"Whitebeard?"
Kaito showed a trace of surprise as he opened the letter.
After scanning it briefly, his expression turned serious.
"He's serious about this?"
"Yes," Marco replied.
"I understand," Kaito said calmly. "In a little over a month, I'll accept the appointment."
Marco nodded and turned to leave.
"You're not staying to eat?" Kaito called after him with a faint smile. "It's been a long day."
"No need," Marco replied without turning back. "I have to report to Pops."
As soon as the words fell, Marco transformed into a blue phoenix and vanished into the sky.
After he left, Redfield and the others gathered around Kaito.
"Captain," Redfield said with a chuckle, "Whitebeard sending you a letter is really something else."
Another figure stepped forward, his expression solemn.
"Captain, what does Whitebeard want with you?"
Seeing the serious looks on their faces, Kaito laughed lightly.
"You're overthinking it."
He handed the envelope forward.
"Read it yourselves."
The letter was passed around.
"This is… Whitebeard's challenge," King said, frowning.
"So he already knew we were planning to move on his territory," Redfield said, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.
"To live that long and still hold the seas," Perospero added calmly. "People focus on his strength, but his mind is just as sharp."
"That's true," Perospero continued. "But Captain, do you plan to accept?"
"Of course," Kaito replied without hesitation. "Why wouldn't I?"
"This determines who controls the entire New World."
"But that's Whitebeard," Mont d'Or said with concern. "Captain, you…"
Kaito waved a hand dismissively.
"There's nothing to worry about. If he were in his prime, I might take him more seriously. But he's old. He's no longer at his peak."
"There's nothing to fear."
"Should we spread the news?" King asked.
"No," Kaito replied. "Whitebeard will do that himself."
He smiled slightly, his eyes sharp.
"This is a duel, not a scheme."
"A scheme?" Page One echoed, confused.
"Whitebeard expects me to agree," Kaito said. "If he wins, his pirates survive intact. If he loses, his entire crew submits."
"That kind of stake makes this irresistible."
"As soon as I accept, the Whitebeard Pirates will announce it."
"When that happens, the entire sea will be drawn in. Everyone will come to witness the battle."
"And with so many eyes watching, neither side can back out."
"Whoever breaks the agreement will lose all credibility on the seas."
Realization dawned on their faces.
"So that's how deep it goes," Page One said in admiration. "Captain, you're really something."
Kaito laughed.
"Enough talk. Finish reorganizing our territories."
"Before the battle, we'll go to the Golden City and relax a little."
"Call it pre-war entertainment."
"Understood."
---
As Kaito predicted, the very next day the news spread like wildfire.
Whitebeard versus Kaito.
The entire New World erupted.
---
New World
Inside a noisy tavern, pirates argued loudly, excitement bordering on madness.
"Whitebeard is fighting Kaito!"
"No way. That's real?"
"How could I miss something like that?"
"End of the year, right? There's still time."
"I can't wait."
---
Grand Line, Shakky's Rip-Off Bar
"Tch," Rayleigh muttered, swirling his glass. "Whitebeard is decisive as ever."
"As expected of a true captain," Shakky replied, exhaling a ring of smoke. "He really lives up to his reputation."
"Who do you think will win?" Rayleigh asked.
"Whitebeard will lose," Shakky answered calmly. "He knows Kaito won't spare his territory. This is his way of finishing things properly."
"Why not win?" she asked rhetorically.
"Even if Kaito promises not to attack after losing, does that sound realistic?" Rayleigh shook his head.
"The Thunder Pirate wants more than the Emperors' titles."
"He wants everything."
"Everyone knows about Kaito's giant form," Rayleigh continued. "But very few have seen his lightning."
"Yet that single move that wiped out CP forces proves how far his power has evolved."
Rayleigh drank the rest of his wine, his voice turning serious.
"The moment he uses his lightning openly is the moment he shows his true strength."
"And so far," Shakky added quietly, "the seas haven't forced him to do that."
Rayleigh's eyes gleamed.
"Only the World Government might be able to."
---
Across the seas, the Marines, the Revolutionary Army, and the World Government all reacted differently.
Each began making their own preparations.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
---
At dawn, the Kunpeng slowly departed from Cake Island, sailing toward its destination.
By midday, a massive city bathed in golden light appeared on the horizon.
"So this is the Golden City," Garette said in awe. "It's incredible."
"I'm ready to enjoy myself already," Page One said enthusiastically.
"We're about to enter the city's zone," Kaito warned. "Be careful of the gold powder."
"If you're trapped by it, your life is in the hands of the Golden Emperor."
"He can turn people into gold statues instantly."
"But once it touches seawater, it becomes useless."
"Understood, boss," everyone replied.
Suddenly, a voice shouted from behind.
"Hey, you brats ahead, move aside and don't block my master's path."
Kaito raised an eyebrow.
"At this point, there are still idiots in the New World who don't recognize our flag?"
"Boss, let me handle it," Bullet said eagerly.
Moments later, the sound of screams and splashing water echoed behind them.
Bullet returned, looking disappointed.
"I didn't even get to fight properly."
"You," Kaito said, shaking his head.
After that, no one dared provoke them again.
Soon, a massive dark passage opened before them.
It was wide enough that even the Kunpeng entered without feeling cramped.
____
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