"I really don't know what exactly caused the pirate world to be submerged by seawater. If only we could've taken precautions ahead of time."
Gazing at the grass outside the window that had already begun to stir restlessly, Red once again fell into deep thought.
Although he had conceived a solution to the rising sea levels long ago, it remained nothing more than an idea. Whether it could truly be realized was still uncertain—and even if it could, what kind of chain reactions it might trigger afterward was completely unknown.
Because of that, the best approach was still to solve the problem at its very root.
"Imu… just what are you, really?"
Red lifted his gaze, looking toward the distant direction of the Red Line.
Even though Luffy had already mastered Pokémon-ization in his Nika form, and his rate of gaining experience had undergone a qualitative leap with the appearance of the Room of Spirit and Time—
When it came to Imu, the ultimate boss of the pirate world, Red still did not dare to relax in the slightest.
Because according to the usual tropes of anime narratives, no matter how powerful the protagonist became, the final boss would always possess an even more terrifying power or ability…
From that perspective, Imu absolutely had some kind of unknown method or identity that they still could not comprehend.
"We can't afford to be blindly optimistic."
Red murmured softly, warning himself.
As he spoke, he pressed another button on the desk in front of him.
In an instant, a device resembling a keyboard machine appeared before his eyes.
Red rapidly typed on it, then pressed Enter to send the message.
With Vegapunk's technical support, the Vinsmoke Family had already made some progress toward the "mobile phone" Red had requested.
However, the pirate world's magnetic fields were far too chaotic, and with additional material constraints, it was still impossible to manufacture a phone resembling the one Red remembered—at least not in the short term.
Fortunately, this world had the miraculous creatures known as Den Den Mushi.
By leveraging their characteristics, the Vinsmokes successfully developed a portable device capable of special configurations and conditional communication.
At Red's request, this batch of devices was given a rather pleasant name—"DingTalk."
Since they were only trial products, there weren't many finished units. The first batch numbered just over a hundred, all distributed to the Straw Hat Pirates' upper echelon and special talents.
Moments ago, Red had used the DingTalk device to send a carbon-copied notice to all holders regarding the changes on Whole Cake Island and the precautions to take.
After finishing everything, Red lazily stretched and muttered to himself with a chuckle:
"Didn't expect I'd ever become someone with this much capital~"
"Sure enough… people eventually turn into what they once hated."
...
...
At the same time, at the edge of the waters of Totto Land.
The once-clear sky suddenly erupted with deafening thunder, followed by a vast shockwave that roared outward like a violent hurricane.
In that instant, the sky seemed to split in two. Rolling air currents collided at the center of the sea, causing the previously calm waters to surge into massive waves—as if two colossal forces were facing off across this boundless ocean.
Dozens of warships flying pirate flags were positioned on opposite sides of the sea, like ferocious beasts poised to pounce on their enemies.
At that moment, a massive figure stepped out onto the deck of one flagship.
"Wororororo…"
"Whitebeard! Never thought I'd see you here!"
Standing at the bow, Kaido gripped his enormous kanabo, his Conqueror's Haki surging forth like a flood as he greeted the man aboard the opposing ship.
"So it's you, brat…"
On the rocking Moby Dick, Whitebeard's eyes gleamed sharply, showing not the slightest hint of age. His own Conqueror's Haki erupted with even greater force, firmly suppressing Kaido's presence.
"It really has been a long time!!!"
"Gurarararara~!"
Whitebeard let out a booming laugh, his aura crashing forward in relentless waves with each peal of laughter.
"That damned old fossil…"
Hearing Whitebeard publicly call him "brat," Kaido—who looked all brawn but was actually full of scheming—had a dark glint flash through his eyes.
But soon, his expression returned to calm. As if completely unfazed by the taunt, he asked arrogantly:
"You relic that's been left behind by the era—why aren't you playing house on your little patch of land? What are you doing here!?"
"Don't tell me… you're here to take advantage of the chaos too?!"
Kaido's dragon eyes widened as he stared warily at Whitebeard and his crew.
His sudden accusation caused Whitebeard's laughter to halt.
