"Ha, interesting. The word 'Your Majesty' has actually become... a word you use to replace a swear word..."
So Kaido, just how unwilling are you to enjoy life after death?
Upon hearing Kaido's words, Gawain chuckled and teased, then continued speaking.
"Compared to you, isn't Rocks even worse off? He was probably stronger than you, but he couldn't see the afterlife like you."
If Rocks is too far off, then consider the Shiki.
He died less than half a year ago, and he too never had the chance to come here, to see the world unfold with eyes that should have been buried in the earth!
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain put his hands in his pockets and sneered.
"Kaido, now look me in the eyes and think carefully about this question."
Do you want to die again?
In your last death, you lost your nearly sixty-year-old body, your troublesome and foolish daughter, your dream of becoming the Pirate King, and your ambition to overthrow the World Nobles!
And with this death, do you know what you'll lose this time?
You should know, because you've already felt it and spoken it out!
Portal... Ha!
Portal!
You should know what kind of world that door leads to, you should know what you are meant to witness!
So tell me!
Are you sure you want to forgo this opportunity and instead send those souls to the next one like you?!
Gawain looked coldly at Kaido. In his eyes, Kaido frowned and responded coldly, but remained silent for a long time.
Seeing that Gawain's wait was getting longer and longer, Kaido finally let out a sigh and then let out a long sigh.
"You have won, Your Majesty!"
As he spoke, Kaido released his right hand and threw the spiked club to the ground.
Immediately afterwards, he clasped his fists together towards Gawain, but as if he felt that simply clasping his fists was not enough, he withdrew his right foot and knelt on one knee in front of Gawain.
He gently extended his right hand, but instead of placing it on his knee, he placed it on Gawain's shoulder.
Kaido patted Gawain's shoulder gently, grinned, and said...
"You've won completely, because no pirate can resist the temptation of the New World!"
For me, there were only two New World left: one was Laugh Tale, which only Roger had ever reached.
The other is Mary Geoise, where you Celestial Dragon reside.
As for the New World we're talking about, haha, it's a New World in the eyes of young people all over the world, and even more so in the eyes of countless rookie pirates.
But for someone like me, that once-anticipated New World is now just a backyard that we, the old folks, find utterly vexing!
As he spoke, Kaido's smile grew even brighter, his eyes gradually sparkling with excitement, and he became more and more excited as he spoke.
He remained kneeling, his excitement and longing evident as he continued speaking.
"And now, haha, even an old man like me has seen a truly New World!"
Portals... tsk tsk!
Although I don't know what kind of Devil Fruit this is, the portal that this Devil Fruit can lead to is something I'm really looking forward to!
If that portal is right here in our world, why must it require such a mysterious and difficult method to explore?
Given your status Celestial Dragon, even if this portal leads to Laugh Tale, you'd have a hundred ways to get there, wouldn't you?
So, haha, could it be that there's another ocean in the world, and on that ocean, there's another treasure trove worth setting sail for?
Or rather, as long as it's a new sea that no one has ever been to before, that sea itself is One Piece greater than Laugh Tale for every pirate!!!
After saying that, Kaido bowed his head slightly to Gawain, which could be considered a perfunctory greeting.
Then he excitedly stood up and patted his chest.
"Therefore, Your Majesty, let's cooperate."
Okay, I know, from your perspective, you might not like the word "cooperation".
How can those who can rule cooperate?
But in any case, please consider it a small favor to me.
Let us cooperate. I will give you my talents and abilities, and I will protect you with my soul on your journey to distant lands.
All I want is to see the ocean of a truly New World!
How?
"Let your soul reside in my body, and lead me to find my lost dream in the New World!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Kaido looked at Gawain nervously.
New World giant like him has already lived through far too many of life's wonders.
He was utterly powerless against the bait of the real New World!
Not just Kaido, but us too!
What if Gawain hadn't time-traveled, and instead suddenly had some legendary experiences in his dreams or in reality?
He personally witnessed certain pathways that could allow him to travel to New World!
Meanwhile, in the real world, Gawain is dead and no longer afraid of losing anything.
So what do you think, Gawain like that... living the kind of life we have?
Could we possibly give up the option of reaching New World?
That's what Gawain thought, or rather, even without Kaido's request, Gawain himself was full of anticipation for the new options that the portal offered.
