Kaido was livid. "It's that brat Creed ruining my plans again!"
Earlier, Jack went to vent Big Mom's anger and, in passing, wiped out that G-K branch—but Creed turned it to his advantage, using Charlotte Linlin to sink every ship of Jack's fleet and inflict heavy casualties.
And of course there was the time Queen got intercepted mid-operation by Marco.
Even so, those two incidents together were nothing compared to Doflamingo's total annihilation this time.
"My army of ability users!!" Kaido roared, incandescent with fury.
He had over three hundred artificial Devil Fruit users under his banner already, but it was still far from enough.
Because his sights were set on the whole world.
To sweep the world, his legion of ability users had to number in the thousands—tens of thousands. Only then would it be possible!
But now that the artificial fruit factory had been sealed by the Marines, getting more SMILE fruits would be extremely difficult. The Beasts Legion plan had to be shelved—for now, just forget it!
All because of Creed!
"I'll find the time and personally butcher him! He's too damn hateful!"
Kaido upended a jug and then, hugging the jar, burst into loud sobs.
His conquest of the world—snuffed out like this. With liquor dulling his nerves, the grief doubled back on him. Yet another mood rippled up: "But that kid really is a monster—beating Shichibukai one after another, making a mess of Mary Geoise, and slipping away even under Charlotte Linlin's hand… If such a talent could be used by me, how great would that be? Then I'd have four signature pillars under me, to rival Charlotte Linlin's Sweet Commanders…"
"Captain, don't be too dejected. We'll watch for our chance," said the man seated at Kaido's right—dressed in black, black wings on his back, goggle-like mask on his face, flames curling around him like a fire spirit.
One of the three Calamities under Kaido: King the Wildfire.
"Boss, someone like Creed doesn't suit us. Better to kill him and avenge ourselves," Jack, seated to the left, disagreed flatly. His entire fleet had been lost to Creed's turn-their-force-against-them gambit. The grudge wouldn't fade; of course he didn't want Kaido to recruit Creed.
"Whitebeard's side is stirring—seems they're moving toward us. We should stay alert," King reminded.
"Sooner or later we'll duke it out and see whose captain is the true number one Emperor of the New World," Jack blustered. "And that Marco—he ticks me off. I'll settle him sooner or later!"
World Government, new complex. The Five Elders stood around the dossier from Dressrosa, staring at one another.
After a long silence, they finally spoke.
"Creed again! He wiped out Doflamingo's entire family! I hear Marines even helped him clean up afterward?"
"Dressrosa is a beautiful, peaceful country. Doflamingo, while arrogant, was still a wise king. Now that there's no king, turmoil is inevitable—Creed is the primary culprit!"
"Am I the only one concerned about the instability of the Shichibukai system? Over the years, they've suppressed countless rising pirates for us—our trusty blade. With the Four Emperors at their peak, if the Shichibukai system falters, the chain reaction will be unimaginable!"
"Oh, right—what's that Marine's name?"
"Seems he's called Issho, G-5 base chief, under Aokiji."
"This man cannot be heavily trusted—and must be monitored."
"The Celestial Dragons' Elder Council sent word: the two top CPO chiefs are to seek a life-extending Devil Fruit for the Grand Elder. The pursuit of Creed is to be handed back to us—the World Government."
"Perfect. Have the Marines take it on. Creed came from the Marines—let them clean house. Beginning and end."
"Good! Settled."
Marineford basked under fair skies and a pleasant breeze.
Sengoku was reviewing the reports handed in by Garp and Zephyr, nodding. "This crop of recruits is solid. We should be able to cultivate some elite vice admirals out of them. You've worked hard."
"Stack up a hundred elite vice admirals, they still don't measure up to one Creed," Zephyr grumbled.
"Don't bring up that brat. The papers are calling him the 'fifth Emperor' of the New World! Even Charlotte Linlin couldn't do anything to him," Garp said, baring his teeth in something between shame and pride.
"Stop saying 'Creed' in front of me, will you? My ears are sprouting corn," Sengoku muttered.
"Why not? Creed crushed the Doflamingo family and exposed Dressrosa's crimes—this is a massive service to Justice," Zephyr shot back.
Issho had reported the Dressrosa situation to Aokiji, and it was relayed to Marine HQ—shocking the entire high command. They immediately compiled the whole matter to submit to the World Government. Sengoku, however, regretted failing to seize Caesar on Punk Hazard.
Kaido's intent to subvert the World Government had the Marines on high alert. Many believed that if a Marine crusade against a Yonko began, it might very well start with Kaido.
"Purururu…"
The red Den-Den Mushi on Sengoku's desk rang; the shell bore the World Government insignia.
The Five Elders' private line.
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, picked up, and listened.
What he heard froze him.
They wanted him to dispatch at least three admirals to capture Creed.
"Creed has undermined the Shichibukai system, thrown Dressrosa into chaos, and caused unrest in that nation. Erase him at once…" The Second Elder's voice brooked no dissent.
"Second Elder, I've compiled the Dressrosa report and was just going to brief you and the Chief of Staff…"
Sengoku's summary left the other end pondering for a long while. Then came the reply: "Creed still must die."
When he set the receiver down, he found Garp and Zephyr looking at him.
"Don't look at me like that. Garp, I approve your retirement—head back to East Blue. Zephyr, you can resign the admiralty. I'll make up the vacancy through world conscription." Sengoku sighed, making the call. "Of course, this has to be reported to Commander-in-Chief Kong for a final decision."
"Thank you, Marshal!" Garp and Zephyr snapped a crisp salute.
The solemn air was promptly shattered by Garp. "Not to brag, Sengoku, but even three admirals might not bring down our Creed."
"Yeah—why don't you roll up your sleeves and learn how it feels to be the one getting pummeled," Zephyr added, needling him.
"Get out!" Sengoku barked, face going green.
Out at sea.
"Water 7? To build a ship?" Redfield was a bit puzzled. With their current strength, they hardly needed to; snatching someone else's ship would be simpler.
"Mm. There's one more thing—founding my pirate crew," Creed said. Redfield stroked his chin. "Now that is a proper matter."
(End of Chapter)
[Check Out My P@treon For 20+ Extra Chapters On All My Fanfics!!]
[[email protected]/Draumel]
[Thank You For Your Support!]