"That won't work, Sakazuki."
Sengoku shook his head. "The Lightforged Beacon can only teleport one person at a time right now. Even if Kuzan teleports over, it would be difficult to stop him from escaping."
"Only when we fully develop the group teleportation capability of the Lightforged Beacon will we truly be able to execute a decapitation strike."
"If we had sent Smoker with multiple Lightforged Beacons from the start, couldn't we have all teleported over together?"
For once, Kuzan agreed with Sakazuki, and the latter nodded in acknowledgment.
"You remember the short-range 'resonance' phenomenon of the Lightforged Guidance Crystal, right?"
Sengoku sighed. "Of course, I considered that. But the Lightforged Beacons built using the resonance properties of the Guidance Crystal... they're usually stable."
"However, when activated, they generate 'resonance' within a thousand-meter radius, disrupting teleportation."
"As a result, we can't activate multiple Lightforged Beacons in the same location—and a thousand meters isn't enough to keep Kaido contained."
Sakazuki nodded without saying another word.
Kuzan simply let out an "Oh" and began contemplating how he could restrain Kaido the moment he teleported over.
Given Kaido's sheer size and strength, launching an attack immediately after teleporting would make it almost impossible to hold him for more than ten seconds.
...
On Kardena Island—Wright and Kaido were locked in an intense battle.
The colossal "Ashes" sword showed none of the sluggishness or heaviness expected of a giant weapon. Wright wielded the twenty-meter-long blade with the same ease as if it were of standard size.
His masterful swordsmanship was proving to be a major problem for Kaido—Wright's blade repeatedly cut deep into Kaido's massive form, and an unmistakable scent of roasted flesh filled the air.
However, Kaido's monstrous regenerative abilities meant that, unless Wright used techniques of the highest caliber, his regular strikes—even with the supreme-grade "Ashes"—were limited in their effectiveness.
"Ohohohoho! Not bad at all, Wright!"
Kaido's massive dragon body appeared battered, but with his scales and Haki providing defense, he was far from truly injured. Moreover, his wounds were healing rapidly.
"Heat Breath!"
As another blazing torrent erupted from Kaido's maw, Wright opted for a different approach.
"Holy Light Wall!"
"Secret Technique: Judgement!"
With a divine golden-red slash, Wright met the inferno head-on, his blade tearing through the flames and descending upon Kaido with the force of a heavenly decree.
Having encountered this technique before, Kaido raised his massive dragon horns to block the devastating strike!
BOOOOM!
The sky exploded as their Haki clashed in a fierce contest of power!
"Kaido! Get down!"
Wright pressed down with "Ashes," forcing Kaido's massive head lower. The golden-red blade bit deep, and the creaking sound of strain echoed from Kaido's horns.
"Lightspeed!"
This technique, normally used to enhance kicks and punches, could also be channeled into a weapon!
"ROOOAAAR!"
With an added burst of speed and strength, Wright's blade slammed Kaido's dragon head into the ground, sending a massive cloud of dust and debris into the air.
"Secret Technique: Judgement!"
BOOOOOM!
A tremendous explosion followed, but Kaido's colossal dragon form vanished in an instant—blocked by a spiked kanabo wrapped in raging purple lightning!
Kaido had reverted to his human form and was finally using his weapon!
"Wright! Come on! Your strength is still far from enough!"
Kaido roared as violent purple lightning crackled around him.
Wright compressed his "Ashes Awakening" form to around three meters, gripping his sword tightly as he charged forward.
"Secret Technique: Divine Void Slash!"
"Thunder Bagua!"
BOOM!
In his human form, Kaido's defense and regeneration were slightly weaker than in his dragon form, but his raw power had skyrocketed. His combat ability against other humans had taken a major leap forward!
"Good! Kaido! Now this is getting exciting!"
Wright grinned fiercely. "Again!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
The battlefield was a wasteland. The island's center had been reduced to a massive crater over a hundred meters wide due to their relentless clash!
"This is exhilarating! Wororororo!"
Kaido laughed wildly. "But it's not enough! You think you can kill me with just this? You're far too early!"
"I agree. Which is why…"
Wright smirked. "Try my new technique!"
Lifting his right hand, sword raised high, he bellowed:
"Secret Technique: Wrath of Vengeance!"
From afar, Smoker and the high-ranking officers at Marineford watched Wright's transformation with wide eyes.
The white Marine coat of justice billowed violently in the stormy winds. Behind Wright, three pairs of massive golden wings emerged!
Unlike the Holy Light Wings used for flight and speed, these three pairs—one large, two small—flowed behind him like radiant banners. They exuded an aura of majesty, dominance… and overwhelming brilliance!
At the same time, Wright's entire body shimmered with golden radiance. Brilliant golden motes of light orbited around him like celestial bodies.
His pupils gleamed with golden intensity, and a crimson-gold flame burned fiercely on his forehead.
"He was talking about 'real acting'… was this what he meant?"
Smoker murmured, his words transmitted verbatim back to Marineford.
A stunned silence fell over the gathered officers. Their expressions flickered with an unspoken emotion—
Rage!
Pure, unadulterated envy!
"Damn it… he's too cool!"
"You…"
Kaido opened his mouth to speak—only for Wright's sword to come crashing down, cutting off his words before they could leave his throat.
"!!?"
The moment they clashed, Kaido's eyes widened in shock. The Wright standing before him, now bathed in golden radiance, was like an entirely different warrior—far stronger than before!
Wrath of Vengeance—Wright's ultimate burst technique, painstakingly developed through extensive research.
In this state, Wright's body energy—his Armament Haki and Holy Light—merged into a single, unified force.
He called it—Divine Energy!
With far greater efficiency than before, Divine Energy supercharged his attacks, speed, and power!
Even his healing and defense were exponentially stronger than what Holy Light alone could provide!
Now, fully empowered for the first time in live combat, Wright witnessed the overwhelming might of his new form.
"Ashes," infused with Divine Energy, no longer burned with holy fire, but its sharpness had soared to terrifying levels! Its ability to break through defenses had greatly increased!
Moreover, Divine Energy could invade an enemy's body through slashes and explode from within—akin to an enhanced version of advanced Armament Haki!
With every strike, Wright could now pierce through Kaido's defenses!
"Secret Technique: Divine Void Slash!"
Wright vanished in an instant, reappearing behind Kaido.
SLASH!
"ROAAAAR!"
A deep, gushing wound opened across Kaido's right waist—
For the first time, every single one of Wright's cuts drew blood!
As Wright soared high into the air, his enhanced flight ability allowed him to strike again.
"Secret Technique: Judgement!"
With double the strength from before, his blade came crashing down. Kaido howled as he was sent hurtling deep into the earth!
CRACK!
The island began breaking apart, massive tidal waves crashing against the crumbling shores.
"DAMN YOU!!"
A furious roar erupted from below as a searing column of flames shot skyward.
Kaido, now in his dragon form, had been forced to retreat!
His human form had been unable to withstand that devastating blow!
"Wright! You—"
Kaido barely had time to react before Wright lifted his sword with both hands, his voice calm and merciless.
"Secret Technique: Divine Judgment!"
-------
Want to read ahead of schedule?
Join here: patreon.com / juanpiece
There are more than 100 advance chapters available for you!