"A partnership!?"
Yemu's words made even Kaidou pause in surprise.
"Yes. Just like you said, I really do have the ability to strip Devil Fruit powers from their users!"
The moment those words fell, not only did Kaidou's expression shift, but even the members of the Big Mom Pirates looked visibly startled.
"However, as things stand, killing me and taking that method from me won't be easy. So, how about a partnership? You provide the Devil Fruit users, and I'll extract their abilities. Of course, if you insist on fighting me to the death, I don't mind either."
"!!!"
Kaidou's gaze turned thoughtful.
He might look like a brute, but when it came to calculation and strategy, he was as sharp as anyone.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have seized Wano Country or allied himself with Doflamingo.
After only a brief moment of thought, he made his decision.
"Follow me!"
As soon as he spoke, his massive dragon body coiled and flew off in another direction.
Seeing this, Yemu called out toward the Twin Goddesses.
"I'll be back soon!"
Then he shifted into human form and followed.
About ten minutes later, an uninhabited island appeared in their view.
Kaidou plunged straight down from the sky, crashing heavily onto the ground.
The impact shook the entire island like an earthquake. As the dust cleared, Kaidou, now in human form, stood before Yemu.
Yemu descended lightly as well, landing opposite him.
Compared to Kaidou at the beginning of the story twenty years later, the current Kaidou looked noticeably more youthful. His build wasn't as massive, slimmer by a full circle. He wore a blue jacket that exposed his powerful upper body, paired with long, narrow trousers. Resting on his shoulder was a black kanabō.
Even so, his expression remained just as arrogant. Chin raised, he looked at Yemu out of the corner of his eye with clear disdain and barked:
"Kid, let's hear your plan."
Yemu didn't take offense.
"It's simple. Just like I said before, you provide the Devil Fruit users, and I'll supply the Devil Fruits. As for how we divide them, we can discuss that later. But there are a few things I need to make clear first. While I do have a method to extract Devil Fruits, it's not guaranteed to succeed."
"Hm!?"
"The success rate is already quite high, but based on what I've seen so far, there have still been failures among the Devil Fruit users brought to me. For example, the Zoan-type fruit I encountered in the Sabaody Archipelago, the Zou Zou no Mi, Model: White Elephant, couldn't be successfully extracted."
Kaidou's brow immediately furrowed.
As the captain of the Beasts Pirates, he naturally favored Zoan-type fruits.
"However, for the Paramecia-type fruits I've handled so far, there haven't been any failures. So I can't say whether it's due to the unique nature of Zoan fruits or just coincidence. Either way, if you want to work with me, you'll have to take that gamble first."
"Hm!?"
In an instant, killing intent surged across Kaidou's face as he glared at Yemu in clear displeasure.
Yemu, however, continued as if he hadn't noticed at all.
"Also, the two Devil Fruits currently in Wano Country, the Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Yamata no Orochi, and the Bari Bari no Mi, will serve as your token of sincerity for this partnership. You'll hand them over to me."
The moment those words were spoken, Kaidou's aura exploded outward. He glared fiercely at Yemu.
"Kid, did you get something wrong? The fact that I'm even willing to work with you is already a favor. And you still dare to set conditions?"
Yemu replied calmly, completely unfazed.
"It seems you've got it backwards, Kaidou."
"Huh!?"
"I'm the one in control here. The only reason I'm willing to work with you is to save myself some trouble. Even if you refuse, I can go to Wano Country myself and take those Devil Fruits. As for what might happen then... I can't guarantee anything."
At that moment, Kaidou's fury reached its limit.
"Are you threatening me, kid!?"
A terrifying aura exploded from his body. Black lightning coiled around him as his overwhelming presence turned tangible, surging toward Yemu and swallowing him whole.
"What overwhelming Conqueror's Haki."
Yemu felt as if a small mountain had dropped onto his shoulders. Even the air around him grew thick and heavy.
"But… my Conqueror's Haki isn't weak either."
His eyes sharpened. A vast aura burst from his body, shooting straight into the sky. It tore through Kaidou's Conqueror's Haki and surged back at him like a tidal wave.
Visible to the naked eye, Yemu's Conqueror's Haki actually suppressed Kaidou's, both in range and sheer pressure.
Kaidou froze for a split second, then his expression twisted with anger as his Conqueror's Haki erupted again.
"Boom…"
As their Conqueror's Haki clashed and crushed against each other, the very sky and earth seemed to change color. Black lightning crackled wildly. The ground shattered, the clouds above were blown apart, and the sea around the island roared with towering waves.
Even Perospero, dozens of kilometers away, could sense the collision of their wills.
At the very center of that clash, flames burst within the black lightning.
Yemu looked at Kaidou, a grin of excitement spreading across his face.
"Looks like even your Conqueror's Haki isn't stronger than mine."
Kaidou's muscles bulged, veins throbbing as his face darkened.
"Kid… you've really pissed me off…!"
With an enraged roar, he swung the kanabō in his hand. Black Haki wrapped around it as he charged forward at an unbelievable speed, tearing through the air.
Seeing this, Yemu drew Tengoku from his waist. Armament Haki coated the blade as he rushed to meet him.
In an instant, thunder met fire.
Lightning and flames erupted from the point of impact, like divine fire surging upward and heavenly thunder crashing down.
"What!? Is this brat a natural monster like that old hag!?"
For the first time, Kaidou was truly shocked.
Matching him in Devil Fruit ability and Conqueror's Haki was one thing.
But how could someone so much younger stand toe-to-toe with him in raw strength, the very thing he prided himself on most?
"Don't mess with me…"
At this point, neither of them used any refined techniques. They simply swung their weapons again and again, clashing in the most brutal way possible.
"Boom… boom… boom…"
The ground beneath them cracked under the overwhelming force, and the entire deserted island began to split apart with spiderweb-like fractures.
"It's useless, Kaidou!"
Even now, Yemu still had the composure to speak.
"When it comes to physical strength, I'm not inferior to you at all. Unless you've mastered Conqueror's Haki coating, there's no way you can defeat me right now!"
Kaidou paused for a split second, then his anger flared even higher.
"You've got some nerve, brat!"
With that, he swung his kanabō with terrifying force.
"Raimei Hakke!"