Chapter 362: Eric Visits the Flower District and Meets the Courtesan
"Eh?" Perona was stunned. "Captain Eric , you're planning to take on Kaido alone, so why are you dragging me into this?"
Eric glanced at her. "I just wanted to see your facial expression performance."
"That's too much!" Perona puffed up her cheeks and waved her hands in front of her. "Negative Ghost!"
"Can't touch me~" Eric dodged quickly. "You and Akame will act together, holding off the samurai and ninjas under Orochi."
"Weren't the ninja forces supposed to be my responsibility?" Deidara voiced his dissatisfaction.
"Perona will only use Negative Ghost to restrain part of the enemies. You'll still handle the fighting in the end."
"That's more like it. Hmm."
Eric pointed at the map of Wano Country. "Next, we'll discuss the battle plan…"
…
In Totland Kingdom, located in the New World, inside the massive cake castle.
"What did you say?!" Big Mom bent down with a heavy, thick body, her bloodshot eyes bulging as she shouted at her subordinates. "The Dawn Pirates have bypassed Whole Cake Island and are heading for the latter half of the New World?!"
"Yes, Mom. Bopoyoyoy!" Bobin's head was swaying rapidly. "I just got a report from the outermost surveillance ship. They claim to have seen the Dawn Pirates' ship heading in another direction and not entering the Totland waters."
"Those damn brats!" Big Mom furiously yelled.
"The surveillance ship tried to chase them, but it was too slow and lost them," Bobin spread his hands. "However, based on their direction, we can infer they're heading toward Kaido's territory. Bopoyoyoy."
"Hmph... hahaha..." Big Mom laughed loudly. "This little brat doesn't know his place. He thinks he can challenge Kaido?"
"Give me the snail!"
"Gulugulugulu..." Kaido, the drunkard, was drinking heartily on Onigashima.
A pirate underling hurriedly ran in to report: "Kaido-sama!"
"Hmm?" Kaido's intimidating face swept over the intruder, his displeasure making the underling tremble. "What's the matter? Are you interrupting my drinking?"
"I... I dare not." The underling anxiously explained, "Actually, it's..."
Two other pirates appeared, carrying a large barrel with a telephone snail on top.
The snail's voice, filled with displeasure, sounded: "Maha maha maha..."
"Hmm?" Kaido frowned at the phone snail, his tone impatient. "What is it?"
"It's about that 'Dragon Kid'." Big Mom's voice came through. "He's on his way to your territory now."
"So what?"
"Listen carefully, do not make a move on him."
"What did you say?"
"I'm going to Wano Country to take the head of 'Dragon Kid'."
"Are you kidding? I refuse."
"I'm not here to negotiate with you." Big Mom ignored Kaido's response and continued. "I must take the heads of 'Dragon Kid' and Akame, or I'll lose face."
Kaido sneered. "What does that have to do with me?"
"You owe me a huge favor, don't you remember?"
"What favor?"
"Don't tell me you forgot."
"That's all in the past."
"No, it's a lifetime of gratitude."
Kaido gritted his teeth and took a huge swig of alcohol, smashing the bottle in frustration.
"I have a grudge with 'Dragon Kid'!" Kaido snarled. "He's the one who ruined my weapon business!"
"I'll kill that brat," Kaido's murderous intent gleamed as he glared at the phone snail. "If you get in my way, I'll kill you too, Linlin ."
On the other side, Big Mom narrowed her eyes. "Go ahead and try. I'm not here to discuss, I'm just informing you."
"I'll take 'Dragon Kid's' head..." Big Mom's words suddenly halted.
"Mom." Perospero quickly rushed forward to support her. "You're pregnant, don't get too upset." (This is your last pregnancy.)
"Ohohoho..." Kaido laughed mockingly. "Linlin , just stay in Whole Cake Island and rest, then read about the little brats' complete defeat in the newspapers!"
"Damn...!" Big Mom seethed, hanging up the phone.
Although Big Mom had a body tough enough to withstand knives and bullets, known as the "Iron Balloon," she could only defend against external attacks and had no way of handling the pain from pregnancy.
Meanwhile, Kaido also hung up the phone snail and said to his subordinates, "Go get the Three Disasters and Flying Six, I need them."
"Yes!" Several pirate underlings quickly ran out.
