Red-Hair's Warning

Wano Country - Onigashima

Kaido and Red-Hair's Conqueror's Haki clashed fiercely in mid-air, lightning and black and red arcs of electricity danced wildly like dragons, tearing the sky apart and shaking the entire Onigashima as if it were an earthquake!

"Boom--!"

A terrifying pressure swept across the entire area like a tsunami. The weaker Gifters and Pleasures in the Beasts Pirates instantly rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground in droves.

Even the Headliners and the Flying Six were shaken so badly that their knees bent slightly, their jaws clenched, and cold sweat rolled down their foreheads.

"This is... the Haki of Red-Haired Shanks of the Four Emperors?!"

"They can actually stand up to the governor head-on?!"

The All-Stars instinctively stood in front of Kaido, staring intently at Red-Hair, their killing intent surging.

Seeing the casualties in his army, Kaido's dragon eyes narrowed slightly, and he slowly withdrew his overwhelming aura.

At the same time, Shanks withdrew his Conqueror's Haki, and the air on Onigashima suddenly became deathly still and heavy, as if a noose had been loosened.

Kaido's deep voice, like rumbling thunder, descended from his high Throne: "Those brats on Roger's ship back then..."

"Has it grown to this point now?"

He tilted his head back and gulped down a mouthful of wine, the liquid dripping down his beard and onto the ground with a "plop" sound.

"Tell me, why did you come to see me?"

Shanks' gaze was sharp as a knife, his tone cold and steady. "Roy has captured Hanafuda."

You don't know yet, do you?

Kaido's pupils suddenly contracted. "What?!"

Red-Hair ignored his shock and continued, "The Navy plans to publicly execute Hanafuda a type of Japanese card game character)."

"The reason is— Hanafuda, using his status as Shichibukai, has been secretly collecting Ancient Zoan -Zoan Devil Fruits and strategic resources for many years..."

"And all of them were delivered to the Beasts Pirates."

Kaido clenched his fist suddenly, and with a "crack," the entire giant wine jug was crushed into pieces. Wine dripped through his fingers, making a dull thud as it hit the ground.

Red-Hair forward, his voice as deep and resonant as a hammer striking the ground.

What would you do if this message were made public?

Kaido roared like thunder, "Nonsense! Of course I'm going to storm the execution ground!!"

A cold glint flashed in Shanks' eyes, his tone as icy as a blade slicing through steel:

"Marineford!"

"Sengoku Garp!"

"Three Admirals!"

Roy!

He said, enunciating each word clearly, "What... what are you going to use to rob me?!"

The air instantly froze to its absolute limit.

The All-Stars— Jhin, Queen, and Jack— looked grim and solemn, while the Flying Six were drenched in cold sweat.

"That's the Marine Headquarters..."

"With the Three Admirals and Roy, and even Sengoku Garp... even a governor might not be able to escape unscathed with this lineup!"

Kaido's dragon eyes narrowed violently, his breathing became heavy and thunderous, and his chest heaved with suppressed anger and confusion.

He stared intently at the Red-Hair, his voice low and hoarse. "What... exactly are you trying to say?"

Shanks slowly raised his head, his gaze piercing, his voice steady and unwavering. "I'm here to give you a choice."

"Give up the Hanafuda."

"The Beasts Pirates are completely withdrawing their forces."

He paused, his eyes suddenly sharpening, his tone like a hammer blow to the heart, "Otherwise—"

You will die.

"The Beasts Pirates will be destroyed because of this!"

"Boom--!"

Kaido smashed the Skull Throne with a powerful punch, sending rubble and Shockwaves scattering everywhere!

"Red-Hair... are you underestimating me?!"

His muscles bulged, veins throbbing like writhing dragons, and his killing intent, solidifying into a palpable pressure, swept across the entire arena. "I am the 'World's Strongest Creature'!!"

"A mere navy officer thinks he can kill me?!"

Red-Hair remained unmoved, seemingly ignoring Kaido's rage, and simply spoke:

"My latest intelligence indicates that the Five Elders do not want the Navy to execute the Shichibukai."

"They were worried about the system collapsing, so they were secretly sabotaging Roy,"

"Order the navy to execute Hanafuda Japanese cards) on Hachinosu and restrict naval operations."

Upon hearing this, the hall fell silent, and even the All-Stars showed surprise.

King stepped forward and coldly questioned, "Red-Hair, why are you telling us this? Wouldn't it be more beneficial for you, Red-Hair, if the Navy weakened the Beasts?"

Shanks merely glanced at him indifferently. "Because, compared to a mad Kaido..."

"I'd rather not face a navy that's out of control."

He turned and walked towards the Harbor, his silhouette Hunting Roar in the wind, leaving behind his final words—

"Roy and Garp are restricted from deployment. This is my final warning. You can decide for yourself."

Kaido stared intently at his retreating figure, his dragon eyes clashing fiercely with both rage and reason, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked.

"Give up the Hanafuda?"

"Impossible! He's my brother!!"

However, thinking of the luxurious lineup of Marineford described by Red-Hair, even the "World's Strongest Creature" couldn't help but feel a chill in his heart.

The atmosphere in the Fleet Admiral's Office was as heavy as frozen air.

Sengoku crossed his hands, elbows resting on the table, his sharp gaze fixed on Roy, his brow furrowed. "Roy, what is the purpose of this restriction set by the Five Elders?"

Hachinosu has been designated as the location for the execution of Hanafuda, and only one Admiral and two Vice Admiral are allowed to lead the team. Furthermore, you and Garp are specifically forbidden from going there.

What does this mean?

A hint of sarcasm flashed in Roy's eyes. "This was probably an idea someone gave them."

He tapped the table lightly with his hand. "On the surface, it seems to have met our requirements. But in reality, it's just shackled us within the rules..."

"This arrangement will both attract Kaido's personal attention and ensure that he is not killed."

Even if they fought to the bitter end, the final result would only be mutual destruction...

"Perfectly matches what they call the ocean—'balance'."

The two words that came out of Roy's mouth were uttered with undisguised mockery and indifference.

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged a glance, both of their eyes flashing with the thought of "someone," but now was clearly not the time to press for answers.

Crane's gaze darkened, a hint of worry in his voice. "Then what do you think? What if we only send one Admiral and two Vice Admiral to lead the troops..."

If the Beasts Pirates were to launch a full-scale attack, it might be difficult to maintain control!

Roy simply smiled faintly, his tone confident and composed. "Don't worry, the Beasts Pirates won't send out their entire force."

He tilted his head slightly, a hint of sarcasm flashing in his eyes. "Since someone deliberately set this restriction, it means he will definitely send the message to Kaido's ears 'exactly'."

"And Kaido..." Roy lowered his voice slightly, "Though he appears rough, he's more shrewd than anyone else... He'll weigh things up."

Changing the subject, he slowly raised his eyes, his gaze sharp as a blade:

"Besides, those five old guys didn't limit how many of our 'Vice Admiral and below' combatants we could bring..."

Sengoku and Tsuru exchanged glances again. This time, almost simultaneously, the image of that New Generation of officers who had rapidly risen to prominence under Roy's command flashed through their minds—

Those young people who are already capable of standing on their own are almost invincible among their peers, and in some areas they can even threaten the status of veteran lieutenant Vice Admiral.

As their eyes met, they both saw the same light in each other's eyes, suggesting that the situation might not be as hopelessly closed as the Five Elders had imagined.

Roy slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingertips rhythmically tapping the armrest, his gaze drifting across the window to the distant blue line where the sea met the sky.

"Since they want to disgust us..."

"Then don't blame me..."

"Let's play our own game."