"..."
Taking advantage of the chaos?
You sure know yourself well.
With that thought, Whitebeard planted his blade sideways, his voice booming like thunder once more:
"Don't lump me together with the likes of you!"
Boom!!!
The Supreme Grade Meito · Murakumogiri slammed down beside Whitebeard's feet, unleashing a violent shockwave that rippled outward.
The massive blade swung upward, pointing straight at Kaido's head.
"Today, I won't let you lay a finger on the Straw Hat Pirates!"
"If you know what's good for you, get back to your snake's nest already!"
"That damned old man…"
Feeling the overwhelming pressure surging toward him, Kaido's expression changed repeatedly.
He never imagined that the Straw Hat Pirates had already allied with Whitebeard.
No wonder they dared to occupy Whole Cake Island so openly—there was someone backing them!
Perhaps… the Straw Hat Pirates' defeat of the Big Mom Pirates had been secretly supported by the Whitebeard Pirates all along. Otherwise, how could a rookie pirate possibly wield such influence?
Whitebeard… had he really schemed this far ahead!?
Was he making a move for that throne!?
"Damn it!"
Countless thoughts flashed through Kaido's mind.
Despite his bold exterior, Kaido was the most calculating of all the Four Emperors.
At the same time, having once served alongside Whitebeard in the Rocks Pirates, Kaido knew all too well how terrifying Whitebeard's naval combat strength was. So despite the blatant provocation, he ultimately chose to swallow his anger and take a step back.
"Hmph!"
With a disdainful snort, Kaido shouted:
"Whitebeard, when people get old, they should stay home and enjoy their remaining years."
"Keep stirring things up like this, and you'll shave years off your life!"
"Today, I'll give you face and won't bother with a foot-in-the-grave old man like you!"
"But if there's a next time, don't blame my kanabo for not respecting the elderly!!!"
Boom!!!
Kaido raised his massive kanabo and swung it violently.
In an instant, raging winds swept across the sea, completely shattering Whitebeard's oppressive aura.
Then, Kaido turned away like a victor and barked orders to his subordinates:
"All units, return immediately!!!"
"Yes!!!"
The members of the Beasts Pirates—who had expected a brutal clash between Emperors—let out huge sighs of relief upon hearing they wouldn't have to fight.
After all, they had come to bully newcomers, not to wage war against a legendary Emperor.
Following Kaido's command, the Beasts Pirates quickly turned their ships around, preparing to leave the area.
Seeing this, Buggy aboard the Moby Dick also breathed a long sigh of relief.
It seemed he had successfully completed the task Red had entrusted to him.
Thanks to his quick wits, he had managed to come up with a way to have the Whitebeard Pirates intercept Kaido on behalf of the Straw Hat Pirates.
Otherwise, if the Beasts Pirates had pushed deeper into Totto Land's waters, things would've gone disastrously wrong.
"Ace… thank you so—"
Buggy lifted his head, about to thank Ace for introducing him to Whitebeard—
But at that very moment…
A bizarre spatial wormhole suddenly appeared on the deck in front of him.
"Huh!?"
Buggy froze for a split second—then his face lit up with delight.
Just as he expected.
In the next instant, Red's voice echoed from within the pitch-black wormhole.
However, instead of praise, it carried a teasing hint of dissatisfaction:
"Oh my, Buggy-senpai, you've really disappointed me."
"How could you just let a guest who traveled all this way leave like that?"
Step!
With the sound of footsteps, Red—using Buggy as an anchor to open the Hyperspace Hole—appeared on the deck of the Moby Dick.
"Red!?"
"R-Red, boss!?"
Ace and Buggy reacted very differently upon seeing him.
Red waved his hand, signaling them not to speak, then smiled faintly.
"Wait a moment, Ace."
"We'll catch up later. For now, I'll go invite our guest back."
"The Straw Hat Pirates don't treat guests like this."
As he spoke, Red vanished in a flash.
When he reappeared, he was already behind the Beasts Pirates' fleet.
Boom!!!
A vast surge of Conqueror's Haki erupted from Red's body.