They understood that war between the two sea emperors was about to erupt!
"Ohohoho... Come on, little brats!"
Kaido opened a new wine bottle and tilted it back, drinking half of it in one go. He then raised his hands high and roared to the sky:
"Just a few idiots thinking they're invincible after taking out a couple of the Seven Warlords, let me show you what a real pirate is!"
...
At the Navy Headquarters, a marine who overheard Big Mom and Kaido's conversation immediately reported to the higher-ups.
"This guy, finally going to challenge the old pirate crew?" Sengoku raised a hand to his forehead and turned to Garp , seeking his opinion. "Garp , what do you think?"
"Crunch crunch," Garp was happily eating senbei, then froze. "What did you say?"
"Garp !"
"Hahaha!" Garp 's mouth was filled with crumbs, and he grinned widely. "Looks like the New World is going to have a big shake-up."
Sengoku raised his head slightly, surprised. "You mean...?!"
"You haven't met him," Garp sipped his tea. "If you've met 'Dragon' Eric , you'd understand he never picks a fight he isn't sure he can win."
Garp leaned back in his chair, looking up at the ceiling. "I fear that after ruling the seas for many years, Kaido might just lose to this young man."
Vice Admiral Tsuru cupped her chin and raised an objection. "What if 'Dragon Kid' suddenly got full of himself and impulsively went to challenge Kaido?"
Sengoku thought carefully. "If that were the case, it would save us a lot of trouble. Ever since this kid went out to sea, there's been nothing but trouble!"
"If you really think that, Sengoku," Garp threw a senbei into his mouth, "You wouldn't have urgently called me and Little Tsuru here."
"The Navy has tried multiple times to capture Kaido, but we are helpless against his resilience." Sengoku lamented, unsure of what to do with the imminent Four Emperors clash. "The World Government also wants to eliminate the Dawn Pirates."
"Then send a few warships to the Wano Country seas for reconnaissance," Garp suggested. "If they both end up fighting each other, we can swoop in and benefit. It's better than just sitting and waiting at Navy Headquarters."
"Good!" Sengoku seemed to be waiting for that exact response. "Since this is your idea, you'll be in charge of the operation."
"Eh?" Garp was stunned.
Sengoku spun his chair around 90 degrees, suppressing a laugh, not letting Garp see his expression. "I hereby order Vice Admiral Garp to lead five warships to the Wano Country to investigate the battle between the Beast Pirates and Dawn Pirates!"
"Damn!" Garp got up angrily and grabbed all the senbei from the table. "Sengoku, you tricked me!"
He slammed the door of Sengoku's office as he left.
Tsuru, standing by, comforted him. "Don't worry, Garp isn't angry."
"I know." Sengoku sighed deeply. The weight of his responsibilities as Fleet Admiral made his back bend.
"Garp understands that, due to Kizaru's unexpected injury, the Navy is already short on combat power. He knows that we can't spare any high-level forces for this, and that only he, the idle one, is capable of doing this task."
Garp walked down the Navy Headquarters corridor, occasionally tossing a senbei into his mouth. The casual crunching sound couldn't mask the serious look on his face as his heavy footsteps grew fainter.
...
"What?" Morgans stretched his neck. "The Dawn Pirates are going to challenge the Beast Pirates?"
"Yes." A reporter pulled out a small notebook. "We've received the latest information from the Navy. The Dawn Pirates are on their way to Wano Country..."
"Ahhh!" Morgans wrapped his wings around his head. "This is big news! Have our reporters already been sent to Wano?"
"Uh..." Morgans' subordinate sighed. "Boss, you should know Wano is a closed-off country. Our reporters can't even get in."
"Damn!" Morgans widened his eyes. "Such great war material and we can't get access? This is a disgrace to the industry!"
"Boss, don't we have 'Dragon's' phone number?" The subordinate asked confusedly. "Why not get the first-hand information from them?"
"Idiot!" Morgans scolded. "At this critical moment, how can we disturb them?"
"Is it 'New Kings Replacing the Old Kings'? Or 'Old Ginger is the Spiciest'?" Morgans paced around his office. "I need to figure out the headline in advance!"
The war between the two pirate crews, known as the Four Emperors, had a significant impact on the underground world, with even betting pools being set up to predict the outcome.
