[As your strength continues to grow, the training experiences of ordinary shadows can no longer satisfy your needs. Thus, you decide to take Moriah along to seek out even more powerful individuals, using their shadows to rapidly enhance your abilities.
Initially, Moriah was somewhat reluctant, but upon hearing from you that Kaido was one of your targets, he eagerly cooperated.
After all, Moriah had personally witnessed how you, a monster, had grown stronger. Perhaps you truly could defeat Kaido.
Reflecting on the original storyline, you quickly picked two targets: Rayleigh and Dracule Mihawk.
Rayleigh, the Pirate King Roger's first mate, is not only a formidable swordsman but also a master of the three types of Haki.
Dracule Mihawk, on the other hand, is the world's acknowledged greatest swordsman, with skills far surpassing your current level.
After some contemplation, you decide to go after Rayleigh first.
Based on the original storyline, Rayleigh and Mihawk should have similar strength, both at the level of a Navy Admiral. However, compared to the still-in-his-prime Mihawk, the older Rayleigh should be slightly easier to handle.
You plan to learn Rayleigh's swordsmanship and master the three types of Haki before challenging Mihawk.
Soon, you locate Rayleigh, who is living in seclusion on the Sabaody Archipelago. Exposing his true identity, you engage him in a fierce battle.
Worried that the commotion on the Sabaody Archipelago might attract a Navy Admiral, Rayleigh deliberately lures you away from the island. However, this plays right into your hands.
Though your strength is close to Rayleigh's, the superhuman recovery ability granted by the Vampire Fruit allows you to eventually wear him down.
The two of you battled on an unnamed island for three days and nights. Ultimately, Rayleigh's exhaustion led to his defeat.
After subduing Rayleigh, you summon Moriah and instruct him to use the Shadow-Shadow Fruit to integrate Rayleigh's shadow into your body.
Leveraging the training experience granted by Rayleigh's shadow, you successfully awaken the latent Conqueror's Haki within you.
As a transmigrator, you possess an innate sense of pride. Even someone as powerful as Imu is, in your eyes, merely a slightly more formidable individual.
With such pride and arrogance, how could you fail to awaken the Conqueror's Haki?
After spending over half a month fully digesting the training memories from Rayleigh's shadow, your strength takes another significant leap.
You now possess the power to truly contend with a Navy Admiral—and are likely slightly stronger.
In recognition of the massive boost in strength Rayleigh has afforded you, you decide not to kill him. Instead, you use a Den Den Mushi to notify Sengoku, asking him to dispatch someone to escort Rayleigh to Impel Down.
The news that you had captured the Pirate King's first mate stunned Sengoku, who immediately sent Kizaru, the fastest Admiral, to the Sabaody Archipelago to handle the matter.
When Kizaru arrived, he confirmed Rayleigh's identity. Uttering phrases like "Today's rookies are truly terrifying" and "You're as strong as a monster," he used a Den Den Mushi to relay the confirmation to Sengoku.
Hearing from Kizaru that you had indeed captured the Pirate King's first mate, Sengoku burst into laughter. He immediately ordered the dissemination of this monumental news across the seas.
Many who had heard of Rayleigh's fame reacted with fear upon reading the newspaper, silently committing your image as the Navy's newest Rear Admiral to memory.
Meanwhile, individuals such as Shanks and Boa Hancock, who had benefited from Rayleigh's kindness in the past, seethed with rage and vowed to avenge him, marking your name in their personal vendettas.
Unperturbed by external reactions, you handed Rayleigh over to Kizaru and immediately set sail for Mihawk's island.
Shortly after your warship departed the Sabaody Archipelago, a loud and arrogant voice suddenly rang out: "Do you know who I am? Get this ship over here now!"
Looking at the towering blond man adorned with ivory decorations on his head and shoulders, you instantly recognize him as none other than the infamous Jack, the Drought.
Facing Jack, who had sought you out, you showed no mercy, drawing the blade Autumn Water and engaging him in combat.
Although Jack's strength is far inferior to yours, his awakened Mammoth Fruit made him exceptionally durable. It took you nearly three minutes to beat him into a near-death state.
Just as you were about to deliver the final blow, a blazing dragon's breath descended from the sky, forcing you to retreat and saving the dying Jack.
Standing on the ship's prow, Moriah looked toward the distant sky and screamed, "Kaido!!!"
At first, seeing Kaido's arrival only seemed like a nuisance to you. You felt no fear.
You knew Kaido's greatest strength lay in the regenerative abilities granted by his Azure Dragon Fruit. His offensive capabilities were relatively weaker, as evidenced by Luffy's repeated ability to recover from his club strikes.
Though you might not yet be able to defeat Kaido, he couldn't defeat you either. Escaping would be easy if needed.
As you prepared to confront Kaido, dozens of pirate ships suddenly appeared on the horizon.
Most bore the flags of the Beasts Pirates, while several flew the Donquixote Family emblem.
Momentarily stunned, you quickly deduced the situation.
The Beasts Pirates' presence suggested they were conducting a transaction with Doflamingo.
Jack's earlier attempt to intercept your ship was likely meant to prevent interference with Kaido's dealings, but he underestimated your strength.
Seeing that nearly all of the Beasts Pirates' top fighters were gathered, your expression darkened. You immediately instructed Moriah to lead Nami and the others away while you stayed to hold them off.
Moriah refused your proposal, declaring he wouldn't abandon his comrades again. He resolved to stay and fight alongside you to buy more time for Perona and the others to escape.
Days later, a shocking piece of news spread across the seas:
The Navy's newly promoted Rear Admiral, "Blood Bat," stumbled upon a secret transaction between the Beasts Pirates and the Donquixote Family during a patrol, leading to an all-out war.
The battle ended with Kaido losing an arm, the Three Disasters falling, the Beasts Pirates severely weakened, the Donquixote Family annihilated, and Rear Admiral Blood Bat perishing in action.]
(End of Chapter)
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