As a veteran Monster Hunter, he naturally had to prepare plans for as many unforeseen situations as possible before setting out to hunt a monster.
So, after seeing Kaido appear, Xie Wen had taken advantage of the moment when Kaido's attention was elsewhere to quietly discuss several plans with Hua Mei Meow.
Contacting Shalmeow earlier and having her charge in aboard the Toot Toot Forward at the critical moment, then make a swift escape, was merely Plan A, the most feasible and safest of all their plans. And that plan had actually succeeded...
But no matter how much Xie Wen prepared in advance, he had never expected a teleportation Devil Fruit User to suddenly pop up.
Good thing I'm in the habit of keeping a few backup plans.
Xie Wen comforted himself with a wry smile.
Except...
Plan B, using Seastone to restrain Kaido, had just failed too.
So now, he could only try Plan C first, which would require risking his life a little.
Who would've thought a coward like me would volunteer to cover the retreat? Have I been infected by the One Piece world's hot-blooded virus?
Without feeling the slightest surge of hot-blooded excitement, Xie Wen mocked himself as he switched from the strength-oriented Valor Style to the speed-oriented Guild Style, then quickly downed a bottle each of Demon Drug and Stamina Potion.
Just as he was about to follow those up with a Potion, Kaido attacked again.
And...
This time, his attack was aimed at the Toot Toot Forward!
Clearly, Kaido, who looked rough but was actually shrewd, had already seen through their intentions. Interested as he was in Xie Wen, the Palicoes, and even their ship, the Toot Toot Forward, he was certainly not going to let them escape.
Worse still, because the primary "fuel"