"Don't think I can't see through you, brat—you've got another motive."
Kaido's expression darkened, his reptilian eyes narrowing. His deep voice dripped with suspicion; he clearly wasn't buying Shiro's calm story.
Shiro only grinned, a flicker of mockery in his golden eyes.
"Motive? What, you think I came here to learn from Kaido-sensei? Don't flatter yourself—there's not much you could teach me anymore."
"Kaido–what?!" Kaido's temper snapped like dry kindling. "Don't spout that nonsense!"
But even as he barked, his gaze flicked—unconsciously—toward Wano's mainland. There was a shadow of unease in his tone.
"You… didn't come here because of Kozuki Oden, did you?"
"Oh, right. Thanks for reminding me."
The teasing smirk on Shiro's lips vanished, replaced by a glacial calm. His voice dropped low, edged with anger.
"Oden… that man's being toyed with by you and Orochi, isn't he?"
"Gurararara—!" Kaido threw back his head and laughed, the sound harsh and cruel.
"Kozuki Oden chose his fate! I never forced him to do a thing!"
"Kaido, does lying to yourself make it easier to sleep?" Shiro shot back, his tone dripping with disdain. "Orochi's filth is your shadow. Without your backing, he's nothing. The truth is—you're afraid of Oden, aren't you?"
"Afraid!? You insolent little brat!"
Kaido's roar split the air. His body radiated killing intent, and in the next instant, his Conqueror's Haki exploded outward—crushing, suffocating, shaking the very ground beneath them.
"I am Kaido of the Beasts! The man who cannot die! You think I'd fear Oden?!"
Shiro didn't flinch. Beneath the crushing pressure, a gleam of triumph flickered in his eyes. Hook, line, and sinker.
He pressed harder, his voice sharp as a blade.
"Then prove it! Face him fair and square—no schemes, no tricks. Or are you too much of a coward for that?"
"Enough!" Kaido's patience finally snapped.
"Before I crush Kozuki Oden, I'll crush you first!"
His massive frame began to twist and expand, blue scales rippling across his skin. With a thunderous crack, horns burst from his head, and within seconds the sky was blotted out by the massive Azure Dragon form of Kaido.
"RAAAAHHHHHH!!!"
The dragon's roar shook the heavens. A torrent of searing flame burst from his jaws like molten rock, flooding the battlefield with hellish light.
But Shiro didn't panic. He calmly slapped a hand to his chest—
BOOM!
The Paw-Paw Fruit activated. His body blurred and vanished, reappearing hundreds of meters away. The dragon's breath struck empty air, gouging a charred trench into the ground.
"Did you forget what fruit I ate, Kaido?" Shiro called out with a smirk. "That kind of attack won't even singe my hair."
He wiggled his fingers teasingly.
"How about this—I call Oden right now, let him come settle this with you face-to-face?"
"ROAAAAR!!" Kaido's rage shook the mountains. His dragon eyes blazed like wildfire.
"Go ahead and call him! I'll crush you both together!"
"Don't mind if I do."
Shiro reached into his coat and pulled out a Den Den Mushi, spinning the dial with practiced ease. The snail-phone chirped—buru buru buru—before a gentle woman's voice answered.
"Hello? Shiro-kun? Is something the matter?"
"Lady Toki! Quickly—find Oden!" Shiro said, his tone deliberately urgent. "I'm at Ringo now. Kaido just agreed to a fair duel with him. Tell him to come—fast!"
"Understood! I'll tell my husband immediately!" Toki replied without hesitation. Her voice faded, followed by the clatter of wooden sandals sprinting across the floor.
Shiro kept his eyes locked on Kaido, a sly, confident smile playing on his lips. Everything was falling into place.
Moments later, the Den Den Mushi's face morphed—its features reshaping into Oden's broad, earnest face.
"Shiro," Oden's voice came heavy with exhaustion, "stay out of this. If I resist, Orochi will only take it out on the common folk. I can't allow that."
Shiro's jaw clenched so hard his teeth creaked. He felt his blood boil, his temper rising like a storm.
He took a deep breath, forcing the fury back down, and spoke through gritted teeth.
"Oden… if you just defeat Kaido, Orochi loses his protection. Then the people would be safe! Can't you see that?!"
"Enough, Shiro!" Oden snapped, voice suddenly firm and righteous.
"You don't understand Wano's situation. As long as I play the fool—dancing naked in the streets—the people will live. That is my burden to bear!"
Shiro exploded.
"Burden my ass! You idiot! You're a damn fool! Letting Orochi lead you around like a donkey!"
There was a long, cold silence—then click!
Oden hung up.
Shiro's hands shook with fury. "Damn you, Kozuki Oden! You're beyond saving! Nobody can save a moron like you!"
Kaido, having overheard every word, reverted to his human form, laughing so hard he nearly doubled over.
"Gurararara! Well, Shiro—looks like you tried your best! Oden's not coming. Guess that's not my fault, eh?"
Shiro exhaled slowly, forcing his anger into a cold, calm mask.
"Fine. Kaido… I'll leave Wano to you—for now. But this isn't over."
He raised his palm to his chest and vanished in a ripple of white air, the Paw-Paw Fruit propelling him away.
Night fell over Wano as his form faded into the dark.
When Shiro rematerialized, he was back in the Florian Triangle, aboard the Virtue.
He didn't waste a second. "Where's Moria?" he demanded the moment his boots hit the deck.
The crew exchanged uneasy glances.
Hachi, still munching on grilled meat, scratched his head. "Uh… someone did show up earlier. But Jinbe, Issho, and Mihawk beat him half to death and tossed him overboard. Not sure if he's still alive."
Shiro's mouth twitched. He sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose before activating his Observation Haki again—
searching for the faint, lingering presence of Gecko Moria in the dark waters below.
T/N: If you would like to read up to 20 chapters ahead for all my works, check out my P@treon: patreon.com/GhidorahWriter
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