How can I become the Pirate King if you don’t work hard?.

Chapter 440 The Limits of Shadow
Snap!

Cloth put down the Den Den Mushi, leaped lightly, and instantly traversed hundreds of meters, landing in the audience seats of the Round Table Arena.

Sitting in the players' box, Redfield seemed to sense something and glanced over, just in time to meet Klo's indifferent gaze.

He was slightly taken aback, and subconsciously looked away, but his heart was far from calm.

months ago.

Redfield had met Crow once before in Impel Down, and it was there that he first saw Crow take action.

Undoubtedly, he possesses Emperor-level combat power, but even compared to the incredibly weak Barrett at that time, he is still a notch weaker, let alone compared to himself.

But when Redfield saw Kro again, he could no longer discern Kro's true nature.

First, Barrett's combat power inexplicably surged, then Klo's combat power rapidly increased to a point where it was enough to make him take the situation seriously, in addition to that group of suddenly emerging newcomers at the General-level...

What exactly happened in Britannias?

Such a rate of improvement is absolutely abnormal!

While thinking.

Redfield turned to look at Barrett and couldn't help but say:

"You've made such a huge improvement in such a short time in Britannias?!"

"Is it some kind of technique or a special drug?!"

As he spoke, Redfield kept his eyes fixed on Barrett.

He possesses a unique Observation Haki, which allows him to read the minds of those who are weak, and even opponents of the same rank of General can discern the truthfulness of their words.

Therefore, he never expected to get the real answer directly from Barrett.

"effort."

"..."

Redfield's lips twitched:
"Is hard work enough?!"

Barrett said with certainty:

"You can succeed by working hard."

"If you don't even have the courage to risk your life, how can you possibly walk the path to becoming the strongest?!"

Redfield opened his mouth, unsure where to begin.

This is true.

But sometimes, an individual's potential is already determined at the moment of birth.

Even the mighty generals and emperors will eventually reach their limits, a level of strength that cannot be surpassed no matter how hard they try.

For mediocre people, the ceiling will arrive faster, sooner, and leave them with even less hope.

I really want to tell Barrett that the so-called success through hard work is nothing but self-comfort for mediocre people and a lie for successful people to glorify themselves. Many things are determined from the moment you are born.

But he couldn't say it.

His exceptional Observation Haki gave him absolute certainty that Barrett was telling the truth and that this was indeed what he thought.

This is very unusual!
But with readily available examples before him, Redfield couldn't find a reason to refute them.

Emperor-level combatants are leaders in any faction, and even the World Government attaches great importance to them.

But so many people suddenly appeared under Gawain's command...

Something is wrong!
Something is very wrong!

The more Redfield thought about it, the stranger it seemed, and a desire to investigate arose in his heart. After all, there might be a secret hidden in this: that monster Gawain was stronger than ordinary people!
Think of this.

Redfield even lost interest in Blackbeard's secrets.

If he could truly reach Gawain's current level, he wouldn't fear anyone, not even Im, let alone Lox.

Gawain was willing to lie low for the time being because his family and business were too large, and he would suffer too much loss if he confronted the World Government head-on.

But he was all alone, free to come and go as he pleased, and if he wanted, he could kill his way to the point where the Celestial Dragons dared not leave Mary Geoise.

It's not an exaggeration to say that whoever comes here will die.

This is why, even though world governments know that Gawain is growing in power, they dare not take any rash actions.

Redfield glanced silently at the members of the Knights of the Round Table present, then focused his attention on the Round Table Arena, his gaze sharpening once more:
“That Moriah…”

"Is it really possible to achieve this level of skill?!"

Although he had not fought Kaido, even with the faint sense of connection between powerful individuals, he could tell that Kaido was definitely a strong opponent capable of fighting him.

It's unbelievable that Moria is now able to fight Kaido!
Before this battle, Moria's combat power hadn't even reached the threshold of the Emperor level!

"A Devil Fruit ability?!"

"what!"

Barrett unusually responded with a single word:
"Gawain once said that the theoretical upper limit of the Shadow-Shadow Fruit is the highest among all Devil Fruits."

"By devouring the shadows of other powerful individuals, one can increase their own combat strength almost without limit, provided that one's own body and will can withstand the struggles of those shadows."

"No upper limit..."

Redfield understood the meaning of the word, especially since Moria had just demonstrated it himself.

