"Huff... huff... huff..."
After the dust settled, heavy breathing could be heard coming from beneath the large bell standing in the center of the battlefield.
Upon hearing the voice, Gawain, now back to his normal size, slowly approached the giant bell.
Meanwhile, in the distance...
Those who were fighting just moments ago all fell silent and looked in Gawain's direction without prior agreement.
Mihawk pondered for a moment, holding the knife in his hand, then gave a bored look and returned the Black Blade, Night, to its sheath.
Seeing Mihawk's actions, Shanks gave a wry smile.
"Hey, Mihawk, you really don't want to fight me for even a minute longer?"
That just ended, there's no need for us to stop so quickly, okay?
"I haven't even used my Divine Departure skill yet!"
"Oh..."
Mihawk shook his head dismissively at Shanks' words.
"There's nothing to be proud of in a fight between a fully-fledged swordsman and a one-handed swordsman, even if the latter wins."
Besides, wasn't this war started because of Gawain and Kaido?
Now that their relationship has ended, the war has come to an end.
For example...
At this point, Mihawk looked in the direction of the Big Mom from afar.
Under Mihawk's gaze, the Big Mom briefly showed a pained expression, then immediately waved her hand dismissively.
"Kaido... he actually lost. Perhaps this is just the damn fate!"
Now that Kaido has failed, we have no reason to fight on Onigashima!
At this point, the Big Mom brandished Napoleon fiercely.
Seeing the Big Mom's actions, her children all frowned and then prepared to break through the encirclement!
That's right. When Big Mom is rational, she can also maintain considerable wisdom. Her pirate crew also possesses the ability to read the room and act accordingly, as well as their own tactical hand signals.
The gesture the Big Mom just made signified that she was withdrawing from the battlefield!
There's nothing unreasonable about this, because for the Big Mom, Onigashima was never their territory.
They didn't come here to plunder, but to support Kaido. Kaido is clearly incapacitated now, so without Kaido, how can Big Mom and Red-Haired Shanks fight Gawain?
Besides, what was that Big Mom thinking at that moment?
She grieved over Kaido's departure while glaring resentfully at the Dark Bird Ship.
The key point is that she wasn't looking at Gawain's crew, but at Lucky Roux and Yasopp standing on the Dark Bird Ship!
Everyone knows that these two are Red-Haired Shanks' right-hand men, their tactical importance comparable to Gaban and Rayleigh's right-hand men on Roger's ship!
These two actually went to play on the Dark Bird Ship! Does anyone dare say Red-Haired Shanks didn't throw the match?
Without Kaido as her ally, Big Mom feels dangerous every second she stays here!
If she were still acting crazy, that would be one thing, but she's already gone crazy enough. Now that her intelligence has regained its dominance, when else would she leave if not now?
Just because Big Mom and Kaido died together on Onigashima in the original storyline doesn't mean that Big Mom would choose to die alongside Kaido now.
First of all, her future death wasn't her choice, but rather a choice made by her insane self.
Secondly, the two young men who fought the Big Mom – insects, trash!
But now they're fighting with the Big Mom...
First, it was Celestial Dragon, then a well-known mid-generation leading officer and Admiral candidate in the Navy.
Being consumed by these two people separately doesn't make the Big Mom feel particularly ashamed; in fact, it's less shameful than the betrayal of Zeus and Prometheus.
In short, at this moment, the Big Mom was able to let go, she really could let go.
The Big Mom isn't stupid; she wouldn't go crazy to the very end most of the time. If she had always been that crazy, she should have fought Red-Haired Shanks to the death in the first place, until Red-Haired Shanks beat her to death!
In short, after calling out to her children, the Big Mom immediately suppressed her sadness and resentment, and turned to look at Jin, who was being held captive in the distance.
After exchanging his injuries for the arrival of the Red-Haired Pirates, King quickly became completely exhausted and was easily carried back to the Dark Bird Ship by Kuma, where he was sent to keep Queen company, who was also tied to the ship's side.
Of the three All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates, only Jack has escaped unscathed. Seeing Kaido trapped under the giant bell and struggling to breathe, Jack is about to explode!
"Boss!!!"
With a roar, Jack used his four strong legs to desperately try to break free from Ace's encirclement of flames.
Logically speaking, he should have had a chance to make a comeback.
Ace's individual strength was at best at the level of an ordinary Shichibukai, not much different from Jack's.
However, with Ace 'Prometheus help, the situation reversed dramatically, and Ace was practically dominating Jack.
As a result, Jack didn't even have the ability to break through to a distant place to take care of his older brother!
