"Failed?"
New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.
Kaido looked at the newspaper brought by King, his gaze lowered in contemplation.
"Not only was he sealed, but even the weapon I carefully prepared for him is gone..."
The newspaper image showed Griffin holding the long spear Kari had brought when he appeared, turning his back to Kari encased in a cross-shaped ice flower.
"According to the newspaper records, after Kari assassinated that particular Celestial Dragon, he was ambushed by Akainu and White Wolf!"
King's breathing carried a scorching heat, his emotions turbulent. "Despicable Marines! Shamelessly ganging up on him!"
Kaido remained silent for a moment before letting out a cold, mocking snort.
"Failure is failure. How can we blame the opponent for joining forces?"
"But..."
Kaido crushed the newspaper between two fingers, his voice low and serious. "Something's off. I've fought Kari before, and I've clashed with that magma guy twice as well."
"To be honest, even if Linlin and I teamed up, if Kari was determined to self-destruct and escape, we couldn't stop him."
"Except for that... I don't think anyone could forcibly keep Kari."
King raised an eyebrow. "You mean... Kari did it on purpose?!"
Kaido shook his head. "Not necessarily. He even lost his weapon. We can't rule out the possibility that White Wolf kid was just too much of a counter to Kari."
"After all, they're natural enemies..."
"Then let's go rescue him quickly! You said he's the key to starting a great war!"
"There's still time... The Marines wouldn't dare destroy that ice sculpture anyway. Breaking it would mean releasing him, so there's no need to rush."
Kaido stroked his chin, speaking slowly. "According to my speculation, Kari had every opportunity to escape after succeeding."
"He mentioned to me before that fewer and fewer Celestial Dragons are daring to descend to the lower world, and that measures needed to be taken..."
"Showing weakness to the enemy is a good tactic!"
"Really..." King still couldn't let go of his worry. "What if..."
"Wororororo—Even if there's a 'what if,' I'll just go smash the ice block myself!"
"Just the Marines think they can stop me?!"
As his laughter gradually subsided, Kaido looked at the face on the crumpled newspaper and grinned. "But this kid... he's becoming more and more interesting to me."
"Being able to defeat Shanks and the others... Yamato probably isn't a match for this kid. What a shame we won't get to see that show."
King frowned. "White Wolf's growth in strength is terrifying. Three years ago, he was definitely no match for me, but in just three years... if the newspaper isn't exaggerating, he might have already reached Admiral level!"
"If we're talking about someone like Zephyr, he's probably about there. Compared to the current three, though..."
Kaido rubbed the armrest of his stone throne, his voice deep. "King, you said that kid's Conqueror's Haki is quite something, right?"
"I'll go verify it myself... If that's really the case, he would never submit to something like that!"
On the stone throne, Kaido slowly rose to his feet, his form undergoing a massive transformation in the darkness.
A moment later.
A dragon's roar that shook the heavens echoed throughout Wano Country.
—
—
—
Sabaody Archipelago.
Shakky's Rip-off Bar.
Rayleigh's knuckles turned white as he gripped the edge of the newspaper tightly, his expression extremely grave.
The bar had hung up a closed sign during the day. Shakky smoked a cigarette, not even in the mood to serve Rayleigh a drink.
Given Rayleigh's current state, he wouldn't be able to drink anyway.
...
"The worst-case scenario... has still happened..."
Rayleigh took a deep breath, his face darkening. "How dare Hancock go to a battlefield like that! Why would she provoke that guy!"
"Hah—"
Shakky exhaled a puff of smoke. "Sandersonia told me. Wang Zhi captured the crew of the Nine Snakes. Hancock and the others went to rescue them. For things to develop like this..."
"It's just too many unexpected events. It's not Hancock's fault."
"What should we do?"
...
Rayleigh remained silent for a long time.
In Roger's prophecy, Shanks bore the crucial task of ushering in a new era. Roger wasn't sure whether finding that fruit would count as Shanks fulfilling his mission.
The captain's long-cherished wish, the 'world' that needed saving, the camaraderie of former crewmates, and Hancock...
He let out a long sigh.
"I'll go to the New World. Shakky, you return to Nine Serpent Island first. Keep them steady and prevent any rash actions."
