"Only two Emperors?"
Seeing that even Red-Haired Shanks and the core members of the Red Hair Pirates remained composed, Ben Beckman's expression did not ease.
He glanced at Ragnar, who stood calmly nearby, then looked toward the clouds—where Kaido loomed once more in his massive Azure Dragon form—and suddenly said something that made even the seasoned pirates around him freeze.
"What if I told you... it's not two Emperors. It's three?"
The moment his voice spread across the deck, even Shanks' brow furrowed.
"Three?"
"Wasn't it just Ragnar and Kaido?"
"Beckman, how the hell did we go from two Emperors to three?"
The crew members spoke in confusion and alarm—except for Shanks and Yasopp, who fell silent, clearly piecing things together.
Beckman took a long drag from his cigarette and exhaled slowly.
"It's simple. If Kaido was supposed to be sealed by seastone and still managed to escape early, there's only one explanation."
"Someone else helped him."
A heavy silence fell. Then—
"Someone else?"
"Flame Disaster... King?"
"Among the Beasts Pirates, he's the only one with the power and guts!"
The mention of King (Flame Disaster) made even Lucky Roux grimace.
Two Emperors, they might still manage.
But with King joining the fray?
The outcome would be far more uncertain.
Suddenly, a voice rang out—firm, proud, and furious—from above.
"Kaido! After this, we're even!"
"I'm Yamato! Whether I go to sea or become Kozuki Oden, you don't get to stop me anymore!"
The crew turned sharply in the direction of the voice.
Standing atop Kaido's massive dragon head was a figure dressed in layered samurai garb, her long white hair blowing freely in the wind. On her shoulder rested a heavy iron kanabo, identical in design to Kaido's.
"Who do you think you're talking to?"
Kaido's deep voice rumbled.
"I'm Kaido! I don't need saving!"
"And sitting on my head just now? Consider your debt repaid."
"And let me tell you one more thing, you foolish brat—
I'll never let you become Kozuki Oden."
With a flick of his massive head, Kaido hurled Yamato into the air.
"KAIDO, YOU BASTARD!"
Caught off guard, Yamato was sent flying.
Ragnar watched, eyes narrowing slightly at the ridiculous display.
"Still quarreling like idiots."
His cold gaze softened—just barely—with something that resembled affection.
With a casual motion, he raised one hand.
"Wind, carry her."
A sharp gust rose under his control, catching Yamato mid-fall and lifting her safely from the waves.
"...Kaido has another child? A daughter?"
"So besides Ragnar, there's her too?"
"...This just got complicated."
...
Kaido and Yamato made no effort to lower their voices during their conversation. Their candid exchange naturally reached the ears of everyone aboard the Red Hair Pirates' ship.
The crew, who had initially been eating melons with idle curiosity, now found themselves overwhelmed by the weight of a new reality—three beings of emperor-level strength, all from the same bloodline or allegiance, now stood before them.
Even though it was their first time meeting Yamato, the seasoned fighters of the Red Hair Pirates, most of whom possessed both Armament and Observation Haki, could clearly feel the overwhelming force radiating from Yamato's valiant and untamed form.
Among their ranks, few could claim a more imposing aura than this unexpected newcomer.
On the battlefield, after Kaido tossed Yamato away, his enormous Azure Dragon form spiraled down toward Ragnar's left side. By the time he landed, he had reverted to his human form—towering, muscular, and as imposing as ever.
Gripping his kanabō, which glinted with a frigid menace, Kaido cracked his neck and flexed his shoulders, loosening muscles that had grown stiff from days of seastone imprisonment.
Then he turned his gaze to Red-Haired Shanks. The usual fire in Kaido's eyes now burned with disdain.
"So I heard you were planning to gang up on my son?" Kaido sneered.
"Is this what the so-called Yonko have come to? You needed your whole crew just to take on my second son?"
"It's pathetic. Sharing the same title with you brings me shame."
The blunt insult struck a nerve. Lucky Roux, Yasopp, and others flared with fury.
"Kaido!!"
"Is that how you speak to Captain Shanks?!"
"Big talk from someone who spent days in chains."
Kaido lazily swept his gaze over them, his grin dripping with contempt.
"Red Hair, is this how you raise your little brothers?"
"Tch… So-called emperors acting like cowards. You've already lost your edge. You're not fit to rule this sea."
"Better step down—my son'll show you how it's done."
The mockery fanned the flames in the Red Hair Pirates. Rage boiled in their veins, yet Shanks remained composed.
He exhaled slowly and opened his right hand, palm facing the heavens.
"You're mistaken."
"They're not my subordinates—they're my brothers."
"And as for the title of Emperor… you want it?"
"Come and take it."
His voice was calm, but the Haki surging from his frame twisted the air.
Ragnar, who had stood silent through the exchange, suddenly laughed.
His eyes locked onto Shanks with deadly clarity.
"You treat this title as if it holds value."
"To me, 'Four Emperors' are nothing more than a pile of dirt."
His voice was low, almost casual—but every syllable pressed down like a mountain.
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