This time, after escorting Kaido into prison, Good did nothing except unleash his Conqueror's Haki.
That alone was enough to make Magellan, Hannyabal, and the others breathe a sigh of relief.
With Kaido, Queen, and Jack secured inside, Good's mission was complete.
The moment he left, Level Six of Impel Down erupted in noise.
Shiki was the first to speak. As an old acquaintance of Kaido's—though never on good terms—he still felt the need to ask.
"Kaido, what happened? How did you end up here too?"
Crocodile cut in with a sneer.
"Heh… Kaido! Didn't your Beasts Pirates already dominate the New World? Did the Marines send four admirals against you?"
Around them, Ace, Bullet, Redfield, Shiryu, and others listened closely.
They wanted to know what had happened.
In particular, Ace prayed to hear of Marine casualties—anything that might give Whitebeard an edge if he came to rescue him.
Kaido shot Crocodile a cold look. The former Warlord wasn't even worth his time.
But out of respect for Shiki, he grudgingly described the battle.
He left out the details, of course. How could he admit that he'd broken his word and lost despite relying on brute force? Such shame would be unbearable.
When he finished, the whole level was stunned.
Good had single-handedly defeated Kaido's entire crew?
It sounded impossible.
For the older prisoners like Bullet, Redfield, and Avalo Pizarro, who had been locked up for years, it was surprising but not overwhelming.
But for Crocodile, Shiki, Ace, and Shiryu—captured recently and well aware of the outside world—it was earth-shattering.
Was Good truly this powerful?
That was strength beyond even the Yonko.
Ace's heart sank in despair.
All he wanted now was for Whitebeard's crew not to come for him.
If just one admiral could capture Kaido without losses, then with the Navy's full might plus Good, Whitebeard's pirates stood no chance.
While Ace prayed for Marine losses, Sengoku struck another blow to the world.
The Navy officially announced: Portgas D. Ace and Kaido of the Beasts would be executed publicly!
The news hit like ten nuclear bombs detonating across the globe.
Every sea boiled with shock.
In the North Blue, Judge of the Vinsmoke family stared at the announcement in disbelief.
"How could the Navy move like this… what game are they playing?"
He had planned to capture Sanji and arrange a political marriage with Big Mom to strengthen Germa's hold in the New World.
But now, even a Yonko wasn't safe.
"This Admiral Reckless Maniac… so strong, and so young. His genes must be incredible… If only I could obtain them for research…"
Meanwhile, in the New World, Big Mom was equally stunned.
"The Navy has lost its mind?"
To announce the public execution of both Kaido and Ace was to provoke two Yonko crews at once.
Even if Kaido had fallen, his armies in Wano remained.
If anyone rallied them, they would march to war.
This time, Big Mom didn't feel excited.
When Ace alone was captured, she'd seen the coming war as a chance to profit, regardless of who won.
But if the Marines truly had the power to stand against two Emperors, then her own position was at risk.
If Kaido and Whitebeard fell, the balance of the sea would shatter.
Afterwards, the Marines would inevitably turn their gaze on her and Red-Hair.
"Admiral Reckless Maniac… Admiral Reckless Maniac…" Big Mom muttered again and again.
It was all because of this man.
He had created this crisis.
"This feels just like Rocks back then… But Sakazuki had Roger to balance him. Who do we have now?"
For once, Big Mom was solemn, cautious.
She knew: the only way to restore balance was for Good to die.
Elsewhere, on a hidden island in the East Blue, the Revolutionary Army gathered around the fresh Marine announcement in silence.
"Has the Navy gone insane?" Sabo muttered darkly.
"They've just declared war on two Yonko crews at once. Do they really trust Admiral Reckless Maniac that much?"
No one answered. None of them could make sense of Sengoku's gamble.
At last, Karasu spoke.
"This could be our chance. With all eyes on the war, we can slip in, gather intelligence, and maybe even eliminate him in the chaos."
All eyes turned to Dragon.
But the leader of the Revolutionaries remained silent, arms crossed, deep in thought.
...
Across the world, Marine proclamations struck like thunder.
Everywhere, people gaped in disbelief.
"Has the Navy lost its mind?"
"Kaido and Ace—both to be executed publicly?"
"Offending two Yonko crews at once? Do they have a death wish?"
No one understood why the Marines dared such a move.
(End of Chapter)
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