Reactions from All Sides

To prevent Kizaru from rambling on, Haku said to the admiral, who was about to ask more questions, "Alright, whatever it is, we'll talk after I've rested enough! I'm too tired—I need to get some proper sleep!"

Without waiting for Kizaru's reaction, Haku spoke as he walked toward the cabin.

But just as he reached the doorway, Haku tossed the pointer to Kizaru and said, "Since you're here and have nothing better to do, keep an eye on the Ark's course. Wake me when we arrive!"

Kizaru was caught off guard by Haku's blatant buck-passing, and by the time he processed it, Haku had already ducked into the cabin and was snoring away!

Left with no choice, Kizaru muttered under his breath, "What a hassle. If I'd known the kid was fine, I'd have just gone straight back to Marineford."

But even if he wanted to return now, it was far too late.

The ship that had brought him to Wano Country had already set sail back to headquarters long ago.

With no other option, he had no choice but to tag along with Haku for the journey.

The next day, the entire pirate world was stunned by the newspapers scattered by the News Coo.

Among the most eye-catching headlines were: "Shocking! The Hero of the Marines' Successor Crushes the Beasts Pirates!" "Purple Blade Admiral Takes on the Entire Beasts Pirates Solo!" "One of the Four Emperors, Kaido, Missing and Presumed Dead!" and so on.

New World, somewhere on a small island.

Marco had just grabbed a newspaper from a News Coo and finished glancing at the front page.

A look of disbelief spread across his face as he double-checked the paper: "This... Kaido really got defeated?"

Immediately, he hurried back to the ship with the newspaper in hand.

"Gurarararara! Interesting! I didn't expect that brat to be this strong. Marco, I remember you all doubted his strength when you first heard he became a Marine Admiral at such a young age."

"Now take a look!"

The several Division Commanders still aboard the Whitebeard Pirates Ship could only shake their heads helplessly.

Marco spoke up, "Old Man, that's not the point. Our focus should be on guarding against the Marines' next move! And we especially need to keep an eye on this Marine Admiral!"

"Gurarara! Don't worry! The Marines won't make any big moves. As for that Marine brat, if he wants to challenge me, all the better! Too bad he's a Marine—otherwise, I'd really want to take him in as my son!" Whitebeard said with a laugh.

If Haku were here, he'd definitely grumble: As expected of Whitebeard, a sly old fox! He's read Marine Headquarters' intentions like an open book!

New World, Whole Cake Island.

"Mama! Mama! Something huge is happening in the New World!"

Charlotte Perospero, the Candy Minister dragging his long tongue, burst into Charlotte Linlin's room clutching a newspaper.

"Hmm? Perospero, what's going on?" Charlotte Linlin asked her son with displeasure.

Feeling Big Mom's overwhelming presence and her predatory gaze, Perospero nearly started stammering on the spot.

Finally, suppressing his inner terror, he handed the newspaper to Big Mom.

Charlotte Linlin opened it with confusion, but when she saw the headline declaring that one of the Four Emperors, Kaido, had been defeated, her face twisted into disbelief.

She turned to Perospero and asked, "Is this real? Kaido was beaten?"

Perospero nodded and replied, "Yes, Mama. This is breaking news—I believe it's genuine. Kaido, as one of the Four Emperors, is incredibly powerful, but now he's been defeated. It's truly shocking."

Charlotte Linlin set the newspaper down, her eyes gleaming with ambition and greed. She knew this was an opportunity—a chance for her BIG MOM Pirates to grow even stronger.

She said to Perospero, "Summon all the ministers and officers. I have something important to announce."

Perospero nodded and immediately left the room. He knew Charlotte Linlin's ambitions and plans well—he had to prepare quickly to secure his own position and power in the coming upheaval.

That's right! Upon learning that Kaido was gravely wounded, Big Mom's first thought wasn't to guard against the Marines.

Her first instinct was to annex some of the Beasts Pirates' territories to expand her own strength.

And most importantly, she had long had her eye on a few of Kaido's islands that produced special sweets.

For the sake of this "little selfish desire," she had no qualms about kicking the Beasts Pirates while they were down!

... ...

New World, East Blue.

Ben Beckman also learned of Kaido's defeat from the newspaper in his hands.

When he returned to the Red Force and saw his crew sprawled about, along with their captain, Shanks, still out cold, Ben Beckman addressed his men, who were busy drinking and playing cards, completely unaware of his return: "Everyone, sober up. I have something to announce."

With that, he walked to the deck and slapped the newspaper onto the table.

Shanks, still in a drunken stupor, was shoved over to the newspaper by his crewmates. Despite the sun being high in the sky, this party-loving Four Emperors was far from clear-headed thanks to his hangover.

"Hey, Captain, wake up and look at this! Kaido's been defeated!"

Shanks squinted sleepily at the newspaper, and as he read the contents, His eyes widened: "Beckman, this... this..."

"That's right! It's Luffy's brother!"

"Wow, that's incredible—how old is that kid?" Shanks said, looking unusually excited.

Beckman immediately slapped his own forehead, then said to Shanks, "Don't you think you should be worried about yourself?"

"Remember how you tricked little Luffy into becoming a pirate, and that got us chased by Garp all over the New World?"

Shanks looked confused. "What does that have to do with this?"

Beckman couldn't help himself and gave his captain a sharp rap on the head.

Then he spoke up. "That kid's strong enough to take down the Beasts Pirates. What do you think happens if someone like that comes after us?"

Shanks fell silent, starting to realize how serious the problem was.

He rubbed his head and muttered, "Looks like this is a bit of a sticky situation."

Just then, some crew members started heckling. "Looks like the captain's chickening out!"

"Yeah! Seems like he knows how terrifying Luffy's big brother really is!"

Shanks shot a glare at the heckling crew members, not wanting to show weakness at a time like this.

But that was just the atmosphere on his ship, so everyone else was only messing around anyway.