As everyone gazed at Kaido's colossal body, marveling at its immensity.
A jet-black figure, its wings wreathed in flames, streaked across the sky and appeared on the battlefield.
Kong Tai paid no mind to the figure in the sky. He lowered his gaze to Kaido, his right hand gripping the Space Blade, then opened his palm upwards.
The dark Space Blade spun in his palm, gradually shrinking until it became a glass ball, which he pocketed into his spatial bag.
Following suit, he put away Shuishui, which had been hovering to his right, then gripped the hilt of Zankou before finally looking up at the black silhouette in the sky.
The newcomer wore a black double-breasted coat and black trousers, a black mask atop his head, and a helmet with attached goggles. A long sword hung at his waist, and a pair of jet-black wings behind him flapped in the air, keeping him aloft.
A halo of flames surrounded the back of his head, making him appear like a god from myth.
However, this god seemed flustered and shocked, as if witnessing something unbelievable, filled with disbelief.
King, the newcomer, was Jin, whose real name was Abel, a Calamity of the Beast Pirates, the chief of the "Three Calamities," and known as the "Flame Calamity."
He was one of Kaido's earliest followers and his most trusted subordinate, whom Kaido called his right hand.
"Hmm... It's probably a imitation of seniors Roger and Rayleigh, trying to be like them!"
"Unfortunately, in terms of both strength and luck, their group is far from Roger and Rayleigh's."
This guy's bounty was a staggering 1.39 billion Berries. He was a user of the Mythical Zoan type, Ancient Zoan model Pteranodon, a Pteranodon man capable of transforming into a Pteranodon.
And he himself was a survivor of the "Lunarian tribe," a special race capable of emitting flames, which had long since disappeared from history.
The Lunarian tribe was rumored to be a rare race that resided on the Red Line, the indigenous people of the "Land of God" on the Red Line before the Celestial Dragons. Now, they were utterly annihilated, with only Jin remaining.
Kong Tai not only knew Jin was a Lunarian but also knew he had been captured by the World Government as an experimental subject in his childhood.
It was during that time that he met Kaido, who had also been captured by the World Government.
However, unlike Jin, Kaido had been captured for actively seeking trouble with the Marines.
It was then that he met Kaido, was subsequently rescued by Kaido during his escape, and became the first crew member of Kaido's Beast Pirates, a position he held until now.
To be honest, Kong Tai sometimes admired the charisma of these individuals. Regardless of good or bad, their subordinates always had a group willing to die for them.
Kaido was like this, as was Charlotte Linlin, and so was Doflamingo.
Just like Jin at this moment, upon seeing Kaido's corpse, his first instinct was not to flee but to search for the killer.
Without even looking, Kong Tai, standing before Kaido's corpse with his sword sheathed, naturally became his prime suspect.
This was because Kaido's objective in coming here was Kong Tai.
And Kong Tai's silver hair, along with his distinctive azure eyes, allowed Jin to recognize him at a glance.
Without hesitation, Jin flapped his wings, and with a "clang," he drew the long sword at his waist. The flames behind his head seemed to come alive, rapidly spreading across his entire body and entwining his sword, instantly turning him into a fireball.
Then, gripping his sword with both hands, its tip pointed at Kong Tai, he powerfully flapped his wings. His entire being transformed into a streak of fire, plummeting rapidly towards Kong Tai.
Even though he knew the brat below who could kill Kaido was undoubtedly someone he couldn't contend with.
However, that was no reason for him to flee without a fight.
Kaido was not only his boss but also his steadfast faith.
Ever since escaping that laboratory with Kaido decades ago, he had resolved to dedicate his life to Kaido.
Kaido was the Joy Boy he recognized, destined to change the world, destined to become the Pirate King who would dominate the seas.
But now, his faith had fallen, Joy Boy was dead, killed before his very eyes and beheaded. And he, who had sworn to follow Kaido his entire life, how could he turn and flee!
"Omamori: Fire Dragon King!"
Jin's body accelerated, faster and faster, until he transformed into a fire dragon.
The fire dragon was lifelike, as if Kaido had been resurrected. It roared soundlessly and charged directly at Kong Tai.
Kong Tai looked up, his azure pupils reflecting the fiery light, turning them crimson. Yet, his expression remained unchanged.
He could sense Jin's resolve, but...
If determination alone could achieve great things in this world, there wouldn't be so many tragedies.
"Jin" was different from Monkey D. Luffy. He was not the protagonist and could not possess an endless wellspring of power that could be unleashed. Even though this was his strongest attack, before Kong Tai...
Kong Tai extended his right hand and pointed his index finger forward.
*Bang!*
The searing flames were blocked by a transparent layer of Armament Haki.
The fiery impact parted automatically, bypassing Kong Tai's body and rushing towards the ground behind him, leaving two long black scorch marks.
After a moment, the fire dragon dissipated, revealing Jin, holding his long sword with both hands, attempting to stab downwards, but blocked by Kong Tai's index finger, rendering his sword tip unable to advance, and Jin himself.
"So much anger?"
Kong Tai gazed at Jin's eyes beneath the mask, which seemed like a volcanic crater, and spoke calmly.
"The victor takes all."
"Seventeen years ago, wasn't it you who crushed Wano Country like this?"
As if recalling something, a smirk played on Kong Tai's lips. "Oh! My mistake, it shouldn't be like this. I'm overwhelming them, while you used a combination of strategy and strength."
He shook his head with a chuckle, "Different, entirely different."
Jin remained silent.
He had unleashed all his power during this time, yet facing that Haki-infused finger, he couldn't advance an inch.
Only by facing him directly could he truly comprehend the power of the young man before him.
The gap between them was like a chasm, a bottomless abyss he could not cross.
He glanced at Kaido, lying on the ground, his eyes glaring fiercely even in death. A hint of sadness flickered in Jin's eyes, which was then replaced by determination.
He turned back to Kong Tai, his massive head instantly transforming into the head of a Pteranodon.
Then, his head snapped backward like a slingshot. When it reached a certain point, he released it. The giant beak shot forward like a sharp sword, aimed at Kong Tai's head.
"Truly seeking death."
Staring at the rapidly approaching beak, the smile vanished from Kong Tai's face, and his eyes turned cold.
*Bang!*
He didn't dodge at all. The giant beak struck an invisible barrier before Kong Tai, unable to advance an inch.
*Clang!*
A cold blade light, like an inverted crescent moon, instantly sliced through Jin's forward-leaning body, across his neck.
"If you want to die so badly, then die!"
Kong Tai stared into Jin's rapidly dimming eyes and spoke coldly.
Then, he swung his left hand, sword still in grip, to the left, wiping away the blood, and sheathed the blade.
*Bang!*
Jin's body rapidly recovered and then fell downwards, following in Kaido's wake.
Kong Tai turned and looked at Kuina and Charlotte Linlin, paying no further attention to Jin.
Special races, even special ones, were no different to him.