One Piece: The Arm of Fate

"Enough, idiot!"

Spandam yelled, already sick of seeing agents pretend to commit hara-kiri hundreds of times a year without spilling a single drop of blood!

Boom!

He hurled the coffee cup, which hit the owl-faced agent squarely in the face.

"Duang!"

The cup bounced off, and the scalding coffee splashed back onto his own face.

"Oww! That hurts!"

Spandam covered his face and screamed, then flew into a rage from embarrassment.

"Take these three useless trash and lock them in the dungeon! No one lets them out without my direct order!"

"And also, contact Marine Headquarters. Tell them Buggy assaulted CP9 agents. Get his bounty raised and make the pursuit more aggressive!"

"Yes, sir!"

As the three agents were dragged away, Spandam leaned on the table, his face dark.

Not long ago, the blue demon Touri and the red demon Broki had broken into Enies Lobby. As CP9's chief, he should have been held responsible.

Fortunately, his father Spandine had helped him negotiate with the Five Elders, and he barely kept his position. But a detailed report was still required afterward.

Now it seemed…

He could shift more of the blame onto those three fools.

People who only made trouble instead of achieving results would definitely stir up even bigger disasters later. He couldn't let them drag him down…

"Let's do it that way."

Spandam sneered, feeling a little better. He ordered a fresh cup of coffee and climbed up alone to the open-air observation deck on top of the Justice Tower.

The sea breeze howled, and the white flag of the World Government flapped above his head.

He sipped his coffee and looked down at this city that never slept.

The taste of power… really addictive.

He'd spent four years rising through CP5, then another four to become the highest officer in CP9. Was it because of strength or competence?

Of course not.

Heh… It was thanks to his excellent father and his privileged background that he could rise so quickly and enjoy a life others couldn't dream of…

"Huh?"

Spandam narrowed his eyes.

There was a light flickering in the distance—coming fast, thunder and dark clouds trailing behind…

"A meteor?"

No...

His pupils shrank.

"That's… Kaido?!"

The green light closed in quickly, revealing its true form — a massive green dragon, blotting out the sun as it descended at breakneck speed!

It was really him!

Why would Kaido, one of the Four Emperors, come to Enies Lobby?!

Spandam's face turned pale. His legs gave out, and he nearly collapsed.

This was far worse than the two giants from before!

He turned and tried to run, but at that moment—

Boom!!!

A figure was slapped from the sky by the Azure Dragon's tail, crashing down like a meteor into the Justice Tower!

Spandam heard the wind ripping behind him and turned instinctively.

A familiar black-haired boy was flying straight toward him, cursing angrily at the sky:

"A sneak attack? Old man, that's not how martial ethics work!"

Bang!

He struck Spandam dead-on. His hard elbow drove into Spandam's chest, smashing through bone and ripping out his heart and surrounding arteries.

How could this—

Spandam's lips trembled. He looked down at the gaping hole in his chest, full of disbelief. His career was just hitting its stride—

"To die in a place like this…"

Before the words left his mouth, his body toppled backward like a rag doll, lifeless.

…

The dust cleared.

Shano stood up from the rubble with a grin, brushing the dirt off his clothes, and looked down at the corpse at his feet, a bit surprised.

What a coincidence?

When Kaido landed in Water 7 before, he brought down Lucci. And this time, Spandam?

The two biggest CP9 dirtbags, both crushed on arrival. What poetic justice.

"Uh-huh!"

Kaido, still in his dragon form, circled overhead and laughed. "Kid, your landing style is really something!"

"Only because you caught me off guard!"

Shano fumed. The old loach didn't even wait for him to reach the ground—he sneak attacked the moment Enies Lobby came into view!

"Well, it's normal for a pirate to start a fight. Who needs rules? If you want to blame someone, blame your weak Observation Haki!"

"My Observation Haki is indeed lacking!"

Shano admitted, grinning savagely. "But my Armament and physique are different stories! Get down here and taste my fists, old man!"

"Just what I wanted!"

Kaido dove down with a wild laugh, his body shrinking mid-air back to human form. The spiked mace appeared in his hand, crackling with black-red lightning as he slammed it down—

"Thunder Bagua!"

Shano didn't dodge. He crossed his arms and took the full blow.

The shockwave exploded, shredding the white flag above and crumbling the Justice Tower beneath them.

The two crashed down through floor after floor until they reached the open square at the island's center.

The entire island's guards were finally alerted.

CP agents and Marines rushed over, only to stop in shock when they saw the two figures in the clearing.

"Hey! That big guy—is that Kaido?!"

"And the black-haired guy... that's Shano! The 1 billion bounty swordsman!!"

"Why are they fighting here?!"

No one dared to get close. Most were frozen with fear. A few clever ones reached for their Den Den Mushi…

In the cracked plaza center.

"Oh?"

Kaido slung the mace over his shoulder, squinting at Shano.

"That move had no effect on you?"

"Thunder Bagua? Not good enough."

Shano grinned and wiped blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Bring out something stronger!"

The first time he took Thunder Bagua, it messed with his mind. Not just the force, but the intense will from the Conqueror's Haki.

But this time, he'd adapted. It felt like his body was building up resistance.

"Oh, don't worry, something bigger's coming. But first…"

Kaido glanced around, then locked eyes with Shano.

