The Roar of the New Era!
Onigashima
Shanks' figure had barely disappeared at the end of the Harbor when the All-Stars stepped forward and surrounded Kaido's Throne.
Queen, Cigar dangling from his lips, brow furrowed, smoke swirling in front of his fat face, said, "Boss, you can't completely trust what Red-Hair."
"When has he ever been kind to us? There's definitely something fishy going on."
Jin crossed his arms, his gaze sharp as a knife. "However... Hanafuda has indeed been out of contact for far too long."
"If what he said is true, and the Navy is preparing to publicly execute Hanafuda), then we must confirm the intelligence immediately."
Jack interjected sullenly, "I think we should have just taken down Red-Hair right away!"
"How dare a mere individual swagger into our Beasts and run wild?!"
The moment the words left his mouth, the air froze.
Queen and Jhin turned their heads at the same time, their eyes filled with the word "idiot".
Jack paused, scratching the back of his head. "Huh? Did I say something wrong? We outnumber them..."
"Bang--!"
Queen slammed a punch into his head, roaring, "Idiot! You really think Red-Hair came here alone to die?!"
Jin's tone was icy. "Didn't you notice it just now? That invisible pressure was constantly looming over you."
"The muzzle of Yasopp will probably be locked on your head from beginning to end."
Jack's pupils constricted sharply. "Ah?!!"
He subconsciously touched the back of his neck, as if he could still feel the cold muzzle of the gun against his skin, and cold sweat instantly slid down his back.
Kaido ignored the All-Stars' argument throughout, simply sitting back on his Throne, his dragon eyes flashing with a heavy and dangerous light in the firelight.
"How much of what the Red-Hair said is believable?"
"Hanafuda... if it really falls into the hands of the navy..."
"What exactly is the Navy planning?"
He suddenly picked up the new wine jug, tilted his head back, and gulped down a large mouthful of strong liquor. The liquor dripped down his beard and whiskers, splashing onto the ground like blood.
Dragon's eyes suddenly contracted, and hesitation was instantly replaced by a violent killing intent.
"Pass down the order—"
"Immediately contact our 'insider' within the Navy to confirm Hanafuda's fate!"
He slowly rose, his massive body casting an oppressive shadow above the Throne, his voice echoing like muffled thunder throughout the entire Onigashima:
"At the same time--"
"Beasts Pirates, prepare for battle!"
The air suddenly froze, and the All-Stars answered in unison, as if an invisible war drum was beating across the entire Onigashima.
Kaido picked up, his killing intent solidifying into a tangible form.
"If the news is true..."
"I'll raze Hachinosu to the ground and bring back Hanafuda with my own hands!!"
Wano Country Coast Red Force
The waves surged, and the wind howled.
Shanks nimbly leaped back to the bow of the ship. The moment his boots landed on the deck, the sea breeze whipped up his dazzling Red-Hair, and his cloak billowed behind him like a flag.
Yasopp had already put away his Sniper Rifle, a mocking smile on his lips, and whistled:
"Captain, you're incredibly brave... to venture onto Onigashima alone and emerge unscathed."
Benn Beckman's eyes held a hint of helplessness. "No matter what, going in alone is too reckless, Shanks."
Shanks scratched the back of his head, a casual smile on his face. "Well, you're all here, aren't you?"
Yasopp laughed heartily, "I just saw that big idiot Jack trying to keep you here!"
I almost wanted to teach him a lesson!
Benn Beckman exhaled a smoke ring and added casually, "If you teach him a lesson... things might get complicated."
Shanks shrugged, unconcerned. "Kaido may be short-tempered, but he's not the type to turn on you on the spot."
"After all... I went to remind him out of 'good intentions' this time."
Upon hearing this, Yasopp smiled and turned to adjust the sails, leaving Benn Beckman leaning against the gunwale, smoke swirling in the wind, his gaze fixed firmly on Shanks' eyes through the thin mist.
Is it... worth it?
"And they even went to a Holy Land site..."
Shanks' smile faded as he turned to gaze at the gradually blurring outline of Onigashima, his voice low and somber. "The Navy, under Roy's influence..."
"It's strayed too far from the trajectory of 'fate'."
He paused, a deep glint in his eyes. "Kaido... cannot die now."
"At least, not at this time... and definitely not outside Onigashima."
Benn Beckman remained silent for a long while, took a deep drag on his cigarette, and exhaled the smoke towards the horizon where the sea and sky met, without asking any further questions.
The Red Force sailed against the raging winds, heading far from the waters of Wano Country, its hull cutting through the waves with a steady, powerful rhythm.
Shanks stood at the bow, his Red-Hair billowing in the wind, his gaze sweeping across the endless horizon, his voice a low murmur, as if conversing with the entire sea.
"Roy... what exactly do you want to rewrite?"
"But in any case... the 'balance' of this sea must not be broken at this moment!"
Marineford - Supreme Strategy Conference Room
Before the heavy oak table, the atmosphere was like a dark cloud hanging over everyone's hearts, so heavy that it was hard to breathe.
Sengoku sat upright in the Head Seat, his hands crossed and resting on the table. His eyes were as sharp as a hawk's as he scanned each person present from left to right.
On the left— Garp, Zephyr, Tsuru, Kizaru, Gion stood in a row, their expressions solemn, like a Great Wall of steel.
On the right side— Sakazuki, Kuzan, Roy, Tokikake stood side by side, their bodies radiating a palpable killing intent that seemed to freeze the air.
At the end of the long table, the elite of the New Generation were all present:
Enel crossed his arms, lightning flashing in his golden pupils, his expression cold and arrogant;
Luo Jingjing held Kikoku in her arms, a cold smile curving her thin lips.
Ace and Luffy side by side, their eyes burning with fierce fighting spirit;
Sanji had a cigarette in his mouth, and the smoke slowly dissipated in the air;
Usopp nervously swallowed, sweat beading on his forehead;
Zoro and Kuina, who had been recalled, rested their hands on the hilts of their swords, their sharpness concealed yet their aura formidable.
Sengoku slowly rose, his voice booming like the beating of war drums.
"This battle--"
Even if we can't kill Kaido...
"We must also severely weaken the Beasts Pirates!"
He slammed his fist on the table with a loud thud, making the teacup vibrate. "This is your chance to show the world the brilliance of the New Generation of the navy!"
Enel's eyes flashed with lightning as he chuckled coldly, "Kaido... this time, I will not let you send me flying with a single blow!"
Luffy grinned, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "Finally, I can beat that dragon up!"
Ace's palm blazed with flames. "Let him see the true power of the Fire Fist!"
Zoro's gaze was sharp as a knife, and his three swords were slightly drawn. "I heard... King is coming too?"
Kuina smiled slightly, "That's perfect, we can settle your score together then."
Sengoku's eyes sharpened. "Due to the restrictions imposed by the Five Elders, we can only send one Admiral and two Vice Admiral."
"After discussion, it was decided that Kuzan Vice Admiral the team, with Vice Admirals Enel and Tokikake accompanying him!"
He suddenly looked at the New Generation, his voice rising. "And you—all of you, attack!"
Sakazuki merely snorted coldly, magma surging between his fists, but offered no rebuttal.
The tactical meeting just now has reached a conclusion.
He is prone to losing his temper when fighting Kaido, and if this affects the New Generation, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Roy leaned against the wall, his expression calm, but he gazed out the window at Marineford Square, seemingly deep in thought.
"Kizaru is secretly watching..."
"Although we can't act openly, we still have to guard against unexpected events."
Thinking this, his eyes turned cold. "With him watching over me, I can go and do something without worry..."