One Piece: Human God-Chapter 62: The Shock

The tension on the Roger Pirates' ship was palpable as the bullet whizzed through the air.

For a moment, everything seemed to slow down... everyone looked with eyes open.

CRACK!

The sound of the bullet colliding with Crocus's forearm echoed across the deck. The force of the bullet, infused with Haki.

But Crocus had enough strength to alter its trajectory, but not enough to shatter it.

SWOOSH!

The bullet flew straight towards the air as it got deflected.

"What the..." Crocus muttered under his breath, his hand bleeding from the impact as he quickly leaped back. "Damn woman! We're trying to help you here!"

The female who had shot the bullet, still standing tall, snarled in anger. "What the hell did you expect?" she yelled back, her voice dripping with contempt. "You think I'm just going to trust strangers like you?!"

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Meanwhile, the Roger Pirates crew was in shock, their casual attitude replaced by seriousness. They hadn't expected the situation to escalate like this.

From the top of the ship, Enel looked down, his eyes narrowed in focus as he muttered, "What ferocious woman..."

Buggy, standing nearby, was still processing what had just happened. "Jeez! She actually shot Crocus!" he exclaimed in disbelief.

Void, without a second thought, jumped down from his position, his eyes locked on the woman as he moved to investigate.

"She's strong," Shanks remarked, squinting as he observed the woman's movements, while Enel added, "She's stupid."

Buggy, always ready for a jab, grinned mischievously. "Just like you!"

Before Enel could retort, Buggy was smacked across the face by a swift swipe from Shanks. "AKK! You bastard!" Buggy yelled.

The female, now panting heavily, swung her odachi wildly, not caring for the surrounding chaos as she tried to regain control. Her exhaustion was evident, but her fight wasn't over.

But then...

A voice rang out, familiar and steady.

"Reiko! What the hell are you doing here..."

It was Void.

The woman, still gripping her weapon tightly, turned her head in shock, her eyes widening as recognition hit her.

"Void... Taro?" she murmured, barely able to get the words out before she collapsed, her body succumbing to exhaustion and the injuries she had sustained.

"Reiko!" Void's voice broke as he rushed to her side. He carefully cradled her in his arms, looking over her unconscious form with a mix of concern and disbelief.

Oden, who had been sitting cross-legged at the side, drinking sake and watching the commotion with mild amusement, suddenly froze. His eyes widened...

He slowly set down his gourd, standing up with a serious expression,

"Taro..." he muttered under his breath.

Oden stepped forward, resting his hand on the hilt of his swords, watching Void with newfound interest.

"Void... Who exactly are you?" he murmured, his tone carrying gravitas, his curiosity now fully piqued.

"Please help her, Doctor!" Void called out to Crocus; his eyes filled with desperation although his expression didn't show it.

Crocus, still in a battle stance, glanced at the scene, his expression shifting from confusion to concern. He relaxed his stance and sighed.

"Huh..." he muttered under his breath, before smashing his head into the deck in frustration.

"Alright, alright, calm down," Crocus chuckled awkwardly, "but you don't need to bow. Ahahaha."

Void, not paying attention to Crocus's strange response, was already kneeling beside Reiko, carefully holding her. His eyes locked onto the two children standing nearby, Rumi and Isamu, their faces a mix of fear and exhaustion.

Crocus raised an eyebrow, "Draco's new friend I see..." he muttered quietly to himself as he moved forward, unsure of what to make of the situation.

He was caught off guard by Void's sudden seriousness and gratefulness, but he knew that helping these people was more important than anything else right now.

With a sigh, Crocus stepped forward, placing a hand on Void's shoulder.

"Let me help her. Get her to the infirmary."

Void, relieved, nodded silently, and together they carried Reiko towards the infirmary below deck.

[Gloria Kingdom]

The clash between Kaido and Gordon was getting more and more destructive as the surroundings were in devastation, almost like a calamity had just passed by. But this 'Calamity' wasn't over.

BOOM!

Kaido swung at the empty air as he missed another strike. But the force at which he swung sent the ground flying, and pieces of cement scattered like shrapnel. Gordon, who had already leapt back, repositioned himself in front of Kaido.

A gate opened up on his forehead where a tiny cannon was positioned. Gordon then commanded, "FIRE!"

The cannon fired towards Kaido. This cannon, of course, wasn't ordinary, it was far stronger than an average one. Kaido's eyes widened as he saw the projectile flying toward him.

