"Kaido... he's dead!!!"
Inside the Marine Headquarters, Sengoku couldn't help but widen his eyes even further.
Below him, Sakazuki seemed to suffocate for a moment, his face turning red!
Immediately afterwards, he let out a long breath and couldn't help but pat his thigh.
"That was a clean and decisive cut!!!"
"It's not just about being decisive and efficient!"
Beside him, Kuzan narrowed his eyes approvingly and then commented.
"We both know Kaido's body very well. Without a considerable amount of Ryuo and Conqueror's Haki's Haki, ordinary weapons simply cannot harm him."
Didn't that boring guy also frequently appear on islands we couldn't reach, maliciously lose to the local navy, and then get taken to the Execution Platform?
As a result, even if he allowed the weaker executioners to treat him arbitrarily, he would hardly suffer any harm!
Therefore, Gawain's single strike has actually shown all the monsters in the world his power!
That's terrifying power that's practically monstrous!
At this point, Kuzan looked at Gawain with increasing admiration, truly worthy of being the light he had found in the darkness.
This light has grown to such a state in just one year. Just considering the Armament Haki Ryuo and Conqueror's Haki, it's already at a level that only monsters can reach!
In the next ten years, or perhaps twenty!
I truly look forward to seeing someone like him, whose potential has been proven limitless and who embodies the spirit of benevolent rule, continue to lead the Navy, making it truly worthy of the title of "Justice"!!!
Meanwhile, on the Moby Dick, at the same time Kuzan pondering these thoughts...
As Kaido's head fell to the ground, the members of the Whitebeard Pirates fell silent.
Although they had fought the Beasts Pirates more than once, the hatred between them was not light.
Regardless, witnessing the death of a legendary pirate inevitably evokes feelings of sympathy and sorrow, like the saying "when the rabbit dies, the fox grieves."
In the ensuing silence, the Whitebeard leisurely raised his wine glass.
"Today, let this old man have a good drink."
Although it's been less than ten days since our last drinking spree, let's just say I'll indulge myself one more time.
After all, I had already drunk with that guy Gawain just ten days ago.
But I... I haven't had a Kaido in a long time...
Before Marco could say anything, Whitebeard had already downed a whole jug of sake.
He didn't finish the glass; instead, he drank half of it and then held the glass in his hand.
Whitebeard gently poured the remaining wine onto the ground and let out a long sigh.
"Everyone dies one day, but death is just a shortcut to new adventures!"
Haha, Kaido clearly much younger than me.
But he, being lazy, embarked on a new adventure even earlier than I did!
After saying this, Whitebeard laughed heartily, then stood up and returned to the captain's cabin with his IV drip.
Behind him, Marco, watching him, couldn't help but shake his head.
Although Pops tried to sound as grand as possible.
But...
This time, Pops's laugh wasn't the usual hearty grin.
Meanwhile, on Whole Cake Island.
Just as Kaido died, Big Mom suddenly threw a plate of cake, which smashed the Den Den Mushi (a type of Den Den Mushi) that was playing the call, killing it instantly.
Around her, the Big Mom's children watched Big Mom with worry, terrified that Big Mom might have gone on another bout of madness.
Their battle with the Dark Bird Ship had just ended, and everyone was seriously injured. If their mother were to lose her temper now, they simply couldn't handle the consequences...
Surprisingly, despite being very angry, the Big Mom showed no signs of going crazy.
In fact, her eyes now seemed even more clear-headed and wiser than they usually were.
However, her wise eyes now are filled with nostalgia for the past.
While feeling sad, she spoke slowly to her children.
"Ah, so much time has passed, so much so that Mom has almost forgotten what happened back then."
At that time, Katakuri, you were less than a year old.
On Captain Rocks' ship, despite her high-ranking position as captain, Mother still faced considerable pressure.
Captain Rocks himself has a soft spot for Newgate and even wants him to inherit the future of the pirate crew.
As for Shiki, although Captain Rocks disliked his ruthlessness, he was clearly the one more like a captain.
John, Ochoku —there's no one easy to mess with on board; every captain is a force to be reckoned with.
Back then, you were all still little kids, unable to help your mother.
Newgate was a solitary individual; such a kind and generous man couldn't possibly fit in with John and his friends.
Although my mother didn't have any addictions back then, she didn't like men but loved children, so she had long been known as a widow, famous for killing her husband.
John and Ochoku looked down on my mother's identity as a woman.
