Chapter 30 - Thunder Cut: Instant Shadow Remnant Zero-Style: Trans-Space Flash Slash!
"Kaido, aren't I fighting you head-on right now?"
"No! You're ambushing me!"
Kaido was deeply dissatisfied with this battle. Though he hadn't lost yet, he couldn't accept fighting against such an underhanded opponent!
While he wasn't exactly honorable himself, in combat he wished his opponents would face him directly. That way, even if he lost, he'd accept defeat wholeheartedly.
"So you're saying I should abandon my advantages and fight you using my weaknesses?"
"No, I'm not... I just meant..."
Kaido suddenly found himself at a loss for words. His stammering made him feel somewhat ashamed.
Truthfully, that was exactly what he'd been thinking. But having Renji voice it out loud made him reconsider.
Mainly because he couldn't bring himself to actually say "abandon your strengths and fight me with your weaknesses" out loud.
"Fine then, Kaido. Let's have a proper head-on fight!"
"Huh?!"
He's actually agreeing?!
Though Kaido had secretly hoped Renji would abandon his advantages, he'd never actually expected it to happen - after all, he wouldn't do such a thing himself either.
Only an idiot would give up their advantages!
"Just kidding, dumbass! Divine Judgment!"
A bolt of lightning instantly struck down from the sky towards Kaido. Before he could react, it hit him square on. Though he managed to defend with Armament Haki, thick black smoke came pouring out of his mouth when he opened it.
He swore to himself he'd never believe another word from Renji - not a single one. From this moment on, he wouldn't give Renji another chance to trick him.
With this resolution, he gripped his club tightly and entered a frenzied state, completely ignoring whatever Renji might say next as he began smashing the entire arena indiscriminately.
"That guy's abilities are impressive, but if he can't break through the defense, he'll really lose!"
John glanced at Renji, a trace of worry flashing in his eyes.
While the Rumble-Rumble Fruit's power was indeed surprising, Kaido's defensive capabilities were monstrous - coupled with his Armament Haki.
If Renji didn't have some powerful techniques up his sleeve, breaking through that defense seemed impossible.
This guy... really does have the same monstrous physique as Charlotte Linlin!
Thinking this, John instinctively looked towards Charlotte Linlin, only to see her watching Kaido with great interest.
Clearly, Charlotte Linlin had set her sights on Kaido.
"If I had a child with him, I'm sure we could produce a truly monstrous existence!"
The Oni tribe's greatest strength wasn't their defense, but their recovery ability - definitely among the top in this world.
Her own defensive capabilities were called the "Iron Balloon" - even without using Haki, her natural defense was astonishing.
If their child inherited both her defensive power and Kaido's recovery ability... Charlotte Linlin didn't dare imagine just how terrifying such a child could become.
This would be the first step in building her Whole Cake Kingdom. To become the strongest pirate, the greatest female pirate, she absolutely needed to recruit Kaido to her side.
With this thought, Charlotte Linlin began making plans in her heart.
"If your swordsmanship could advance to the level of a master swordsman, you could definitely break through his defense. Why has a swordsman abandoned the sword at his waist?"
Ochaku stared intently at the weapon on Renji's hip. Though it was only a Ryo Wazamono grade sword, he could faintly hear its mournful cry - as if lamenting how long it had been since Renji last used it properly.
A sword can sometimes communicate with its master!
Ochaku's eyes lingered on Renji's blade before he sighed deeply. Without saying anything more, he turned his attention back to the battle between Renji and Kaido.
Kaido surpassed Renji in strength, defense, and recovery ability. But his fatal flaw was speed - he simply couldn't hit Renji, and his Observation Haki was completely outclassed. Landing a solid hit seemed nearly impossible.
At this point, Kaido could only think of one strategy: drag out the fight using his stamina.
Since Renji couldn't break his defense, as long as he could outlast Renji until his speed dropped due to exhaustion, the tide would turn in his favor.
