Chapter 193: What Does ‘Thick-Skinned and Iron Head’ Mean?

In the midst of the white mist, a gigantic figure with a robust and burly build, adorned with a pair of horns on its head, slowly emerged.

After enduring a relentless barrage of turret-like ghostly energy attacks in his azure dragon form by Adrian, Kaido finally snapped out of his drunken stupor and chose to revert to his human form to confront the enemy.

However, he had forgotten one crucial detail.

While the azure dragon form granted Kaido the terrifying power to fly and control the clouds, these abilities were bestowed by the devil fruit. In his human form, he lacked the capability to soar through the sky.

Moreover, below him lay the vast, boundless ocean!

The overwhelming restraint from the seawater continuously surged into Kaido's body, stacking debuffs such as weakness and powerlessness on him.

Under normal circumstances, this might have been manageable, but he was currently engaged in battle!

Adrian, having received the task, wasn't going to let this precious opportunity to 'beat the dragon while he's down' slip away!

From the top of Cursed Labyrinth, multiple 'Adrians' appeared, launching a bombardment with Ghost cannons toward Kaido, who was trapped in the seawater.

Each ghostly beam hitting the ocean surface would raise towering waves tens of meters high.

But Adrian wasn't done yet.

While the mimicked ghosts unleashed the Ghost cannons, his main body activated another ability simultaneously.

Mini Ghosts: Withering Heart Attack!

Thousands of semi-ethereal mini ghosts, devoid of any fanfare, swarmed toward Kaido below.

Adrian, experienced in battling powerful Zoan-type devil fruit users like Kaido, knew one thing very well.

In this sea where brute strength and formidable physiques were revered, many pirates with naturally strong bodies would gain immense confidence in their basic physical defenses upon acquiring the enhancement of a Zoan-type devil fruit.

This confidence often reached an almost blind level!

Even in the New World, teeming with strong individuals, the number of Zoan-type users who could cover their bodies with Armament Haki for defense was incredibly few!

The mini ghosts' Withering Heart Attack, which could freely transition between tangible and intangible forms to attack the soft and vulnerable interiors of their enemies, were the most effective means against such Zoan-type users!

After releasing the Withering Heart Attack, Adrian's figure stealthily disappeared from the Cursed Labyrinth and instantly appeared above the turbulent sea below.

Closing his eyes slightly, he sensed the high-quality marine souls in the surrounding waters of Wano Country and silently activated the ability [Ghost Domination], awakening these marine ghosts that had slumbered in the deep sea for years.

Following this, Adrian condensed a third attack.

Ocean Ghost: Furious Tides!

The already tumultuous sea surface surged once more, as massive ghostly water serpents, thick enough for several people to encircle, swam beneath the surface, twisting the deep sea waters into a gigantic whirlpool.

Under Adrian's guidance, this powerful and expansive ghostly whirlpool attacked Kaido, who was in the water.

In the brief moments after Kaido fell into the sea, Adrian swiftly set up a three-pronged attack like a net closing in from all directions!

From the Ghost cannon fire in the sky, to the ethereal Withering Heart Attack, and the vengeful ghostly whirlpool of the ocean.

For a moment, all of Kaido's escape routes were blocked, forming a lethal situation!

Faced with such an assault, even Kaido, known as the "strongest creature," couldn't ignore it completely.

Now fully sober, Kaido felt heaviness in his heart, along with a bit of confusion.

Didn't I just drink for a few days?

Normally, no one would bother me when I was drunk!

So why did such a formidable person suddenly appear today to beat me up?

Even though the Azure Dragon form of his Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, wouldn't render Kaido entirely powerless in seawater, it certainly wouldn't allow him to maintain peak condition.

With continuous needle-like warnings from his Observation Haki, and facing an inescapable three-pronged attack, Kaido couldn't remain passive.

Thinking rapidly, Kaido roared and reverted to his full dragon form, forcefully resisting the negative effects of the seawater and rising from the ocean.

Simultaneously, a dense, dark metallic sheen, representing the power of Armament Haki, appeared on his forehead.

Using the combined defense of Armament Haki and his Azure Dragon fruit, Kaido evaded the vengeful whirlpool and stubbornly withstood the concentrated fire of the Ghost cannons and Withering Heart Attack, once again ascending into the sky.

Seeing this, Adrian couldn't help but twitch his mouth.

What kind of iron-headed individual is this?

And isn't the ocean supposed to be every devil fruit user's nemesis?

Coach Oda, I want to report that the Kaido contestant from Wano Country is cheating!

Even more frustrating was the fact that, according to Adrian's Observation Haki, the Withering Heart Attack, which usually could deliver a fatal blow to ordinary Zoan users, merely penetrated the surface of Kaido's dragon scales before exploding in the muscle layer.

While they managed to breach Kaido's vaunted physical defense, the damage was minimal.

Given Kaido's current terrifying regenerative abilities from his Azure Dragon fruit, such injuries were almost negligible!

Even the wounds from the concentrated Ghost cannon fire that pierced Kaido's dragon scales had almost completely healed by now!

Adrian narrowed his eyes slightly.

"Is this the terrifying regenerative power of a true top-tier Zoan-type Mythical Beast user?"

"Indeed, each type of devil fruit has its unique strengths!"

At this moment, Kaido, enduring the combined attacks, finally soared back into the sky, his brass-colored vertical pupils glaring sharply at Adrian.

"Wohohoho... With such abilities, you must be the 'White Ghost' mentioned in recent newspapers, right?"

In his Azure Dragon form, Kaido's voice was deep and hoarse, yet still powerful. Even his casual speech caused the surrounding clouds to scatter.

"No wonder you could fight against Sengoku and Linlin. Your strength is indeed formidable, White Ghost…"

Not giving Adrian a chance to respond, Kaido continued.

"Join my Beasts Pirates! I can make you an great man equal to me, even commanding the All-Stars!"

Adrian was somewhat surprised yet found it somewhat expected.

Even in the original work, Kaido was such a person—appreciating talent, eager to recruit powerful individuals. If someone wanted to join his crew, he would welcome them, never having too many strong fighters.

Kaido is known to overlook past conflicts and recruit enemies who demonstrate exceptional strength.

Unfortunately, Adrian had no interest in Kaido's offer.

"Mr. Kaido, honestly, we are not suited for each other at all. You deserve someone good, not someone as exceptional as me."