BOOOOM!

Kaido clenched his teeth before the impact. The debris and smoke filled the area, obscuring vision for a moment. But then... Kaido's closed eyes snapped open. His body began to change... his skin turning a deep, scaly blue. A sharp set of fangs appeared. The air shifted as Kaido's transformation took place.

SWOOSH!

A burst of air exploded outward as Kaido unleashed more Conqueror's Haki, revealing his Devil Fruit:

{Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon - Hybrid Form}

"WORORORORO!!" Kaido's laughter echoed through the ruins, his grin widening as his eyes locked onto Gordon.

Gordon watched this unfold, sweat dripping down his forehead. "I'm getting too old for this..." he muttered, breathing heavily. He was already drained from the earlier exchange.

'Letting my soldiers loose would be sending them to Death himself, let's keep hold for a little longer...' he thought, gripping his weapon tighter.

Yet, despite his exhaustion, Gordon got into his battle stance again as Kaido opened his mouth wide,

{Hybrid Form: BOLO BREATH!}

A massive, long range flame projectile erupted towards him.

{SETSUNA: CRESCENT MOON!}

Gordon yelled, slashing through the fire, cutting it in half before dashing towards Kaido, refusing to let him set up another attack.

Kaido, seeing Gordon charge, slammed his tail into the ground before launching himself forward as well. His speed was different now.

Much faster!

Much stronger!

Gordon saw the wide swinging motion of Kaido's kanabo and tried to dodge,

But Kaido's speed had increased dramatically!

CRACK!

"GUHHH!!"

Gordon was struck. The sheer force of Kaido's blow sent him flying across the battlefield, skidding across the shattered ground.

Yet, even while airborne, Gordon gritted his teeth and roared,

{21-GUN SALUTE!}

As he landed on both feet, multiple gates opened up all over his body, revealing a row of cannons, all of which fired simultaneously.

The air was filled with explosions as the barrage flew towards Kaido.

Kaido, already prepared, swung his kanabo in a horizontal arc, deflecting and detonating most of the cannon fire before it even reached him.

Through the lingering smoke, Kaido emerged, his glowing eyes locked onto Gordon, his wide smile unfazed.

"Don't run already! I'm just getting started!" Kaido bellowed before grabbing hold of Gordon's torn white suit.

His dragon-like grip held strongly

Kaido's right arm reeled back, readying a devastating blow... he stomped the ground to add even more force to his swing!

But!

Just before he could strike...

Kaido sensed someone to his left.

'White... heels?'

In the fraction of a second he had to react, Kaido turned his gaze.

It was Aiko!

A Commander of the Revolutionary Army.

She was already mid-attack.

{WHITE AXE!}

White smoke plumed from her heel as Aiko struck down on Kaido's arm, forcing him to release his grip on Gordon.

Kaido snarled, turning his focus to this new intruder, but!

She was quick to adjust.

In the split second of Kaido's attempted retaliation, Aiko had already reeled back her other foot, unleashing another attack enhanced by her Smoke-Smoke no Mi ability.

{WHITE RUPTURE!}

BOOM!

Kaido was forced to skid several feet back. The attack didn't injure him, but it moved him.

Kaido's expression darkened.

"Damn... WOMAN!"

His anger spiked as he clutched his kanabo with both hands, before leaping into the air.

Black lightning surged!

The pressure in the air thickened, a wave of Conqueror's Haki rippling outward as Kaido roared,

{KOSANZE: RAGNAROK!!!}

He swung down, his kanabo crackling with raw Haki, ready to crush Aiko into the ground.

Aiko braced herself.

But...

SWOOSH!

A portal-like door suddenly opened behind her.

A force snatched her and pulled her inside, the door closing instantly.

BOOOOOOM!!!

Kaido's attack obliterated the ground, sending debris flying in all directions.

His veins bulged in rage, his eyes burning red as he clutched his weapon.

His head snapped around, scanning the battlefield.

Nothing.

No one was left.

Except...

An injured King lay on the ground.

Blood dripped from his side as he clutched his wound.

Kaido ignored him at first, instead scanning the destroyed city.

No sign of Gordon.

No sign of Aiko.

No sign of the Revolutionary Army.

They had escaped.

"Fucking... rats..." Kaido growled under his breath.