Newgate was fairly good to me, but he ultimately didn't appreciate my mother's hobbies, and as a result, he gradually drifted apart from her.
On that ship, I, as a mother, felt like I was walking on thin ice; it was incredibly difficult.
Finally, ha, who would have thought that a mere fourteen-year-old brat could become my right-hand man?
At this point, a slight blush appeared on the Big Mom's obese face.
With a kind and warm smile, she continued speaking.
"Back then, ha, Mom and Ochoku went to the entrance of the New World to welcome the newlyweds."
There were no Supernova in that era. All pirates were like breeding grounds for poisonous insects. Once they entered the New World, they only had two choices left.
Either you die on the first step into the New World.
Alternatively, Rocks Pirates.
There's also the question of whether someone is a good match or not; not everyone deserves our courtship and acceptance.
In short, aside from the occasional time when Roger is also in and out of the New World, there's a chance he might rescue some pirates from us.
No other pirate could escape Rocks's selection.
It was in this environment that Mom first met Kaido, that interesting yet terrifying child.
He wasn't a pure pirate; his mother knew that the moment she saw him.
His eyes weren't evil; instead, they revealed a kind of innocent foolishness.
He was also like an abandoned puppy; he seemed lost and couldn't find anyone who needed him.
Mom remembered that look in his eyes, and she couldn't forget it for a very long time. It was because of this that when John was about to kill Kaido, who was determined to fight to the death, Mom kept him here.
Although Kaido was just a child, his talent was beyond imagination. At only a teenager, he was able to fight his mother, who was still at the peak of her physical strength, for several minutes.
In short, the mother took the child in and recommended him to Captain Rocks.
That's why Kaido is always closer to me, his mother, when he's on the ship.
However, Mom did do something wrong.
As the seas become increasingly dangerous, the internal struggles within the Rocks Pirates intensify.
Mom, I really can't help but hope that Kaido can become stronger as soon as possible, so that he can become a new force that is closer to you and can be your ally.
Therefore, his mother found a Devil Fruit with a very powerful-sounding name and gave it to Kaido.
The Mythical Zoan Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon, is even rarer than the Logia Devil Fruit.
I thought that if I gave this Devil Fruit to Kaido would immediately become powerful.
Unexpectedly, the Devil Fruit had a drawback: age!
When Kaido the Devil Fruit, he wasn't even an adult yet; therefore, the Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon classifies him as an immature dragon...
Kaido's mother wanted Kaido to grow stronger quickly, but his immature Azure Dragon Form made his Devil Fruit ability a joke.
Not only do they lack any fighting ability, but they also have the weakness of being afraid of water. As a result, Kaido and I have fallen out of the main force in the battle for treasure.
Because of this, Mom still feels quite guilty, but Kaido, that kid... well...
He would always drink like an adult while saying things to his mother, hoping she would be more open-minded and happier.
Big sister, tsk tsk, that guy Kaido, he always called me that back then.
Looking back now, it all feels so nostalgic. Although sometimes I feel like killing him, I really miss it.
That stubborn child who stood before me back then...
That child who was clearly burdened by my decision, yet turned around and felt guilty towards me...
That kid who always stood behind me, who helped me just once and then kept helping me until the pirate crew disbanded, and after I and his Grand Fleet had a bloody battle, he finally decided to spar with my mother...
And then there's that stubborn child... so stubborn that even on the verge of death, he still wouldn't ask me for help, not wanting to lose face in front of me...
He just died like that...
At this point, the Big Mom's sigh lingered in the ears of each of her children, causing them to show sad expressions one after another.
In this atmosphere, Mom slowly got up, then turned and left.
As she walked, she said this as a final remark.
"Today, I don't want to eat any more sweets. I just want to... rest."
Let me get a good night's sleep. Don't worry about my addiction; I definitely won't get addicted today or tomorrow.
As for why, well...
Perhaps my heart is already filled with sorrow, and a heart that is no longer empty should not be deceived or misled by so-called happy foods.
Mom, it's been so long since I've remembered what happiness feels like.
Especially today, even sweets that bring happiness can't help me...
Ha..."
With a final sigh, the Big Mom walked further and further away until she disappeared completely from the house.
Meanwhile, in the distant Wano Country, Gawain also sheathed his sword.
He stared at Kaido's head, lost in thought for a long time.
Then he shook his head and spoke softly.
