Making a Move

"Speak!"

"Mama!! Kaido of the Beasts is dead..."

The other end fell silent for more than ten seconds.

Big Mom had considered the possibility that this plan would fail. That was only natural.

She had also considered that Lofan might survive, which would be an unexpected bonus.

But she had never imagined that Kaido would die.

"You saw it with your own eyes?!!"

"That's right. Lofan cut Kaido clean in two at the waist with a single slash!

Even if Kaido really is a monster, he still..."

Perospero did not believe anyone could survive under those circumstances.

Even if Kaido really was a monster, there was still a Marine Branch nearby.

Either way, Kaido's fate was all but sealed.

"Come back, Perospero. Click."

Big Mom hung up immediately and, without wasting any time, summoned Katakuri.

Her second son, hailed as the Charlotte Family's greatest masterpiece, the perfect man.

"Katakuri, take some people to Onigashima in Wano Country and make it part of Totto Land! Mamamama!!!"

Katakuri was startled and somewhat bewildered.

"But Mama..."

Yet with his exceptional Observation Haki, he foresaw the future right then and understood Mama's arrangements.

So he changed what he was about to say.

"Understood, Mama. I'll bring back the Road Poneglyph."

"Mamama!!! Kaido... It's time for a tea party! It's a day for a tea party!"

Everything around her came alive.

Prometheus radiated gentle warmth, while the surrounding furniture, flowers, and trees opened their eyes and even began singing.

Zeus circled Big Mom in constant celebration.

Totto Land was about to welcome a grand tea party celebration.

Perospero's departure did not escape Lofan's senses.

Kaido had fallen unconscious by then, but he was still alive.

His body had even begun healing itself, showing no sign that he would die.

Lofan took the Den Den Mushi, which had already retreated into its shell, from his pocket.

"Ain, inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku that I won. Also, come here alone. Hurry."

Lofan hung up without waiting for a reply.

He was in terrible shape, his voice incredibly weak.

He feared that even one more word might make him pass out, but things were not over yet.

Lying on the ground, he closed his eyes and waited for Ain.

"He won?! Is the information confirmed?!"

"Yes, Fleet Admiral! Vice Admiral Lofan called in person to announce his victory!"

Binz shouted in utter excitement, his voice carrying beyond the room.

Moments later, the Marine Branch erupted.

Sengoku instantly steadied himself and hurriedly asked:

"Where is Lofan? How badly is he hurt?"

"We don't know yet, but someone has already been sent to pick up Vice Admiral Lofan."

"Good! Good! Good! Have Vice Admiral Lofan call me as soon as he returns."

His face flushed with excitement, Sengoku had no time to share his joy with Kong.

He contacted Akainu's side directly and informed them of Lofan's victory.

He told them to launch an all-out attack while preserving as much of the Marines' strength as possible, and make the Beasts Pirates suffer a major loss.

"Looks like that brat didn't disappoint us or disgrace me."

Kong let out a deafening laugh.

The claim that Lofan was the Marines' greatest talent in eight hundred years had come from his own mouth.

Now Lofan had proved it beyond doubt, and he was Kong's student, too.

Kong had added yet another brilliant achievement to his life's record.

This was certain to go down in history, with no need to conceal the truth over any concerns the World Government might have.

Instead, they would publicize it widely, spreading Lofan's formidable reputation across the world.

"Three years. I can still dimly picture how he used to look. To think the changing of the era would begin just like this."

For the first time, Sengoku felt the gears of the era begin to turn.

Ever since Roger's outrageous defiance had used greed to tear open people's hearts.

The entire world had spiraled out of control. The World Government had spent years patching things up, yet that tear had only grown wider.

But now, Lofan's achievement would once again shake pirates everywhere.

Even Kaido, the Strongest Creature and one of the Four Emperors, had fallen to the Marines.

Would the rest of those fiends and monsters not tremble?

"I really am old. I'm afraid we'll have plenty to keep us busy from now on.

I need to visit the Five Elders. As his teacher, I must fight for him this once.

Sengoku, this time, I need your support."

Sengoku thought for a moment, then his eyes widened.

If it really was what he imagined, the Marines' structure might undergo an unprecedented transformation.

After receiving the call and giving Binz his instructions, Ain set off alone in a warship toward Lofan.

That utterly feeble voice kept circling in her mind, leaving behind only unbearable imaginings.

She had to see Lofan immediately, or those endlessly repeating, horrific images would never fade.

The island's utterly transformed landscape testified to the ferocity of the battle.

Yet even though the terrifying remnants of Lofan's and Kaido's auras still lingered over the scene.

Ain still pinpointed Lofan's location without fail.

"Use your fruit ability to reverse my injuries and restore my stamina."

Sensing Ain's presence, Lofan forced himself to muster enough strength to give her instructions.

Ignoring the blood covering the ground and failing to notice Kaido nearby, Ain knelt down and did as Lofan instructed.

The Return-Return Fruit's ability really was a cheat.

Not only could it erase a person's existence, it could even reverse the state of matter.

But it could not make that state permanent. As soon as Ain lost consciousness or died, its effects would vanish, returning everything to its normal timeline.

A peach-colored glow appeared on Ain's hands, and Lofan instantly returned to peak condition.

Taking a deep breath, Lofan once again felt his superb condition.

Ain stood up, hugged Lofan tightly, and sobbed quietly.

Lofan patted her shoulder and gently pushed her away.

He used the sleeve still left on his left arm to wipe the blood off Ain's legs.

"Just what I'd expect of a Reversing Human who ate the Return-Return Fruit!

Let me make this clear now: I won't allow you to change jobs in the future. You can only stay on my ship."

Seeing Lofan give her a thumbs-up, Ain laughed through her tears.

"Kaido, you won't be able to save Jack.

The other two All-Stars might fall to Akainu and his people, too. I'll be waiting for your revenge."

Lofan knew Kaido could hear him. He was still selecting candidates for the Espada.

And Kaido truly did appeal to Lofan. Whether he could win him over remained unknown.

But this game was not over yet, so Kaido would have to retain his freedom.

"Are we letting him go?"

Ain tightened her hand in his, not quite understanding what Lofan had in mind.

"Did you know? In my distant homeland, there's a saying."

Lofan looked up at the sky as he walked, as though he could see that nation where everyone was like a dragon.

"With heaven as the board and stars as the pieces, who dares to play?"

"Those certainly are bold, imposing words."

"Aren't they?"

Which of the world's leading figures was not now like a star hanging high in the sky, bathed in glory?

Lofan had placed his piece and set the board. Who would face him?