Shakky furrowed her brows. "Don't tell me you're going to..."
"That's the last resort."
Rayleigh stood up. "If there's no other choice... then it's all-out war!"
"Us old-timers aren't dead yet!"
...
Shakky was slightly taken aback.
Her thoughts drifted back thirty years, to the moment this man had appeared.
Still so reliable... Rayleigh.
—
—
—
East Blue.
A ridiculous red-nosed skull Pirate flag fluttered in the wind.
On the deck, Captain Buggy the Clown stared at the newspaper, his eyes wide with shock.
"How is this possible... Shanks... what kind of joke is this!!"
...
"We're almost at the location marked on the treasure map, Captain Buggy. What are you looking at?" Staff Officer Cabaji walked over and glanced at the newspaper.
"That big news... That's a matter for the big shots. It has nothing to do with us."
...
"How can it have nothing to do with us..." Buggy gritted his teeth, heavy breaths escaping through the gaps.
"How pathetic! Damn you, Shanks!!"
"How can you end here! What kind of joke is this!!"
"Turn the ship around!"
Buggy gave the firm order. "To Marineford!!"
Cabaji wore an expression of utter disbelief. "Captain Buggy... have you had too much to drink?"
What Pirate goes to Marine Headquarters to deliver themselves on a silver platter?!
The Marines won't let us off just because our bounties are low!!
...
Buggy tried hard to steady his breathing, pointing at the newspaper. "Didn't the Marines say it? Even Pirates won't be arrested during the public execution viewing period."
"You really must be drunk, Captain! How can you believe what the Marines say?!"
Cabaji grabbed Buggy's shoulders and shook him violently. "It's a trap! And what's so interesting about watching a Pirate execution? It's not like they're executing the Pirate King!"
...
...
Buggy fell silent for a long time.
"Cabaji... I was once on that ship. Shanks is my... sworn rival!"
"Let me go see... please."
—
—
East Blue, Goa Kingdom, Windmill Village.
A freckle-faced boy stared at the newspaper, his mouth agape in shock.
He turned to look behind him at the child whose arms were stretched like rubber bands around a large tree.
...
It's the person who saved Luffy...
Should I tell him?
No!
The debt of gratitude my brother owes... I, as his older brother, should be the one to repay it!
It seems I can't keep my promise to you; I need to set sail early, Luffy!
——
——
——
Sabaody Archipelago.
A uniquely designed silver-white warship docked at the shore.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku keeps calling to hurry us up. Why don't you just answer his call?!"
"And why did we have to come to Sabaody halfway through our journey?!"
Doll complained as she followed behind Griffin.
"That old man is too annoying. Just brush him off however you like."
"He calls it an awards ceremony, but how much money can Sengoku possibly give me? There's a huge treasure trove of mine right here."
Griffin had come to settle accounts with Chin Jao and collect the protection fees owed over the past few years.
...
Gently stroking the spearhead of the long spear in his hand, as he infused his chakra into it, the originally gray-black shaft turned transparent, as if forged from ice crystals—utterly breathtaking.
Back then, he had used the ore from beneath the ice veins of Kano Country precisely to match his Ice Release Chakra.
Hardness, flexibility, chakra conductivity... This weapon was tailor-made for Griffin, and he couldn't put it down.
For long-range weapons, he had this spear; for defense, the Flame War Fan; and once Shiki's two swords arrived...
I'll lack nothing at all!
...
You had that same look in your eyes when you saw the White Wolf back then, and now it's this spear... Are you just not interested in living people?!
"Step aside a bit. You go deal with the old man from the Marines."
Just as Doll was thinking this, Lucci pushed past her and leaned in, sincerely admiring: "What a beautiful spear! What's its name?"
Griffin handed it to Lucci as if showing off: "It's beautiful, right?! I took it from Kari. I plan to call it White Fang! How does that sound?"
"Snow-white fangs—a great name!"
...
Just as they were speaking...
The group that had disembarked locked eyes with Rayleigh, who was boarding a small boat at the harbor.
...
"What a coincidence..."
Griffin set down his spear, a slight smirk curling at the corner of his mouth: "Sir Rayleigh, where are you headed?"
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