They exchanged uneasy glances, their expressions grim as they remained silent.
Ryuma chuckled heartily. "Don't worry, everything's fine. We're just having a quick chat to see where your heads are at."
"With all due respect... even with your current strength, beating him is going to be tough. In fact, it's practically impossible!" Jack said, taking a deep breath as he stared straight at Ryuma.
Ryuma smiled. "No harm in speaking your mind. Go ahead, I'm genuinely curious—what makes you think the four of us combined stand no chance against Kaidou?"
Jack swallowed hard before explaining, "That monster isn't called the World's Strongest Creature for nothing. He's tried committing suicide multiple times in the past, and every attempt ended in failure. If he can't even kill himself, how is anyone else supposed to?"
Ryuma checked Jack's thoughts with Mind Reading. Seeing that he was speaking from genuine experience and concern, Ryuma nodded slowly. "Fair enough. I can't argue with that logic."
"Exactly! That's why taking him down isn't going to be easy!" Jack sighed.
The other two remained silent, but Ryuma probed their minds as well. Both King and Queen secretly believed Kaidou had the higher chance of winning, but they were resolved to fight to the death alongside Ryuma if things went south.
As long as they held that level of commitment, Ryuma felt reassured—at least he wouldn't have to worry about treason from within his ranks!
Fixing his gaze ahead, Ryuma said in a stern tone, "Up ahead lies Kaidou's domain... The three of you go in first. Once you're inside, look out for one another and stay sharp."
With that, the three Lead Performers stepped forward.
Their division of labor was clear: Jack, Queen, and King would head in first to test the waters and gauge Kaidou's reaction.
They knew Kaidou was a man of his word—when he threatened death, he meant it without hesitation. Their mission was to land a heavy strike on Kaidou before he could execute them.
As for Ryuma, he served as their ultimate trump card.
In terms of pure one-on-one combat strength, Ryuma's current physical condition was still slightly below any of the three All-Stars. However, his combat intelligence, leadership, and mastery of Devil Fruit abilities allowed him to maneuver through battle with ease!
Even if he couldn't defeat an opponent head-on, he possessed the mobility to make a clean escape. That deceptive tactical advantage made him appear overwhelmingly powerful in the eyes of others.
At the exact same time, in a different location.
Inside the Shogun's Palace—also known as the Guardian Wisdom King Palace.
A massive, imposing figure sat holding a giant sake jug, pouring alcohol down his throat incessantly. His face was flushed crimson, and his thick mustache practically bristled from the sheer amount of liquor consumed!
Off to the side, a young attendant trembled violently, terrified to take even a step closer to Kaidou.
She was clearly a native of Wano Country, forced into servitude under Kaidou's tyrannical rule.
After hesitating for a long moment, the girl plucked up the courage to step forward.
While Kaidou was somewhat manageable when sober, a drunken Kaidou was notoriously erratic and bloodthirsty. There was no telling what horrific impulse might strike him, so exercising extreme caution was her only hope of survival.
Submissively bowing her head low, she stammered in a quiet voice, "Wisdom King... the three Lead Performers are outside, requesting an audience."
Kaidou's head snapped up!
The sudden movement sent a jolt of sheer terror through the girl, causing her whole body to spasm as fear rendered her completely speechless!
"Hmph! I refuse to see them! Useless trash—what am I keeping them around for?!" Kaidou growled, gritting his teeth in annoyance.
Suddenly, a realization crossed Kaidou's mind.
Those three couldn't even handle a simple assignment... If I let them off the hook, how am I supposed to maintain my authority?
Veins bulged across Kaidou's forehead as he spoke through gritted teeth. "Fine. Send those three in."
Relieved, the girl nodded repeatedly like a chick pecking for grain and scrambled out of the hall.
She had been dragged into this nightmare against her will due to her family's misfortunes, left with no choice but to endure Kaidou's terror.
Within minutes, she returned, leading three imposing, giant figures into the grand hall.
Naturally, the trio was none other than Jack, Queen, and King!
Though dwarfed by Kaidou's colossal frame, their sheer size was still far beyond that of normal men.
Taking a deep breath, Kaidou fixed them with a stern, dangerous glare. "Well, well... you three certainly did a magnificent job, didn't you? Returning to me in such a miserable state?"
Jack turned deathly pale. After a long pause, he spoke up defensively, "Lord Kaidou! For as long as I can remember, I've bled and sacrificed for the growth of the Beast Pirates! Everyone in the crew knows my loyalty! How could you banish the three of us over some petty swordsman?"
Queen glanced at Jack, mentally noting that Jack was trying to salvage their standing. Rolling his eyes, Queen quickly chimed in, "Exactly! That's right! This has nothing to do with our actual strength—that swordsman was just far too crafty..."
Kaidou's mouth twitched into a dark scowl. Without saying another word, he reached out with a lightning-fast hand, grabbed the terrified young attendant, and tossed her straight into his gaping mouth!
CRUNCH!
A sickening sound of crushing bone echoed through the hall as the poor girl's life was snuffed out in an instant.
Jack, Queen, and King didn't even blink, long accustomed to such brutality.
Kaidou was a monster driven by raw tyranny. When he wasn't attempting suicide, he took pleasure in slaughtering his own subordinates during his drunken rages!
Such violent outbursts were common whenever Kaidou had time on his hands, and few could ever hope to restrain him when he flew off the handle!
King took a sharp breath, realizing that Kaidou had already decided to cast them aside like trash. In that case, asking directly was their only option left.
"Captain..." King asked quietly, "are you truly willing to sever ties with us over such a minor failure?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Kaidou sneered, his lips curling into a cruel, ruthless grin. "Not only am I severing ties... I'm going to tear every single one of you into a thousand pieces!"
For Kaidou, tormenting others was his absolute favorite pastime—the sole pleasure he truly relished.
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