"Whitebeard? That's impossible! Aren't they allies? Kaito even saved Fire Fist Ace when he intervened!" Sengoku frowned, disbelief clear on his face. He had assumed Kaito and Whitebeard would most likely be allies.
"Didn't you hear Kaito say he helped Ace to repay 'her' a favor?" Staff Officer He shook his head.
After a pause, he continued, "Since Kaito formed his pirate crew and entered the New World, he first defeated Kaido of the Beasts and conquered the Beasts Pirates, then overpowered the red-haired pirates and claimed their territory, and now he is taking on the BIGMOM Pirates."
"As a result, we already know that Kaito and his crew's victory is inevitable. It's only a matter of time."
"Once he secures the BIGMOM Pirates' territory, he will undoubtedly turn on Whitebeard. That is certain."
"The Thunder Pirate… this Emperor has already revealed his ambitions."
"Perhaps in a month, maybe three, Kaito will make his move against Whitebeard and aim to unify the New World. After that, our Marines will face him."
After hearing Staff Officer Crane's analysis, Sengoku felt his heart sink.
"If he really strikes us, even if we deploy all our forces, he may not be defeated…"
"So, we can only rely on the World Government. If they remain idle, our Marines could be destroyed right before their eyes," Staff Officer He said with a calm but cold tone.
"This is speculation for now. The main priority is to monitor Kaito and the consequences of his campaign."
"Row!"
Bleu! Bleu!
The war drum resonated as a Marine produced a communication device and frowned. "It's Kizaru's report, the results should be coming through!"
"Hey! I'm Sengoku! Has Kizaru reported yet?"
"Marshal Sengoku, it's confirmed. Kaito has won. BIGMOM is dead!" Cake Island's Kizaru announced solemnly.
"Understood. Return immediately." Sengoku's face darkened. Though he had anticipated the outcome, hearing it confirmed brought unease.
"Yo! Isn't this Marine Admiral Kizaru? Why are you reporting to Marshal Sengoku?" A teasing voice came from behind.
Kizaru turned to see Kaito smiling confidently, with Issho and Redfield by his side. Kizaru's expression shifted, though he tried to mask it with a casual posture. "Just came to witness your big move."
"I didn't expect it! BIGMOM has been defeated by you! Apart from the Whitebeard Pirates, the entire New World is under your control!"
"No surprises here. I was born to claim territory. It's in my nature, and it can't be changed," Kaito said with a calm sigh.
"Then… it's settled. Can we leave? We've claimed this area, but there's still much to do."
"Right. Goodbye, Kizaru, Marshal Sengoku," Kaito smiled and waved.
Watching Kizaru depart, Redfield asked, surprised, "Why didn't you take him out?"
"The priority is taking BIGMOM's territory and conquering her crew," Kaito replied.
"If we manage to fully conquer them, our hold over the BIGMOM Pirates' lands will be secure," he mused with a confident smile.
The Whitebeard Pirates. Onboard the Moby Dick, Marco fell from the sky and relayed everything he had seen today.
"Pops! I think the BIGMOM Pirates are about to vanish. The Thunder Pirates attacked, We need to be ready."
"Kaito? The one who saved me?" Ace frowned.
"Yes, him," Marco confirmed.
"Are his pirates that strong?" Ace asked, puzzled. He had been retreating aboard the ship ever since returning with Whitebeard, recovering physically and training his two-color Haki. If Jozu hadn't pulled him out today, he'd still be preparing to counter threats like this.
"Is he really that powerful?" Ace asked again, astonished.
"Don't underestimate him. He's that strong," Marco said flatly.
"Gurararararara! Kaito?" Whitebeard laughed, drawing attention. "A formidable opponent."
"What do you mean, Pops?" Marco asked, confused.
"Don't worry. Your Oyaji has his own methods," Whitebeard replied, his eyes sharp and commanding.
"Got it, Pops," Marco said softly.
Time passed like flowing water. Three days flew by, and the news of Kaito's attack on one of the Four Emperors, the BIGMOM Pirates, spread across the seas, turning whispers into widespread shock.
In a small town in West Blue, a bustling pub was alive with chatter, the noise rising even though it was still morning.
"The Thunder Pirate! His strength isn't ordinary!"
"Yeah! Three of the Four Emperors have fallen to him. Whitebeard might be next!"
"Whitebeard? The strongest on the seas?"
"Who knows! Maybe soon!"
Pirates and civilians alike discussed the news with interest and fear.
Elsewhere, on a beautiful island, Shanks scanned a newspaper, a mix of concern and contemplation in his eyes.
"Sure enough… he attacked the BIGMOM Pirates. Only Whitebeard remains."
"Huh!" Beckman exhaled smoke, eyes wide. "Once BIGMOM's lands are fully taken, Whitebeard will be his next target."
"Do we even have a chance?" Shanks asked, bitterly self-mocking.
"There's one. Only one," Beckman said solemnly.
"What chance?" Lucky Roux asked urgently.
"When Kaito finishes absorbing the BIGMOM Pirates' territory, he will face Whitebeard."
"Then it's a fight against Marine to decide the New World. That's when we can join forces with them, maybe then there's hope."
"Joining Marine… against Whitebeard?"
"Whitebeard will lose. There could even be a separate showdown with Kaito, due to Ace's favor. Whitebeard will be forced to make a choice."
"So, we have only one option?" Shanks felt a twinge of loneliness.
"Yes. If I'm correct, the decisive battle between Kaito and the Marines will occur at the start of next year. Until then, we must gather allies and prepare to confront him," Beckman concluded.
"Understood," Shanks nodded, determination settling in his gaze.
____
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