With his high-ranking Gold Saint level combat power, fueled by his resentment and powerful physique, he forcibly imprisoned those shadows within his body, gaining enough strength in a short period of time to rival Kaido!

"What will happen if I lose control?!"

Have you ever seen a balloon deflate?!

Redfield was taken aback, but then he understood.

Once a balloon is stretched to its limit, even if it leaks air, it cannot return to its original shape; it will become twisted and deformed.

The same applies to the human body. Forcibly absorbing forces beyond its limits will inevitably result in backlash that is difficult for ordinary people to bear.

"His time is running out."

Barrett looked at Moria, but his eyes held no pity, only respect.

He respected the strong, and even more so those like Moria, who would risk their lives to gain power and charge towards the stronger!

"If this battle cannot be ended in a short time, the struggles of those shadows will only become more and more intense, until they exceed his limit!"

"Then……"

"Explode!"

……

On the battlefield.

Kaido's offensive continued relentlessly, and his momentum only grew stronger as the battle progressed!
His body was getting hotter, his strength was increasing, and his spirit was gradually becoming more violent in the process.

That wasn't an increase in his combat power, but rather the gradual awakening of the hidden power within him as he entered a certain state, until he reached his true peak!

when!
The spiked club and the shadow blade collided in mid-air once again, creating a sonic boom that echoed through the air.

Kaido used the momentum to fly high, raising his spiked club above his head and spinning it rapidly. Crimson lightning flashed in the void, and a world-shaking attack was brewing!

"Ooh-ooh ...

high in the air.

Kaido laughed loudly, his whole body radiating a fierce fighting spirit. His eyes, when looking at Moria, held no anger, only admiration and satisfaction!
"Among the countless powerful individuals I have fought, no one can compare to you in terms of developing Devil Fruit abilities."

"He is not yet awakened, but he can do things that even awakened people cannot match, pushing his own combat power to a level that is enough to fight me."

"Gecko Moria!" "I acknowledge you!"

A furious roar came from high above.

Moria subconsciously looked up and felt that Kaido's figure was incredibly dazzling, like another sun hanging high in the sky!
"It's so... blinding!"

The agitation of the shadow within the body intensified, with some of the shadow even emerging from the wound, attempting to detach itself from the body.

I can't hold on any longer!
Moriah knew this.

After twenty years without exercise, how could one possibly regain all their strength in just a few months?!

Perhaps in the next second, I will lose consciousness.

But the more this happened, the more resentful Moria became, as if a million ants were gnawing at his flesh!
"I……"

"Can not be done!"

Moria roared and, disregarding everything, unleashed the power within him. His two giant claws swelled once more, becoming almost larger than his entire body.

At the same time, the shadows that were everywhere around began to converge on Moria!
Blood gushed from his mouth and nose, but in return, he gained unprecedented power, so powerful that he believed he could do anything!

Including killing Kaido!

"Horned Blade Shadow..."

"lighthouse!"

The shadow tide contracted, converging into a sharp spike that pierced towards Kaido high in the sky!
Even before getting close, Kaido felt a sharp pain in his heart, but he felt no fear, only the will to fight!
"Descending to the third generation..."

brush!
The Eight Precepts swept across, dispersing the surrounding smoke and clouds, and then pressed down heavily downwards!

It was as if the heavens and earth had collapsed!

Crimson lightning flashed, and before the light could reach the eyes of those around them, the Shadow Assassin, which embodied all of Moria's resentment, clashed with Kaido's spiked club!
"Yinnaraku!"

The sky and earth were darkened, and a fierce wind swept through!
Amidst this unusual celestial phenomenon, almost simultaneously, a cry rang out from the second group of onlookers…

Ding!
Kaido, who was being pressed down from the sky, suddenly stopped breathing as his gaze met Moria's crimson eyes.

The madness hidden in those eyes was enough to make him change color.

The spiked club in his hand was also pierced at this moment, and the Shadow Strike still had momentum, stabbing into his chest, right in front of his heart!
laugh--!
A burst of blood erupted in the air.

A slight smile appeared on Moria's lips, then his body froze completely, and he lost consciousness at that moment.

The shadow that he had suppressed went completely berserk at this moment, surging wildly out of his body, turning into countless black dots, and returning to its original owner's side.

