What did bounties over 700 million berries represent?
In the New World? Admiral-class strength. Power rivaling the Marines' top brass.
Even within the Beast Pirates, only the Three All-Stars—Jack and his peers—reached that level.
Then there were the eleven pirates with bounties exceeding 500 million. Each one matched top-tier Warlords like Bartholomew Kuma or Doflamingo.
And the seventy-four captains with 300 million bounties? Sure, they were "only" at Gecko Moria's level. But that still meant Vice Admiral strength.
Seventy-four Vice Admirals.
Not even Marine Headquarters could field those numbers on short notice.
This is why we can't control the New World.
Too many strong pirates. If they ever unified instead of fighting amongst themselves? The entire Grand Line would fall.
But now—listening to Jack's report—Kaido's expression darkened.
"What about those three?"
The only people Kaido cared about were his fellow Emperors. Jack understood that. But his face showed clear hesitation.
Kaido's frown deepened. "Speak. How did they respond?"
Jack swallowed. "Charlotte Linlin refused outright. Shanks claimed he drank too much to come."
With each name, Kaido's expression went three shades darker.
"As for Whitebeard—"
Jack stopped.
Kaido's face had already turned iron-blue. He took a deep breath, forcing down explosive rage.
"What. About. Whitebeard?"
Jack met his boss's eyes. Gritted his teeth.
"Whitebeard said... if we want to die, we should go die ourselves. And not drag him into it."
"WHITEBEARD SAID THAT?!"
Flames seemed to shoot from Kaido's eyes.
Jack nodded heavily. "Yes, Boss."
"AHHHHH!!! THAT BASTARD!"
Kaido's right arm transformed—scales erupting, claws extending into demonic dragon form. He threw a punch at the ocean behind him.
BOOM.
A thousand meters away, the sea surface exploded.
Waves hundreds of meters high crashed outward in all directions. Smaller pirate ships were slammed underwater by the towering tsunami.
No Haki. Just physical strength.
This was the power of "The World's Strongest Creature."
Terrifying beyond measure.
"Boss." Jack's voice came carefully. "If the other three aren't participating... should we still continue the assault?"
"Hmph. Continue?" Kaido's voice went cold. "Why wouldn't we continue?"
He turned, eyes blazing.
"That bastard dared mess with me—Kaido of the Beasts! If he'd stayed away from the New World, fine. But coming here?" His grin went feral. "How could I let him live peacefully?"
Thinking of Kai Mitarashi made Kaido's teeth ache with hatred.
The artificial Devil Fruit deal.
He'd signed agreements with Doflamingo. Everything arranged. Then Kai recruited the Seven Warlords—and Doflamingo vanished. Stopped answering calls. Cut all communication.
The Donquixote Family officers stammered excuses. But even an idiot could see the truth.
Doflamingo's breaking the contract.
And without backing from someone powerful, Doflamingo would never dare.
It has to be Kai.
The new Admiral who'd just absorbed the Warlords. Who else would Doflamingo fear enough to betray Kaido?
How dare he oppose me directly.
The moment Kaido learned about Kai's G-1 posting, he'd issued the summons.
I'll crush him.
What Kaido didn't know? He'd completely misread the situation.
Kai hadn't told Doflamingo to stop anything. The Joker's decision was entirely his own—born from terror after experiencing Tsukuyomi's torture.
Just thinking about Kai makes me shake.
Doflamingo would rather abandon everything—Dressrosa, the weapons trade, even his alliance with Kaido—than risk provoking that monster again.
He was already hiding in some remote corner. If Kaido wanted revenge? Let him rampage through Dressrosa. Doflamingo didn't care about that kingdom anymore.
As long as I don't provoke Kai, I can sacrifice anything.
But Kaido knew none of this.
"ORDER ALL CREWS!" He stood at the bow, voice thundering across the assembled fleet. "DEPART IMMEDIATELY! TARGET: MARINE G-1 BRANCH!"
"AHAHAHAHA!" A captain's laugh rang out. "I'm gonna kill a hundred Marines!"
"The New World belongs to pirates! Drive them out!"
"White Dragon Admiral?" Another voice sneered. "We'll show him what New World pirates can do!"
Led by the Beast Pirates, twenty-seven crews set sail.
Nearly half the New World's military might.
All heading for G-1 Branch.
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