Blood gushed from Daren and Kaidou's chests, splattering the ground in a torrent like a crimson waterfall.

Unlike Daren's sunken chest and ribs piercing through his skin, Kaidou's torso looked as if it had been shredded by a dragon's claw. The dark blue dragon scales on his chest and abdomen were torn and curled, exposing a mess of mangled flesh and even glimpses of pulsing organs beneath.

The two stood back to back, drenched in blood, bearing injuries that would be fatal to any ordinary person!

The brutal scene sent chills down the spines of the distant Beasts Pirates members, leaving them visibly shaken.

"Using lightning to activate physical functions... you've really given me quite a few surprises, Kaidou-sensei."

A satisfied smile curved across Daren's lips. Blue arcs of lightning danced around his body, intensifying by the second. His hands, torn and bloody, twitched involuntarily, trying to adapt to the new power now coursing through them.

He could feel it clearly. As he gained control over this technique—activating the body through electrical stimulation—something profound was happening within him.

The transformation was subtle but constant, like a gentle stream permeating his skin, muscles, blood vessels, organs, and even his cells, pushing them to operate beyond their natural limits.

At the same time, Daren's innate perception began picking up changes in his stats.

Physique +0.003... Physique +0.002... Physique +0.002...

Strength +0.004... Strength +0.002... Strength +0.003...

Speed +0.008... Speed +0.011... Speed +0.013...

Devil Fruit Development +0.013... Devil Fruit Development +0.015... Devil Fruit Development +0.012...

Feeling his body growing stronger under the lightning's stimulation, Daren's grin deepened.

"So, how should I thank you?"

To his surprise, Kaidou didn't explode with rage. Instead, he fell silent.

He stared at his blood-covered hands and the kanabō "Hassaikai," still crackling with black and red lightning, then let out a low chuckle.

"There's only one person in this sea who's ever seen through the true essence of that move."

"I just didn't expect... today, there'd be a second."

Daren raised an eyebrow in curiosity.

"That person… was it that crazy woman, Big Mom?"

"No."

Kaidou shook his head, his voice rough and gravelly.

"Linlin never cared much about technique."

"She's too strong. Her power is innate—she never needed tricks to compensate for anything."

"An unbreakable body and overwhelming strength, paired with the bizarre powers of the Soru Soru no Mi... Linlin was born to rule the seas."

Daren didn't argue. He completely agreed.

If there were a "Top Mentors of the Sea" ranking, then for Daren, Kaidou-sensei would sit firmly at number one. That overfed Queen in suspenders or even Saturn of the Gorosei wouldn't come close.

Likewise, if there were a "Natural Talent" ranking, neither Daren, Sakazuki, nor any of the so-called Marine Headquarters monsters—not even Roger or Whitebeard—could match Charlotte Linlin's freakish gifts.

The title of "natural-born destroyer" wasn't just for show.

Her body, like an iron balloon, was impervious to blades and bullets. At just five years old, she could effortlessly defeat veteran warriors of the Giant Race. Her raw strength surpassed even the giants themselves.

And what had Daren endured to reach her level of power and durability? Countless battles, suffering, and relentless training.

It really wasn't fair to compare physiques across individuals.

Feared by the giants as the "Evil Spirit," Big Mom—Charlotte Linlin—was undoubtedly the most gifted being in the world.

"So who was it?" Daren asked again.

Kaidou's voice rasped.

"Gol D. Roger."

Daren blinked in surprise.

He hadn't expected that answer.

Kaidou offered no further explanation, only smiling faintly.

"You'll soon uncover the truth behind his move."

With that, he slowly turned around.

Daren narrowed his eyes and turned to face him.

The two locked eyes. Their lips curled at the same time into fierce, battle-hungry smiles...

"Worororo!!"

Kaidou roared with laughter as another fierce storm of Haki surged around him, black and red lightning crackling wildly across his body.

"Daren, I acknowledge you!"

"In this era, aside from Linlin, you're the only one who can go toe-to-toe with me physically!"

He suddenly stepped forward. His thick, powerful legs stomped down like a dragon landing, shaking the earth beneath him. Even the hand gripping his kanabō trembled uncontrollably from excitement.

"Now don't disappoint me… Let's go all out!"

"Of course."

Daren let out a feral grin, his eyes blazing with unprecedented clarity and heat.

With this new ability to activate his body, he could now unleash the speed and explosive force of Raimei Hakke!

Which meant… he could now one-shot anyone below Admiral-level with a single blow. They wouldn't even have time to react!

—Just like in the original storyline, when Luffy faced Kaidou. One swing, and it was over!

In the next instant...

Lightning burst from their bodies, turning into blazing currents that continually surged across their monstrous physiques.

Boom!

Boom!

With their bodies activated, their Indestructible Bodies erupted with unbelievable speed—like teleportation!

The Beasts Pirates watching from afar couldn't see their movements at all. Even with Observation Haki pushed to the limit, they couldn't track their presence.

The two vanished in the blink of an eye.

Clang!

Boom!

The crash of metal rang out, followed by a thunderous explosion.

Dragon claws and kanabō, both wrapped in black and red lightning, collided midair—detonating a shockwave that swept across the sky.

The earth split apart, waves of stone surging like a tsunami.

Massive rifts tore across the horizon, and the entire island quaked violently.

Those two figures… were like gods and demons clashing.

The real battle had begun!

...

At the same time, within Daren's perception, his stats began shifting once again.

And his Speed stat—finally broke through the 90-point barrier!

The resulting evolution of his ability transformed it from the former "Soru's Godspeed" into a new power that embodied the concept of physical activation—"Lightning Activity"!

Physique: 99.288 (Indestructible Body)

Strength: 96.158 (Giant's Body)

Speed: 91.310 (Lightning Activity)

Fruit Ability Development: 89.999 (Island-Wide Coverage)

Armament Haki: 86.252 (Emission Burst)

Observation Haki: 79.988 (Magnetic Field Induction)

Conqueror's Haki: 89.999 (Affects Matter)

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