"Bro, bro, brobrobrobro..."
Nami panted heavily as she rushed forward, bracing her hands on her knees while gasping for air.
"Did a hen lay eggs or something?"
Xiano grabbed a towel hanging on the wall nearby and tossed his water bottle to her while focusing on wiping his sweat. "Just say what you need to say."
"I ran myself to death!"
She gulped down water in large mouthfuls before catching her breath. "Why didn't you bring the Den Den Mushi into the training room, bro... Oh, right, it would've died. Never mind that—something big happened! Sister Robin just sent word that there's trouble at Morning Star Island. The Beasts..."
"The Beasts Pirates refused to withdraw?"
"Huh? Well... I guess you could say that."
Nami blinked, then grimaced. "It's worse than that. All hundred-plus Pirates Kaido left stationed on that island are dead! Every single one of them!"
"Hmm?"
Xiano finally looked up, surprise flashing across his face.
All dead?
...
Three hours later.
Morning Star Island, the northwesternmost part of Wisteria Sea.
Under the moonlight, the entire southern coastline shimmered with a faint bloody hue, the air thick with the stench of blood.
Over a hundred Pirate corpses lay scattered haphazardly across the shore.
It was eerie.
The strangest part was that every single corpse had their eyes peacefully closed, their expressions relaxed, with faint smiles on their lips—as if they were still lost in pleasant dreams.
Xiano paced slowly along the beach, scanning the bodies with his gaze.
"Captain, they're all here. No signs of resistance anywhere."
Robin followed closely behind Xiano, frowning slightly as she pinched her chin, reporting her findings:
"Morning Star Island isn't small. While not as prosperous as Mist Star Island, which Whitebeard handed over to us, it still has a town of over ten thousand people and seven or eight scattered villages."
"These Pirates were originally stationed across different parts of the island. Unless they received urgent orders from above, there's no reason they would all gather in one place."
"Yet tonight, for some unknown reason, they all came to this beach, lay down here to sleep, and then inexplicably lost their lives—including their leader, Aziz."
Xiano's gaze shifted to a particular spot on the beach.
There lay a towering woman, nearly four meters tall, dressed in a yukata, with curved bull horns atop her head.
This was Aziz, as Robin had mentioned.
A veteran Headliner of the Beasts Pirates, wielder of the Ushi Ushi Fruit, Model: Yak, with a bounty of 340 million Berries. Once a notorious Supernova in Paradise.
Just as the Whitebeard Pirates had stationed the Ice Witch, White Bay, at Mist Star Island, Aziz was qualified to represent the Beasts Pirates on Morning Star Island—her strength was nothing to scoff at.
Someone of that caliber...
Killed without even realizing it?
Xiano pondered for a moment before glancing at the dimly lit town in the distance. "What about the island's residents? Were they checked? Are they unharmed?"
Compared to the deaths of Pirates—who weren't worth mourning—this concerned him far more.
"The civilians are fine, Captain."
Jack scratched his head nearby, muttering gloomily, "But I asked around, and they all looked just as confused. They noticed nothing, saw nothing—it's as if, as if..."
"As if they all collectively fell asleep when those pirates left the towns and villages to head for the beach," Robin softly added.
"Yes, yes, exactly that feeling!" Jack's eyes lit up as he punched his palm.
"Someone put the entire island's people to sleep, freezing the civilians in place and temporarily cutting off their perception of the outside world. As for the pirates, they were made to sleepwalk to this remote beach before being executed together," Robin analyzed in a low, eerie tone.
"This must be the work of a Devil Fruit user. It's somewhat similar to the effects of Dream Mirage Grass, but the scale is far greater. A powerhouse like this shouldn't be unknown on the seas, yet I've never heard of them." At this point, she turned her gaze toward Xiano. "Captain, do you have any leads?"
Xiano grinned.
"Actually, I do."
A power similar to Dream Mirage Grass, and a name utterly unheard of on the seas...
These two traits were enough for him to pinpoint the culprit!
—The God Knights, the Qilin Fruit user, that so-called "Saint" or whatever!
Though he couldn't recall the name of this late-game cannon fodder, his judgment couldn't be wrong.
As for motive, this guy being one of Shanks' subordinates also lined up.