Without activating any divine-beast template, his Haki was slightly inferior to that of the two Emperors earlier—
But as a greeting, it was more than sufficient.
"My apologies, Beasts Pirates. Official business kept me busy, and our hospitality fell short."
"But leaving without a word is rather impolite, don't you think?"
"Hm!?"
Sensing Red's Haki, Kaido and his three All-Stars immediately turned around.
King, standing closest to Kaido, warned:
"Boss—it's Red, the Straw Hat Pirates' vice-captain, known as the Trainer!"
"Vice-captain!?"
Kaido narrowed his eyes, unable to grasp why Red had appeared at this moment.
But then Red suddenly raised his hand.
The sea itself seemed to obey his command, as massive waves rose up, carrying all of the Beasts Pirates' ships toward Red.
No matter how the sailors tried to steer, they could not escape the restraint of the surging waters.
"What!?"
"This guy can control the sea too!?"
Kaido's eyes widened in shock.
He hadn't avoided clashing with Whitebeard because he feared losing—but because Whitebeard's Devil Fruit allowed him to summon colossal waves, a deadly threat to any pirate fleet.
Yet now…
Aside from Whitebeard, the Straw Hat Pirates' vice-captain also possessed a similar power.
Under the force of the waves, the Beasts Pirates' fleet was forced to turn once more, facing Red.
At the same time, three towering walls of water rose around them, sealing the entire fleet in.
Shadows fell over the Beasts Pirates.
"This bastard!"
Seeing such an undisguised threat, Kaido finally abandoned all pretense. He transformed into a massive dragon, soaring into the sky and stopping in midair not far from Red.
"Brat! What are you trying to do!?"
Kaido's aura condensed sharply, scorching energy gathering in his mouth as if he were ready to annihilate Red at any second.
But Red merely smiled calmly.
"Nothing much. I just felt that letting you leave without saying goodbye would make it seem like the Straw Hat Pirates lack proper manners."
"So I'd like to invite you to stay a little longer."
"What do you think?"
"Brat!"
Kaido glared at Red with his massive dragon eyes and threatened:
"Withdraw your power immediately! Otherwise, I can't guarantee what'll happen next!!!"
"Oh?" Red raised an eyebrow slightly, his smile slowly fading as he replied in an eerily calm voice:
"Those words should be mine, Kaido-senpai."
"You're the one who tried to ambush us while we'd just occupied Totto Land and hadn't stabilized our footing, aren't you?"
"I've already been generous by not sinking your ships outright."
"So don't push your luck…"
"Or do you really think that we—who defeated Big Mom—would lose to you?!"
"Drop that arrogant attitude of yours… the Azure Dragon Fruit is completely wasted on you!!!"
"Brat, what did you say!?"
Rage erupted in Kaido's eyes.
But just as he was about to make his move, Red raised a hand to stop him.
"If you don't want to return to Wano all alone, I suggest you rethink that."
"And also…"
Red waved his hand once more.
The massive curtain of water above the Beasts Pirates parted, revealing the distant sea beyond.
Pointing forward, Red said:
"Not far from there… is the fleet of the World Government and the Marines."
"With your observational ability, you should've already noticed them."
"What!?"
Kaido spun around in shock.
As his pupils contracted, he clearly saw an enormous fleet on the horizon—one even larger than the combined forces of his own crew and the Whitebeard Pirates.
Red's voice echoed once more:
"You may not know this yet, Kaido-senpai," Red grinned. "During the recent attack on Mary Geoise, we didn't just free countless slaves like the papers reported—we also looted the treasury of one of the Five Elders and killed hundreds of Celestial Dragons."
"So now, the upper echelons of the World Government absolutely hate the Straw Hat Pirates."
"The moment they heard our name, they came running like wild dogs scenting meat."
"Just like you did."
"Now tell me… if the Marines and the World Government see the Beasts Pirates trapped by the sea…"
"Do you think they'll stop to rescue you—or seize the opportunity to finish you off and shatter your foundation?"
"You wouldn't want decades of hard work to be wiped out just like that, would you, Kaido-senpai?"
(End of Chapter)