However, this style of fighting was making Kaido increasingly frustrated. Renji kept dodging without counterattacking, which annoyed him to no end.
"Got you now!"
Spotting an opening, Kaido locked onto Renji's position. Covering his club with Armament Haki, he swung with lightning speed towards Renji.
As the club drew nearer, the excitement in Kaido's eyes grew - he was going to become a captain!
Boom!
A puff of smoke dissipated, revealing a wooden log where Renji's body should have been. Kaido stared in silence.
"Kaido, it's about time we ended this."
Renji's voice came from behind Kaido, accompanied by the soft sound of a blade being drawn from its sheath.
The overwhelming sharp aura that erupted caused Kaido to momentarily freeze. Then, the people closest to Renji began collapsing one after another, followed by rows upon rows of spectators fainting from the pressure.
"Conqueror's Haki?!"
A cold sweat ran down Kaido's face. This guy had all three types of Haki plus the Rumble-Rumble Fruit? The crackling sound behind him gave him no time to turn around.
"Thunder Cut: Instant Shadow Remnant Zero-Style: Trans-Space Flash Slash!"
The blade was coated in Armament Haki, with crackling lightning energy concentrated along its edge.
Kaido turned his head to meet Renji's gaze - those eyes like a demon's from hell - but before he could react...
Snick!
Renji stood before him, calmly sheathing his sword: "Scars on the back are a swordsman's shame, Kaido. Your teacher didn't cut your back - isn't that considerate enough?"
Looking down, Kaido saw the massive wound across his chest. Blood flowed freely from the injury, and his normally incredible recovery ability seemed hindered - the lightning snakes dancing across the wound prevented healing while simultaneously paralyzing his nerves and muscles.
Kaido felt his consciousness fading. With a heavy thud, he collapsed to the ground. Only then did he realize - Renji had just been playing with him this whole time.
"Wait a damn minute! When the hell did you awaken Conqueror's Haki?!"
John instantly appeared before Renji after the battle ended, unable to contain himself any longer.
What the hell!
Weren't they supposed to be brothers forever?
When did this guy grow so much behind his back?
"Back when I climbed that tree last time."
Renji raised his hands in surrender, honestly answering now that he'd chosen to reveal it. These weren't secrets worth keeping anyway.
"So you're telling me last time you not only got the Rumble-Rumble Fruit but also awakened Conqueror's Haki?"
John nearly fainted from shock. He never imagined Renji had gained so many abilities during that single incident.
To think he hadn't said a single word about it - his secrecy was truly impressive!
"Pretty much."
"I really wanna strangle you right now! And that ridiculously named final move of yours—it was just a lightning-infused slash with Haki, wasn't it? Stop showing off!"
John's words carried a distinct sour note that even Renji could taste in the air.
Though he called it showing off, John was secretly envious. He wanted to pull off something that cool too, but he could never come up with such an extravagant name.
"John, you just don't get it. As they say, 'The longer the name, the stronger the move.' It's a proven fact. Besides, doesn't it sound awesome?"
"Cut the crap! Did you already know where the Rumble-Rumble Fruit was hidden?"
John wasn't buying it. What he really wanted to know was whether Renji had prior knowledge.
"Well, not exactly. I just got lucky for once."
"Lucky? How the hell does that kind of luck even happen?!"
Why didn't he ever get that kind of luck?
Cough cough. "I'll let you in on a secret. Just go to a secluded mountaintop at midnight and shout 'Revive, my beloved!' three times. Your luck might improve too!"
"Who the hell would believe that?!"
John immediately shut up. Did Renji think he was some gullible kid? Like he was as naive as Kaido?
"Gehahahaha! Damn, congratulations, you bastard!"
Though reluctant, Golden Lion had no choice but to acknowledge Renji's achievement. From today onward, Renji had officially entered the so-called "Strongmen's Club."