"If I ever fail in the future, may I die as easily and gloriously as you."
The sea breeze may be unwilling to bear the guilt, but it probably wouldn't mind carrying someone who spends their whole life traveling.
So, Kaido, may the sea breeze carry you to the world of the dead...
After speaking, Gawain pursed his lips, then looked around at the people again.
Before they knew it, more and more people raised their hands, cheering and cheering with all their might!
Amidst the increasingly unified cheers, Gawain seemed to see countless hopes shattered.
It wasn't just hope, because right there at that moment, Execution Platform.
Shiryu and Issho are together, capturing everyone who plans to storm the execution ground to save Kaido!
Denjiro is dead, and his death is not unexpected. Gawain had long known that he was insane and had also investigated all of his plans.
Denjiro might be disappointed, disappointed that he hadn't brought Oden's prophecy back on track.
But to be killed by a sword strike he had nearly used his full strength was his glory.
With that thought in mind, Gawain placed his hand on the scabbard, then bent down and picked up Kaido's head.
As he lifted Kaido's enormous head high, the cheers from the audience grew even louder. Just as the fervor reached its peak, Gawain lowered Kaido's head, silently transforming into lightning and disappearing without a trace.
Meanwhile, aboard the Dark Bird Ship.
Grandpa Rayleigh grinned and casually tossed a bottle of wine onto the ground.
Snap!
As the sound of a bottle shattering filled the air, Rayleigh slowly spoke, a smile playing on his lips.
"Oden..."
Although I've never really liked you.
After all, if I were in your shoes, I would never abandon the captain who took me out to sea, would I?
Since you've chosen someone worthy of respect, why feel you can respect someone else even more?
Forget it, let's not talk about that anymore. What mood-killing things I said to you today!
Rayleigh tilted his head back, closed his eyes, and brought the flask to his lips, following the angle of the sunlight.
He downed the drink in one gulp, casually tossed the flask into the distance, Rayleigh around, and smiled slightly at Gawain, who had just stopped behind him.
"Captain..."
He said.
"Oden's revenge has finally been fulfilled, and I can say that I have completed one of my wishes before I die."
This is incredibly rare, isn't it? So, considering how rare this is, and how much more at ease I feel...
Please try your best not to let too much unease creep into my dreams, as I have already let go of my worries.
After saying that, Rayleigh sighed softly, while Gawain nodded and smiled.
"Rest assured, even without your special care, the executioner's blade should not have fallen on this land that has suffered such heavy losses."
Gawain raised his hand and pointed into the distance. At that moment, countless civilians of Wano Country were weeping.
Looking at those who were joyfully weeping over Kaido's death, Gawain gently tapped his finger.
"Unlike in the past, they now know how to be grateful."
Of course, only by losing too much can one understand those things, and fortunately, they have already lost enough.
As for Oden... he can be mentioned, but not remembered. You should understand that it's better for them to forget painfully than for them to be unable to forget him for a long time, which could lead to more bitter consequences in the future.
And Denjiro and the so-called samurai who died at this moment.
They are precisely the ones who can't forget Oden!
After saying that, Gawain nodded and then returned to his room.
He felt a great deal of relief and acceptance, but also a little regret.
Kaido, the one who possesses the most outstanding and purest physical talent on the sea.
Looking at the entire world of Pirate King.
Who else can rival him and Big Mom, fighting against Shichibukai -level fighters with their bare bodies without any Haki, physical skills, or Devil Fruit?
Unfortunately, true kings always die in defeat.
Those who choose to live a life of ignominy may be ruthless heroes, or they may be kings who have not yet become kings.
But that was definitely not the true king...
With such regret in his heart, Gawain dealt with the remaining official business and then drifted off to sleep.
He went to bed early tonight, probably because regret had dampened his spirits, leaving him feeling unsatisfied no matter what he did.
Who would have thought that it would be such a night, with the mood still lingering?
The moment Gawain fell asleep, he opened his eyes again!
It's still that ancient Xianyang Palace.
It was still that desolate hall.
It's still that illusion... a minister who, though surrounded by countless figures, should be as quiet as a grave.
But why say "should"?
Because at this very moment, an enormous figure was sitting there, brandishing his spiked club and roaring!
"The afterlife really exists! That's amazing! My adventure isn't over yet!"
But...
Damn it!
Damn it!
Why are those damned bastards still surrounding me in the world of the dead?
Is it because I died at their hands?!