Moria's body shrank rapidly like a deflated balloon until it returned to its original form, and the shadows that had been spreading around him also completely disappeared.

High in the sky, Kaido was still in shock, panting heavily, a pain he had never felt before shooting through his chest.

The eight precepts were pierced, the scales on his chest were pierced, his flesh and bones were pierced, and he was just a little bit away from having his heart pierced!

That's a kind of damage that no one with a special constitution can withstand!

"call--!"

Kaido landed and exhaled a breath of stale air.

He then lowered his gaze to Moria, who lay unconscious on the ground, and the ferocity in his expression became even more pronounced:
"Looks like my luck is better than yours!"

"Moriah!"

"Whoosh whoo ...

The frenzied Conqueror's Haki spread outwards from Kaido's center, stirring up clouds of dust!
Over the decades since his debut, Kaido has experienced countless battles and faced opponents ranging from Marine Admirals to former Pirate Kings, the Knights of God, and even Rocks, all of whom were supreme warriors whose names resounded throughout the seas.

But what truly made him feel the approach of death was the battle he was about to face with Moria.

The chill he felt in that instant brought him a feeling he had never experienced before, a feeling that could be described as terrifying!
"I will remember your name... Moonlight, no, Kozuki Moria!"

Kaido gripped the Eight Blessings tightly, preparing to send his opponent to hell.

This is not humiliation, nor is it killing; rather, it is the greatest respect a strong person can show to an opponent who tries to please them!

Kill him.

Then step on his corpse to reach the pinnacle!

Despite his past grudges with Moria, Kaido felt only respect for him at this moment.

"I'll use this trick to send you to hell!"

brush--!
The Eight Precepts Dance, stirring up boundless waves of energy.

Crimson lightning crackled in the air; it was the Overlord Color gathered at the top of the Eight Precepts!

It is foreseeable that the power of this move will be beyond imagination, and at this moment anyone can see that Kaido has murderous intent.

But neither the contestants watching nor Zango, who was standing on the host's platform, said anything to stop it.

At the beginning of the competition, everyone signed a waiver, meaning that unless they personally surrendered, no one could interfere with the outcome of the battle!
Now that Moria has lost consciousness, he is naturally unable to surrender.

In everyone's eyes, Moriah's death was a foregone conclusion!

Navy Headquarters.

Akainu breathed a slight sigh of relief upon seeing this, as did Sengoku, Aokiji, and the others standing nearby.

The power Moria displayed was a complete transformation, instantly giving him the fighting strength to contend with some of the strongest individuals on this vast ocean.

They have now figured out the reason why they were able to do all this.

"The Shadow-Shadow Fruit!"

"By absorbing shadows and adding their own combat power, the final creation is this monster that can rival Kaido!"

"Float-Float Fruit, Tremor-Tremor Fruit, Fusion-Fusion Fruit, Momo-Momo Fruit..."

"From today onwards, a new title will be added to the countless powerful abilities of the Paramecia type."

Sengoku couldn't help but let out a sigh.

In fact, the Navy should have had one such monster-level Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user, namely Fujitora.

Fujitora's Hundred-Hundred Fruit is almost overwhelmingly powerful in naval battles.

Sengoku couldn't help but turn his head to look to the side, where there was an empty chair.

In fact, there is such an empty chair in every conference room in the Navy.

That was the seat reserved for Zefa.

Everyone tacitly refrained from mentioning that name again, but he still had a seat at Marine Headquarters.

The Warring States period couldn't help but fantasize.

If Zephyr hadn't made that decision back then, the Navy's situation certainly wouldn't be as difficult as it is now.

However, Sengoku also knew that Zephyr had already found his own path, and given Zephyr's unwavering will, it was only a matter of time before he broke away from the Navy.

but.

In any case, with Moria dead, the Navy will have one less threat, making it a win-win situation.

"Um--?!"

Zhan Guo's gaze suddenly sharpened, and he abruptly looked at the projected image!

"Great Power - Thunderous Eight Trigrams!"

Kaido roared, and the Eight Precepts in his hand, carrying a world-shaking power, slammed down towards Moria's chest!
He intended to deliver the most powerful blow and obliterate the respectable opponent before him!
But at that very moment, an unexpected change occurred.

A figure moved with lightning speed, suddenly cutting in from the sidelines.

A kick from below, directly countering Kaido's killing move!
(End of this chapter)