“Recruiting soldiers from all over the world and gathering them in these positions… It seems the World Government wants to strike first.”
Kuzan pointed out the original purpose of each branch, causing Kaido to burst into laughter.
“Worororo! Red Hair! Linlin! Did you hear that? Looks like something big is coming.”
“Mamamama~! What a grand move. Do they really intend to attack all of us at the same time?”
“Don’t underestimate their foundations. Even if it isn’t a home-field battle, their military strength can still pose a significant threat to us. Especially you, Kaido. If a war really breaks out, the vast majority of their forces will probably be focused on you.
Can you really hold out? If the time comes, I can send support.”
“Worry about yourselves. I don’t need your help in my battles.”
Kaido rejected Red Hair’s goodwill. The only reason he had informed the two of them in advance was because of their alliance.
“I’m telling you to get prepared already. Don’t make me run around putting out fires everywhere. I don’t want my allies to be a bunch of good-for-nothing.”
“Red Hair, don’t bother with Kaido. He looks completely confident.”
Charlotte Linlin understood Kaido far better than Red Hair did. From Kaido’s expression alone, she could tell that not only was he completely unafraid, he was actually excited. He seemed to be looking forward to this war immensely.
After Kaido finished sharing his intelligence, the Red Hair Pirates and the Big Mom Pirates ended their communications with him and began making their own arrangements. Red Hair was evacuating elderly, weak, sick, disabled and otherwise nonessential crew members, while Charlotte Linlin was creating new Homie soldiers.
Though neither side treated the Marines or the World Government seriously in words, they still made adjustments in their actions.
“If it’s only the Marines, they couldn’t pull off an operation like this. The World Government has definitely intervened. But what exactly they’ve decided to do, I don’t know. They might not even inform the Marines about something like that.”
“How much longer do you think they’ll need to finish gathering their forces?”
“No idea. If they’re really preparing for a war on this scale, they’ll need to assemble forces far exceeding those during the Summit War. It should take at least another week before the mobilization is complete.”
Without more detailed intelligence, Kuzan could only guess.
“Then there’s still plenty of time. When the time comes, this area will be your responsibility. That shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
Kaido drew a circle over a sea area, roughly determining the battlefield. He had no intention of letting the flames of war spread to his own territory. Rebuilding afterward would be far too troublesome.
As for defeat, the thought had never once crossed his mind.
“The sea, huh? I think I understand what you’re planning. Leave it to me. But like I said, if any Marines are captured, I’d like them handed over to me.”
“Worororo, do whatever you want with them. I don’t really care about that sort of thing. I’m just curious what kind of interesting trump cards the World Government has been hiding.”
The betting game had been prepared by Kaido as a way for his officers to relax, but amid this tranquility, Kaido himself had never relaxed for a moment.
Smack!
While Yamato was chasing Queen across the island and Kaido was arranging his forces…
Using the Op-Op Fruit to transport them out, Law immediately punched Kin’emon.
“What the hell were you trying to do? Tell the Beasts Pirates that someone had infiltrated the island and expose everyone?”
It had been Law who successfully transported Kin’emon’s group out earlier. After finishing a day of internship, he should have stayed overnight at the hospital, but he had been worried about his teammates and came out to check on them. As it turned out, his concern had been justified.
“You were the one who said you knew the safe route. You were the one who insisted on rescuing your lord. And somehow, you’re also the one who almost got everyone exposed! What exactly are you trying to do, huh?!”
Law had just used the Op-Op Fruit to remove the poison from Kin’emon’s body, but the more he thought about it, the angrier he became. At least Kanjuro could provide some useful suggestions and assistance. But, Kin’emon was different.
Aside from the disguises created by his ability, he had contributed absolutely nothing. Other than constantly praising Lord Oden, all he ever did was make empty declarations.
“It… it was my fault. But something like that is truly difficult to endure. If it had been you, then you would have—”
“Don’t lump me together with you.”
Unless the opportunity was perfect, Law would never act rashly. His self-control far exceeded Kin’emon’s. Nor did he intend to listen to Kin’emon’s explanations. At this point, Kin’emon had completely exhausted Law’s trust.
They had originally agreed to remain at the base, yet now he had led Chopper and Brook out of it. Even though their identities had been concealed by disguises, it didn’t change the fact that they had acted on their own.
“This time was pure luck. Don’t expect something like this to happen again. And you two, be more careful yourselves. Don’t let someone else drag you down with them. I can’t easily leave my post, so I hope when the appointed time comes, I’ll still be able to see both of you.”
An intern doctor didn’t have much freedom. Law had to return to the hospital before dawn.
Though he hadn’t named anyone directly, Chopper and Brook both knew exactly what he meant. While they felt Kin’emon was somewhat pitiful, they also couldn’t accept his reckless behavior of acting on his own and nearly causing a major disaster.
After giving a few more instructions, Law left. One accident after another had left him extremely irritated.
“Kin’emon, think about Lord Momonosuke. Is what you’re doing really a good idea?”
The only person who could understand Kin’emon’s feelings was Kanjuro. But to Kanjuro, Momonosuke was even more important. As a result, Kanjuro merely returned the sword he had picked up for Kin’emon and did not support his actions.
In fact, Kanjuro’s eyes never left Kin’emon, as though he feared Kin’emon might do something impulsive again.
In the end, Chopper and Brook temporarily parted ways with them and chose to act independently, planning to find jobs like everyone else and settle down first.
“Kanjuro, I don’t think they’ll help us rescue Lord Momonosuke anymore.”
“Perhaps. But with just our strength—”
“That damned pirate is definitely going to report this matter. If they start thinking that former subordinates of the Kozuki family are trying to rescue Lord Momonosuke, it’ll be troublesome. We should take advantage of them while we still can. While they’re drawing the enemy’s attention, let’s rescue Lord Momonosuke ourselves.”
After everyone else had left, Kin’emon once again affirmed Kanjuro’s earlier suggestion and proposed that they act as soon as possible.
You can read ahead upto 75 chapters on my patreon and I’ve also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon.
Become a Patron!