But the reason he was that emperor was precisely because, while possessing the expectations and urgency that everyone else has, he was also able to think more rationally about his situation.
Gawain remained silent for a moment, then gently patted Kaido's hand that was on his shoulder.
"Get up, Kaido."
"No, I will never get up until you give me an answer!"
As Kaido spoke, he naturally stood up from the ground, and then he couldn't help but slap his own head.
Damn it, they don't even have a say in their own bodies anymore, that's absolutely disgusting!
However disgusting it may be, as long as he can see the New World, Kaido doesn't mind Gawain's slight manipulation of his actions.
Of course, this manipulation can't be too outrageous. If it is, then even if Kaido were to die again, he would still choose self-destruction!
As for which action would be too outrageous for Kaido?
Ahem, I can't say, I can't say, but it will definitely be even more difficult, making things even harder for Kaido's operations.
In short, after Kaido got up, he patted his leg unhappily.
While scolding his unruly legs, Kaido continued speaking.
"It's not like I just remembered; your words are like... like a Command Seal, I simply can't refuse."
I'll just try again, but you still have to give me an answer.
I'm already dead, you wouldn't lie to a dead person, would you?
And also, haha, I just suddenly remembered!
You're my son-in-law! I've entrusted that stupid girl, Yamato, to you!
That girl has big breasts and a big butt, she looks like she'd have a lot of children. She's a bit slow, but the slower she is, the less trouble she'll cause you. You have a hundred ways to mess with her!
So, haha, my good son-in-law!
Let's explore this New World together, my son-in-law and I!
Don't worry, feel free to use my power. I'll protect you!
Promise me, even if it's just to give me a definite answer?
At least don't leave this old man here waiting anxiously!!!
At this point, Kaido had resorted to even his last resort.
He even said things like "big breasts" and "big butt."
What can Gawain do against such a reckless and unruly Kaido?
He nodded slightly and spoke softly, his expression unchanged.
"Stop your nonsense, Kaido. You're one of the Four Emperors, after all. I preferred your previous arrogant self!"
As for the New World... Hmph!
Even without your plea, would I not be willing to plant my flag on more and newer lands?
In short, I was destined to explore the mysterious New World outside the door.
But not now! I have more important things to do right now!
After a moment of contemplation, Gawain laid out his subsequent plans, one by one.
"First of all, the matter of Wano Country is not over yet. Without your suppression, it is inevitable that some ambitious people who have survived the decades of your rule will emerge in that country."
Even if I'm not an ambitious person, there must be someone who wants to test my abilities.
I am well aware that there are still too many people in this country who hope I will be the next Roger, or the next Oden!
It's not surprising that they would think that way; this ocean has never lacked fools.
Someone like Roger Red-Haired Shanks already told the sea that not every powerful force can rule every place it defeats.
Therefore, Shimotsuki Yasuie is probably hoping that after I've dealt with the casualties and spoils, I'll give them a chance to restore Wano Country!
"Ha ha!"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Kaido burst out laughing, shaking his head as he did so.
"Whether it's Shimotsuki Yasuie or Kurozumi Orochi, they're all short-sighted frogs in a well."
They couldn't even have imagined my arrival. It's not surprising that a country that has been closed off from the world for eight hundred years would be so ignorant.
That said, while these guys were foolish, they were surprisingly quite capable.
It's probably related to Nika from back then, that legendary sun god from eight hundred years ago. He seems to have a close relationship with Wano Country, just like the Ryuo technique passed down within their country. Perhaps that sun god taught them a lot.
So much so that even though they closed themselves off from the world, one powerful figure after another always emerged from their country.
Back then, if Oden hadn't left Wano Country, and if Kurozumi Orochi hadn't colluded with me, it would have been a huge disaster.
"Then I really have no interest in tackling that tough Wano Country."
At this point, Kaido simple gestures.
"What's here in Wano Country? It's probably a place for advanced Armament Haki, and also a major source of Seastone."
But even without all of that, Linlin is still Linlin, Newgate is still Newgate, and I am still the same me!
External things are always just tools; you should understand this better than I do.
If Oden had stayed on that island, and if the various families on that island had been able to work together as one...
"This old man, busy competing with Whitebeard and Linlin, has no intention of wasting his strength on Wano Country."
"Yes..."
