Clash of Kings: Battle of Monsters
The overwhelming Haoshoku Haki (Conqueror's Haki) of Caesar and the Golden Lion clashed violently, creating an explosive impact that rippled through the surrounding sea. The shockwave from their collision sent countless fish into a daze, their limp bodies floating to the surface. Even massive Sea Kings hidden in the depths were not spared, some writhing in distress before sinking back into the abyss.
The sheer force of their Haki caused the wooden railings on both sides of the ship to crack, emitting eerie creaks as splinters flew. Above them, the sky itself split apart, dark clouds fracturing as if torn by an unseen blade.
The ocean churned wildly beneath them, colossal waves surging outward with Caesar and the Golden Lion at the epicenter.
Their Haoshoku Haki clashed for mere moments, but in the end, the Golden Lion's willpower faltered. His aura, though formidable, was ultimately suppressed by Caesar's superior presence.
"Jihahaha! Caesar! You've truly become stronger… but it's a pity you refuse to join me!"
Despite being overpowered in their Haki duel, the Golden Lion showed no signs of discouragement. Though his expression darkened, he let out a thunderous laugh, his eyes still gleaming with madness.
The Aerial Duel Begins
With a decisive movement, the Golden Lion drew his famed twin swords, Oto and Kogarashi, and shot into the air, soaring toward the Rex!
Caesar, gripping his black-bladed Tyrant Saber, willed himself into the sky, meeting the legendary pirate head-on.
Behind them, the Golden Lion's enormous floating flagship, shaped like a fearsome lion's head, moved in tandem with its master, looming ominously as it advanced toward the Rex.
In a flash, the two titanic figures clashed in midair. Caesar's blade, wrapped in dark lightning from his Haoshoku infusion, slashed toward the Golden Lion, but was intercepted by the veteran's dual swords. The impact sent shockwaves exploding outward.
As their captains dueled in the sky, the battle on the sea erupted. The Caesar Pirates and the Flying Pirates lunged at each other, swords clashing and cannons roaring. Despite being outnumbered, Caesar's crew held their ground—each fighter an elite warrior, trained to overwhelm multiple foes at once.
The World Takes Notice
Not long after the battle began, word of the clash spread like wildfire. Every major force in the New World took immediate notice.
Whether Navy, pirate, or underground syndicate, all eyes turned toward the battlefield.
"Move! Mobilize all available forces to the site! Those two are remnants of the Rocks Pirates—this could be the perfect chance to eliminate them!"
The nearest Marine base received urgent orders and immediately dispatched ships, aiming to strike once both sides were weakened.
But they weren't the only ones.
Other pirate crews also altered course, their captains eager for a chance to claim glory. If they could seize the head of either Caesar or the Golden Lion, their names would be immortalized across the seas.
For pirates, fame and fortune were everything. Letting such an opportunity slip by was unthinkable.
As forces from all directions closed in, the sea around the battlefield became packed with incoming ships. To an outsider, it might have seemed like a grand pirate gathering.
---
Daylong Battle of Titans
The clash between the Caesar Pirates and Flying Pirates stretched into an entire day.
Despite the passage of time, neither side showed signs of fatigue.
Their Haoshoku-infused attacks continued to shake the heavens, resembling a raging typhoon that sent waves crashing against the world itself.
Even those observing from a safe distance felt the sheer intensity of their battle.
Among the onlookers was a disguised News Coo ship, broadcasting live footage of the spectacle to audiences worldwide via Transponder Snails.
In the midst of the raging battle, Lily—an ally of Caesar, wielding the powers of the Kumo Kumo no Mi (Cloud-Cloud Fruit)—used her abilities to form a temporary battlefield in the sky.
With the ocean below now a roiling maelstrom, the combatants needed a stable platform to fight.
One by one, warriors from both sides leaped onto the floating island, engaging in brutal skirmishes amidst the clouds.
The Golden Lion's forces, primarily airborne fighters, took full advantage of this new battlefield. Hundreds of his men poured onto the island, their numbers dwarfing the twelve elite members of the Caesar Pirates.
Yet despite the overwhelming difference, Caesar's crew held their own.
After all, Caesar had designed his pirate group to follow an elite structure—each individual a powerhouse capable of fighting multiple opponents at once.
While the Flying Pirates had numbers, they lacked warriors who could rival the strength of Caesar's key officers.
---
Duel in the Sky: Caesar vs. The Golden Lion
Above the battlefield, Caesar and the Golden Lion continued their duel, exchanging brutal blows aimed at each other's vital points.
Caesar's Tyrant Saber, infused with his Haoshoku Haki, crackled with dark lightning as he swung it with devastating force. The slashes radiated an ominous purple-gold hue, cutting through the air like blades of pure destruction.
The Golden Lion, unfazed, responded in kind. With a manic laugh, he unleashed dozens of golden slashes from Oto and Kogarashi, filling the sky with razor-sharp attacks.
However, his slashes—though formidable—lacked the raw intensity of Caesar's blade.
The moment their attacks collided, the impact shattered the surrounding clouds. Residual slashes, now fragmented into countless smaller blades, shot off in random directions, slicing through the sea and even damaging distant ships.
Pirates who had been watching from a distance suddenly realized their folly.
"As expected of the Rocks Pirates' remnants! Their strength is monstrous!"
"Damn it! At this rate, even being near them is dangerous! We need to retreat—NOW!"
Some pirate captains who had been scheming to steal the victory immediately turned their ships around, realizing they were far too close to the battlefield.
But it was already too late.
A golden figure came hurtling down from the sky, slamming into one of the pirate ships with a resounding crash.
The surrounding pirates stared in horror.
"G-Golden Lion…!?"
The legendary pirate groaned as he stood up, brushing off debris. His face twisted in frustration—he hadn't expected to be kicked out of the sky so easily.
At the same time, Caesar hovered above, breathing heavily, a fresh wound visible on his left arm from the Golden Lion's previous attack.
For all his strength, Caesar wasn't unscathed.
But as he examined the cut on his arm, his gaze remained cold and focused.
"Jihahaha! You've gotten stronger, Caesar," the Golden Lion admitted, wiping blood from his mouth. "I didn't expect you to surpass me in just three years."
Caesar's eyes didn't waver.
However, the Golden Lion wasn't finished yet.
Grinning madly, he reached out, touching the wooden deck beneath him. A moment later, he leapt across several other ships, placing his hands on each one.
Unbeknownst to the onlookers, he also made brief contact with the seawater.
Then, as he rose back into the sky, he let out a crazed roar.
"I'll show you the true power of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi! Jihahahaha!"
The pirate ships he had touched suddenly began to rise into the air. Their terrified crews tumbled into the sea, screaming.
Now wielding an armada of floating warships as weapons, the Golden Lion launched them straight at Caesar.
---
A Battle That Shook the World
After hours of grueling combat, both warriors were battered and bloodied.
Though injured, Caesar still held firm. The Golden Lion, however, was visibly struggling.
And the world had taken notice.
The battle had been recorded.
The name "Caesar" would soon spread across the seas—forever tied to a duel that shook the heavens.
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