Kaido didn't respond immediately. He stood silent, weighing the pros and cons while considering his countermeasures.
He slowly rose to his feet. His frame, towering over seven meters tall, cast a shadow that enveloped most of the deck.
His silhouette stood like a jagged mountain, emanating overwhelming pressure and awe.
Above the distant Eternal Kingdom, a bolt of lightning suddenly split the clouds.
The lightning snaked through the sky like a silver dragon, accompanied by deafening roars.
"Pass the order," Kaido's voice rumbled like thunder, echoing throughout the entire fleet. "The Tobi Roppo will proceed as planned. Since Ron wants to play..."
CRUNCH.
He suddenly crushed the sake gourd in his hand, reducing the ceramic to fine dust in his palm.
"I'll play with him to the end!"
...
Just then, the previously calm sea suddenly grew tense.
From the direction of the Eternal Kingdom at the distant horizon, a brilliant golden light erupted as if bursting from the sun's core, instantly illuminating the entire sea.
Countless points of hard-light gathered slowly in the air like twinkling stars in the night sky.
They intertwined and merged until they gradually formed several massive, eye-catching words floating in the heavens:
[GRAND PIRATE TOURNAMENT: ALL WARRIORS INVITED!]
[GRAND PRIZE: AN ADMIRAL-LEVEL DEVIL FRUIT OF YOUR CHOICE!]
These words shimmered with mysterious radiance, announcing to the entire world the fierce competition to come.
Queen stood on the deck, his unique mechanical eye quickly adjusting its focus to accurately capture the distant scene and clearly project it onto the large screen on the Mammoth's deck.
Every detail was perfectly rendered, allowing everyone present to clearly witness the projection.
When the image zoomed in on a close-up of the Magma-Magma Fruit, Kaido's pupils abruptly contracted into thin vertical slits.
His gaze revealed an unconcealable desire and greed.
"Interesting..."
The corners of his lips curled slightly into a cold smile.
The brutality in his eyes almost materialized into something tangible, sending chills down the spine of his subordinates.
"Send orders to Jack. Have him lead the Second Fleet to standby thirty nautical miles away."
Then, Kaido turned and strode toward the captain's quarters, each step so heavy that the deck groaned under the strain.
His figure loomed tall and imposing, like an insurmountable mountain.
"Tell the Tobi Roppo... if they fail to obtain the Magma Fruit, they are of no use to me anymore!"
His words carried a resolute and merciless tone, exuding an overwhelming sense of pressure.
Ssssss...
Just then, the sea was suddenly drenched in a torrential downpour. Bean-sized raindrops pelted fiercely against Kaido's body, splashing into sprays of water.
However, the raindrops sliding down his cheeks steamed into wisps of white mist before they could touch his skin, evaporating from his intense body heat.
Amid this haze, no one noticed the bulging veins on his forehead, nor did anyone hear his low mutter.
"Ron... What exactly are you scheming..."
...
The Eternal Kingdom.
Everything seemed veiled in an aura of mystery.
Sunlight filtered through the mottled clouds, casting its glow upon this fantastical land, illuminating the majestic silhouette of the Divine Kingdom.
Vista furrowed his brow slightly, a trace of confusion in his eyes, as he slowly made his way toward the grand hall where Ron was.
Upon entering the hall, he respectfully made his request and reported to Ron with some bewilderment.
"Vice-Captain Ron, the Tobi Roppo have entered the city. Should we dispose of them?" His voice echoed through the spacious hall, tinged with uncertainty.
Ron reclined on the exquisitely ornate throne, exuding an aura of authority that commanded respect without anger.
Hearing Vista's report, the corners of his lips lifted into a meaningful smile as he softly said.
"Why dispose of them?"
As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand, and a brilliant light shimmered from his fingertips.
Immediately after, several clear surveillance holograms materialized in the air.
In one frame, Who's Who stood in a bustling casino, his eyes brimming with arrogance and defiance, scattering chips across the gambling table like flowing water—his extravagant bets eliciting gasps of astonishment from the crowd.
Black Maria strolled leisurely through the Flower District, adorned in lavish attire, her graceful giantess figure drawing countless gazes.
She paused now and then to admire the rare treasures along the street.
Meanwhile, Sasaki had cleverly infiltrated the coliseum registration office, a cunning glint flashing in his eyes as if he were plotting a route.
"Rules were just established a few days ago. Someone has to test them."
A dangerous glimmer flashed in Ron's eyes—like a shooting star in the night sky, fleeting yet impossible to ignore.
"I'm quite looking forward to it... seeing if they dare to cause trouble."
His words brimmed with confidence, as though everything was firmly within his control.
Vista, upon hearing Ron's words, immediately understood.
He gave a knowing smile, his hand instinctively resting on the hilts of his twin swords, ready to respond to any situation that might arise.
Then he respectfully asked, "Should we assign someone to keep a close watch?"
"No need," Ron said indifferently.
The hologram between his fingertips suddenly dissolved into specks of starlight, vanishing into the air like a dream.
"Let Enel handle the surveillance."
"Yes," Vista replied respectfully.
He slowly rose to his feet, turned, and strode out of the hall to continue with his other duties.
Over the past few days, Vista had sensed Ron's aura growing increasingly terrifying, especially his swordsmanship.
It felt as though he couldn't withstand even a single strike from the Vice-Captain anymore.
Could Vice-Captain Ron have developed some new technology to enhance himself?
Meanwhile, Ron remained seated quietly on his throne, his gaze fixed intently on the empty space where the surveillance footage had been. His eyes were profound.
He knew all too well the intentions of the Tobi Roppo.
They were undoubtedly after the Devil Fruit—the immense power that could drive anyone to madness.
Moreover, Kaido had yet to make a personal appearance, and Ron had no intention of hastily dealing with what he considered mere small fry at this time.
On the other hand, Ron was fully aware that the Marines would undoubtedly send their forces soon.
When that happened, both the Marines and the Pirates would fix their attention squarely on his Devil Fruit prize.
If both sides attacked him simultaneously, he would find himself in a two-front battle, and the losses he would suffer would be immeasurable.
Far better to let the Marines and the Pirates clash first.
With their deep-seated conflicts and hatred, a fierce battle was inevitable once they crossed paths in the tournament.
He could then reap the rewards, waiting until both sides were exhausted and weakened before stepping in to clean up the remnants.
By then, his losses would be significantly reduced, and he could achieve his goals at the smallest cost.