The string of commotions Sand Crocodile caused on Hachinosu was a story for another time.
On the Navy's side, Third Raikage ordered his adjutant to prepare for Kaido of the Beasts' attack. In private, he also told Kizaru that he had seized the payment Kaido had sent to the East Blue, along with Mifune's Seastone.
Kizaru wasn't surprised by this turn of events. When he arranged for Third Raikage and the others to join the Navy, he had already accounted for the possibility that his own people might accidentally hurt one another.
Over the Den Den Mushi, Kizaru took special care to remind Third Raikage that keeping his cover intact had to take priority in all their actions.
As for Mifune's Seastone, it was certainly valuable, but nowhere near as valuable as having Third Raikage serve as a Navy Admiral.
Of course, Kaido had watched Third Raikage's son compete against Nagato in the East Blue. Since the father and son shared similar fighting styles, Kaido might grow suspicious. Kizaru had made plans to deal with that, too.
Three days after Kizaru met with Sand Crocodile, a slightly drunk man stood atop Soaring Cloud high above the Marine Base, where no one could spot him. He surveyed the base below as if he were standing on solid ground.
The man was Kaido, and his purpose was simple: to take back the Seastone Mifune had prepared to deliver to the East Blue.
Kaido took a hearty swig from his gourd, then prepared to put on an aerial performance. He was going to leap off Soaring Cloud and crash into the Marine Base below.
But just as he was about to do so, a somewhat familiar voice rang in his ears.
"I've finally been waiting for you, Brother Kaido." Kizaru's unmistakable voice rang