In the distance, beneath the giant bell.
Seemingly having heard Jack's voice, Kaido's breathing paused slightly; he appeared to be gathering his strength.
Or perhaps, he seemed to be using all his strength to do something.
But the pause lasted only a few seconds before Kaido's breathing resumed.
This time, his breathing was even heavier!
Amidst these breathing sounds, Gawain slowly approached the giant metal bell.
With a gentle touch, Gawain's mind stirred, and the towering bell instantly surged into a turbulent sea of metal.
In the blink of an eye, the metal clock flowed through the air to Gawain's head, then swirled into a long metal river.
At the same time, Gawain finally saw what Kaido looked like.
At this moment, Kaido was lying on the ground in a starfish position, just like he does in the manga.
The only difference this time was that he didn't say anything to Luffy like he did in the manga.
He truly pushed himself to the limit, and those who reach their limit really don't have the strength to speak.
We can almost conclude that since they still have the energy to talk, they haven't reached their limit yet!
Right?
With that thought in mind, Gawain walked forward with a sullen face.
Despite his slow walking speed, he covered nearly two kilometers in just a few steps and appeared next to Kaido in the central area.
He met Kaido's gaze, which, though weary, remained indignant and fearless.
Gawain gently raised his hand and placed it on Kaido's neck!
In his palm, Kaido's pulse throbbed violently, yet was actually remarkably weak, causing Gawain to hesitate.
At this very moment, if he exerted just a little force, Kaido's life would end right here!
According to the previous plan, it would be better if Kaido died!
Because Kaido doesn't seem like someone who can be subdued!
Or rather, Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard, these three Emperors of the Sea, have been emperors for so long that their thoughts and Conqueror's Haki have been elevated to a higher level, making it impossible for them to become subordinates of others.
Therefore, Gawain should follow the plan and use Kaido's life to lay the political foundation for his side's impending blockade of the Grand Line!
With the prestige of killing Four Emperors), many things will face less resistance, won't they?
But looking at Kaido at this moment, Gawain found it hard to bring himself to attack!
It wasn't that Gawain had a change of heart. Gawain may have enough compassion and benevolence, but he wasn't a soft-hearted woman who would be reluctant to kill a character just because he liked him.
The key to the problem is...
At this moment, Gawain truly coveted Kaido's talent!
That's right!
It's all about talent!
Although Gawain has acquired a great deal of talent from his subordinates, he has to admit that among them, there is actually no one with physical talent like Big Mom and Kaido!
On this vast ocean, Big Mom and Kaido possess almost the most outstanding physical talents.
No, not almost.
They are the absolute best!
One is a demon child who is famous Four Blues at the age of ten and is impossible to kill no matter how hard you try.
One of them was Iron Balloon that demolished a giant village while it was asleep, a feat that even veteran giants couldn't stop!
If it were possible, Gawain would desperately want to possess the physical gifts of those two!
Looking at Kaido lying on the ground, clearly exhausted and seriously injured, on the verge of dying at any moment.
Gawain began to ponder this in his mind.
What could he possibly do to subdue, or at least barely manage to subdue, this terrifying giant?
Forget about talking; Kaido isn't one to be swayed by words. Young people might listen to that, but how many older people can be persuaded by a young person?
Kaido is getting old after all; he's what people call an old fogey, isn't he?
So, putting aside the verbal sparring, does Gawain really have anything to offer in terms of authority over Kaido?
Thinking this, Gawain sighed softly, then simply sat down cross-legged, even leaning his back against Kaido's arm.
After sitting down next to Kaido, Gawain patted Kaido's arm and laughed.
"There's no need to insist anymore, Kaido."
Even if you were going to die, you wouldn't die at this moment.
After all, even you gave Oden a chance to be executed.
Therefore, I don't necessarily have to kill you on the battlefield.
You deserve to die at the execution ground!
After saying that, Gawain patted Kaido's arm again.
Kaido remained motionless, revealing a defiant look in his eyes, before collapsing completely unconscious.
He really couldn't hold on any longer. The only reason he kept his eyes open was because he wanted to witness the moment he was killed.
He just wanted to prove that even in death, Kaido had never been afraid!
Even Oden could be cooked to death laughing in a frying pan!
Could Kaido man of such stature, be any worse than Oden?
How is that possible?!
Meanwhile, he looked at Kaido, who had fallen unconscious.
A thought suddenly occurred to Gawain.
Making Kaido one's vassal seems rather unlikely.
But if it's just a matter of barely managing to win over Kaido, making him respect him, and finding a way to establish a relationship sufficient to replicate his talent...
Perhaps there really is a way!