His irritation turned to boredom as his Haki gradually settled.

Then, without hesitation, he transformed back into his human form, stepping toward the injured King.

Kaido grabbed him by the collar, hoisting him like a sack of rice over his shoulder.

"Boring..."

Without another word, Kaido turned, leaving the ruined kingdom behind as he muttered,

"I have to go back to base... Wano."

[Back to Roger's Ship]

Reiko, along with the two injured children, Rumi and Isamu, was taken to the infirmary, where Crocus immediately began tending to their wounds. His experienced hands worked swiftly, wrapping bandages and checking for any serious injuries.

"She's exhausted," Crocus muttered as he wiped sweat from his forehead. "But with rest and proper treatment, she'll be fine."

Void, still holding onto Rumi's small hand, let out a sigh of relief. "Thank you..."

With things settling down in the infirmary, a small group gathered behind the deck where Draco was still sleeping... his usual spot, his personal space on the ship.

Oden was the first to speak, sitting down and crossing his arms as he questioned Void. "So, you were born in Wano?"

"Woah..." Buggy and Shanks murmured in unison.

Void, still somewhat silent, took a long blink before sighing. "I... wasn't born in Wano. I washed up there two years ago..."

The group listened intently.

"By the time I woke up, I was saved by Reiko... Long story short, I was able to live for a couple of months before setting sail again back towards Marineford. We said our goodbyes, but I don't know why... she's here... and with her siblings as well... "

Roger, his face contemplative, spoke up. "I believe we'll get the rest of the information from her when she's awake. For now~"

Void cut Roger off, his voice firm. "I apologize, but Reiko isn't the type of woman to run so easily. I don't know what happened or why she's so far off from Wano, but... I believe something happened in Wano for Reiko to run away from home..."

Oden's expression darkened. "Agreed..."

Rayleigh, standing beside him, nodded before scratching the side of his head. "I believe we can stop by Wano for a moment, but we must hurry on our journey..."

Rayleigh then looked at Roger, sadness and frustration flickering in his eyes. Roger was weaker than ever... his body still recovering from the brutal fight with Garp, and his illness creeping in faster.

"We... don't have much time left... Roger's illness is catching up to him," Rayleigh muttered.

Roger shot him an annoyed look. "Rayleigh, I told you not to bring that up! It's ruining the mood here! BWAHAHAHA!" His laughter filled the air, trying to lighten the mood.

But mid-laugh, Roger suddenly coughed up a serious amount of blood before dropping to his knees, his face twisted in pain.

Rayleigh's eyes widened. He immediately rushed forward to steady Roger. "Go call for Crocus! Shanks!"

Shanks, momentarily frozen in disbelief, sweat forming on his brow, finally snapped out of it. "Yes!" he shouted before sprinting toward the infirmary.

Rayleigh, his jaw clenched, supported Roger as the captain weakly wiped blood from his mouth.

"I told you..." Rayleigh muttered under his breath. He wanted to scold Roger, but the moment felt too heavy.

As everyone stood in tense silence, Buggy suddenly blurted out, "Roger! Uhh... I think Draco can heal you! He's healed my injuries every time I've been hurt~AK!"

Buggy immediately stopped himself, realizing what he had just revealed. His face paled as a terrifying thought crossed his mind. 'Draco said not to tell anyone... I'm dead meat!'

Buggy, sweating and trembling, turned toward Draco, who he hoped was asleep... only to find him slightly awake, lazily sitting in his hammock with a bottle of booze in his hand, squinting at the group.

"EEK!" Buggy squealed, immediately diving behind Rayleigh for cover.

Everyone else turned their attention to Draco, stunned.

Rayleigh furrowed his brows. "But... how...?"

Roger grinned weakly. "Bwahaha... really?"

Rayleigh continued, "I... thought you just had a strong body, that's why you've healed so well... But... I'd like to believe you Buggy..."

"I'd like to as well..." Roger added.

Enel who was next to Draco, watching the entire scene unfold, stood tall, his eyes closed as he tried to process everything. 'Wano? Illness...? What...'

Opening his eyes, he turned toward Draco, who was still sitting in his hammock.

Draco let out a yawn, took a swig from his booze, hopped out of his hammock, and finally spoke.

"Yes, I do have the ability to cure and heal all."

Everyone's eyes widened in absolute shock as they all yelled in unison,

"HUH!!?!?!"