Eric smiled and asked, "So, how much is the betting pool?"
"Lord Eric , in just three days, 5.7 billion Berries have been wagered," Tesoro replied.
"Is that a lot?"
"Uh..." Tesoro hesitated, carefully considering his words. "It's a lot, and I followed your instructions to increase the odds of the Dawn Pirates winning, but there are still very few bettors betting on your victory..."
Eric was puzzled. "Isn't that exactly what I wanted? I want them to stop betting on us to win."
"Uh..." Tesoro was confused by Eric 's actions. "That means no one thinks the Dawn Pirates will win the war. Lord Eric , should I join the fight? My strength is low, but I can still provide some support..."
"No need." Eric refused. "Don't worry, we will win!"
After a brief pause, Eric added, "I still need to take you to get revenge on the Celestial Dragons. If we can't even defeat Kaido, how can we talk about overthrowing the World Government?"
"Yes!" Tesoro stood up straight. "Then I'll await your return victorious!"
...
With the help of Wendy's Float Float Fruit and Porche's Gate Gate Fruit, the Unyielding Ship entered Wano Country two days early.
Kurome and Kuina, both dressed in kimonos, were currently investigating in the Flower District.
"Excuse me, do you know where the Shimotsuki family is located?"
"Hmm?!" The street suddenly fell silent, the atmosphere so still it was unsettling.
The person who was asked, their face filled with fear, asked, "What did you just say?"
"Uh..." Even Kuina understood that Shimotsuki was a forbidden word here.
"We're looking for Shimotsuki Sugar. Do you know where we can buy this kind of sugar?" Kurome took out a piece of candy.
"What? Oh, it's Shimotsuki Sugar. You scared me." The pedestrian shook their head. "Sorry, I've never heard of it."
The bustling street noise returned, and Kurome and Kuina exchanged glances. "Thanks."
The two turned into an empty alley to report: "The Shimotsuki clan must have been wiped out during Orochi's later purge. Now, people are too scared to even mention them."
"Really..." Eric said with some regret. "If we can't find them, then we can't."
"You're looking for the Shimotsuki clan, may I ask why?" A sudden voice startled the two in the alley.
With their battle-hardened reflexes, Kurome immediately drew her blade, and Kuina quickly followed with Shusui.
"Wait, I mean no harm." The stranger waved his hands in front of his chest repeatedly. "I'm just curious as to why you're looking for the Shimotsuki clan."
The newcomer was serious, wearing a white scarf adorned with small decorations. Looking down at the sword in Kuina's hand, he gasped. "That sword, could it be—!"
...
"You, you're Shimotsuki Kuina? Granddaughter of Shimotsuki Gensaburo?!" The man was shocked.
Kuina frowned and asked, "Aren't you suspicious of me?"
"Of course not." The man shook his head. "Hardly anyone remembers Shimotsuki Gensaburo now, especially admitting to being a Shimotsuki in the Flower District."
"Plus, the sword of Shimotsuki Ryoma is right there on you—this must be fate!"
"Could it be... that the Kozuki clan's counterattack is finally here?"
Kurome coldly said, "We're not from the Kozuki clan, but my brother-in-law is here to take down the Beast Pirates."
The man sighed. "So it's not the prophesied one..."
Kurome continued to speak, "You should contact any samurai who don't want to serve Orochi. If they're willing to fight, they should join the battle against Kaido the day after tomorrow. If they choose not to, then they'll have no right to share the spoils."
"Spoils?" The man was surprised.
"My message has been delivered." Kurome stood up and prepared to leave. "Farewell."
"Is this really okay?" Kuina followed Kurome , frowning slightly. "From his expression, I don't think he'll get involved in the war against the Beast Pirates."
Kurome pulled out the phone snail. "Brother-in-law, did you hear all that?"
"Mm." Eric 's voice came through. "Thank you for your hard work. Since they've been given the choice, it's up to them to decide."
"Come back and rest well."
Kurome cheerfully agreed. "Alright."
"Ah, Eric -~" Kurumi pouted. "Are you here to relax a bit?"
Eric looked up at the Flower District sign. "I wasn't worried that you might misunderstand, so I brought you along to meet the courtesans of Wano. Don't worry, I won't do anything."
"Hmph!"
(END CHAPTER)
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