"Shamrock..."
Xiano looked up at the night sky in the direction of Mariejois, narrowing his eyes.
He still remembered their encounter months ago—Shamrock, the deputy commander of the God Riders, had shown intense interest in recruiting him.
Even after being outright rejected and mocked on the spot, he hadn't given up. Before leaving, he'd even declared they'd meet again someday.
Now, at this sensitive juncture when the Curtain Closer was preparing to take control of the entire Wisteria Sea...
Had he finally begun making his move?
——————
Holy Land, Mary Geoise.
In the courtyard of the God Knights' commander's residence, a wing of Pangaea Castle.
"Relax, no one could possibly trace this back to us! Deputy Commander!"
Qilin Fruit user Qilingom waved his hand triumphantly.
"I struck at night and left no traces behind. Besides, none of those lowly mortals below have even heard of me. That brat probably just arrived at Morning Star Island, completely baffled and clueless!"
"Hmm, good."
Shamrock crossed his legs, leisurely trimming his nails. "And you sent out the distress signal imitating the Beasts Pirates, calling for Kaido's help?"
"Of course!"
Qilingom bared his teeth in a grin. "Over a hundred dead, including a Headliner who was about to be promoted to the Tobi Roppo—that's a solid slap to the Beasts Pirates' face! Kaido's got a short temper; he'll definitely pin this on that guy!"
"Since that Xiano never kills civilians, I didn't touch any of those worthless islanders to avoid raising suspicion—only pirates were killed. So, Deputy Commander, how's that for thoroughness?"
"When both sides go all out in battle, the overall strength of the Curtain Closers is several tiers below the Beasts. They're practically guaranteed to lose. If that Xiano kid dies on the spot, so be it—it'd just prove he wasn't anything special, not destined to become a god."
"But if he escapes alive, reduced to a stray dog, we can step in to recruit him, bestow our favor, and promise to help him take revenge on Kaido. With no way out, he'd have no choice but to obediently join our God Knights, wouldn't he?"
"Even hearing it again, it's still a solid plan."
Shamrock nodded in satisfaction, then looked up at Qilingom. "If this recruitment succeeds, I'll report it to Father and credit you for your contribution."
"Thank you for your guidance, Vice Captain!"
Qilingom hastily bowed, only to faceplant into the grass, his rear sticking up in the air as bubbles floated from his nostrils—he'd fallen asleep on the spot.
"At least check the damn setting before you sleep, you idiot!"
A vein bulged on Shamrock's forehead as he angrily kicked Qilingom.
————
Morning Star Island.
"…To sum it up, it's about sowing discord and then swooping in to recruit afterward. If I'm not mistaken, that's roughly the plan, right?"
Xiano withdrew his gaze from Mariejois and turned around.
Robin and Jack, having listened to his analysis, were momentarily stunned.
"A setup by the God Knights…"
After a brief pause, Robin frowned and spoke. "With over a hundred dead, if the Beasts have already received the news, they're probably mobilizing for war right now. Captain, are we going to war with the Beasts now?"
"War?"
Xiano grinned and laughed heartily.
If battle was truly unavoidable, then so be it—there was nothing to fear!
Compared to the Beasts, the Curtain Closers indeed lagged far behind in troop numbers and mid-to-low-ranking officers. But in terms of high-tier combatants, they were anything but lacking!
He against Kaido, the Three Calamities against the Three Disasters!
Add to that the Beasts' need to leave significant forces behind when crossing the sea, preventing them from going all-out—who would emerge victorious was still anyone's guess!
But he was no hotheaded fool.
Even if they were to fight the Beasts, it should be because he or Kaido actively sought it, declaring war openly and facing off honorably.
Not because they'd been framed by the Celestial Dragons, foolishly letting misunderstandings fester and being used as pawns!
So.
He pulled out a Den Den Mushi from his pocket, and under Robin and Jack's bewildered gazes…
He dialed Kaido directly:
"Hey, Kaido?"
Since when did the boss exchange contact info with Kaido? Jack was dumbfounded.
"Wororororo…"
The Den Den Mushi connected quickly, mimicking Kaido's dark chuckle. "I was just about to come ask you myself, you brat Xiano. Didn't expect you to call first."
