CHAPTER 276: ZEPHYR'S ACTION
Pirate Island, Beehive.
"Kaido, you bastard! Don't push your luck too far!" Wang Zhi roared toward the sky, blood streaming down his face.
Above, a monster spiraled through the skies, clouds wrapping around him, winds swirling in his wake.
"I can return your money, but don't get carried away!"
Who could've imagined that treasure belonged to Kaido?!
Before he'd even finished celebrating his haul, this monster descended from the sky to collect.
Though this monster was a junior from the original Rocks Pirates, his strength far exceeded Wang Zhi's capacity to resist.
Wang Zhi gritted his teeth. Forcing pirates to return plundered treasure was the ultimate humiliation. Yet circumstances demanded temporary submission.
"Wororororo! Of course I'll take back my money! But since I'm already here, might as well settle another matter!" The azure dragon glided overhead, the monster lowering his gaze to the resentful Wang Zhi below.
"This place was Captain Rocks' territory once. Are you even worthy of occupying it?! I couldn't be bothered before, but now it's time you learned your place, fool!"
Rocks—even Kaido acknowledged that man's strength! Did this fool deserve inheriting his legacy?
"Kaido! You bastard!" Wang Zhi snarled. "Don't get too cocky! Think I'm afraid of you?!"
"Wororororo! Then come at me!"
The monster plummeted from the sky.
---
Fish-Man Island.
Brett read the newspaper.
"Kaido and Wang Zhi fought fiercely on Beehive Island?"
Brett raised an eyebrow. What had happened? Previously, Wang Zhi and Kaido coexisted peacefully. Why this sudden conflict? And the result—Wang Zhi beaten thoroughly, driven completely from Beehive Island.
Did Beehive Island actually remain under Kaido's control in the original timeline until Blackbeard seized it later?
Brett muttered to himself. When he'd transmigrated, the plot hadn't reached Beehive Island's arc. He knew nothing about that island's specifics.
Though this matter didn't concern him anyway. Whether Wang Zhi lived or died, who controlled Beehive Island—Brett couldn't care less. Unless that island's underground also contained an Ancient Weapon like Wano Country.
Better to focus on how Tesoro's film was progressing. That was the only current priority.
Meanwhile, the man Brett didn't concern himself with—the great pirate Wang Zhi who'd recently controlled Beehive—had fled to some island at sea. After landing in the island's town and thoroughly plundering it, his group began temporary recuperation on the coast.
"That bastard!! I'll never forgive him!" Wang Zhi, wrapped in thick bandages, had few subordinates remaining. After all, their opponent had been Kaido—barely escaping alive was fortunate enough. What more could they demand?
"How pathetic. The great pirate Wang Zhi reduced to this by a former junior," a figure emerged from darkness.
"Who are you?!" Wang Zhi sprang up like a startled bird.
After recognizing the visitor's attire, he relaxed slightly. Not Beast Pirates—he'd worried Kaido was relentlessly pursuing.
"CP0?" Wang Zhi snorted coldly. That costume was unmistakable. "What, still bitter about my previous rejection? Here to take revenge while I'm down?"
"Don't misunderstand. We come again with goodwill," the World Government agent said calmly. "Perhaps you need our assistance now."
Wang Zhi sneered.
"Offending the Beast Pirates makes pleasant New World survival... difficult," the agent continued. "However, as a government collaborator, even the Beast Pirates needn't trouble you."
"How about becoming the new Shichibukai?"
Wang Zhi's expression grew grave.
"New Shichibukai?"
---
Brett read another newspaper. Sea politics shifted rapidly. Days ago, Wang Zhi and Kaido were locked in fierce combat. Now suddenly, Wang Zhi had become a new Shichibukai.
The original timeline never included this development. Or had Wang Zhi always been destined for Shichibukai status in the original history, later removed for certain reasons?
Regardless, Brett felt vigilant. Within short succession, the government recruited two new Shichibukai—both tremendously powerful. Brett could hardly avoid suspecting this was preparation aimed at him.
Not only was he expanding forces—the government wasn't falling behind either. Remarkable.
---
Wano Country.
"Wororororo! Interesting! So you played me completely, is that it?!" A certain monster finally understood after seeing the news.
"You misunderstand, Kaido," the agent assigned to communicate remained calm. "The government simply felt the currently desperate Wang Zhi suited becoming a new Shichibukai."
"You know—to counter Brett, the government needs more power."
"Brett!" Kaido's tone dropped ominously. Everyone hearing his voice recognized his fury.
"I can share some Brett intelligence with you. Trust me, Kaido—that man is far more terrifying than you imagine."
"Oh? Wororororo! So what exactly do those five old geezers want to say?!"
"Cooperation."
---
Front New World, a certain nation.
"Hahahaha! Hand over all your treasure!!" A pirate captain leaped from his ship docked recklessly at port, waving his curved blade.
At the port, terrified people screamed and scattered. This nation wasn't a World Government affiliate—even under pirate attack, they couldn't request aid. Though Charlotte Family flags hung at the port, facing audacious pirates, those flags carried little deterrent. Unlike the Navy with worldwide garrisons capable of reinforcing affiliated nations instantly, the Charlotte Family remained distant.
"Hahahaha! Cry! Scream!" The pirate captain swung his blade, laughing. "Wail about your misfortune!"
"STOP RIGHT THERE!!"
A figure descended from above.
"Who?!" The pirate captain turned angrily, wanting to see who dared interrupt.
The next instant, before even seeing the visitor clearly, a cold hand gripped his throat, lifting him entirely.
Only then did he see the visitor's face. His flushed complexion drained white with terror.
Behind the man, a cloak billowed. Upon that cloak was a symbol—a seagull similar to the Navy's emblem, but this seagull was pierced vertically by a sword.
"Justice will be protected by us—the NEO Navy!"
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