"After them! The two hostages are escaping toward Wano Country!"
Kaido froze for a moment before roaring the order to everyone.
"What about Hanafuda?" Blackbeard asked calmly from beside him.
"That last attack was terrifying, but there's still a chance Hanafuda survived... After all, with an Ancient Zoan fruit, both physical defense and vitality far surpass others of the same level."
"Hanafuda?" Kaido merely glanced at the annihilated remains of Hanafuda's pirate ship, a cold smirk curling his lips.
"What's the point of saving him? Are you planning to share Wano's resources with someone who can't even guard hostages properly?"
With that single remark from Kaido, Blackbeard fell silent.
Losing one insignificant ally meant more benefits for himself—nothing could be better.
The only puzzling thing was how a Revolutionary Army officer could be this strong.
Unless Kaido or someone of similar caliber like the "Lone Red" intervened, no one could possibly capture the person who'd unleashed that attack.
"Didn't that last attack seem familiar to you, Kaido?"
"Of course it did... The last time I saw such exaggerated physical combat skills was decades ago at God Valley..." Kaido frowned. "To think Garp would have such a formidable successor... But why is she with the Revolutionary Army?"
"Unless... the Revolutionary Army officer is just a cover!" Blackbeard Teach muttered. "A woman, possessing Conqueror's Haki, and Garp's prized disciple... Doesn't that sound exactly like the Marine officer rumored around the Calm Belt—'Empress' Hancock?"
"That Hancock from the Marine is called the most beautiful woman in the world..."
"After disguising our identities, altering our appearances is just a simple task, isn't it?" Blackbeard took a deep breath and looked at Kaido.
"It seems the Marines have already learned about our plans to attack Wano Country in advance..."
"What do you suggest we do?"
"Now, there are only two paths..." Blackbeard raised two fingers. "Retreat immediately... or advance toward Wano Country at an even faster pace, capturing it before the Marine forces arrive."
"I will never retreat."
"Then we must take Wano Country at the fastest speed possible! As long as we hold the civilians of Wano hostage, the Marines will hesitate to act recklessly." Blackbeard's eyes gleamed with calculation.
"The Marines today are no longer the sharp blade of the World Government—now, this blade has developed its own will, self-righteous in its so-called justice... and that will become their shackles."
"So... we just let those two escape?"
"Though they're fleeing toward Wano, we can pursue them while accelerating our advance... But even if we fail, it doesn't matter. Holding them would just be the icing on the cake."
"Blackbeard... you and I think exactly alike." Kaido grinned, then reached out and clapped Blackbeard on the shoulder.
"In that case, I'll temporarily hand over command to you... I'll personally go after those two hostages!"
With that, he leaped high into the air and, in the blink of an eye, transformed into a massive azure dragon.
Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Azure Dragon Form.
"You... won't disappoint me, will you? Teach?"
"Of course not. Until Michael disappears... we are unshakable allies."
...
"Michael, a fierce battle just erupted on the outskirts of Wano... That powerful strike briefly split the sea." Nico Robin crossed her arms, eyes closed, as she narrated.
"Confirmed! It was Hancock! She's now fleeing toward Wano with Weevil in tow!"
"And pursuing them, aside from Kaido's fleet... is an azure dragon!"
"It's Kaido! Kaido is personally giving chase!"
Hearing this, Michael's eyes lit up.
Since when did Kaido become so impatient?
Or had he, after losing the hostages who restrained the Revolutionary Army and the Whitebeard Kingdom, decided to seize Wano—with its natural defenses—as quickly as possible?
Either way, this was an all-out offensive.
Then...
"Tell everyone to begin intercepting Kaido's fleet!"
"Leave Kaido himself to me."
As soon as the words left his mouth, Robin relayed all orders to the members of the SWORD Classified Special Forces.
Meanwhile, Rosinante, standing beside Michael, adjusted the Justice cloak on his back and advanced toward Kaido's distant fleet.
...
"Ohohoho! How dare you mere insects attempt to stop me?"
Even while carrying a giant like Weevil, Hancock effortlessly dodged and weaved through the air using Moon Walk, remaining incredibly agile.
Most of the cannon fire and long-range Devil Fruit attacks missed her entirely.
For those she couldn't evade, she simply coated her legs in Armament Haki and kicked them apart.
"Cough cough! Big Sis Wanko, slow down! I get seasick..." Weevil said weakly, "I feel like I'm gonna... hurl!"
"What kind of address is that!?" Hancock explained while disdainfully pushing Weevil further away.
"Those Seastone Chains on you were completely shattered into seabed fragments by my single strike!"
"Blerggh... Yeah, that's true." Weevil replied, pale-faced after vomiting. "But I almost died from that strike of yours too!"
"You were just almost dead... At least you still had the strength to vomit," Hancock said with a laugh.
"As long as you're alive, that's enough. With your monstrous physique, recovery is just a matter of time."
From the very beginning, Hancock had planned to kill two birds with one stone—eliminating the guards while freeing Weevil.
That was why she had reached out to pat Weevil earlier...
Aside from mocking him, it was also to gauge his physical resilience.
Though that kick was terrifyingly powerful, Hancock had controlled its range.
The shockwave at the edges was enough to shatter the Seastone Chains binding Weevil without killing him.
Two objectives, completed at the fastest speed possible.
"What a clever woman... So you really are Boa Hancock, the one they call the 'Empress.'"
A voice like rolling thunder sounded behind her.
Turning around, she was met with the massive draconic head of Kaido himself.
'Tch tch tch, i was just rescuing a hostage. How did I end up pulling out the final boss?'
"Hand Weevil over to me now, and I'll let you live."
"Sorry, i can't do that." Hancock flashed a radiant smile.
"So, can you bear with not having a hostage?"
"After all... This woman is just too beautiful."
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