In a palace somewhere on the Red Line, bursts of laughter echoed.
The Five Elders, who had gathered to discuss Ace's execution, were distracted by Kaido's declaration of war on Caelan.
"Haha, I never thought Kaido would declare war on Caelan at a time like this."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn laughed heartily.
He had been worried that Kaido would join Pops at Marineford to stir up trouble, but it seemed he had worried too much.
"He is a brainless brute. It is not surprising what decisions he makes."
There was unconcealed joy on Saint Nusjuro's face.
"A war between the Beasts Pirates and the Neo Navy, and no one knows who will have the last laugh."
Mars was somewhat curious.
"Probably Caelan. He is a much bigger threat than Kaido."
Saint Shepherd Ju Peter said firmly.
If Caelan were merely a Yonko like Kaido, they would not be so concerned.
"No matter who wins, it is good for us."
"If the loser withdraws, we will have one less major enemy. If the winner suffers heavy losses, it will be much easier for us to deal with them."
Saint Jaygarcia Saturn analyzed happily.
Aside from the World Government, no other force could overwhelm a Yonko. And the World Government would not go all out just to destroy a single Yonko.
Caelan fighting Kaido meant that even if Caelan defeated him, the Neo Navy would suffer heavy losses.
"Excellent. In a dozen days, if we wipe out the Whitebeard Pirates at Marineford, the Beasts Pirates will soon be finished, and Caelan will also be heavily damaged."
Saint Warcury's eyes gleamed, as if he could already see a bright future.
The last bloodline of the Pirate King would be dead, two Yonko would disappear, and their greatest enemy's forces would be dealt a heavy blow.
For the World Government, things seemed to be looking up, at least in the short term.
…
In the sky en route to Wano, aboard Gecko Moria's ship.
At this moment, Moria was excitedly doing push-ups.
Having regained his youthful physique, he moved like a pile driver, causing the deck planks to rattle.
The skeleton, Brook, watched Moria's actions, hesitating to speak.
When Caelan defeated Gecko Moria, he and the other pirates whose shadows had been taken by Gecko Moria were captured by Caelan, then a bounty hunter, and exchanged for bounties.
As a result, everyone else got sold off, while he, a skeleton, played dead and escaped.
Since then, he had officially become Gecko Moria's subordinate under Caelan's coercion.
After gradually gaining trust, he reclaimed his shadow and asked for leave to return to Reverse Mountain to sing "Binks' Sake" to the whale Laboon for a day.
Later, when Gecko Moria became the prison warden, Brook became a prison boss and lived a fairly pleasant life.
Watching Gecko Moria doing frantic push-ups, Brook finally couldn't help it. "Moria, are you really doing this?"
It had to be said, the scene was a bit revolting.
"I am just exercising because I am excited! Keep talking nonsense and you will not get any vacation this year!"
Moria glared at the skeleton, his face full of black lines.
If Brook were not so strong, and if Lord Caelan had not assigned him to his crew personally, he would have flushed this sassy skeleton down the toilet long ago.
"Alright, you are exercising," Brook replied cheerfully. "But facing Kaido, who once beat you like a dog, should you not be afraid?"
He knew Moria had once challenged Kaido and been beaten half to death, crawling out of the New World.
"You are not faking it! I was not beaten like a dog, it was only a temporary failure!"
Moria glared at Brook, guilty.
To this day, thinking of Kaido's massive black club still gave him some psychological trauma.
But then he froze, and a smug smile appeared. "That bastard Kaido actually dared to declare war on Caelan-sama. He is finished this time!"
He firmly believed that Caelan would smash Kaido and fulfill his dream of revenge.
"You sounded so tough that I thought you were going to fight Kaido yourself."
Brook spoke helplessly.
"What do you know? I stand with Caelan-sama, and Caelan-sama is going to defeat Kaido. That is my victory!"
Moria shot Brook a disdainful look.
Although he would not defeat Kaido personally, his boss defeating Kaido amounted to the same thing.
Being Caelan's lapdog?
…
On Yamakaji and Momonga's ship, both men had their own thoughts.
They had been training Neo Navy recruits when they were suddenly summoned and told to lead the fight against Kaido.
They were a little confused.
"Our Neo Navy Supreme Commander is really swift and decisive," Momonga said with a wry smile. "We just received the news of Kaido's declaration of war, and we set out to fight the very next moment. That is too hasty."
That was Kaido's Beasts Pirates, one of the world's top forces, and even the World Government had to take them seriously.
Caelan was something else. Barely two hours after receiving the news, he decided to go to Wano to fight.
Momonga could not help but complain about such a rash move.
"I think it is Caelan's courage and diligence, far better than the World Government's timidity."
Yamakaji patted Momonga's shoulder in comfort.
He admired Caelan's approach. Rather than taking a beating passively, it was better to act first.
"Courage and diligence are fine, but we have too few people!" Momonga grumbled. "If the Marines were fighting the Beasts Pirates, they would at least launch a Super Buster Call."
The so-called Super Buster Call was an upgraded version of the Buster Call.
Its basic configuration included ten top-class warships, ten rear admiral captains, ten thousand elite Marines, and five elite vice admirals.
In addition, at least two admiral-level combatants were required for it to be called a Super Buster Call.
That was the proper configuration for dealing with a Yonko.
After all, except for the Red Hair Pirates, the other Yonko crews all had massive fleets.
Even with such a luxurious lineup, you still could not guarantee taking down a Yonko crew.
Compared to a Super Buster Call, their lineup this time was shockingly small.
One Warlord, two elite vice admirals, and a team of mid-level officers, totaling fewer than five hundred in all.
No matter how strong Caelan was, could he really defeat the Beasts Pirates with a force like this?
"Well, you have a point. We do have a small number." Yamakaji agreed at first, then changed his tone. "But I believe Supreme Commander Caelan must have his reasons."
"Yamakaji, you…"
Momonga looked at Yamakaji in astonishment, feeling a bit unfamiliar with his old comrade.
This man had always been rational. Why did he now sound like a crazed fan of Caelan?
"Momonga, I once met Supreme Commander Caelan on Jaya after he had just defeated Crocodile."
"I doubted his strength back then and warned him not to mess with Doflamingo's men. You can see how that turned out."
"Since his debut, Caelan has never failed. I think it is not only because he is strong, but also because he never acts without confidence."
Yamakaji said with feeling.
Anyone who consistently succeeded had their own secret. Do not question it lightly.
"Never act without confidence?"
Momonga murmured, staring blankly at Caelan's ship sailing ahead.
He felt that what Yamakaji said made some sense.
But how would Caelan use such a small force to deal with the massive Beasts Pirates?
(To be continued.)
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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 200 Power Stones.
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