"Cut the crap, Kaido. Listen to me first. I hate nothing more than misunderstandings because someone didn't hear the whole story."
Xiano snorted coldly and repeated his analysis to Kaido.
After a brief silence, Kaido's voice grew low:
"The God Knights, huh… Last time I dealt with them was back at God Valley… If they're trying to recruit you, that does sound like something those bastards would pull."
"It seems you've witnessed quite a lot firsthand. Even you only refer to them as beasts?"
"Cut the sarcasm, kid. I can hear it in your tone."
Kaido's voice turned cold. "But this time, I owe you one. As repayment, Morning Star Island is yours! Don't think I'm stingier than Whitebeard! I'll send a ship later to retrieve the bodies—just have your men cooperate... Queen! Where the hell are you?! Pass down my orders: halt all battle preparations! Tell King to continue with his mission and not rush back!"
So this guy had been bluffing about "just asking" while actually mobilizing his entire forces for an all-out attack?
Xiano silently hung up and tucked the Den Den Mushi back into his coat.
Honestly.
The God Knights' calculations this time weren't wrong—their plan had been executed flawlessly.
Too bad they completely underestimated how much this transmigrator knew about them.
And they underestimated his... relationship with Kaido.
—If you could call it a "relationship" when both men were desperate to defeat, even kill, each other, only exchanging numbers to schedule their fights.
"What should we do, Captain?" Robin asked softly.
Xiano narrowed his eyes, gazing at the corpse-strewn beach in the distance, and smirked.
"The Celestial Dragons have delivered such a grand gift to my territory. If I don't return the favor, how could I live up to the principle of reciprocity?"
He'd already refused them once.
Yet they just wouldn't stop.
Did they really think they were gods who could take whatever they wanted from the world?
So that's what he meant...
Jack froze for a moment, then his eyes lit up with realization.
"..." Robin's breath hitched.
She knew better than anyone.
Her captain, Lord Xiano, leader of the Curtain Closers, was never one to swallow his pride when wronged.
And now, standing at the pinnacle of the world as a Sea Emperor, equal to the Four Emperors—anyone foolish enough to provoke him would face the wrath of a ruler of the seas.
But... so soon?
The Celestial Dragons...
They were going to move against the Celestial Dragons?
For some reason, Robin's body trembled uncontrollably.
———
World Economic Journal Headquarters.
Morgans lounged in his chair, a cigar dangling from his lips as he reviewed the latest draft.
Suddenly, the office door burst open, and a flustered subordinate rushed in.
"B-Boss!" the man panted. "Xiano... Lord Xiano is asking for you!"
"Calm down, what's the rush—huh?"
Morgans initially brushed it off, still skimming the draft, before his eyes bulged and his cigar nearly fell from his mouth. "Who did you say?"
"Who else?! The World's Greatest Swordsman, Sea Emperor Lord Xiano! Mr. Dofeld acted as the intermediary to connect us. The call's already live—Lord Xiano is waiting on the line for you!"
"Quick! Put him through!"
He slammed the desk and snatched up the receiver.
Brrring Brrring~
The Den Den Mushi connected, and Xiano's deep, composed voice came through:
"Morgans. It's been a while."
"Lord Xiano!"
Morgans rubbed his wings together, his tone fawning and eager. "What are you saying? It hasn't been long since we parted at the Tea Party on Whole Cake Island. The sight of you fighting Kaido for five days and nights without backing down is still fresh in my mind... To have a great figure like you personally reach out to me is truly an honor! How may I be of service?"
On the other end of the line, Xiano chuckled lightly:
"There is indeed something I need your help with."
"Just say the word!"
Morgans' eyes gleamed, his ears perking up in excitement. "Is it an exclusive interview you want us to publish? Or perhaps another enemy you're planning to take down?"
Either would be great news!
The name Xiano was synonymous with headlines. Not to mention distant events, just his recent battle with Sengoku had already sent their sales soaring.
"I do plan to take someone down, but their identity might be a bit... special. And a bit hard to locate. That's why I need your help to find them."
"Hahaha, you jest!"
Morgans laughed heartily. "No identity could be more special than the Fleet Admiral of the Marines! What could possibly faze you? Go on, who is it?"
"A Celestial Dragon."
(End of chapter)