Whitebeard had died in battle.
That brief piece of news swept through all of Marineford.
In the distance, the chaotic battle involving Red Hair, Kaido, and two Marine Admirals abruptly stalled at this sudden turn of events.
"Mm..."
Kaido stood there, gazing toward the magnificent figure in Marineford Square, still standing tall despite having no life left in him. His expression dimmed.
He no longer roared, nor did he try to break through the Marines' defenses.
Because in his eyes, the man who had fallen was no longer "Whitebeard," Edward Newgate.
He was the man from the distant days of Rocks, who would silently toss him a jug of liquor whenever he, a reckless rookie, had been beaten black and blue.
The older brother who would shield him with that broad back from fatal ambushes amid the chaos of their plundering.
The tides of time had washed away too much. They had come to see each other as rivals, as enemies, competing for the throne of an Emperor of the Sea.
But at this moment, as the flame of life went out, certain deeply buried things finally surfaced.
Just then, Red-Haired Shanks noticed the change in Kaido's aura. He stepped forward with his sword and spoke gravely.
"Kaido, don't..."
"Red Hair!!!"
A low, restrained roar cut Shanks off.
Kaido turned and fixed his eyes on Shanks.
At this moment, his gaze held no calculations about the battle, nor any thirst for combat.
Instead, it brimmed with utterly pure, bone-chilling killing intent!
"If you say one more word..." Kaido tightened his grip on Hassaikai and spoke each word distinctly.
"Here... only one of us will leave alive."
"Do you dare?"
This was no longer a contest of strategy and restraint between the Four Emperors.
It was the most primal invitation to