Kaido floated in the sky, the intense fire from the explosion illuminating his face. The searing heat made even him feel uncomfortable.
He watched as the explosion caused the flaming bird to spread its wings and soar once more. As it ascended, the flames gradually dissipated, revealing the golden dragon that emerged from within.
Ian, the kid Kaido had picked up from a deserted island, was displaying terrifying potential.
It wasn't just his physical prowess—already far beyond that of ordinary people—but combined with his abilities, he was even stronger than Kaido had been at the same age, possibly even stronger than Big Mom!
Ian had already flown to the top of Kaido's head. Exhausted, he released his ability and weakly landed on Kaido's head, saying, "No, I can't win, Mr. Kaido."
A terrifying howl, like the wail of a ghost, erupted from below.
The fireworks from the explosion had dissipated, revealing a massive crater, tens of meters wide. The surface of the crater and even the ground had been slightly melted, with a layer of magma still radiating intense heat.
On the edge of the crater, a battered Moria was roaring at the sky.
His companions were scattered around him—most of them burned beyond recognition, groaning in pain. Many others had been reduced to lifeless corpses.
Aside from Moria himself, only a few could still stand.
Only those who could wield Armament Haki had managed to protect themselves, but the rest of their comrades were less fortunate.
Even Moria bore some burn marks on his body.
As for the others, they were all in tatters, covered in burns.
"Didn't you do a good job, kid?"
Kaido didn't hesitate to praise him. "Huh-huh, cluck! I couldn't do something at your age."
"That's because everyone except Moria is too weak," Ian replied, sitting cross-legged on Kaido's head with an air of self-assurance.
Aside from Moria, a few others had been able to use Armament Haki, but they were still too weak to withstand the heat.
Moreover, even those with Zoan-type Devil Fruit abilities, except for some special cases or those who had awakened, didn't gain significant physical endurance. They were just more durable.
At this point, Ian's physical strength wasn't sufficient to use his abilities recklessly.
If it weren't for Mr. Kaido's presence, even if he had tried to take advantage of the situation, he would have been slaughtered by the enraged Moria by now.
"Kid, you're right. It's all because they're too weak!"
Kaido's massive form suddenly shrank, transforming back into his humanoid shape as he crashed down.
The impact created a deep crater in the ground.
Ian clung tightly to his mentor's hair, trying to avoid being flung away.
"That's why, little brat, you need to become stronger!"
Moria glared at Kaido, now in his human form.
"Hmm... What do you think of my little brat?"
Kaido casually slung his mace over his shoulder, taunting, "Compared to your useless comrades, he's on a completely different level, isn't he?"
"Kaido!! I'll kill you!!"
Moria, consumed by rage, lost all sense of reason and charged at Kaido with reckless abandon.
"Hmm... Thunder Bagua!!"
Later, on the chaotic battlefield...
Snowflakes began to fall from the sky once again.
Ian stood at the edge of the battlefield, his expression somber.
The ground was strewn with corpses.
It was his first time witnessing so many dead bodies, many of whom had fallen by his own hands. His emotions were complex and conflicted.
The remnants of Moria's crew who had survived the onslaught of his divine firebirds were now all dead, their bodies twisted and broken.
The sight of these men bravely charging at Kaido was something Ian felt he would never forget for the rest of his life.
"Hmm... I don't despise tenacity," Kaido muttered.
Kaido laughed heartily, resting his mace on his shoulder. "Moria, I'm waiting for you to come back for revenge."
But Moria fled anyway. His crew fought desperately to hold off Kaido, howling and roaring as they bought time for their captain to escape, even at the cost of their lives.
It's hard not to lose your mind in such a situation.
Ian could somewhat understand the despair that led Moria to his self-destructive behavior.
That said, the Shadow-Shadow Fruit is indeed formidable. Moria only needed to cast his shadow far enough, and then he could instantly swap places with it to make his escape.
"Well, that was an interesting encounter, boy. But now, we're heading back."
Kaido transformed back into his massive dragon form, and Ian grabbed onto his mane as they soared into the sky.
Today, they had witnessed the downfall of an idealist.
The enormous green dragon, stretching hundreds of meters, flew over the land of Wano, crossing from the northernmost point to the southern tip of the country.
As they flew, Ian observed the numerous factories below, their chimneys spewing thick black smoke that blotted out the skies over Wano.
The country was on the brink of ruin.
Wano was decaying, and Kaido's dragon form flew out towards the sea.
However, it wasn't the open sea of the New World, but the inland sea within Wano.
To safeguard the ancient weapon, Pluton, Wano had built towering walls around the country, trapping water over the past 800 years and creating an inland sea that submerged the surrounding islands.
Soon, an island with a gigantic skull came into view.
Onigashima, their destination.
Kaido's dragon form flew directly into the eye socket of the skull-shaped mountain, reverting to his human form as they landed on the top terrace of the main building.
Ian couldn't help but let out a long sigh of relief, finally returning unharmed.
As soon as they landed, a small figure dashed out from the top floor and wrapped herself around Kaido's calf, her face lighting up with joy.
Well, Kaido was still a bit too tall for her.
The little girl tilted her head happily, her round face brimming with smiles. She had beautiful hair that transitioned from white to green to blue, and she looked adorable in her little white kimono.
As soon as Kaido nodded, the little girl started climbing up his leg until she perched herself on top of his head. Kaido didn't seem to mind.
The girl clutched the horns on her father's head and grinned at Ian, who was sitting on Kaido's shoulder. "How was it? Did you have fun out there?"
"It was boring," Ian replied with a yawn. "That country is dull."
"You're just trying to trick me!" Yamato, the little girl and Kaido's daughter, pouted. "I wanted to go with you!"
"You're almost ready."
Kaido raised his hand, grabbed his daughter by the back of her collar, and lifted her off his head, placing her in front of him. He scolded her seriously, "If you keep saying you want to surpass me, then get stronger quickly! At the very least, you shouldn't be much weaker than Ian!"
Yamato smiled and nodded enthusiastically, "I will definitely surpass you, Dad!"
Ian tilted his head, noticing the slight, almost unconscious smile tugging at the corners of Kaido's mouth. He felt a wave of relief.
The past three years of effort had finally paid off.
If there was one significant achievement over the past three years, it was that Kaido, who was once destined to clash with his daughter Yamato in the original story, now had a genuinely warm father-daughter relationship!
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