"Kaido, I have to admit—you've gathered quite a powerful group of allies..."
"Blackbeard, Gecko Moria, Redfield, Bullet, Bryndy World, Hanafuda... oh right, and that long-time collaborator of yours, Doflamingo."
"If not for me... your alliance could truly run rampant across these seas, couldn't you?"
As Michael looked at Kaido, his eyes held a trace of indifference.
Had Kaido chosen to remain hidden on Thunder God Island, Michael might have genuinely considered dealing with them last.
After all, the Beast Pirates alone could hardly be called a "threat" anymore.
But after Michael killed Shiki, the scattered pirates fleeing disaster naturally flowed toward other pirate factions...
With the Whitebeard Pirates and Big Mom Pirates having established their own nations, the pirates' options dwindled further.
Thus, the Beast Pirates became the greatest beneficiaries of this 'whale fall.'
It was precisely this sudden surge in the pirate crew's combat power that made Kaido set his sights on Wano Country once again.
"Enough talk, Michael."
Kaido's massive dragon head tilted slightly as he gazed toward the distant Onigashima.
The stronghold where he once reigned as the "Guardian Deity King."
"I've long wanted... to take your life..."
With that, he flew off toward Onigashima on his own.
"Father..."
"That's enough, Hancock." Michael reached out and patted Hancock's head.
"You've done well. Leave the rest to me... The people of Wano will meet you near the coastline."
"Alright." Hancock let out a long sigh, then used Moon Walk to head toward the shore, glancing back every few steps.
"Please... make sure you return safely."
"Don't worry. It's just Kaido... Nothing I can't handle."
...
"Captain! Is it really okay for us to just hide here like this?" one of Wang Zhi's subordinates on Hachinosu whispered.
"Our allies have already started fighting..."
"You fool, if you really think of them as allies, you won't even know how you died!" Wang Zhi rolled his eyes, still shaken by the two enormous Flying Slashes from earlier.
He wasn't weak.
Nor was he a coward who fled at the sight of danger.
He possessed considerable strength... but he instinctively sought the easiest way to achieve his goals.
For instance, it was Wang Zhi's fleet that had initially charged toward the unflagged Seraphim Ship...
But after that massive Flying Slash, Wang Zhi quietly ordered his fleet to make way on both sides.
And the unlucky Gecko Moria, having nowhere to retreat after Wang Zhi cleared the path, ended up directly facing the Seraphim Ship...
Along with the members of the SWORD Forces aboard it.
But...
For a seasoned veteran like Wang Zhi, who had lived through the era of Rocks, the God Valley Incident, and the Great Pirate Era...
What was true disgrace?
Dying pointlessly without achieving his goals—that was the greatest disgrace!
In his eyes, whether it was Rocks or Roger...
They were all disgraces!
Only by outliving everyone else could he dictate the narrative!
Longevity was his game!
Besides... He was a "pirate," after all.
Wasn't deceit and cunning his defining trait?
Thinking this, Wang Zhi allowed a smug smile to curl his lips.
Strongmen tormenting each other, mutual destruction...
And Wang Zhi, the oriole waiting behind the mantis.
What a delightful story!
"Captain! Something's changed!"
"That Gecko Moria seems ready to go all out!"
"Go all out?" Wang Zhi's smile widened. "So the legendary SWORD Forces really are that strong... Gecko Moria was once a rival to Kaido himself... Even if he lacked staying power, he was still a formidable force... And now he's being pushed to this point so quickly?"
"There's... there's something else!"
"What now? Did something change on another battlefield?"
"On that ship belonging to the SWORD Forces... a golden path has appeared, stretching across the sea... and it's charging straight toward us!"
"Gold? Kid, have you lost your mind over money?" Wang Zhi followed his subordinate's pointing finger and looked over.
"What gold... Holy shit! It really is gold!"
On the sea surface, a golden path floating atop the waves was rapidly charging toward Wang Zhi's pirate ship!
And upon it stood a group of marines with varied expressions...
Their eyes were all fixed intently on this side.
"Hey hey hey, what's going on here... Are they completely ignoring that side?" Wang Zhi's lips twitched before he could only sigh.
"Seems like playing both sides won't work anymore... Do I really have to show my true strength?"
As he spoke, Wang Zhi untied his cloak and tossed it aside.
Then, an overwhelming surge of dual-colored Haki began flowing through his body.
"Since that's the case... bring it on!"
"Let me see what these new-era marines are truly capable of!"
...
Kaido set foot on Wano's soil once more, his heart filled with countless emotions...
Yet none of the composure from years past remained.
From the sky, his eyes immediately locked onto Kozuki Oden standing at the shoreline, leading all samurai in battle formation.
The moment Kaido saw him, Oden seemed to sense it too, raising his head to meet the gaze with razor-sharp eyes.
Kaido's mouth twisted into a ferocious grin...
This single exchange of glances...
Made the scars on his body throb with phantom pain once more.
His face, neck, and lower back...
These three places bore permanent marks left by Kozuki Oden.
Even though Oden had long been left in his dust...
The pain inflicted years ago clung to his memories like maggots to bone.
"Hmph, Kozuki Oden... after I deal with Michael, you're next."
"Kaido, you are indeed strong. Right now I stand zero chance against you..." Oden's hands already rested on Ame no Habakiri and Enma.
"...But likewise, you won't achieve victory against my father-in-law either."
"...Your father-in-law? I recall no such old fool in Wano."
"No? Aren't you currently heading to Onigashima to battle him?"
Kaido's draconic form froze mid-air.
His eyes radiated tangible disdain and disappointment:
"I thought you were a real man..."
"To think you'd marry Michael's daughter just to defeat me... What a shameless beast!"
Oden: "Wait, since when does the villain get to spout nonsense like this?!"