"It looks like a war involving four top-tier powers will erupt in the southeastern New World within three years."
Hades made his prediction.
Any of them could emerge as the ultimate victor.
Could the Demon King Pirates defeat the Five Peaks Pirates and rise to take their place?
After all, Ochoku was still in his prime, and his strength had not declined. That would only change if they waited another decade or so.
By then, Ochoku would have passed his prime and begun his decline. Even if he could still maintain his peak combat strength, a loss of stamina would be inevitable.
Being defeated by "Demon King" Nash would then be only natural.
But was "Demon King" Nash really willing to wait that long?
How would defeating a weakened Ochoku prove his strength?
Nash's pride would not allow him to do that, either.
He had to defeat the Five Peaks Pirates before Ochoku grew old.
Against an Ochoku still in his prime, even defeat would bring Nash no shame. He was still young and could prepare for the next war.
Ochoku would merely have secured his position.
The battlefield in Wano Country, however, was rather more brutal. Once either side lost, they would be driven out of Wano Country.
Or die in battle outright.
In Hades's view, the best outcome—and the most likely one—was for the Overlord Dragon Pirates to defeat the Silver Axe Pirates and retake Wano Country.
The Great Xia Kingdom would also gain access to Wano Country's seastone resources and the profits they brought.
Meanwhile, in the war between the Demon King Pirates and the Five Peaks Pirates, the Demon King Pirates would win the final victory.
Compared with the benefits Wano Country offered, cooperation with the Demon King Pirates mattered far more.
As for obtaining seastone,