Beasts Pirates!
A mummified Kaido sat on his imposing throne, flanked by his two top subordinates, Queen and King.
"Kaido-sama! The latest intelligence has arrived! The mastermind behind the World Expo is a former Pirate King member, Devil Descendants Bullet!" King reported, his tone serious.
"During that period, both the Big Mom Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates sent participants, but in the end, Marine succeeded and seized the Eternal Pointer!"
Kaido waved his hand lazily. "These details are irrelevant. Once I fully recover from my injuries, I will never forgive that brat." His voice was weak, but his intent was unmistakable.
"Understood, Kaido-sama! Leave everything to me!" King replied solemnly.
Kaido's tone remained icy. "I owe thanks to your timely arrival; otherwise, I could have been compromised. And Kizaru… he didn't examine my 'body' closely and left, or it would have been catastrophic."
Kaido's voice was flat but carried a chilling weight. "It will take time for my body to fully recover, and the scars may remain forever."
"Next time you target Kaito, count me in! We can't let this slide!" Queen said, his voice sharp.
"As you wish." Kaido's gaze was icy, his eyes glowing like lanterns. He visualized using his Devil Fruit awakening to slowly repair his body, a process marked by cold, unbearable pain he would never forget.
"Kaito! Wait! Our next meeting will be your end!" Kaido roared silently.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford!
"How is it? Will the equipment allow for quick recovery?" an officer asked softly.
"Yes, yes, but… it will take a month!" Sengoku's authoritative voice carried over the line.
"A month? Ace has already been captured, and Whitebeard will soon be informed. One month… I will try to delay it!"
"By the way, dispatch elite marines worldwide. Once we recover, we do the needful about Ace!"
"Yes, sir! But what about Kaito? Should he still be invited to join the Shichibukai?"
"No need. He's stronger alone. Unfortunately, he has formed a pirate group with powerful figures like Bullet and Redfield. The Shichibukai title no longer appeals to him," Sengoku replied gravely.
"I don't like it! The fifth emperor is about to appear at sea!" Officer Crane muttered, concerned. "Will Kaito's bounty increase?"
"Yes. By the way, his pirate group has been exposed. Do we even know the name?" Sengoku gritted his teeth.
"No, sir!" the officer admitted.
"Then omit the name. Just make Kaito the brightest presence at sea tomorrow." Sengoku ordered.
"Even if we try to strike at Kaito, what about the Red Earl? They may be unstoppable together!" the officer worried.
"It doesn't matter. Let them clash fiercely; the stronger they fight, the more costly it becomes for them, not us," Sengoku replied, surrounded by the antiseptic smell of the ward. "Understood? Rest well." He ended the call.
Three days later, West Blue.
On a bustling street, people discussed the recent World Expo, animatedly debating the events.
Suddenly, sheets of white newsprint fell from the sky like snow.
"Oh? Here's the news! Let me see!" a young man exclaimed, picking up a paper.
Suddenly, his body trembled. His pupils dilated, and shock overtook him. He could not hide his disbelief.
Reid, standing nearby, noticed the reaction and patted the youth on the shoulder. "Bell! What's wrong? Are you alright?"
Thump!
Bell collapsed to the ground, muttering, "Something has happened! Something…"
"What is the matter? You're overreacting!" Reid frowned.
Other bystanders noticed Bell's reaction and leaned in, picking up newspapers that had fallen from the sky.
Thump!
Another man also trembled uncontrollably, riveted by the shocking news. The reaction confirmed the gravity of the situation.
"It's serious!" Reid muttered, grabbing the paper from Bell.
On the front page:
Kaito Pirates! (Group name not yet public)
Captain: Kaito! The photo showed Kaito with a reward of 5 billion Berries.
Crew: Red Earl Redfield, bounty 4.5 billion Berries. Only 500 million less than Kaito, underscoring Redfield's formidable strength.
Crew: Devil Descendants Bullet, bounty 2 billion Berries.
Crew: The Blind Swordsman, bounty 2 billion Berries.
The news sparked a frenzy across the seas. Previously, Bullet had drawn attention, but now the Kaito Pirates dominated the headlines, surpassing him multiple times over.
North Blue, an icy port town.
The taverns buzzed with excitement as patrons read the newspaper.
"Kaito? He's the one who defeated the Golden Lion! But 5 billion Berries? That's enormous! Whitebeard himself only exceeded that slightly!"
"Does this guy rival Whitebeard now? Marine really exaggerates!" a pirate scoffed.
"Sure, Bullet is strong, but what about the Red Earl? And the Blind Swordsman?"
"4.5 billion for Redfield, 2 billion for the Blind Swordsman… that means Redfield is slightly weaker than Kaito, and the swordsman matches Bullet! Stop joking!"
Such discussions echoed across ports and taverns. People debated Kaito's strength, yet no one dared challenge him directly.
_____
Send support on patreon
Patreon.com/Zphyr