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Dragon's Reign
Hikaru seemed to realize there were no more targets to attack, so he restrained his power.
He exhaled black thunder from his mouth and summoned a hurricane with a wave of his hand. Clouds and mist swirled beneath his claws! Everyone marveled at his majestic presence, as if a true dragon had descended upon the world!
He unleashed elemental attacks of all kinds effortlessly, producing impressive results. Punk Hazard's landscape was now riddled with craters from his assaults, giving it an apocalyptic appearance.
The Azure Dragon Fruit's baseline power was extraordinarily high. Even without developing its abilities fully, he could already utilize so many powers. He could feel his attack power, defense, resistance, and endurance had dramatically increased.
Even if Nami, Robin, and other formidable opponents used their strange abilities against him, he no longer felt inferior to them!
As expected of the strongest tier of Devil Fruits—this was truly a Devil Fruit that could perform the functions of many others.
Its versatility was unmatched!
The abilities to control flames, command lightning, create storms, form clouds, and manipulate fog corresponded to the powers of the Mera Mera no Mi, Goro Goro no Mi, and various other fruits like the Gomu Gomu no Mi and Kumo Kumo no Mi. The Flame Clouds could even create floating islands.
This was merely what Kaido had demonstrated. The true power of the Azure Dragon might extend far beyond.
Another terrifying aspect was its complete name: Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu—the Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Type, Azure Dragon Model. This meant it granted the user the ability to survive underwater, explaining why Kaido wouldn't die when falling into the sea.
[It's also possible the dragon could control water, allowing him to enter the sea at will.]
Similar to Jack "the Drought," who was a fishman capable of breathing freely underwater and wouldn't drown if he fell into the sea.
Hikaru suppressed his overwhelming pressure, transformed back into human form, and stood suspended in the air.
The priests and divine soldiers looked on with increasing eagerness. Upon witnessing such a powerful dragon, they guessed this must be the work of their great god.
To their surprise, the dragon's true identity was Hikaru!
"Shura, let's proceed."
His cold voice carried no warmth, yet Shura seemed refreshed as if blessed by sweet rain. He shouted enthusiastically, "Yes! Lord God!"
"KILL!"
The divine soldiers who had been prepared for battle charged toward the ruined research institute, slaughtering the wailing victims and those still stunned by Hikaru's Conqueror's Haki.
Hikaru nodded and, in a flash of lightning, rushed into the depths of the research institute.
——
In a critical observation room deep within the facility, Caesar was roaring in fear and blaming his subordinates for their inadequacy.
"Why can't the Den Den Mushi function? Even the electrical systems have lost power! At this rate, we won't be able to access the secret escape route!"
"Why would Kaido suddenly attack us? Is he drunk again? If this place is destroyed, how can he build an invincible pirate force composed of pure artificial Devil Fruit users?"
"That's not Kaido!"
Monet, typically gentle and quiet, rarely displayed such seriousness. She had been placed beside Caesar as Doflamingo's spy, serving as his assistant.
She hadn't yet been transformed by Law and still possessed her human hands and body. (Law would transform her about a year and a half after the Battle of Marineford.)
"Kaido's dragon form is blue, but the one we're facing has a pink dragon body!"
"WHAT?!"
Caesar was shocked. His thoughts turned to Vegapunk's artificial Devil Fruit. "Could it be... No, impossible! That artificial Devil Fruit was clearly a failure!"
With determination in his eyes, he ordered loudly, "Quickly check the surveillance in the storage room! Confirm if the artificial Devil Fruit is still in its protective case!"
"Lord Caesar... the Den Den Mushi aren't working... and we've lost power..." a researcher in a lab coat answered tremblingly.
Caesar froze, his fear causing total confusion.
"Then what should we do? Are we just waiting to die? Monet! Why haven't you contacted Doflamingo yet?!"
Monet glanced at him disdainfully and replied expressionlessly: "My Den Den Mushi is broken too."
She was responsible for protecting Caesar and the experimental results, but given the current situation, escape seemed impossible. At this point, her protection made little difference.
"How lively... I wonder what everyone's discussing. Mind if I join in?"
A cheerful male voice suddenly interrupted. Everyone turned toward the source and gasped in shock.
Hikaru had effortlessly pushed open the tightly sealed metal door secured with pressure locks.
"Impossible! I personally locked that door with gas pressure... No one but me should be able to open it like that!"
Caesar's understanding of reality seemed shattered. He could have accepted a destroyed or broken door, but seeing it opened intact was incomprehensibly shocking.
"Who are you?!" Monet transformed into heavy snow, shielding Caesar and the researchers behind her while staring intensely at the uninvited guest.
"You don't recognize me? Fair enough. With a bounty of only 300 million, I'm still relatively unknown. I need more practice."
Hikaru chuckled. Even if the divine soldiers hadn't surrounded Punk Hazard, Caesar and the others would have no escape.
"Caesar Clown, if you want to live, lie on the ground like a dog. Perhaps you'll avoid some physical pain!"
"Sholololo~ Let's discuss this reasonably~" Though Caesar possessed the Logia-type Gasu Gasu no Mi, he was primarily a scientific researcher. He excelled at developing his Gas Fruit abilities but lacked combat experience.
"We have no quarrel with each other. There's no need for conflict."
"Haha~"
The lightning dissipated, and Hikaru instantly appeared behind Caesar.
"So fast!" Monet gasped and quickly looked back.
Hikaru had transformed into his dragon-human hybrid form. He swung his dragon tail, wrapping it tightly around Caesar, immobilizing him and causing excruciating pain.
"AAHHH!!"
Caesar's painful cries secretly pleased some researchers who had been his prisoners. Naturally, most of those feeling satisfaction were somewhat twisted, while ordinary individuals were terrified.
They hurriedly fled to the opposite side, fearing they would become Hikaru's next targets.
"Release Caesar!" Monet shouted with surprising force. With a powerful wave of her hand, snowflakes transformed into sharp projectiles flying toward Hikaru.
BANG BANG BANG!
The snowflakes either exploded in midair or passed through, attempting to scratch Hikaru.
HIT!
No! Caesar's screams continued unabated!
As the snow mist from the exploding snowflakes dissipated, everyone was horrified to discover Hikaru completely unharmed.
All of Monet's blizzard attacks had vanished without effect. The scene resembled someone without Haki mindlessly attacking a Logia user with bare fists.
"How is this possible..." Monet murmured in disbelief. Lacking both Armament Haki and Observation Haki, she couldn't perceive what was happening.
Monet: A beautiful woman with long, wavy green hair, golden pupils, her left eye often covered by bangs, and a tall, graceful figure. She possesses a gentle personality and a distinctive laugh of "fufufu~". Most importantly, she's powerful enough to rival Nami!