"Doesn't this mean... Pops is invincible? Unless we find a way to attack the soul directly..."
"Gurararara... Nonsense!"
Ron's White Moon scabbard lightly tapped the ground, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.
"Invincibility is relative. But for now... yes, he's close enough."
But then Shiki suddenly erupted, his competitive spirit unable to handle the news.
"Jihahaha! You old undying bastard, Newgate!"
SHING!
His Oto and Kogarashi simultaneously left their sheaths, floating around him.
"Then let me test it by cutting you down right now?! Let's see if you really grow back!"
"Come at me."
Whitebeard didn't even rise from his seat, merely casually opening his palm.
HUMMM...
The white Divine Halo suddenly blazed with light, the phantom of the Eight-Faced God faintly visible behind him like a guardian spirit.
"Perfect timing to stretch my limbs."
"Master Shi! Calm down!"
Jozu suddenly lunged forward and wrapped his massive diamond arms around Shiki's waist, holding the Golden Lion back.
"The repair costs are expensive! Ron will dock our pay!"
When Ron heard the address "Master Shi", the corner of his mouth twitched uncontrollably.
He silently deconstructed the term in his mind—Shiki + Master = Master Shi?
What kind of bizarre combination was this?
But seeing how Shiki seemed to appreciate it—despite his struggles—Ron decided it was better to remain silent.
Shiki's struggles ceased, and his eyes suddenly dimmed.
That address reminded him of another kid who always called him that—Ace.
That brat who constantly pestered him about Haki training, asking for pointers on how to be a great pirate.
Now, who knew what kind of torture he was enduring in Kaido's dungeon?
He could almost see Ace grinning as he leaned in calling him "Master Shi."
CRACK.
Shiki's golden hook-like nails unconsciously dug into his palm.
"Damn brat... making me worry... scheming against me again!"
Shiki suddenly erupted, kicking Jozu's diamond butt and sending him tumbling three rolls across the floor before stopping.
But anyone could see the concern mixed with the anger in his eyes.
"Your Pops is right there! Instead of asking him to save Ace, you want this old man to charge into battle?"
Jozu rubbed the kicked spot, not even a footprint left on his diamond-hard skin.
He grinned foolishly, revealing gleaming teeth. "Then, Master Shi... when are we going to save Ace?"
"Ask Newgate!"
Shiki snapped irritably, turning to walk toward the window.
His golden hair fluttered in the wind, but his gaze involuntarily drifted toward the direction of Wano Country.
Hearing this, Whitebeard burst into laughter that shook the temple's chandelier.
He grabbed his Murakumogiri, the white Divine Halo above his head erupting with dazzling light.
"Ask me? Its simple—"
Whitebeard stood up, casting a massive shadow over the table.
"WE'RE GOING TO BRING THAT BRAT ACE BACK RIGHT NOW!"
Marco quickly spread his blue flame wings to block him. "Pops! Wait! We just finished a war!"
"Gurararara! I'm healthier than any of you right now!"
Whitebeard pounded his chest with a fist, making booming sounds like a war drum.
"If Kaido dares to lay a finger on Ace... I'll rip out his dragon ass to make soup!"
As Whitebeard moved to leave for Wano immediately, Ron stopped him.
"Wait."
CLANG.
Ron stood before Whitebeard, his scabbard meeting the Murakumogiri blade with a clear, ringing sound.
His profound gaze swept over those present.
"Kaido isn't Akainu."
These words instantly silenced the restless temple.
Ron walked slowly to the strategic sand table, the tip of White Moon lightly touching the model of Onigashima.
"After seeing today's newspaper..." The blade tip traced over the news photo showing Akainu turned to ashes.
"As long as Kaido has half a brain left, he wouldn't dare harm a single hair on Ace's head right now. Ace is his only bargaining chip against us."
Vista nodded in agreement, stroking his mustache.
"Indeed... that madman may be reckless, but he isn't stupid. He knows he can't fight an awakened pops without leverage."
"But the problem is—"
Ron's tone suddenly shifted, the White Moon blade stabbing into the center of the sand table.
"What if Kaido follows Akainu's example and uses Ace's life to threaten you into suicide?"
Whitebeard's fist clenched abruptly, shockwave energy spilling out uncontrollably and reducing several nearby chairs to dust.
The question felt like a bucket of ice water poured over everyone's heads.
Indeed, if Kaido were to resort to such underhanded tactics...
"This old man..."
Whitebeard's voice rumbled like thunder, the phantom of the White Fire Phoenix spreading its wings behind him.
"...will risk this old life to save Ace! As long as he is my son, there is no other choice!"
"That's why we need a foolproof plan," Ron interrupted, tracing a complex route on the sand table with White Moon.
"Your ability has been exposed; faking death won't fool Kaido again."
The tip of the blade marked several key points on the Wano map.
"We need to create absolute chaos. Something to keep Kaido too occupied to focus on Ace."
Whitebeard stared at the marks for a long moment before suddenly bursting into laughter and slapping Ron on the shoulder.
"Gurararara! I knew you had a trick up your sleeve! Spit it out!"
Just then, a rustling sound came from the shadows in the corner.
Crocodile leaned against a stone pillar, his golden hook gleaming coldly in the candlelight.
He took a drag from his cigar and blew out a smoke ring.
"Ron," his voice rasped like sandpaper. "That bastard Moria asked me to pass on a message."
All eyes turned to the former Warlord.
He leisurely flicked his cigar ash, a hint of mockery flashing in his eyes.
"He said... if you're going after Kaido, count him in. He wants to settle the debt from twenty years ago."
A few light chuckles echoed through the hall.
Ron's fingers tapped lightly on the hilt of White Moon, a slight smile curling his lips—he knew all too well the bloody history between Moria and Kaido.
In that battle years ago, Kaido had slaughtered almost all of Moria's comrades.
That hatred had festered in the shadows for over a decade.
"Agreed," Ron nodded, using the White Moon scabbard to draw a circle around Onigashima on the sand table.
"We'll need his Shadow-Shadow Fruit for tactical coordination."
Then, Ron snapped his slender fingers crisply in the air.
"The strategy is simple—A Multi-Pronged Assault."
Lightning suddenly erupted from the tip of his blade, enveloping the entire sand table model of the Land of Wano.
"Phase 1: Moria's Zombie Army will attack Udon Prison and the flower capital. Queen's plagues are as harmless as air to zombies, neutralizing his biological weapons."
"Phase 2: Shiki and his fleet will assault the coastline from the sky, cutting off their reinforcements and establishing air superiority."
"Phase 3: Bullet, Crocodile, and the Division Commanders will strike directly at Onigashima's main entrance to draw out the Calamities!"
"As for those with high mobility..." The lightning coalesced into countless tiny electric serpents, darting across the Onigashima model.
"Create chaos everywhere. Keep the Beasts Pirates running ragged!"
Marco interjected with a frown. "But what if someone takes advantage of the chaos to harm Ace..."
"That's why we need a double safeguard."
Ron glanced toward Enel, who was resting with his eyes closed in the corner, munching on an apple.
The Security Officer opened his eyes, lightning dancing on his golden staff.
"Mantra," Enel yawned lazily. "As long as Ace is still on Onigashima, even if he's buried a thousand meters underground, I can 'hear' him. My range covers the entire island."
Ron nodded, his eyes cold and sharp.
"While Kaido is distracted by the army... the Captain and I will go straight for the head."
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