Chapter 149: The Sunny Takes Flight – Garp's Pursuit & Kaido's Unexpected Appearance
Kaido first headed straight toward Paradise and flew at full speed, arriving in the first half of the Grand Line in just two days.
It is worth mentioning that there are usually two ways to travel from the first half of the Grand Line to the New World: one is to pass through Fish-Man Island via the "undersea route," and the other is to apply to the World Government for permission to cross directly through the Holy Land Mariejois at the peak of the Red Line.
Kaido chose a third method—flying straight over the Red Line from high in the sky. He had originally considered Fish-Man Island, but it was currently Whitebeard's territory. To avoid unnecessary complications, he chose the aerial route. Not only could he bypass Navy detection, but it also saved him a lot of trouble.
However, after reaching the first half of the Grand Line, Kaido realized he had no idea where he was going. He wanted to take out his Den Den Mushi to contact his subordinates, only to discover he hadn't brought it. Fortunately, he had a sudden idea and landed directly on a pirate ship below.
"Enemy attack!" The crew of the Hunting Dog Pirates looked up at the tall, intimidating giant and trembled in fear.
"You bunch of brats playing house as pirates—where's the nearest Navy base around here?" Kaido asked directly. In his view, he was already being very polite. Normally, he would have swung his club first and asked questions later.
"Brats? Do you know who you're talking to? I'm the great pirate with a 10 million berry bounty, 'Hunting Dog' Cross!" A yellow-haired pirate shouted arrogantly. The next second, his head was casually twisted off by Kaido.
"I'm in a pretty good mood right now, but it has limits. Where's the nearest Navy base?" Kaido casually tossed the corpse into the sea and asked again.
"M-Master! The Navy 141st Branch base is 50 kilometers southwest!" The vice captain on the ship was sweating profusely and pointed the way obsequiously.
Kaido said nothing more. He transformed into his Azure Dragon form and flew off. The surviving members of the Hunting Dog Pirates, who had narrowly escaped death, soon began fighting each other for the captain's position. Kaido, who had just left, sensed what was happening behind him and snorted in disdain.
Not long after, Kaido obtained information from the Navy base that the Straw Hat crew was in Water 7 and received a Log Pose pointing there. He even ate and drank his fill at the base before leaving drunk. Before departing, he turned back and unleashed a "Heat Breath," turning the entire Navy base into a sea of flames.
"Nami is my navigator! Want her to join you? Dream on!" Luffy's roar pulled Kaido back from his memories.
"Brat, what's your name!" Kaido stared at Luffy, a flicker of interest in his eyes. It had been a long time since he had met such an arrogant rookie.
"I'm Monkey D. Luffy, the man who will become the Pirate King!" Luffy shot back without backing down.
"Say that again! What king do you want to become?!" Kaido's forehead veins bulged. His entire dragon body suddenly rose higher, hovering in the air.
"I said, I'm going to become the Pirate King!" Luffy shouted at the top of his lungs.
BOOM!!!
Kaido suddenly erupted with powerful Conqueror's Haki. The overwhelming shockwave swept across the area, pressing heavily down on everyone aboard the Sunny. Luffy and the others staggered as if struck by a heavy blow, nearly losing their footing.
The next moment, Sol's Conqueror's Haki also erupted, clashing head-on with Kaido's aura!
"What?! The sky… is being torn apart!" Zoro looked up and saw that where Sol and Kaido's auras collided, the clouds were split open like they had been cut by a blade and rolled back to both sides!
Kaido strengthened his aura again, excitement almost overflowing from his eyes: Not only had he found a Mythical Zoan ability user, but there was also such a promising seedling! With this kind of spirit, with a little training, he could add another to his Three All-Stars!
"Don't… don't look down on us!" Luffy roared. His own Conqueror's Haki finally erupted, joining Sol in resisting Kaido's pressure.
"Finally awakened your Conqueror's Haki, huh…" Sol thought silently as he looked at the determined expression on Luffy's face.
"Another Conqueror's Haki… and it's freshly awakened!" The excitement in Kaido's eyes was almost overflowing.
"What do you think you're doing to my cute grandson and disciple, you mudfish! Sea Drop!"
Garp's voice exploded like thunder. His figure suddenly appeared high in the sky. His Armament-coated arm grabbed Kaido's dragon horn with terrifying strength and slammed him downward. The sonic boom tore through the air!
"Ice Age!"
Kuzan's lazy voice followed immediately. The surrounding sea surface froze instantly, turning into an endless ice plain. Kaido's massive dragon body crashed heavily onto the ice, producing a deafening roar.
Sol had already withdrawn his Conqueror's Haki the moment Garp acted, but Luffy—having pushed himself too hard—collapsed from exhaustion. Sol knew the upcoming battle was no longer something they could participate in. He immediately unleashed "Fire Dragon's Roar," melting a path through the ice.
Standing on the ice plain Kuzan had created, he urgently instructed Nami and the others: "Go! The fight from here on is not something we can get involved in!" With that, he headed straight toward where Kaido had fallen without looking back.
"Listen to Sol—we're leaving this place first!" Robin said decisively. Nami nodded firmly and immediately ordered Zoro and Sanji to sail the ship away from the area.
"Ouch… you damn old bastard, why are you here?" Kaido reverted to human form, twisting his neck while looking warily at Garp.
When Sol arrived, he noticed that Kaido's eyes were now clear, with no trace of drunkenness left. It seemed taking Garp's strike head-on had indeed sobered him up.
"Ah la la, I should be the one asking you that, Kaido-san," Kuzan's lazy voice rang out. "As one of the Four Emperors, why aren't you staying put in the New World? What are you doing suddenly showing up in Paradise? Care to explain?"
Garp's fists cracked loudly: "Kuzan, none of that matters. Once we catch this guy, we'll naturally find out the reason."
Kaido seriously wondered if he had stepped on bad luck today—how did he end up running into the "combo package" of a Navy Admiral and the Navy Hero? "This doesn't make sense… even if that Navy base reported it, there's no way they could have arrived this fast!"
"Want to arrest me? Then try it!" Kaido took out his famous club "Hachijū" from his waist and swung it arrogantly, then struck first!
"Thunder Bagua!"
He swung the lightning-wrapped iron club at extreme speed, aiming straight at the weakest person present—Sol. Since he had heard Garp call this kid his "grandson or disciple," taking him out first was definitely the right move!
"Fire Dragon's Iron Fist!"
Sol met Kaido's club with a punch. The scorching flames wrapped around his fist made Kaido pause for a split second—this guy actually blocked his sneak attack? Logically, his head should have been smashed to pieces!
--------------------------
Support us on P@tre0n and gain access to 100 chapters in advance!
[email protected]/inkshield