The next morning.
The Underworld Emperors stepped out of the watchtower, their minds still reeling as they gazed at the colossal dam stretching endlessly before them.
Though called a dam, it more closely resembled a scaled-down version of the Red Line. Standing atop its peak, they felt as small as ants. By rough estimate, the width was at least five hundred meters. The ground was paved with asphalt, vanishing into the horizon.
"This is a miracle!"
Morgans excitedly filmed with his Den Den Mushi. Such a monumental feat of engineering was hard to imagine being accomplished by human hands. He had a hunch—this was just the beginning of the surprises!
Du Feld puffed on his cigar and scoffed.
"Morgans, you're getting too worked up."
"Gahahaha! How can anyone not be excited in the face of such a marvel?"
Morgans turned to the Emperors and posed the critical question: "Have any of you wondered where this Continental Bridge leads?"
"Where it leads?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, the Emperors' expressions shifted. Beads of cold sweat formed on their foreheads as a terrifying realization dawned on them.
"Could it be… the North Blue?!"
This was the Calm Belt between the New World and the North Blue. If the passage extended all the way forward, it would eventually reach the North Blue.
"Impossible!"
The Emperors couldn't believe it.
The scale of the construction visible to them alone was already unimaginable. If it truly connected to the North Blue, the implications would be horrifying. Even the World Government couldn't accomplish such a colossal project—no, this was simply beyond the realm of possibility.
"Gahahaha! Then let's wait and see!"
The Beast Vehicles for their escort were ready.
The Emperors boarded the vehicles and, after half an hour, arrived at Hoenn Fortress. The massive fortress left them awestruck once more.
"It's no less impressive than Marineford!"
Over the past six months, the Beasts Pirates had been busy, though not a single whisper of their activities had leaked. The only clue was the staggering amount of resources that had mysteriously vanished.
So this was what the Beasts had been building—a fortress!
Constructing a fortress of this scale would be beyond the capabilities of even some of the wealthiest affiliated nations. The financial power required was staggering.
And then there was the Continental Bridge.
Compared to the fortress, the bridge was the true engineering marvel. What they had seen earlier was merely the tip of the iceberg. From the vantage point of the fortress, the bridge's destination was unmistakably the North Blue.
"Absolutely breathtaking."
The Underworld Emperors marveled in awe.
The sheer magnitude of it all left them at a loss for words. Perhaps "miracle" was the only fitting description.
Many of them began scheming.
They had already grasped the significance of this passage connecting the New World to the North Blue—it meant limitless profits!
"Ah, our guests have arrived!"
At the fortress entrance, dozens of giants stood in formation, their imposing presence overwhelming. Just these giants alone could lay waste to countless nations.
"The rumors were true!"
The Emperors exchanged glances.
Back at Hachinosu Island, the Beasts had employed giants as gatekeepers—but only four, and those were renowned mercenaries. Money had been enough to secure their services.
But here, there were dozens of giants.
This wasn't something money alone could achieve!
Rumors had it that the Beasts' conflict with Red Hair had been over the giants. Now, it seemed those rumors were true—the giants had pledged their allegiance to the Beasts.
The Emperors turned to Stussy. It was common knowledge that she had ties to Calamity Gurd and might know the details.
"Stussy, you've kept your lips sealed tight."
"I don't know anything either."
Stussy shook her head.
She was completely unaware of all this. These days, aside from managing the Pleasure Quarter, most of her time was spent handling affairs for the Groudon Company. She simply didn't have the energy to pay attention to anything else.
She never expected that Gurd had pulled off such an awe-inspiring project—and even conquered the giants.
Two giants pushed open the impossibly heavy steel gates.
Speed smiled and gestured.
"Please come in, honored guests."
"Very well."
The Underworld Emperors stepped into the fortress with anticipation.
At the center of the fortress was an open-air plaza, decorated with fluttering banners as if for a festival, dotted with stalls and an abundance of delicious food.
It couldn't compare to the extravagance of a Tea Party, but it wasn't far off.
Beyond the basic banquet setup, the plaza also featured private stalls—like the giants' stall, the Mink Tribe's stall, and the laborers' stall.
After all their hard work, everyone was enjoying the celebration.
And then there was a certain fox's "Copper Inari Shrine."
"Would you like a fortune reading, honored guest?"
The Chief Priest eagerly beckoned customers. She had arrived before dawn to secure a prime spot, hoping to earn some extra cash.
Not like Gurd would mind.
Back in Wano Country, due to Orochi's tyranny, very few people visited the Inari Shrine, leaving it struggling to make ends meet. Back then, she often set up stalls in the marketplace to supplement her income.
Stussy, intrigued, took a seat in front of the stall.
"Tell me my fortune, little sister."
"Of course!"
The Chief Priest's eyes lit up.
Business was here!
A short while later, Stussy left with a dark expression.
The other Underworld Emperors wandered around, discreetly observing the fortress, their astonishment growing by the minute.
Not only were there giants, but the fortress was also filled with members of the Mink Tribe and warriors from the Kuja—all renowned and powerful races.
They even spotted a certain white-haired old man who looked strangely familiar, gambling with a group of laborers.
"It can't really be him… can it?"
The resemblance was uncanny!
"The 'Dark King'—Silvers Rayleigh!"
Morgans raised his Den Den Mushi to snap a photo.
As a journalist who thrived on big scoops, others might hesitate to confirm, but he could never mistake this unassuming old man—he was definitely the Dark King!
But why would the Dark King be here?
It made no sense, but that didn't matter.
This was huge news!
"That Earth Calamity… truly a man who never stops making headlines!"
As noon approached, the main forces of the Beasts and Big Mom's children arrived one after another. Only Kaido and Big Mom were missing.
As two of the Four Emperors, they were key figures of this banquet. Without them, the event couldn't properly begin.
Inside the office atop the fortress castle—
A Den Den Mushi crackled to life: "Report, Lord Gurd! Boss Kaido and Big Mom have been fighting for a full day and night with no signs of stopping!"
"Are they serious?!"
Gurd frowned.
"Tell Big Brother Kaido that if he doesn't show up for the banquet soon, I'll give the surprise gift I prepared for him to someone else!"
"Uh… y-yes, sir!"
The pirate nervously ended the call.
Did it just sound like Lord Gurd was threatening Boss Kaido?!
No matter—orders were orders.
"Boss Kaido, stop fighting!!!"
"Hm?"
Kaido glanced at his subordinate.
The pirate quickly waved his hands. "Lord Gurd says you need to attend the banquet! He also mentioned a surprise gift prepared just for you!"
"A surprise?"
Kaido blinked.
If Gurd called it a surprise, then it was definitely the real deal—the kind that would keep him happy for weeks.
The golden dragon he was gifted last time now sits by his bedside, and every night before sleep, he gazes at it for a while.
A brief moment of distraction gave Big Mom the opening she needed.
"An opening!"
A Haki Infusion-powered fist landed squarely on Kaido's face.
"Guh!"
Blood filled Kaido's mouth as he staggered back several steps. Yet, instead of retaliating, his mind was flooded with excitement.
"That's enough, old hag!"
"Huh?!"
(End of Chapter)