Dressrosa.
The battle between Gu Yina and Charlotte Linlin was still in a stalemate.
Although Gu Yina was not as strong as Charlotte Linlin, her speed far surpassed her, so the only way for them to determine a winner was through attrition.
This was also how most battles between powerful individuals in this world were decided.
Of course, in the current situation, with no one to help, Gu Yina was bound to lose over time.
After all, Charlotte Linlin was a true monster.
But...
Wasn't Kotaro here?
Outer Sea.
On a colossal galleon.
"Captain Jack, Dressrosa is ahead. I see Navy warships, likely of the highest grade. I also see Bog."
"This guy thinks I'm running away now?"
"Hmm... that's true. In his mind, I'm definitely no match for Kaido, so it's understandable that I would flee."
"But even if I ran from Kaido, wouldn't you see that I'm completely unharmed?"
Kotaro mentally grumbled.
"Moreover, if I can fight Kaido and escape unscathed, do you think you can handle me?"
"Ah~"
Just then, Jack couldn't wait any longer. He raised his massive scythe-like weapon, planted his feet on the deck, and charged straight towards Kotaro.
This guy had a particularly violent temper. Once he identified Kotaro as an enemy, he believed in tearing him apart with brute force for a satisfying end.
Reaching Kotaro, Jack stared down at the small figure before him, his eyes blazing. The veins on his scythe-wielding arm bulged, and his arm thickened by a full circle. Then, dark Armament Haki instantly enveloped the scythe, and he fiercely slashed down at Kotaro.
"Die, brat!"
He was hot-headed and reckless, but that didn't mean he was stupid.
Over the past year, he had frequently seen this kid's name in newspapers and heard his boss Kaido mention his strength.
Therefore, he didn't treat Kotaro as an ordinary pirate and went all out from the start.
Kotaro looked up at Jack, a strange glint flashing in his eyes.
This guy didn't seem as brainless as he'd imagined.
At least he knew to go all out when facing him.
But...
"This isn't enough!"
Kotaro lowered his gaze, took a swig of his drink, and completely ignored Jack's slash.
*Bang!*
The massive scythe, within half a meter of Kotaro, struck an impenetrable wall of space and could advance no further.
This guy was strong, but not yet at the Admiral level.
So Kotaro couldn't even be bothered to move a finger, using his domain to block the slash.
"So strong?"
Jack's pupils contracted as he stared at Kotaro, who was calmly drinking.
He then raised his scythe, his arms turning a brown color like stone, and his head transforming into a giant brown elephant head.
This caused his entire body to swell.
Already a towering figure, transforming into his Zoan form turned him into a true giant.
He was a user of the "Zoan Zoan no Mi, Ancient Zoan Type, Mammoth Model" Devil Fruit.
He could transform into the ancient beast Mammoth, possessing immense brute strength.
He looked down at Kotaro, his arms now like elephant legs, tightly gripping his scythe. With bloodshot eyes, he fiercely slashed down at Kotaro again.
"Die, brat!"
*Bang!*
The powerful slash struck the space in front of Kotaro, erupting with an immense shockwave.
The tremendous force seemed to act upon space itself, causing the bow of the ship to dip.
*Crack, crack, crack!!*
In front of Kotaro, under Jack's excited gaze, the space began to show spiderweb-like cracks.
"As expected, absolute defense isn't absolute."
Jack became even more excited and put even more force into his attack.
"Alright, I'm done playing."
Just as the space was about to shatter, Kotaro's figure vanished, reappearing directly in front of Jack's head.
Kotaro stared at Jack, a murderous intent flashing in his cerulean eyes.
Without further words, he drew his sword.
*Swish—!*
A cold blade light traced a semicircle in the air.
Then, a silver-white slash, shaped like a crescent moon, sliced directly across Jack's neck.
*Spltch—!*
A massive head flew into the sky.
Without any obstruction or resistance, Jack the Drought, one of the Three Calamities, was decapitated.
*Thump!*
The severed head landed on the deck with a dull thud.
The eyes, staring blankly upwards in death, seemed to hold disbelief and unwillingness.
At this moment.
On the giant ship.
There was deafening silence.