"Those three…" Kong murmured softly.
"Your appearance, the red haired crew siding with the Marines, and even Blackbeard," Kaito said with a playful smile.
"Tsk tsk."
He turned his gaze toward the distant horizon.
Shanks, Benn Beckman, Blackbeard, and the others also looked in Kaito's direction, surprise flickering in their eyes.
"As expected," Kong sighed.
"In the New World, you are the most dangerous man."
He did not deny Kaito's words.
"If only you had joined the Marines," Kong continued.
"With just one sentence from Sengoku, you deduced everything. You could have become a top strategist like Tsuru."
"It's too late," Kaito replied calmly.
"When I first went out to sea, I wanted to join the Marines. Unfortunately, some scum within the ranks pushed me into becoming a pirate."
"Yes… too late," Kong sighed, then his expression hardened.
"Since you already saw through everything, your battle with Whitebeard was never meant to be decisive."
"Correct," Kaito admitted.
"I originally thought you would both end up gravely injured," Kong said coldly.
"Now it seems there is no choice but to face you head on."
"Brulee," Kaito called out.
"Understood, Boss Kaito!" Brulee shouted.
A mirror shimmered.
Figures stepped out from distorted space, one after another, their expressions ferocious as they stared at the Marines ahead.
"Boss, we're finally out. I was holding it in for so long," Kaido said loudly as he stepped forward.
"Kaido of the Beasts!"
"So many pirates!"
"Is this going to turn into a full scale war?"
A ripple of unrest spread through the Marine ranks as Kaito revealed his trump cards.
On distant warships, reporters stared in disbelief.
"What's happening?"
"Was Kaito prepared for this?"
"This battle is going to shake the world!"
---
Revolutionary Army Headquarters
Dragon and Sabo watched the scene unfold on the screen.
"This war will decide the ownership of the entire New World," Dragon said solemnly.
"Kaito wasn't careless," Sabo replied, frowning.
"He already prepared a counterstrike. This battle will be brutal."
"This is a war destined to be remembered forever," Dragon said quietly.
---
"Alright," Kaito said calmly.
"My cards are on the table. What about yours? The Seven Warlords, perhaps?"
Kong's expression darkened.
"You brought all the pirates from the surrounding islands?"
"That's right."
"You're reckless."
"If they lose, they lose everything anyway," Kaito replied.
"I might as well make full use of them."
Kong snorted.
"Enough talk. Let's begin."
"I've waited a long time too," Kaito said, his eyes burning with excitement.
"Once I defeat you, the New World will belong to me."
"Even the World Government won't dare touch me."
Without waiting for another word, Kaito vanished in a blur.
Issho and the others followed instantly, charging without hesitation.
Kong naturally did not retreat.
A melee capable of reshaping the seas erupted.
"It's started already?"
"This is far more intense than Marineford!"
"I never thought Shanks would side with the Marines!"
"Blackbeard is here too!"
Voices echoed everywhere.
This was a clash of kings.
Kong moved directly toward Kaito.
Kaido intercepted Sengoku.
Redfield confronted Garp.
Akainu, Marco, Katakuri, and King each found their opponents.
"Gurarararara!"
A familiar roar echoed across the battlefield.
Whitebeard, who had been lying motionless, suddenly appeared before Shanks.
Shanks had been preparing to move toward Kaito.
"I didn't expect you to join Kaito's crew," Shanks said solemnly.
"The duel was set by me," Whitebeard laughed.
"I lost. There's no reason to go back on my word."
With his naginata raised, Whitebeard slashed forward.
Shanks met the attack head on, and the two clashed violently at the center of the battlefield.
---
Kaito's expression was calm.
His fists moved like lightning, each strike faster than the last, each blow carrying overwhelming force, heavy as a mountain.
Kong's blood surged as he met him head on, Armament Haki erupting with every punch. As Commander in Chief of the World Government, he showed no fear.
Boom. Boom. Boom.
The shockwaves alone blasted nearby Marines away, forcing combatants to clear the area.
In seconds, no one remained near the two of them.
"So this is your strength?" Kong said coldly.
"Show me more. I am stronger than Sengoku."
Kaito grinned.
"Then I'll show you some respect."
He spoke in a low voice.
"Eight Inner Gates."
One gate after another unlocked.
With each gate, Kaito's presence surged. His body burned with violent energy, colors shifting as his power multiplied.
When the Seventh Gate opened, red energy engulfed him like raging flames.
He looked like a demon walking out of hell.
A terrifying pressure swept across the battlefield.
Those fighting nearby felt as if a massive weight had slammed down on them, making every movement difficult.
Kong's face turned grim.
The moment the first gate opened, he sensed danger. By the seventh, shock filled his heart.
As Commander in Chief, he had seen countless abilities, but never one that amplified power to this degree.
"Next, Kong ," Kaito said calmly.
"I hope you can endure this."
He twisted his neck and lifted his leg.
In the next instant, Kaito vanished.
"So fast!" Kong exclaimed.
Observation Haki flared, barely catching Kaito's trajectory.
Before he could fully react, searing pain exploded in his abdomen.
The impact erupted like a volcano.
Blood sprayed from Kong's mouth as his body bent violently, and he was sent flying backward like a meteor.
"Commander in Chief!" Garp shouted, his expression changing.
He blasted Redfield away with a punch and rushed toward Kong.
But Redfield reappeared instantly, blocking his path with a grin.
"Garp," Redfield said calmly.
"You dare lose focus while fighting me?"
"If you weren't Ace's grandfather and Dragon's father, that moment of distraction would have cost you dearly."
Garp clenched his teeth.
Only then did he fully remember who stood before him.
This man was no weaker than Whitebeard. In some aspects, even more dangerous.
"So I can't afford distractions," Garp thought grimly.
"Kong will have to endure on his own."
---