You owe my grandson a favor now!"

As Garp handed over the basin, Finn grinned, stepping in as the peacekeeper. "No need for favors, Grandpa. We're all Marines here. It's just part of the job."

Garp beamed with pride. "See? My grandson's more sensible than you, Sengoku!"

Sengoku could only grumble under his breath as the sky finally settled, and the battle was over—for now.