Gawain nodded, amused by Kaido's words.
"The reason why Wano Country has been able to maintain its independence for the past eight hundred years is precisely because they have continuously produced strong individuals."
Whether it was Ryuma, the former master of Shusui, or Kozuki Oden today.
With their existence, coupled with the national strength passed down by the elders of Wano Country, they are essentially a pirate crew on par with the Four Emperors.
This is precisely why they were able to go against the tide of the times and continue to maintain a policy of isolationism.
However, in Oden's generation, the strongest among them was slightly rebellious and resolutely left Wano Country.
This gave Kurozumi Orochi the opportunity, and you successfully slipped into the cracks of Wano Country.
Anyway, sigh.
The Oden incident perfectly illustrates that leaders never have the right to be capricious.
If an ordinary person acts recklessly, they will only lose their life.
But if leaders and kings are willful.
At best, it could result in rivers of blood; at worst, it could lead to the destruction of the nation and the ruin of families...
"Hey, Your Majesty's son-in-law, isn't this the time to be lamenting these things?"
You still haven't answered me. If now isn't the right time, then when would be?
I'm getting impatient. Such a big door, you really don't want to open it?
What, what else do you want to do?
"Do what?"
Gawain's gaze gradually drifted away, and he thoughtfully responded.
"Don't worry, apart from Wano Country, I will need a considerable amount of time to continue expanding my Sea Train."
At the same time, I need to establish a firm foothold and completely control the Grand Line.
I won't even station too many troops in Wano Country; for me, it's just a key mining area for Seastone materials."
As he spoke, Gawain raised his right hand and drew the Rokumei Kotetsu from his grasp.
"Forget it, those are things I need to consider. I'll wait until I announce a global ban on the Grand Line and single-handedly stop all the pirates who want to go to the New World."
Next, once my subordinates are familiar with my policies and can effectively control the Grand Line.
Then I'll be able to free up some time to explore that unknown New World with you.
Of course, in order to make better use of your power.
I need to become familiar with your moves and skills before I can do so!
After saying that, Gawain held his swords in both hands and pointed them at Kaido.
"Teacher Kaido, I hope you will not hesitate to give me your guidance!"
"Of course, I can't wait to teach you a lesson!"
However, we need to make this clear in advance.
Even if I beat you terribly, you still have to take me to the New World!!!
At this point, Gawain and Kaido stopped talking and looked at each other coldly.
Gawain raised his longsword and slashed horizontally, while Kaido slightly gathered his strength before Raimei Hakke!!!
Bang!!!
Even though Gawain had dodged it, the Raimei Hakke still inexplicably hit him in the face.
In the distance, Kaido watched Gawain fly backwards while excitedly raising his spiked club.
"Ha ha ha ha!!!
This young body is so useful! It's at least 30% faster than I was before I died!
Come, Your Majesty, let this old minister teach you how to control this old minister's body!
The first thing we need to learn is the Seimei Kikan, because, to put it bluntly, you're about to have a massive and unstoppable body, just like an old minister!
If you don't Seimei Kikan, hahaha, then you'll be stuck with this enormous body forever, and you can forget about ever having any fun with any woman other than the old woman's daughter and that giant Mermaid Princess!
Hahahahahaha!!!
Inside Gawain's bedroom on the Dark Bird Ship.
Teng!!!
Gawain suddenly woke up from the bed, then rolled over and covered his stomach!
"Damn, it really hurts, and I'm so hungry!"
Wait, I'm getting hungrier and hungrier! This craving comes from every single cell in my body, this uncontrollable hunger!!!
Someone come here!
No, it's too late!!!
As he spoke, Gawain suddenly jumped into the air and then wiggled his hips.
Suddenly realizing he hadn't transformed into a Gawain Azure Dragon, Gawain took a embarrassed breath and then appeared in the kitchen as lightning.
The soldiers on the Dark Bird Ship are on duty 24 hours a day, so even in the early hours of the morning, there are cooks to prepare midnight snacks for the soldiers on guard.
However, the soldiers probably won't get a midnight snack tonight.
The moment Gawain arrived, he grabbed the contents of a dozen or so plates, crumpled them into a ball, and shoved it into his mouth!
Crackle!
The surrounding chefs watched Gawain feast with trepidation!
Under their watchful eyes, Gawain's body visibly swelled up!