Grand Line, Sabaody.
As war erupted and smoke filled the seas, the Sabaody Archipelago, once a gathering place for pirates, instead became one of the safest regions.
As the gateway port leading in and out of the Holy Land, Sabaody was under the Marines' tightest defenses. Not even a fly could pass through the Holy Land's harbor, making it a core hub contested by both sides.
At that moment, deep within a room at an inn, Oric's expression was ice-cold as he clenched his fists.
"So Wano Country is gone?"
To infiltrate Sabaody, Oric had spent tremendous time and effort. Only today had he finally found a chance to hear the report.
Yet this blow left his head spinning.
More precisely, our influence in Wano Country is gone. Wano Country itself still remains... The subordinate did not dare explain and merely nodded tremblingly.
"Y-Yes."
"It all happened too quickly. That monster Azure Dragon launched a lightning campaign, and we had no chance to fight back. Restricted by Wano Country's dangerous seas, fewer than... one-tenth of our comrades managed to escape."
"Useless!"
Oric sprang to his feet in fury and seized the man by the collar.
"Where is Kurozumi Orochi? What the hell was he doing?!"
The subordinate trembled beneath that horrifying pressure, his face twisted miserably. "G-General Kurozumi fought Azure Dragon, but he was no match for him. Whether he is dead or alive... is currently unknown."
But the chances of survival were slim.
Otherwise, given how much Kurozumi Orochi valued Wano Country, how could he possibly have allowed Azure Dragon to run wild and overturn their stronghold?
"..."
Oric fell silent at those words. Naturally, he could imagine what had happened.
Letting go, he returned to his chair and asked wearily, "Where is Kaido? Where is he now?"
Kaido