Ace adjusted the brim of his hat and flashed a confident smile.
"We're here to take down Kaido!"
"Take down Kaido?"
Tama and the villagers froze, then threw their arms up in unison. Their bewilderment turned to terror, snot streaming from their noses.
"Huh?!!!"
The whole village seemed to leap into the air.
It took quite a while for the villagers to calm down. They stared at Ace's Crew in utter shock.
Were these pirates insane?
Even the invincible Kozuki Oden had failed to defeat Kaido!
"Hahaha! Did we scare you?"
Ace rubbed his head and laughed heartily, unsurprised by the villagers' reaction. He had seen it plenty of times before.
No one had believed in them, but they had fought their way through every obstacle, defeated countless powerful foes, and finally reached the New World.
All he had to do now was defeat Kaido and claim the throne of the Strongest. Then he would seize the Pirate King's treasure and prove his existence to the world!
His dream lay just ahead!
Ace held the brim of his hat, his face glowing with excitement.
His overflowing confidence and presence left all the villagers spellbound. Something seemed to well up inside them, urging them to follow him.
Perhaps this young man really could defeat Kaido!
"Oh, right. There's something I wanted to ask."
Ace looked at the ragged villagers, all elderly, frail, sick, or disabled, and asked in confusion, "Doesn't your village have any young people?"
"..."
The villagers exchanged glances and sighed bitterly.
If there had been any young people, Amigasa Village would never have fallen into its current state. Perhaps one day, the village would simply disappear.
Tama bit her lip and tugged at Ace's clothes with her little hand. "Ace, the grandpas said Shogun Orochi took all the adults in the village away and sent them to Kaido."
"I see."
Ace frowned deeply, but his brow soon relaxed. Smiling, he reached out and rested his hand on Tama's head.
"I'll bring them back!"
"Ace..."
Tama stared at him in a daze.
At that moment, she desperately wanted to leave with him.
"Lads, get ready to set sail!"
Ace turned and headed toward the shore, fire blazing in his eyes.
"We're going to take down Kaido!"
"YEAH!!!"
Elsewhere.
Onigashima, the port.
"Move it!"
The pirates left behind rushed toward the port. When they saw their own pirate ship pulling in, they immediately lined up with their heads high and chests out.
As soon as Good stepped off the ship, the pirates roared in unison.
"Welcome back, Good!"
"Mm."
Good gave a slight nod.
These idiots were pretty savvy, knowing to come out and welcome him.
Onigashima was practically deserted now. Not even a single Shinuchi-level officer remained, only a handful of guards.
He was the highest-ranking person here.
Good looked up at Skull Castle.
"It's been a long time since I was last here."
"Hmph! I didn't want to come back at all!"
Walking beside Good, Yamato turned her head away unhappily. Onigashima was the place she hated most.
Good chuckled, knowing exactly what was on the girl's mind.
"Yamato, gaining your freedom isn't that easy. Do you remember what I told you in the dungeon?"
"Of course I do!"
Yamato clenched her little fists tightly.
"I have to be patient!"
Until she had the standing to speak to her father as an equal, she had to be patient. Only then could she escape his control.
According to Good's assessment, it would take at least another five years before she could gain true freedom and set sail on adventures whenever she pleased.
Until then, she had to be patient!
Good gave her an approving thumbs-up.
"Wonderful!"
"Hehe."
Yamato laughed sheepishly.
She had already experienced the benefits of being patient. Now, within Wano Country, no one restricted her freedom. She could do whatever she wanted.
Looking back on her fifteen years of imprisonment, she had no idea how she had endured it. Even now, it felt like a lifetime ago.
In short, she was very happy with her current life.
"Let's go."
Good headed toward Skull Castle, reminding her as they walked, "I've received word that the Spade Pirates have entered the country. Unless something unexpected happens, they'll invade Onigashima soon."
"That Fire Fist Ace?"
Yamato's eyes lit up.
She knew little about the world overseas, but she had heard the name Fire Fist several times. He was a very powerful rookie pirate.
"Yes, him."
Good gave Yamato a meaningful look. "Listen carefully. You're not to attack Ace without my orders."
"Huh? Why not?"
Yamato tilted her head in confusion.
That Fire Fist was supposedly very strong, and he had defeated Hanafuda of the Shichibukai. Could Good handle him alone?
Good sighed quietly. "Because I don't want some flashy young punk who suddenly shows up to whisk away the precious girl I've been looking after."
"What does that mean?"
Yamato was a little confused.
What precious girl?
Was Good looking after someone else, too?
"Anyway, leave Fire Fist to me. If you get bored, go deal with his subordinates."
Good's gaze grew solemn.
Ace was one of this year's supernovas. His bounty had already exceeded two hundred million Beli, and he had taken down Hanafuda of the Shichibukai. His strength was beyond question.
There was something else, too. Ace was Straw Hat Luffy's older brother, and with Roger's blood running through his veins, he might unleash a sudden burst of power just like Straw Hat.
He wasn't confident he could defeat Ace.
But he had to fight this battle, and he had to win!
Only the victor had the right to call the shots!
Civil war was about to erupt in the Flower Capital, leaving him little time. He had to deal with Ace before Orochi and Kyoshiro openly turned against each other.
Meanwhile.
The Flower Capital, Shogun's Castle.
There were only three people in the silent secret chamber.
Orochi hugged himself, trembling all over with cold. His eyes were filled with disbelief and lingering terror.
Kyoshiro was one of the Nine Red Scabbards!
The news had struck him like a bolt from the blue. His most trusted samurai was actually the mortal enemy he feared most.
Daikoku knelt on one knee below him and reminded him gravely, "Shogun, this information is merely Good's conjecture. We still need to verify whether it's true ourselves!"
"That's not the answer I want!"
Orochi's teeth were chattering.
He didn't want this to be a misunderstanding. He wanted the Kozuki Clan exterminated. Even if there was only a one-percent chance, he could not tolerate Kyoshiro remaining alive!
Besides, that damned pirate's deductions were so well-founded that even he had come away convinced Kyoshiro was a spy.
Once the seed of suspicion had been planted, the truth no longer mattered.
Orochi's face gradually twisted with malice. Only one thought remained in his mind.
"Fukurokuju, I want Kyoshiro dead!"
"As you command, Lord Orochi."
Fukurokuju bowed slightly, a dangerous smile appearing on his face.
Eliminating a formidable rival like Kyoshiro would benefit him, too. Afterward, Shogun Orochi would rely even more heavily on the Oniwabanshu.
"Please give us some time to prepare!"
Chapter 48: Good vs. Ace
Three days passed in a flash.
Near the entrance to Onigashima, the waves surged.
The Spade Pirates braved the wind and waves, sailing swiftly toward Onigashima.
"We finally found it! Onigashima!"
Gazing at Onigashima ahead, the Spade Pirates brimmed with fighting spirit. After searching for three days, they had finally found their destination.
The great pirate who held the title of "Strongest" was on the island before them. All they had to do was take him down, and their names would resound across the world!
"Those kidnapped young people must be on the island, too!"
"Don't let your guard down. We're heading into hell!"
"Hahahaha! Isn't that how we've made it this far?"
The pirates grinned as they looked up at Captain Ace, seated above the bow, their eyes full of anticipation.
"Captain Ace!"
"Let's go all out!"
Ace stood and smacked his fist into his palm!
"Bring the ship alongside!"
Before you continue