"There are too many pests around. Let's clear them out together?"

Shano nodded.

Neither of them said another word.

Boom!

Their Conqueror's Haki exploded at once, sweeping out like a tsunami!

Black and red lightning blanketed the sky above Enies Lobby. The air froze.

Everyone present—CP agents, Marines—no matter their distance or rank, collapsed with whites in their eyes.

In seconds…

Only Kaido and Shano remained standing.

"You've got some serious potential, kid! Among Conquerors, you're top-tier."

Kaido stared at the sky full of dying sparks. "But just releasing Haki isn't enough. To stand at the top of this sea, you've got to master that technique."

"Yeah, I know."

Shano's eyes glinted.

After the second Thunder Bagua, he'd gotten a clearer sense of the trick.

Focus. Condense. Infuse.

He looked at his fist. The black-red lightning sparked between his fingers and began to gather—

Snap!

Like a bubble popping, it collapsed.

So close!

Shano clenched his fist with frustration.

Then he let it all out.

Boom!

The ground exploded under his feet as he vanished.

He reappeared above Kaido, right fist drawn back like a warhammer.

"The Spear of Elbaf: Weiguo… Modified!!!"

Kaido's eyes lit up in surprise.

That technique…

It had been years since he'd last felt it!

"Ullalala!"

Kaido roared, swinging his mace wrapped in lightning—

"Weiguo!!!"

The shockwaves collided—black-red and pure black.

Boom!!!

Even the sea around Enies Lobby trembled!

"Ah!"

Shano spat blood, blasted backward into the second gate.

Kaido staggered, his mace flying out of his hand.

"Hah… not bad, kid!"

Kaido wiped the blood from his mouth, excitement blazing in his eyes.

"It's a bit different from Lingling's version, but you added internal destruction… that's interesting!"

In the rubble, Shano slowly rose, bloodied and broken, his right arm twisted.

But his eyes sparkled.

"So that's… the real Conqueror's Haki entanglement…"

He muttered, almost entranced.

In that brief clash, he'd finally seen it—the path Kaido used.

Shano suddenly opened his eyes.

His right fist was ruined, so he raised his left.

Zizizi!

The lightning gathered again. This time, it stuck—like liquid flowing over his skin, wrapping his entire fist.

This feeling…

This was it.

"Again!!!"

He roared and vanished.

Kaido's pupils shrank.

This time, Shano was several times faster!

He reappeared before Kaido in a flash, and—

Boom!

A punch to the face knocked Kaido back!

"Whoa-ho! What a surprise!"

Kaido steadied himself, laughing.

"Only three hits and you've already grasped it? Conqueror's Haki entanglement!"

This kid… he's even better than I thought!

He's more than vice-captain material!

"Thanks, old man!"

Shano didn't know what Kaido was thinking. He shook out his fist, grinning.

"As thanks, take this next one properly!"

He activated Life Return, accelerating the healing of his right arm.

Now with both fists ready—

He tensed every muscle.

Lightning coiled between his arms like crazed snakes.

This was once called Yamabuki Color Wave Ripple Sprint.

Now, it was something more.

"God Punishment!!!"

Boom!

Both fists unleashed a spiraling dual shockwave, screaming like dragons toward Kaido!

Buzz!

Kaido sensed something. This was on a whole new level!

"Haha! Good one!!!"

He tossed his mace aside and crossed his arms—

Boom——!!!

Kaido flew backward, crashing through every gate until he hit the island's edge.

"Ugh… puff!"

He knelt, coughing blood. His chest was caved in, bones shattered.

But his eyes were alight.

"How many years…"

"Only Oden did this to me!"

For an 18-year-old…

This was beyond incredible.

"Uh-huh!"

Kaido stood, shedding his torn cloak, revealing his scarred chest.

"Kid, to be honest, I wasn't going to go all-out. Just measure your strength and drag you back to Onigashima!"

"Really?" Shano sneered. "You're even slimier than I thought."

"Pirates can be slimy!"

Kaido laughed. "But now I've changed my mind. Let's go all-out! Fight till tomorrow! Show me everything you've got!"

With that—

His body began to transform.

Scales, horns, muscles, growing to fifteen meters—

Kaido's hybrid form, the apex of the Azure Dragon Fruit.

"Come on, Shano!!! Let me see your limit!"

"Descend the Third—"

Suddenly—

Whoosh!

A golden laser pierced Shano's back and exited through his chest.

Puff—!

Shano looked down, stunned.

All his attention had been on Kaido.

He didn't notice the sneak attack—

Blood poured. The hole in his heart burned.

A lazy voice echoed from above.

"Oh dear, what a mess… Two monsters brawling in the wrong sea. The Navy can't let this slide."

"Kizaru?!"

When did he get here?!

Kaido looked up, furious.

High above hovered Admiral Borsalino, slowly lowering his finger.

"Perfect opportunity," Kizaru smiled at Shano, "Your observation Haki was too slow~"

Shano's body trembled… and then fell.

No breath. No signs of life.

Just to be sure…

"Farewell, troublesome monster."

Kizaru crossed his arms, light condensing at his fingertips—

"Yashakani no Magatama!"

Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!

Golden light bullets rained like a storm, drowning Shano's limp body.

Boom——!!!

He was hurled into the sea and vanished beneath the waves.