A cold, emotionless voice slowly emerged from beneath the cloak, sounding as if it came from the depths of hell, icy and chilling, sending shivers down the spines of all who heard it.
Each word was like a sharp blade of ice, piercing straight into the hearts of those present.
The entire battlefield fell into a dead, eerie silence.
Those who'd been locked in fierce combat seemed to have been paused, instinctively halting their movements.
All eyes involuntarily focused on these two mysterious figures who'd suddenly appeared.
In mid-air, Whitebeard's tall and imposing figure slowly descended to the ground, his Murakumogiri plunging heavily into the earth, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Whitebeard observed the two unexpected visitors with interest, especially the one shrouded in the black cloak.
His gaze seemed to pierce through the heavy cloak, seeking the secrets hidden behind the cloaked figure.
"Gurararara..." Whitebeard's low laughter broke the suffocating silence, rumbling like thunder across the battlefield.
"Finally decided to show yourselves, have you?"
His voice carried a hint of long-anticipated composure.
The reason he hadn't immediately finished off Kaido was because of Ron's earlier warning:
If possible, he should prolong the fight with Kaido, as there might be venomous snakes lurking in the shadows, watching them intently, like hunters hiding in the grass, ready to strike at any moment.
And now, these hidden enemies had finally emerged, and they were unfamiliar to Whitebeard—he'd never encountered such figures before.
It seemed Ron's prediction had come true!
All of this appeared to have been within Ron's foresight, though it remained uncertain where this sudden turn of events would lead their destinies.
Marco, Jozu, and Vista swiftly arrived at Whitebeard's side, their eyes filled with vigilance as they tightly watched the suddenly appearing enemy.
Marco also stared at the black-robed figure, his brow slightly furrowed as he whispered.
"Pops, something's not right. That black-robed figure..."
His voice carried a trace of concern.
After all, the appearance of this mysterious black-robed figure had disrupted the original situation, making the already complex battlefield even more unpredictable.
"Yeah, I know."
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, his originally sharp gaze now becoming even more piercing, as if trying to see through the black-robed figure.
"The aura feels unfamiliar... but it also seems like I've sensed it somewhere before. I just can't remember it."
He nodded slightly, lost in thought.
...
On the other side,
Kaido was struggling to support his body, which seemed on the verge of collapsing at any moment, slowly rising to his feet.
His originally thick and powerful arms now bulged with veins like coiled pythons as he forcefully pulled out the CP0 longsword deeply embedded in his chest.
As the sword was withdrawn, blood gushed out like a bursting dam, flowing down his sturdy chest and instantly dyeing his clothes crimson.
However, Kaido merely frowned slightly before disdainfully spitting on the ground.
The spit was mixed with two mouthfuls of congealed blood, indicating severe internal injuries.
He slowly raised his head, his eyes revealing endless ferocity and rage as he glared viciously at the enigmatic black-robed figure before him.
"Never thought..."
Kaido's voice sounded particularly hoarse now, as if grated through sandpaper, filled with thick killing intent,
"That at this moment, I'd still be tricked by you rats hiding in the gutters."
The black-robed figure remained standing quietly, like a silent statue.
The wide hood concealed his entire face, making it impossible to discern any expression.
One could only vaguely see the corner of his mouth slightly upturned in the deep shadows, revealing a faint, almost imperceptible curve.
In that brief moment just now, he'd not only skillfully seized King but had also knocked him unconscious before anyone could react!!
Now, he held the unconscious King steadily in his left hand, his posture appearing composed and calm, as if the tense, explosive situation before him had nothing to do with him.
The CP0 agent elegantly wiped his blood-stained gloves, his white suit standing out strikingly in the smoke-filled battlefield, forming a sharp contrast with the bloody, brutal surroundings.
He slightly raised his head, his gaze carrying a hint of arrogant mockery as he looked toward the Whitebeard Pirates and slowly said.
"Kaido, did you really think the World Government would just stand by and watch you ignorant pirates continue to grow recklessly?"
Then, he lifted his head slightly higher, his eyes showing a trace of regret as he continued.
"We originally intended to let you pirates fight among yourselves so we could reap the benefits."
"What a pity, you just happened to encounter our must-achieve target this time. Unfortunately... this target can't die, so we had no choice but to intervene."
Upon hearing these words, Kaido's eyes widened like bronze bells, glaring fiercely at the black-robed figure as he roared through gritted teeth.
"Release King!!!"
The sound was so piercing it sent chills down one's spine.
Yet, the black-robed figure remained unmoved, as if he hadn't heard Kaido's words at all, standing there quietly like an unshakable mountain.
Jozu's left arm had transformed into an incredibly hard Diamond, shimmering brilliantly under the sunlight.
He lowered his head slightly, his voice hushed with a hint of concern as he said, "This is troublesome. I never expected the World Government to intervene at this moment and meddle in this matter."
Vista's twin blades were already drawn, his eyes blazing with fervent fighting spirit as he tightly gripped the hilts and shouted loudly:
"Who cares if it's CP0 or some random nobody! If they dare disrupt this situation, we'll take them all down!"
Who's-Who stood not far behind the black-robed figure, his crimson pupils occasionally flickering with vigilance as he carefully observed this mysterious person who'd suddenly intervened.
He realized he didn't recognize the individual.
However, the faintly emanating dangerous aura from the other party instinctively warned him to keep his distance.
Moreover, he cautiously and inconspicuously began to shift his steps slowly toward the direction where Whitebeard and the others stood.
After all, he was now considered a member of the Eternal Divine Kingdom.
In such a complex situation, he had no choice but to act prudently and seek the most advantageous position.