Wano Country

"Calm down, Newgate."

Rayleigh strode forward and pressed a hand against Whitebeard's body. Harald, standing beside him, also raised his weapon, utterly vigilant.

"Pops!"

The children's cries reached his ears again, along with several faint sobs. In the end, Whitebeard still restrained his fury, and the tremors in the deep sea began to fade.

"Kid."

Whitebeard looked at Mobius, his eyes filled with gloom.

"Tell me everything you know. Every last bit of it!"

"In return, I can destroy any place for you, even Navy Headquarters."

From beginning to end, Whitebeard cared about his family, and Kozuki Oden was a brother he had acknowledged.

That brother might have been foolish, but their adventures at sea back then had not been fake.

Mobius had deliberately revealed this information. First, for Wano Country's resources; second, for Wano Country's vast number of Devil Fruits; and third, to raise his standing in the eyes of Whitebeard, Rayleigh, and the others.

Of course, he also wanted to get back at Kaido. That guy's attempt at recruitment had been genuine, and so had his intent to kill.

Since they were bound to become enemies in the future, Mobius would make plans early.

"Of course." Mobius began with Kaido being invited to Wano Country, conspiring with the Kurozumi Clan to seize Wano Country together, then moved on to Kozuki Oden dancing naked, his resistance, and finally his defeat under the restraint of overwhelming hostages, ending with him being boiled to death in a cauldron of oil.

His account was neither particularly specific nor detailed, but he said everything that needed to be said.

Whitebeard's face darkened after hearing it. Why had Oden not come to him? Even the current Kaido was nothing worth mentioning to him!

Behind him, the children led by Marco had all been raised watching Oden. They had once admired him greatly, and upon hearing of Oden's tragic death, they began shouting in outrage.

"Despicable Kaido and the Kurozumi!"

"We have to avenge Brother Oden!"

"Pops, let's go to Wano Country!"

Many veteran members of the Whitebeard Pirates cried out. They had all been close to Oden.

Some members who had joined after Oden's time were somewhat confused, but swept up by their brothers' shouts, they also yelled out and wanted to fight alongside them.

Rayleigh's expression was complicated. He gave a bitter smile. "Wano Country seemed off even back then. After the Roger Pirates disbanded, Oden said he wanted to return. Gaban and I could tell there were enemies there and wanted to help him deal with them, but that stubborn fool refused."

"If I'd known it would turn out like this, I should have brought Gaban and the others and forced our way into Wano Country."

Another silence fell after those words.

With the backing of two top-tier pirate crews, he had insisted on fighting alone and ultimately died miserably. Why did Oden suddenly seem mentally unstable?

Shakky shook her head. She knew Oden too. By a woman's intuition, she knew he was a little foolish, but she had not expected him to be this foolish.

"Little Mobius, it's quite strange for you to suddenly bring up Oden, isn't it?"

Shakky gave Mobius a pointed reminder. She did not want to see her friends and lover used as blades.

"Oh, because Wano Country is a treasure land. It was once called the Gold Country because of its abundant gold production. Now it also produces Seastone, and the island has countless swordsmiths, with renowned blades emerging one after another."

"A treasure land like that is in Kaido's hands? That's letting him off too easily. We happen to be forming a merchant convoy now, and we have old grudges as well, so naturally we should settle the score."

Mobius was extremely frank. He had found a good place, one that belonged to an old friend and housed an enemy. What was wrong with taking it for himself?

After hearing that, Shakky gave him an odd look. Was this kid a marine or a pirate?

"You have an old grudge against Kaido?"

"I just fought him. He wanted to recruit me at first, but when he saw it wouldn't work, he tried to kill me. Then these two persuaded him to back down."

Mobius tilted his chin toward Whitebeard and Harald, then nodded.

Shakky sighed and looked at Whitebeard, whose fists were clenched tightly. She knew that things had reached this point; war was inevitable.

Otherwise, he would not be Whitebeard. This was not yet Whitebeard's declining years.

"So, Wano Country has wealth?"

Whitebeard gave a savage grin, his bandit-like aura erupting. If it were merely revenge, it might affect those who came after them. But now that they knew of Wano Country's wealth, there was no problem. This was a conflict between pirates.

"Pops..."

Izo opened his mouth. He had been a retainer who followed Kozuki Oden aboard the Moby Dick, but because he loved the Whitebeard Pirates, he chose to stay.

He had originally intended to wait for Lord Oden's return, but he had never expected everything to have changed beyond recognition.

Rayleigh remained silent for a long time before finally looking at Mobius helplessly.

This young man had stirred the world in just a few words.

Yet Rayleigh did not care that much. The kid had merely revealed information; what to do with it still depended on his own heart.

Avenge a former companion...

Rayleigh looked at the gloomy Whitebeard, closed his eyes, then opened them again. His resolve had already hardened.

"Harald, trouble you to contact that fellow Gaban. We need to settle something from the past."

If it had been anything else, Rayleigh would never have troubled his former companions. But now they had to clean up after their captain, so he certainly had to drag others in with him.

Harald's expression was complicated, but he still nodded.

He did not want to participate in this kind of war. He was only interested in trade with Fish-Man Island, so he would turn a blind eye to it.

The Five Elders understood Harald's circumstances well and had never asked him to deal with Rocks's former companions. If they pushed him into rebellion, the losses would outweigh the gains.

To Whitebeard, Kaido was a former companion, but Kozuki Oden was a brother.

If Kaido had merely driven Oden away, Whitebeard would not meddle in their private affairs. But Kaido had killed Oden, which was another matter entirely.

"Kid, is what you said really true?"

Whitebeard sought final confirmation.

Mobius shrugged and smiled. "Don't worry, Captain Whitebeard. There's no need for me to deceive you about something like this. Besides, I truly want to deal with Kaido."

Whitebeard nodded. "I owe you a favor."

"Wano Country isn't so easy to enter."

Shakky sighed and offered a friendly reminder. As expected, this kid was not so simple. Was he really just holding a grudge?

Thinking of Wano Country's natural barriers, Whitebeard's expression grew more solemn. Back then, his entire crew had nearly perished in Wano Country, and that was how he had met Kozuki Oden.

"I can handle that." Mobius smiled. "I said it already. Kaido and I have the same type of Devil Fruit, so I possess abilities similar to his."

With a wave of his hand, a Flame Cloud slowly appeared. After drifting through the air for a few moments, it carried a cup of wine upward, leaving everyone momentarily stunned.

"That's enough."

Whitebeard smiled. He did not care what schemes this kid had. They would go to Wano Country and see. If it was true, they would avenge Oden. If it was false, even better!

Watching the people before him arrange an expedition to Wano Country in just a few words, Neptune scratched his head. What exactly was going on?

Neptune timidly hugged Otohime beside him. He did not want to get involved; the strength of Fish-Man Island... those who knew, knew.

Harald, who likewise had no desire to involve himself in this matter, silently stepped back. His gaze suddenly swept over Neptune, and his heart trembled again.

Ida... Ida...

Mobius noticed something was wrong. Looking at the grief-stricken Harald, ripples rose in his heart.

Thinking about the timing, had it reached the time when this giant king lost his wife?

Hmm...