After hearing Kaido's declaration of war, Caelan was not afraid at all. He even felt like laughing.
The reason he hadn't attacked Wano Country before was simply because he was busy and had no time, not because he feared Kaido.
Now that Kaido had declared war, he would free up his hands to take care of it.
Wano Country was rich in resources, especially precious minerals like seastone.
Although thunderclouds, storms, and sheer cliffs outside made entry and exit difficult, it would not be hard for Caelan to break through by force.
Moreover, Caelan coveted Kaido's Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Azure Dragon.
As long as Kaido transformed into an azure dragon, activating A-rank Riding would let him obtain a dragon mount.
He could only control one beast while Riding, but a Yonko-level Kaido was worthy of the position.
Wouldn't it be great to ride Kaido into the Summit War?
After thinking it over, Caelan decided to discuss the plan with everyone, then set out immediately.
He quickly entered the hall and saw the women discussing Kaido's declaration of war.
"Kaido actually declared war at this time. He's a madman!"
"Does he have no brain? The Navy is already executing the Pirate King's son, and he wants to fight us first?"
"How dare he! Doesn't he know we have three admirals and five or six Warlords?"
They all thought Kaido was deranged and started venting.
The Navy's public execution of the Pirate King's bloodline was clearly meant to intimidate all pirates. If anyone wanted to fight now, it should be the Navy.
Wouldn't it be better to avoid fighting the Navy, then try to seize the Whitebeard Pirates' territory in two weeks?
But Kaido had to declare war on them, even though they currently had three admiral-level combatants, Caelan, Zephyr, and Gion, along with two Warlords, Gecko Moria and Boa Hancock, plus more than a dozen elite vice admirals, including Nami and Robin.
With such a lineup, they were certainly not soft targets.
"For a headstrong brawler like him, any decision is unsurprising." Caelan approached the girls and said, "If he wants to fight, then we fight. We'll have to deal with him sooner or later anyway."
Determined to become the ultimate producer in the pirate world and control the world's wealth, he was destined to oppose most factions.
The Beasts Pirates were something he would have to deal with sooner or later.
When the girls saw Caelan arrive, they gathered around and continued the discussion.
"We should fight, but the Beasts Pirates are a Yonko-level force after all. Even the World Government can't easily contain them."
Robin analyzed calmly.
Caelan was no pushover, and neither were the Beasts Pirates.
As one of the top pirate crews in the world, their power was unquestionable.
"Robin is right. I'm a little worried that if we go to war with the Beasts Pirates, the losses might be heavy, and some of our earlier gains might be wiped out."
Gion frowned.
After Zephyr instigated the defection of Marine officers like Yamakaji, the Neo Navy had been recruiting and growing rapidly.
Fighting Kaido now would undoubtedly erase their previous advantages.
Especially since the Neo Navy stood against both the World Government and pirates, every bit of strength was precious and could not be squandered.
"That won't happen. Capturing Kaido won't cause big losses. I can just take a few people to Wano Country."
Caelan looked at them and spoke calmly.
"The Beasts Pirates are one of the Yonko, after all. Besides Kaido, there are the three All-Stars and the Tobiroppo, and they command hundreds of Gifters…"
Gion trailed off, but her meaning was clear.
With so many people, it was impossible for Caelan to settle it with only a handful.
"Did you forget my Reality Marble?"
Caelan asked with a smile.
Gion paused, then asked uncertainly, "The Hall of Heroes?"
If she remembered correctly, the Hall of Heroes seemed to only turn people into Heroic Spirits.
The effect was amazing, but it didn't provide immediate combat power.
"It's the defeated country beneath Valhalla," Caelan corrected. "Everyone I've defeated has a projection there. Even if they only have thirty percent of their power, it's enough to deal with Kaido's men."
"Oh, I see."
The women understood at once.
Valhalla's role was so deeply ingrained that they had momentarily forgotten the defeated country.
When they had been pulled into the Reality Marble that day, the first thing they saw was a desolate, vast battlefield strewn with bones.
Each skeleton was a projection of an enemy Caelan had defeated.
Crocodile, Enel, the three Marine admirals, Garp, Monkey D. Dragon…
Thirty percent of that power was enough to wipe out all high-end combatants under the Beasts Pirates beneath Kaido.
There were also tens of thousands of projections from smaller pirate groups, enough to clear the Beasts Pirates' underlings.
It could be said that Caelan alone was an army, capable of leading a full-scale campaign.
"Now it should be fine for me to go to Wano Country and wipe out the Beasts Pirates, right?"
Caelan spread his hands and smiled.
In truth, he could solo Wano, and bringing others was simply to facilitate securing the results.
"No problem."
All the women nodded.
"This time, I'll only take Nojiko. I'll have Momonga and Yamakaji lead a team of mid-level Neo Navy officers, and the rest will follow on Gecko Moria's ship."
Caelan made the arrangements at once.
Nojiko had the Float-Float Fruit, which would let them reach Wano Country quickly.
Bringing Ain and a team of mid-level officers was meant to stabilize the situation temporarily.
Gecko Moria was now the prison warden, so taking him along would let him handle prisoners and fulfill the promise to help him defeat Kaido.
To put it bluntly, these people weren't going to fight, but to take over Wano Country.
"What about us? We want to help too!"
Nami, Vivi, and the others looked at Caelan pleadingly.
They now had elite vice admiral-level strength and the fearless bodies of Heroic Spirits, so they could help him fight.
"You and Gion will stay in Dressrosa and be ready to dispatch more people to Wano Country at any time." Caelan paused, then joked, "I only need to fight on the front line. You in logistics have more to consider."
He didn't plan to bring too many of the women. After all, he was going to fight Kaido, and he couldn't disrespect sensei Kaido.
Maybe when sensei Kaido saw his sincerity, he would even give him Yamato?
Dressrosa, as his base, also needed defenders. The strength of admirals Gion and Zephyr, plus Nami and Hancock, was almost enough.
"I hate it, what are you even talking about!?"
Nami and the others rolled their eyes, annoyed by Caelan's teasing.
Since Caelan had made it clear he wouldn't let them go, they would stay and guard the rear.
With all plans set, Caelan prepared to depart with everyone.
There were three ships in total. One for Caelan, Nojiko, Ain, and Rina. One for Gecko Moria and his men. And one for Momonga, Yamakaji, and the Neo Navy officers.
There were two more women than planned, Ain and Hina. Hina was the secretary for Caelan's communications with the Neo Navy, while Ain pestered Caelan to let her fulfill her duties as captain of the guard.
"I hope your military fortune flourishes!"
Before departure, the women offered Caelan their sincere blessings.
"Don't worry, this trip will be a success."
Caelan patted his chest, full of confidence.
Then, under the power of Nojiko's Float-Float Fruit, the three ships rose into the sky and flew toward Wano Country at high speed.
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
◇ You can read the ahead chapter on Pat if you're interested: p-atreon.c-om/Blownleaves (Just remove the hyphen to access normally.)