https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-949-Stuck-in-the-Middle-Without-a-Clue/13540387/
Chapter 948: How Can You Not Bite the Evil Dragon Painfully?
Chapter 948: How Can You Not Bite the Evil Dragon Painfully?
Above the Sky loomed Kaido!
He didn’t have time to greet Quinn as he hurled Kuro forward, unleashing several Heat Breaths that slammed into the Weaponfactory.
Boom! Boom! Boom!!
Intense explosions erupted from the Weaponfactory, the fiery force of the Heat Breaths reducing both the structure and the spire-like mountain beneath it to crumbling rubble.
From the thick smoke rising violently, a blood-tinged slash of black-gold energy lashed out, targeting Kaido’s Azure Dragon incarnation.
"Rua!!"
Kaido’s form shifted instantly, transforming into his Dragonman state. Gripping his Iron Mace, he roared and swung the weapon to smash the incoming slash.
Peng!!
A shockwave erupted midair, sending prisoners and pirates below sprawling in all directions. The Hanged Man’s scaffold swayed violently as the ropes binding Eustass Kid and Killer snapped loose, overturning the entire structure and freeing the two from their water-filled barrels.
"Get lost!"
Kaido glared, unleashing his power to shatter the attack.
Thud.
He landed steadily, wiping blood from his chest wound while flashing a malevolent grin toward the smoke-choked horizon.
Now that we’ve reached land, fighting will be far more convenient.
"Kaido!!"
Luffy and the recently freed Killer shouted in unison.
"Boss!!"
Quinn’s eyes widened. "Boss, what are you—"
"Quinn, and these little brats", Kaido muttered, eyes flicking toward Luffy and Eustass Kid without stopping. "I don’t have time for you now."
He fixed his gaze on the swirling smoke and dust.
A figure emerged slowly, wielding a Long Blade. As the presence materialized, a chill ran through nearly everyone’s spine. Bodies trembled involuntarily before collapsing, eyes rolling back in their sockets. Only a handful remained standing.
Among them, a diminutive old man with blue flamehair, sweating profusely under the suffocating pressure, stammered, "Impossible! Can Killing Intent actually manifest like this?!"
Quinn stared at the smoke-choked horizon, drenched in cold sweat, eyes wide.
This isn’t Conqueror’s Haki!
This is pure, genuine Killing Intent!
Yet it shares the same awe-inspiring power as Conqueror’s Haki—just like Kaido’s!!"
Whoosh!
The smoke dissipated, revealing Kuro brushing dust from his coat. Shoulders slightly hunched, he strode forward.
Scanning the area, he arched an eyebrow. "Land, huh?"
"Ah!! It’s you, the smoke-breathing guy!" Luffy pointed at the newcomer. "You’re the one who spits smoke!"
"It’s Golden Lion!!" Nearby, Eustass Kid, just freed from his bindings, scowled darkly, instinctively clutching his missing left arm.
The one who severed it.
"Luffy?"
Hearing the name, Kuro glanced toward the voice, spotting Eustass Kid. "Oh? You two made it to Wano Country? Still alive? Remarkable."
"Hey, do you know this officer?" The blue flamehair old man nudged Luffy’s leg, whispering.
Luffy nodded vigorously. "He’s that smoke-spitting Admiral—Incense Burner Admiral! When we first departed, we barely escaped him. He’s super strong!"
He unconsciously traced the cross-shaped scar on his chest, the mark once a simple X until Kuro’s blade had deepened it.
Kuro glared. "I’m Golden Lion!! And I’m a Vice Admiral!!"
"Hey! Incense Burner Admiral, wanna team up against Kaido? Let’s beat him together!" Luffy grinned.
"Eh?"
Kuro blinked, sizing Luffy up. "Did eating too many rocks fry your brain here? I’m Navy, kid. And you? Come back after training a few more years. I’ve got no time for you now."
"Viguo!!"
Before his words finished echoing, a triangular slash of energy erupted ahead, slamming into Kuro’s side. Another spire-mountain and Weaponfactory crumbled to dust.
Charlotte·Big Mom descended on a black thundercloud, while golden light coalesced beside Kuro’s position, forming Lucius Kro.
"Lucius Kro?!"
Quinn gasped again, dazed.
What’s going on?
Lucius Kro’s presence here was expected—he’d been wounded by Yamato and Big Mom. But Golden Lion’s arrival? Unexpected. Now with Lucius Kro joining—
Is this escalating into full-scale war?!
"Finally reached land, huh!"
Charlotte·Big Mom laughed heartily, stomping beside Kaido on the ground. Ignoring everyone else, her gaze locked on Kuro and Lucius Kro. "Well then, let’s continue!!"
Fighting on solid earth’s far easier. While they can fly, the Sky isn’t their home turf. If we drive them down here, over open sea, one misstep means drowning.
"Tch, you went to great lengths forcing me to land, huh?" Kuro slung his Yokai Blade over his shoulder, crimson eyes burning into Kaido. "Even taking a hit from me willingly. Fine enough."
"Exactly, Kuro", Lucius Kro murmured, lowering his radiant Ten Fists Sword. "Otherwise, Grandpa would’ve retreated long ago."
Kuro could easily return to the skies, trading blows while withdrawing with the old man. But that opportunity had passed—they’d fought tooth and nail to stop him before. Now, Kuro had no intention of fleeing.
Not with all these eyes watching. How would it look, an Admiral and Admiral-candidate fleeing from Four Emperors? Letting rumors spread that Navy commanders crumble before the Yonko?
"In your own territory, I’ve no restraints, Kaido!" Kuro spat coldly. "Unlike that battlefield with Marshall D. Teach, where I had to hold back."
"Hohohohoho!"
Kaido threw his head back laughing. "Show me what you’ve got, Kuro!!"
"Hey, Navy officer! That’s not your territory—it’s Wano Country!"
The blue flamehair old man bellowed. "This is Wano! Kaido’s just a thief who conspired with Blackbeard’s Giant Serpent to kill Kozuki Oden and steal Wano!!"
Kuro’s glare silenced him instantly, Killing Intent forcing the man to shut his mouth.
"If your land’s stolen, reclaim it yourselves!" Kuro snarled. "What? You lost Oden and suddenly became spineless? Look at this place—it’s a factory and minefield. These collapsed bodies, malnourished and barely surviving through forced labor. They’d rather die than resist. What are you people thinking? Begging for some hero to save you? If you won’t act, don’t expect miracles from heaven. I’ve seen other countries like Wano, but they at least ignited their people’s fighting spirit. They bled for rebellion, sacrificed entire families. And you—"
Kuro slashed his Yokai Blade, voice icy. "How dare you expect the evil dragon to fear you without biting it painfully?!"
(End of Chapter)
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