Target

"Captain Kaido, what did you need me for?"

Ra had been preparing lunch when she received King's notice. She set down the half-fried steak and headed straight to the council hall.

"Just you? Where are the other two brats?"

Kaido sat in the chair at the head of the room. A huge barrel of liquor stood before him, with a detailed sea chart spread across it.

Burufatt had arrived long ago and was currently staring intently at the chart.

"I looked around but didn't see either of them, so I had Deke go find them. They should be here soon," King answered as he entered with Ra.

"Forget it. I'll start first."

Kaido rose and walked over to the chart. Ra stepped forward as well, but she was too short and had to drag over a wooden crate to stand on.

"You should have heard already. We're joining forces with Shiki and Linlin to seize the treasure on Hachinosu Island."

"The time and place for the rendezvous have been decided. It'll be in the Totland Sea five days from now."

As he spoke, Kaido pointed at an island on the chart. "This island, located in Linlin's territory, will be our gathering point."

Everyone lowered their heads to look and found that the island lay at the outermost edge of the Totland Sea, neither too close nor too far from Hachinosu Island. There were no other islands nearby, either.

"Indeed. Meeting here will make it harder for John's group to notice us, while also letting us avoid most of the small islands around Hachinosu. If we're lucky, we might even be able to charge straight onto Hachinosu itself," Burufatt said, clearly pleased with the meeting point.

"So how much strength do the other two sides plan to send? And how many people are you bringing, Captain Kaido?"

After carefully studying the islands and currents marked on the chart and finding no problems, Ra asked about the specifics of the alliance.

"I plan to take everyone from the base, leaving only the logistics crew behind. As for the other two islands, not a single person will remain."

"That's a bit reckless." Ra raised an eyebrow, unable to understand Kaido's decision.

"If we take that many people, all three of our bases will be practically defenseless. If the enemy launches a surprise attack, we'll lose all our territory."

"We can't put everything on the line like that. We should leave behind at least a basic armed force."

"I agree with Ra. Boss Kaido, this is far too risky," Burufatt said, also finding Kaido's plan dangerous.

King said nothing from the side. He trusted Kaido's decision.

"That's true. In the past, I would've left behind at least a third of our fighters, along with either you or King."

"But this time is different. The Beasts have gained new fighting power."

Kaido turned his gaze toward Ra and said sternly, "Ra, you'll guard this island by yourself. No problem, right?"

Only then did Ra understand that Kaido had never intended to take her along.

"So that was your plan? I understand. If it's only the island beneath our feet, I can handle it alone."

"Boss Kaido, this..."

"Don't worry, Burufatt. With her strength, guarding one island won't be a problem."

"As for the other two islands, it doesn't matter if we lose them. They have neither resources nor any important location."

Kaido's eyes were filled with determination and greed, like a gambler who knew he would win his next hand and had wagered everything he owned.

"Once I tear a huge chunk of flesh off John, we'll move to a new base. Wororororo~"

In the years after the Rocks Pirates disbanded, Kaido had actually spent much of his time lost and directionless.

While the other remnants of Rocks pursued people and territory with clear goals in mind, he had drifted through life, playing hide-and-seek with the Marines like he had when he first went to sea.

That continued until he met King on Punk Hazard, when Kaido gradually found his direction again.

So, more than a year ago, Kaido formed his own Beasts Pirates and became its captain.

But by then, the New World's cake had already been mostly divided up. He could only seize scraps of unwanted territory from weaker forces.

That was why, despite Kaido's overwhelming strength, he possessed only three pitiful little islands.

The locations and resources of those islands were also far inferior to the territories controlled by his so-called predecessors.

Now, having gradually grown stronger by living off those scraps, Kaido had finally set his sights on truly fat prey.

The Beasts were ready to devour people.

Ra understood the meaning behind Kaido's words as well.

"Are you taking so many people because you intend to seize territory, Captain?"

"That's right. Our current territory lies close to the Calm Belt. There are no useful shipping routes nearby, and the location is far too remote."

"If we remain here, the Beasts can only ever be a second-rate force in the New World."

"So we have to fight our way out!"

"And bringing everyone isn't just for seizing territory. It's also to guard against others. John isn't our only opponent this time."

As he said that, a vicious glint flashed through Kaido's eyes.

"I understand. There are also Silver Axe and Ochoku! This is the perfect chance to test their strength." Burufatt cracked his knuckles, looking ready for a major fight.

"Those two aren't worth worrying about. I'm talking about Shiki and Linlin!" Kaido dropped a bombshell.

"Huh? Golden Lion and BIG MOM?! Aren't they our allies?"

"Heh. Of course they're our allies, but do you know why Shiki only said the alliance had been formed, without saying when it would end?"

Kaido stared sharply at a strangely shaped island on the chart. "Because all three of us know perfectly well that this so-called alliance will only last until the moment we attack Hachinosu Island."

"The trust between us will never last until we peacefully divide the treasure."

There was no trust between pirates. Betrayal was the true color of people like them. It was common knowledge among every member of the Rocks Pirates.

This so-called alliance was nothing more than a means to keep the prey from escaping.

When fangs pierced flesh and blood flowed into their mouths, allies became enemies standing in the way of claiming the prey alone.

Even Rocks, whose power had once shaken the seas, could only keep his captain's orders in effect until the pirate ship reached God Valley.

Once they landed on the island, no one saw companions or a captain anymore.

"When the time comes, Burufatt, lead half the ships to wait outside the waters around Fenrir Island. King and I will join up with Shiki's group afterward."

"Once John's side falls into a disadvantage and starts recalling the officers stationed elsewhere, you'll seize Fenrir Island and the surrounding islands as quickly as possible."

Kaido drew a circle on the chart. Inside it lay his true objective for this operation—the Snow Wolf Island, Fenrir.