“So, the time has come for you to demonstrate your value. He’s right, there’s more than one way to show value. Everyone can contribute in the field they excel at.
Even if it’s just a cook who can keep the warriors fed, I can still acknowledge his worth. But don’t cling to the delusion of enjoying the fruits without effort. I am a very sentimental man, don’t force me to settle accounts with some useless trash later.”
This was Kaido’s way of communicating. He would never sit down and speak politely with others unless you could pin him to the ground and beat him, or earn his recognition, only then would Kaido change his attitude.
For these ordinary kings, this was already a greatly restrained Kaido.
“Everyone, Governor-General Kaido just said some rather threatening words, please take them seriously. But don’t worry, as long as you don’t play any tricks behind the scenes, Lord Arceus will not forget the contributions you’ve made.”
After Kaido left, Tesoro stepped forward. Kojiro also came with him. Since the two of them respectively managed Wano Country’s internal and external economy, they had many economic matters to discuss.
But before that, they offered a bit of reassurance to the kings present.
Having been intimidated by Kaido, even if the kings had some complaints, none of them showed it. They would rather follow a tyrannical powerhouse like this than a useless trash who only spoke empty words.
On this cruel sea, only a monster like Kaido could protect their nations. Moreover, they had grasped another meaning behind Kaido’s words – demonstrate value.
Since the Beasts Pirates practiced a contribution-based system, it meant they could gain more through war.
Combining both carrot and stick—luring with benefits and intimidating with force—only bound these people even tighter.
Tesoro and Kojiro were not in a hurry. They even helped the kings regain their composure; they needed to recover before proceeding with what came next.
“War… is it truly unavoidable?”
“Otohime, you understand, peace is not something you can beg for. We prayed for peace for so long, yet it never came.
But once Fishman Island began using military deterrence, our people instead experienced their most peaceful era. Isn’t that ironic?”
The sea was the paradise of the Fish-Men. When enraged, they displayed a deterrent comparable to Sea Kings within the ocean. Combined with Fishman Island’s recent isolation policy, not a single disappearance had occurred anymore, and even slave-hunting ships chose to keep their distance.
“Sigh… I just hope the war ends soon.”
“It will end. A war between gods, how long could it possibly drag on?”
Neptune himself wasn’t sure how quickly it would end, but this was the only way he could comfort Otohime.
On the other side, Vaiself was still standing where she was. Her body remained stiff, and her legs had already gone numb to keep herself from collapsing. But she felt it was all worth it. As long as she stood among the crowd, she had already managed to make Kaido look at her a few more times.
Even the people in the hall cast a few more glances at her, and some had taken interest, such as Kozuki Hiyori.
“Little sister, it wasn’t easy holding out for so long, was it?”
She herself had been one of those who collapsed earlier, but she had anticipated Kaido might do something like this, so she had simply sat down in a nearby chair. Being knocked down by Kaido’s Conqueror’s Haki was nothing shameful.
To Kaido, even Super Rookies could be dealt with in a single strike. Being able to withstand his Conqueror’s Haki, even a weakened version, was no easy feat.
At this moment, blood was already dripping from Vaiself’s palms onto the ground. It was obvious she was forcing herself to endure.
“Haha… actually, my legs still aren’t listening to me. Lord Kaido’s strength is truly astonishing.”
The polite exchanges between royalty began from there. Once everything had more or less returned to normal, Tesoro also started discussing monetary matters with them, mainly exploring the issue of de-Berry-ization.
Meanwhile, outside the hall, Kaido ran into Yamato, who had been waiting for him for quite some time.
“You really took your time, you idiot father. That childish display of Conqueror’s Haki, were you just teasing ants?”
“Ants? That’s a pretty good description, but there were indeed a few interesting ones in there.”
Without another word, Kaido had already pulled out Hassaikai from behind his back. Yamato had been idly swinging her kanabo up and down for quite a while. No matter how you looked at it, she clearly wanted to fight.
Kaido would never refuse something like this. Even though he had changed somewhat, his essence was still the same Kaido. He didn’t care how power was obtained, but until Yamato possessed the strength to defeat him, she would forever remain the Oni Princess.
What she could get would only ever be what he was willing to give. She could never inherit everything he had.
