On the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's expression grew increasingly grave. "So, it really wasn't that simple after all..."
Ace's eyes were wide, filled with pure disbelief. "Is this... Great-Grandpa's power?"
Aboard the Queen Mama Chanter, Big Mom's lips curled into a cold, jagged grin. "As expected of the man I set my sights on..."
"Conqueror's Haki..."
Kaido felt the raw force vibrating through his fist, and his face was twisted with frustration. Outsiders couldn't tell, but as the one directly involved, he could feel it—in that singular exchange of blows, he had actually been suppressed!
Right now, he was using nearly his entire physical strength, pushing his Armant Haki to its absolute limit, yet he couldn't budge Rowan's fist by even a hair's breadth. Furthermore, looking at Rowan's calm, indifferent face, it was obvious the old man still had plenty of strength in reserve.
But what truly bothered Kaido was the Conqueror's Haki erupting from Rowan—it exerted a pressure that even he found taxing.
While Conqueror's Haki represented the "Qualities of a King," a gift found in only one in a million, in the New World—the sea of the strongest—users of this Haki were as nurous as crossing carps in a river. Kaido himself had encountered no fewer than thirty people with this gift.
If it were just so random brat showing off Conqueror's Haki in front of him, Kaido wouldn't even give them a second look. He'd simply swing his club, knock the brat unconscious, throw them in a cell, and break their spirit with his own power.
The problem was, the person showing these "Qualities of a King" was Rowan.
Kaido had already learned exactly how strong Rowan was. In swordsmanship, the World's Greatest Swordsman had been decisively defeated by him. In physical combat, this man could break his human-form defense and even outmatch him in a direct clash of fists. Kaido understood now that if he wanted to defeat Rowan, he would have to use his Dragon form and go all-out to even have a chance.
As for Rowan's influence within the Marines? The two hundred surrounding warships and the expressions of the soldiers said everything. Sengoku, who also possessed Conqueror's Haki, had not hesitated to mobilize the entire Navy to support Rowan!
If Rowan didn't have Conqueror's Haki, such powerful influence would rely an he was a highly respected figure. But possessing it ant that the Marine soldiers had likely been conquered by Rowan's personal charisma.
In other words, Rowan was the sole King of the Marines!
He was a top-tier King that even Sengoku—who possessed the sa royal qualities—was willing to serve! He alone could command anyone in the Navy! Even the Commander-in-Chief of the World Governnt was willing to personally rush from the Holy Land Mariejois for him!
Rowan's status in the Navy was identical to Kaido's status in the Hundred Beasts Pirates. It was a terrifying realization, especially for a pirate.
BOOM!
The two pushed against each other simultaneously, the massive force vibrating through both n and sending them sliding back. Feeling the numbness in his knuckles, Kaido stared at Rowan with a dark face. After a long silence, he finally spoke.
"Withdraw! We're leaving this place!"
Rowan was too strong. With the Three Admirals, Sengoku, Garp, and the legendary Steel Bone Kong all present, Kaido knew that the longer he stayed, the more disadvantaged he beca. Fortunately, Joker's subordinate—Buffalo—wasn't stupid; after catching Doflamingo, he had flown directly into the sky rather than returning to the ship.
If Doflamingo were still here, Kaido wasn't sure if he could actually stop Rowan from finishing the job while in human form. Thus, Kaido chose to retreat. In his mind, as long as Joker was safe, the mission was a success.
However, to everyone else, this scene ant sothing entirely different.
In the eyes of the onlookers, after a single punch with Rowan, Kaido actually wanted to run! To every conscious soul on the battlefield, it looked like Kaido had chickened out!
The Marine soldiers were electrified. Mr. Rowan actually repelled Kaido! The Sea Emperor, Kaido of the Hundred Beasts, backed down in front of Mr. Rowan!
A single punch forcing a Hegemon of the sea to retreat—this hadn't happened in twenty years!
Twenty years ago, after Roger surrendered, the "Golden Lion" Shiki fought the two Admiral-level powerhouses of that era, Garp and Sengoku, alone, nearly destroying half of Marineford. Since that battle, the Navy's dominance over the sea had slowly dwindled. Roger's final words sparked the Great Pirate Era, accelerating the decline. Then ca the rise of the Yonko—Big Mom, Kaido, and Shanks. To counter these monsters, the World Governnt had even resorted to the Shichibukai system.
But today, Rowan had repelled Kaido. The soldiers saw a glimr of the days when the Navy truly suppressed the sea. Before the execution of Roger, the Navy was the absolute overlord. No pirate faction dared to face them head-on! Back then, Justice spread to every corner of the ocean!
Now, under Mr. Rowan's leadership, could they recreate that era? Could they go even further?! Everyone looked at Rowan with soaring hope.
Aboard the Hundred Beasts' ship, Rowan watched Kaido and took a puff from his pipe. "You can go, but Doflamingo's crew stays."
At these words, Trebol, Pica, and the mbers of the Donquixote Family on the three nearby ships felt their hearts stop. Rowan had no intention of letting them go! All eyes turned to Kaido. They were surrounded by the full might of the Navy; they couldn't resist. Their only hope was Kaido, their Young Master's business partner. He was their final lifeline.
Kaido squinted at Rowan, his face becoming increasingly unsightly. Under the hopeful, desperate gazes of hundreds of Donquixote mbers, Kaido remained silent for a long mont. Finally, he let out a cold snort and growled:
"Hmph... let's go!"
Seeing Kaido's reaction, the faces of everyone in the Donquixote Family instantly collapsed into despair.
Kaido had chickened out again!
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