Kurozumi Orochi used the Yamata no Orochi Fruit as a tool for dying, experiencing various ways of death with no real value, but the Hydreigon is different.
Its defense is not outstanding, unlike Tyranitar with armor like a heavy tank, or Emboar with powerful fighting skills, but it has its own unique feature - incredibly strong regeneration power.
After being modified, the ability of the Yamata no Orochi changed. When a head is chopped off, a new one will grow back shortly. The surrounding seven heads aren't its fatal weaknesses, as long as it still has stamina, it can almost regenerate infinitely.
To kill it, one must consecutively cut off the middle head eight times.
Outsiders don't know this weakness; to them, Hydreigon's ability is very close to an undying body.
The only way to defeat it is to exhaust its stamina and then consecutively kill it eight times.
Discovering this secret is no easy task.
Let alone the difficulty of killing it eight times, to exhaust its stamina is something only a few known as monsters can do.
"How many abilities does this guy have after all?!"
Lightning, fire, regeneration, venom – so far, the Hydreigon has displayed four abilities, and it's a gigantic beast with the ability to fly. Considering the previous intelligence from the Hundred Beasts, Vice Admiral Squirrel feels overwhelmed.
Generally, when equipment starts being widely deployed and appears openly in front of enemies, it indicates the enemy's lab already has stronger experimental subjects.
This is the third gigantic beast appearing in the Hundred Beasts' intelligence, and it's more deadly than the first two. Emboar and Tyranitar at least can't fly, so tracking their movements is easier.
A flying Hydreigon is undoubtedly the most threatening biological weapon right now.
"Unsure, but Vice Admiral Squirrel, we have no choice but to face it head-on now."
Bogard threw down his hat. Although he had just decapitated its head, the strike was a sneak attack after building up strength; a tough battle was inevitable next.
"Don't know what type of creature this is, but its thinking seems highly unified and intelligent, be careful."
When communicating with Bogard, Squirrel doesn't have the typical bossy attitude; he knows well that Bogard could have been promoted to Vice Admiral long ago if he wished.
He's always stuck with Garp. Garp is a Vice Admiral himself, so having a Vice Admiral as his deputy is against policy.
Since Garp refused promotion to Admiral, his close aides have ranks typically lower by a rank, but no one doubts their strength and status.
Although the two haven't coordinated much, they show great Navy cooperation, utilizing Moonwalk to attack the Hydreigon from both sides.
The Deino and Zweilous might be blind, but not the Hydreigon. In the Pokemon world, Hydreigon is not suited for battle in the dark anymore since regaining its vision, and would even retreat from Noivern at night.
The Hydreigon's dynamic vision keenly locked onto Squirrel and Bogard's figures. After a few brief clashes, it gave up its attacks, choosing instead to fly into the sky.
Moonwalk allows humans to hover but fundamentally differs from flying. Though Moonwalk can be faster in short bursts compared to flying, it can't compete in altitude and endurance.
Even if it can't die, their attacks seriously hurt it, like a "not yet full moon child", unlike Kaidou, who relishes enduring attacks on his body.
"This monster... is too smart...."
There are limits to Moonwalk. They can't take an oxygen cylinder and run to space by stepping on each other's feet. Currently, the Hydreigon's position exceeds the combat limits of Moonwalk.
In past battles, their opponents were human, so this wasn't a concern. This completely non-human opponent put them in a dilemma.
Though the Hydreigon temporarily vanished from their sight, Squirrel and Bogard's nerves are tight, and Observation Haki is fully in play; they don't believe that thing has fled. A monster vanished from sight makes them more nervous.
"Here it comes!"
From the clouds, the Hydreigon reemerged, now with an octagonal energy ring circling the central head, an upgraded version of the triple attack, Octuple Assault.
Mixed attributes of the attack blended, erupting into a brilliant halo in the sky, symbolizing destruction, unfortunately.
The Cloak of Justice fell from Squirrel's back. After Bogard combined with him, they barely blocked the attack from the opponent; Squirrel seized the chance to stab the Hydreigon, but such a wound won't take long for it to fully heal.
More troublesome is that the Hydreigon didn't linger in battle. Instead, it flew back high, relying on its flying ability to use guerrilla tactics against the two.
Squirrel and Bogard, however, couldn't dodge. If they did, ordinary Navy below would suffer. Although part of the Navy's deaths was exchanged for some of the Hydreigon's capabilities, after Squirrel's attack, he must shoulder the responsibility.
For the sake of intelligence, he sacrificed some soldiers but can't let himself back down now.
"I sent an SOS to the Headquarters earlier; reinforcements should be arriving soon."
"Then we'll just have to fight once more."
Removing his torn upper garment, Bogard revealed finely defined muscles and resolved to make a desperate stand.
"Roar!"
"Bring it on!"
....
"Garp.... get serious already! Enough playing house!"
The Hydreigon doesn't know which stage its power is at, but Kaidou knows typical Vice Admirals aren't its match; to hold it off, at least two Vice Admirals are required.
Additionally, without targeted abilities, it can't be held, after all, he fought the Hydreigon once personally, so he's confident in the battle over there. As long as Garp doesn't meddle, the Hydreigon is in an unbeatable position.
Fishermen would roam with their spoils, but can't afford to lose them; this is a basic principle.
Kaidou originally only intended to act as a spectator while showing off, until Garp's appearance changed his mind.
He thought he could have another good battle, but he didn't expect Garp to be so uncooperative, constantly focusing on the situation on the other side of the battlefield.
At first, he assumed Garp was testing him, but now it seems Garp wasn't interested in him at all. That initial statement about sending him to Impel Down was just a distraction, to aid the other side.
"Kaidou, this guy... Why attack here without reason? What do you gain from it?"