The next morning, the two ships sailed away from Raijin Island.
This time, the voyage went exceptionally smoothly, without encountering any interception—it seems the World Government's attention was drawn to other matters.
On the evening of the third day, the waterfall of Wano Country came into view in the distance.
The Ark Maxim and the Beasts Pirates ' speedboat, piloted by Roy, soared into the sky.
Arrive at the base next to Onigashima before nightfall.
At the port, more than a dozen Beasts Pirates warships stood ready in formation.
All the cannons were pointed towards the sea.
"It seems Kaido was prepared."
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, his Observation Haki spreading out, instantly sensing the situation of the entire base.
Within the core research area, Dr. Gracia and his researchers are still working normally.
They knew nothing about what was about to happen.
Outside the base, the members of the Beasts Pirates were on high alert, with patrol teams passing by from time to time.
Roy directly controlled the ship to land; the Beasts Pirates members were not surprised by the golden giant ship falling from the sky.
Roy brought the boat to a stop and turned to Bullet beside him, saying...
" Bullet, I'll go first. You arrange for them to set up camp at the base, and prioritize its protection!"
Seeing Bullet nod, Roy immediately leaped into the air and entered the Onigashima in a matter of moments.
They appeared in the lobby of the Onigashima.
Inside the lobby.
Kaido, who was discussing intelligence with Jin Shang, was the first to spot Roy.
"Perfect timing." A hint of joy flashed in Kaido's eyes.
" Roy, you should take a look at this intelligence too."
Roy landed next to Kaido, took the information Kaido handed him, and quickly scanned it.
The reports were largely similar, all concerning Kozuki Oden's whereabouts over the past two days—visiting former subordinates, interacting with the local people, and even making several trips to villages on the outskirts of the Flower Capital.
But what really caught Roy's attention was the last one.
"Did Kurozumi Orochi secretly meet with an envoy from the World Government late last night?"
Roy looked up, his eyes sharp.
"Hmph, that good-for-nothing couldn't sit still after all."
Kaido took a swig of sake, a murderous glint in his eyes.
The scouts only saw the messenger enter the general's mansion of Kurozumi Orochi, but they couldn't see clearly who it was.
But to be able to infiltrate the Flower Capital so quietly, evading my notice, means he's at least a high-ranking CP0 agent.
"CP0..."
Roy pondered,
" The World Government has indeed taken notice of Wano Country, but I wonder how much they know about the base."
Jhin added from the side,
"What's even more troublesome is that the timing of Kozuki Oden's return this time is too coincidental."
"He had barely returned when the World Government's envoy arrived."
To say there's no connection between them would be too much of a coincidence.
"You mean, Kozuki Oden may have reached some kind of agreement with the World Government?"
"That possibility cannot be ruled out."
Jin analyzed,
"Although Kozuki Oden was a pirate, he was also the former leader of Wano Country."
If the World Government could help him reclaim Wano Country, he might very well accept.
Roy shook his head.
Given the World Government's intelligence capabilities, they probably already knew that Roger and his crew had arrived at the Laugh Tale.
The World Government will not let these guys who know the truth about the ' Void Century ' get away with it.
"These are all just speculations. Based on my understanding of Kozuki Oden, he shouldn't be cooperating with the World Government."
Roy put down the intelligence he was holding.
"We only have information about Kurozumi Orochi contacting CPs; we have no way of knowing whether these CPs have contacted Kozuki Oden."
"What's your opinion?" Kaido asked, taking a swig of sake.
"I think CP might be investigating the secrets of our research base, or they might be trying to get something the World Government wants."
Kaido's eyes narrowed:
" Seastone processing technology?"
"More than."
Roy placed the intelligence on the table.
The World Government has a long history of interest in Wano Country.
The processing technology of Seastone is only one aspect; more importantly, it's Wano Country itself—a country that has been closed off from the world for hundreds of years, harboring far too many secrets.
Roy paused,
"And don't forget, the World Government has been hunting Lunarian Tribe."
"Jin, and your existence, is very likely one of the reasons they covet you."
The flames behind the ashes rose slightly.
"If they dare to come, I'll make sure they don't leave alive."
"The problem isn't whether they dare to come, but when and how they will come."
Roy walked to the window in the hall and looked towards the Flower Capital in the distance.
"However, we have too little intelligence right now, so speculating here won't do any good."
"My people have now returned to Wano Country, so we can confidently entrust the defense of the research base to them."
"Tomorrow, you will head directly inland and see what Kurozumi Orochi is up to."
"I'll secretly intervene with the CP personnel and see what secrets they have."
"Everything else is easy to solve!"
Roy's decision surprised both Kaido and King.
"Didn't you say you didn't want to show up?!"
"I'm just not directly confronting Kozuki Oden. What do the World Government and Kurozumi Orochi have to do with him?"
A glint of light flashed in Roy's eyes.
"And with my abilities, I'm very well-suited for this kind of occasion."
After two years of contact, they had gained some understanding of Roy's abilities. Jin nodded slightly.
"Indeed, Captain Roy's mental perception and manipulation abilities give him a unique advantage in tracking and interrogation. But do you need my assistance in the capture?"
"Need not."
Roy turned to face the two of them.
"Tomorrow, you will make a grand trip to the Flower Capital and go directly to Kurozumi Orochi."
"The bigger the show, the better. We need to let everyone know that the Beasts Pirates are watching the General's Mansion's every move."
"Leave the CP agents hiding in the shadows to me."
Kaido grinned:
"This is something I excel at! It'll be a good opportunity to teach that good-for-nothing a lesson and let him know who's in charge."
"Jin, have your men continue to keep an eye on Oden."
Roy continued making arrangements.
"We don't need direct contact, but we need to know who he met each day, where he went, and what he said."
In particular, if he has contact with people from the World Government, this must be known immediately.
"Okay." The flames behind Ember flickered slightly.
The three discussed a few more details and then left one after another.
The next morning, at Onigashima pier.
Kaido stood on a large, ornately decorated warship, followed by Queen, Jack, and dozens of elite pirates.
"My little ones!"
Kaido's booming voice echoed across the dock.
"Today we're going to 'visit' our beloved General in the Flower Capital! You all better be on your best!"
"Oh--!"
The pirates echoed in unison, their momentum astounding.
The warship slowly sailed away from Onigashima and headed towards the Flower Capital.
The banners bearing Beasts Pirates beasts fluttered in the morning breeze at the bow of the ship, and patrol boats along the way gave way.
Shortly after Kaido's fleet left, King also took to the air with a group of men, flying towards Kuri.
Roy, however, had already left Onigashima before nightfall.