“I held back for your sake, I didn’t sneak attack you during your speech.”
“Worororo, then I really should thank you for that. Since that’s the case, I’ll go all out later!
There are still five days before the alliance meeting. This time, we’ve got plenty of time!”
Boom!
The shockwave generated by their clash reverberated through the space. Zeraora, who had just stepped out to get some fresh air since he wasn’t involved in economic matters, had his fur blown all over the place.
“You came at just the right time. Hurry up and open a door for us.”
Looking at the familiar yet somewhat abstract scene before him, Zeraora extended a finger and drew a line into the distance. The portal to the Reverse World opened once more. As the Reverse World expanded, the authority to open such portals for the Mythical Pokémon had already extended across the entirety of Wano Country.
Yamato and Kaido vanished into the Onigashima’s building, while Zeraora reached out and touched the nearby wall.
“This is a specially reinforced wall mixed with Arceus Metal… Lord Arceus is definitely going to be mad again later.”
Looking at the dent in the wall, Zeraora helplessly held his forehead. He was certain, someone was going to be in trouble again.
Having done this many times, they were already well-practiced. Kaido and Yamato were directly sent to the designated training ground within the Reverse World, appearing right in front of Arceus and the Lunarians, who had just returned.
“…Observe their battle carefully. You should be able to learn something.”
Removing that extraordinarily ornate armor, Arceus issued a new instruction to the Lunarians. Lunarians were not content to simply retire in the Reverse World. They had continuously been requesting to participate in the final war of vengeance.
Although Arceus originally believed that life and death were fundamentally separated, and that those who had finally been restored should not return to such things, he ultimately couldn’t resist the pleas of his followers and agreed.
Kaido and Yamato represented the pinnacle of combat in this era. Letting these “relics of the past” familiarize themselves with the current state of things would ultimately be beneficial.
“Yes.”
“Shayna, how is Genesis doing?”
“All preparations are complete. It can set sail again at any time.”
“Depart immediately. Leave matters here to them.”
“Understood.”
Before everything on Onigashima had concluded, Genesis once again set sail away from the island.
“It’s really lively here.”
“Yeah… perhaps this is just their way of life.”
Red Hair and Kuzan remained where they were, watching the numbered fighters begin their own fights.
“Muhahaha! As expected, nothing gets the blood pumping like battle! Fight, battle for your status! This is our ranking battle, only the victors get more!”
After most of the key figures had left, Queen finally seized the role of host and regained control of the scene.
“So noisy… why does that Queen talk so much…”
“Next…hey, hey! No attacking the referee! Ulti, can’t you dial down the violence a bit?!”
“Cut the crap! You’re the one talking too much!”
The battle between the Numbers might carry some intimidation, but compared to Kaido, they were far inferior.
The Emperors of the Sea weren’t called that because they had these subordinates. It was because their own strength had reached a monstrous level that they became Emperors.
These monsters were individuals whose personal combat power exceeded that of their own pirate crews. Since Kaido had chosen to handle things himself, there was naturally no need to continue fighting like some kind of exhibition match.
The Beasts Pirates’ ranking battles had never really followed any rules. It was common for referees and spectators to get caught up in the fighting, one of the few events where even watching required ability.
Those kings had already left, but others were still watching. Leaders from other territories and some subordinate crew members, through this battle, had come to understand just how far the power bestowed by Arceus could reach.
Just as Shanks was about to continue speaking, the Den Den Mushi on him rang.
“Go on, answer it. No need to worry about anything.”
Seeing Shanks hesitate, Kuzan thought he was just unsure whether it was appropriate to take a call mid-conversation.
“No, I’d better step away first. I’ll be right back.”
Just moments ago, Shanks had used his future-sight Observation Haki to glimpse what would happen if he answered the call. What happened with Kaido last time was enough. If it weren’t for Yamato, he would have completely lost face.
To avoid any accidents, he made thorough preparations this time.
While matters on Onigashima had yet to fully conclude, a disturbance broke out on the island hosting the social gathering.
Bang!
With a dull thud, a man was slammed to the ground by a pirate of the Beasts Pirates.
“I say, you Marines, do you think we’re idiots? Sending someone as famous as you to gather intelligence? Do you really think we wouldn’t recognize you just because you’re wearing a fake beard and glasses?”
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