In the distance, witnessing Kaido's final moments of unconsciousness, Big Mom decisively repelled Gion and then withdrew from the battlefield.
Meanwhile, his children, without prior arrangement, abandoned their opponents and rushed towards the Big Mom.
Meanwhile, Big Mom Pirates's various opponents tacitly gave Big Mom the opportunity to retreat.
Gawain Gawain's plan requires a sea that is somewhat stable amidst the chaos to sustain it.
However, that plan was almost impossible to implement on a completely stable sea.
Therefore, even Zephyr, who hated pirates the most, had no urge to keep Big Mom Pirates alive.
Gawain also needs pirates with sufficient power to restrain the World Government.
Otherwise, without pirates causing trouble, the World Government might start to see Gawain, this rising star, as an enemy.
Even if the World Government and the Five Elders don't think that way, all countries in the world won't agree!
Although those kings had to pay large sums of Heavenly Tribute every year to deal with pirates, and they even complained about it every year.
But in reality, those kings knew very well that only by relying on pirates to distract the World Government could they prevent the World Government from making them their primary targets.
If it weren't for this, do you think the pirate soldiers the World Government sent out to harass various countries would have so easily become complete and utter pirates?
Back then, it was all thanks to the secret efforts of various countries around the world!
If pirates disappear, countries around the world will inevitably try every means to establish another force that can cause trouble for the World Government.
That force could be the Revolutionary Army, or it could be Gawain!
If Gawain, this reformer, ultimately doesn't become an enemy of the World Government, then all the countries in the world will do everything they can to make Gawain that enemy!
Therefore, neither the countries around the world nor Gawain wanted pirates to disappear completely at this moment.
Of course, this does not mean that Gawain and the World Government have sided with the Sky People's greatest adversaries, the various nations of the world.
Instead, as a reformer, Gawain had to seize every opportunity to find a space to survive.
What he needs to do now is to use weaker pirates to distract the World Government, and then use the political space created to attack the various countries within the Grand Line, while not being overly affected by the weakened pirate forces.
See? In essence, it's a win-win-win situation!
In short, seeing the Big Mom leave the battlefield, Shanks shook his head in disappointment.
In recent years, Shanks' Observation Haki has advanced by leaps and bounds, and he has already come a long way in Future Sight.
Perhaps it's because losing an arm puts him at a physical disadvantage.
Shanks, on the contrary, developed an even more resolute spirit due to his physical defects, and as his strength continued to improve, he actually really wanted to have a good fight with Mihawk.
Unfortunately, both Gawain and Kaido have met their end.
The Big Mom also left Onigashima with her children.
If you're left with only one regiment, what the hell are you going to do to play ball?
Didn't you see that Lucky Roux and Yasopp have already started drinking?
With a wry smile, Shanks recalled Gryphon and laughed.
"What bad luck, haha, I thought I could have a good time today."
And another thing, you guys are really annoying!
You guys didn't give me any face at all.
After saying that, Shanks raised his only remaining right hand, and his men immediately separated themselves completely from the crew of the Dark Bird Ship.
After exhaling a smoke ring, Beckman spoke to Rayleigh, who was slightly out of breath.
"As expected of Grandpa Rayleigh, even at your age, your strength is still astonishing!"
"Oh, don't even mention it!"
Listening to Beckman's words, Rayleigh sheathed his sword and gently shook his head.
"All I have left is strength and experience; I'm getting old."
Can't you see my breathing has become heavier? If we fight any longer, I'm afraid I'll lose to you.
"These young people are truly formidable!"
After saying that, Rayleigh pretended to rub his lower back and gave Beckman a thumbs up.
Watching Rayleigh's demeanor, Beckman took a deep drag on his cigar and then shook his head.
"Old man, you should say this to those poor people who died at your hands, or who will die at your hands in the future."
The talk about me getting old, or the compliments about me being close to winning, were all just jokes.
Until the very end, who knows what you're really hiding? Against me, you're just warming up!
However, there's one thing I'm pretty sure of: even if you take it all the time, you'll still lose to me!
After all, just like you, I was only warming up a little, haha!!!
Amidst laughter, Beckman holstered his pistol, then spread his arms wide and roared.
"Guys, our captain's influence is completely useless. We almost got a good beating from the Dark Bird Ship!"
What do you think we should do?
Since we're a bit outmatched by those bastards from the Dark Bird Ship, shouldn't we hurry up and teach that shameless captain a lesson? How dare he say something like that just because of him?
So tonight we absolutely have to get Shanks completely drunk and make him throw up everywhere!
Ha ha!!!"