Top-tier Devil Fruit abilities, mastery of all three Haki types, and immense potential—everything pointed to Renji becoming a force even Golden Lion couldn't ignore.
A plan began forming in his mind. Maybe he could try recruiting Renji.
Right now, everyone in the Rocks Pirates had their own agendas. Sooner or later, they'd all leave.
Golden Lion had his own dreams. He wouldn't stay with Rocks forever.
And if Renji was willing to leave with him and join his crew…
Just imagining it made his blood race. With Renji's abilities, his future crew would be unstoppable. He could fight in the skies, and so could Renji. Aerial bombardment from both of them—who could possibly withstand that?
"Mamamamama~ That brat Kaido never stood a chance. Should I take him back and patch him up?"
Charlotte Linlin stepped forward, reaching for Kaido's unconscious body, but Rocks' sudden appearance made her freeze.
Meeting Rocks' gaze, a flicker of confusion passed through her eyes.
"Not yet," Rocks said flatly. "Kaido still has his uses. Besides, I have some things to teach him. Leave him to the medics. As for you, Renji—starting now, you'll train with us. Since you've awakened Conqueror's Haki, there are things you need to learn."
Rocks wasn't blind to Linlin's intentions.
But Kaido was his recruit—someone he intended to groom as his loyal subordinate. Losing to Renji, who wielded all three Haki types, swordsmanship, and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, wasn't a real defeat. Even veterans like Ochaku, John, or Silver Axe might have fallen under those circumstances.
So Rocks still saw potential in Kaido.
As for Renji? He'd genuinely impressed him.
Originally, Rocks had planned to focus on training Kaido. But now, Renji couldn't be left behind. Thankfully, Renji only seemed close to John at the moment.
The real threats were Golden Lion and Charlotte Linlin—both of whom might try to recruit him.
While Renji hadn't shown any particular inclinations yet, if he had even a slight weakness for women, Linlin might actually succeed. After all, she was the undisputed beauty of the Rocks Pirates—perhaps even among all female pirates. Stunning looks, an incredible figure—if you ignored certain… quirks, she was practically perfect.
"Mamamama~ Rocks, no need to be so guarded against me, is there?"
"After the plan, I won't interfere."
Rocks gave her a firm look, offering a compromise. He couldn't afford distractions before the operation. But afterward? Kaido could be her problem for a while.
"Deal."
After a moment's thought, Linlin agreed.
Renji couldn't help but pity Kaido. The guy was still unconscious, yet his future as breeding stock was already being decided. Though the God Valley incident would likely never happen now—with Rocks destined to die there and Kaido fleeing with a massive favor owed.
"Alright, the captain's competition is over. Get these unconscious idiots out of here. Tomorrow's a rest day—just the captains need to attend the meeting."
With that, Rocks hauled Kaido away.
Tomorrow, once everyone had rested, he'd reveal the God Valley plan.
What came next would shake the world.
"Gurararara! How about you—"
"Whitebeard, why don't you and Big Mom have a kid together? You want sons, she wants kids—perfect match, no?"
"..."
Renji's words instantly killed Whitebeard's enthusiasm. He'd been about to invite Renji to join his future crew, but now that tiny spark of ambition had been thoroughly doused.
Instead, it solidified his dream.
Once this was over, he'd gather war orphans—those with nowhere else to go—and build a true family. A warm home for them all.
Too bad Renji wouldn't be his first son.
"Let's go, John."
Renji patted John's shoulder and left, exhaustion from the battle finally catching up. His stamina was still lacking—if Kaido had held out just a bit longer, he might've lost.
Improving endurance would be his next goal.
That night, as Renji prepared to sleep—and block out the electromagnetic noise of amorous couples across the island—he suddenly jerked upright.
From a mountain behind Hachinosu, a voice echoed:
"Revive, my beloved!!"
"Revive, my beloved!!"
"Revive, my beloved!!"
Wait—
JOHN, YOU ACTUALLY DID IT?!
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