Shocked as he was, to be blocked by mere subordinates? Kaido's temper flared.
"Out of my way!"
He roared. His draconic tail swept across with the weight of ten thousand tons.
But the elegant man's parasol-sword leveled crosswise. A terrifying sword intent surged up; blade momentum rolled like a sea, staining the rooftop blood-red. The aura was in no way inferior to Kaido's.
"What? Since when did the New World birth another peerless great swordsman? One Creed is shocking enough—and there's actually another one here!"
Kaido's head throbbed. Today was giving him a migraine.
Boom!
Parasol met dragon tail. The burst was like a giant firework. The tower took another heavy pounding and swayed so much that the Three Calamities up top grew uneasy.
Especially Jack: "Boss, we're still up here—go easy!"
Just as the elegant man was about to cross weapons with Kaido again—
"Redfield, let them go."
A flash dropped from the sky. Creed's figure condensed out of it, stepping in to block the eager swordsman.
Behind them, Morgans flapped hard to catch up. He'd just struck a deal with Creed.
"Redfield? Red the Aloof—Redfield! No wonder you looked familiar!"
At that name, Kaido's eyes widened again.
Back then, he was the living legend who stood alone shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Whitebeard and Shiki.
Every year, when Kaido went looking to duel the strongest, he'd had his eye on that man too—but Redfield drifted alone across the sea, impossible to pin down, and the idea always died on the vine.
He hadn't expected such a legendary figure to become Creed's subordinate!
Kaido cast Creed a deep look, then left in a huff with his Three Calamities.
Truth be told, he was not pleased. He felt he'd lost a bit too much face today.
But the situation in Wano forced him to swallow the insult for now and leave.
"Damn Whitebeard! Just because I haven't come knocking in a while, you think I'm easy to push around, huh?!"
He cursed inwardly.
Kaido was annoyed—but so was Creed.
A Rainbow Chest!
SSSS-rank Armament Haki!
Compared to thirty billion belly, he wanted those two far more!
Still, there were gains: both Extreme Evil and Pure Good had climbed to 92%. Once those two hit 100%, the percentage for Supreme Samsara would finally move.
He suddenly thought, after some time, maybe he should swing by Wano and "catch up" with Kaido.
"Lord Creed, after today, your seat as the Fifth Emperor is beyond contest."
Morgans hurried over with congratulations.
He saw massive investment value in Creed; he was laying it on thick. As a titan of the underworld's information network, he could talk and he could schmooze, maintaining solid ties with many major powers and top fighters. Now, he wanted to draw Creed into that web.
Creed knew who he was and how formidable his reach could be, so he didn't refuse the conversation.
In the New World, intel mattered.
After a few pleasantries and exchanging contact details, Morgans shared a tidbit: "The Navy's received word—they're preparing to send two Admirals here."
Creed nodded his thanks.
If the Celestial Dragons ran into trouble here, of course the Navy would react.
Even if Admirals didn't scare him now, there was no reason to loiter in Gran Tesoro. He decided to leave first.
Watching Creed and Redfield depart, a smile tugged at Morgans's beak.
Today was a bumper harvest.
Soon, a striking figure appeared behind him—his ever-present secretary.
"President, the copy for the headline feature is done. We're just waiting on your title."
Morgans cleared his throat. "Use this—'Clash with Kaido—New World's Fifth Emperor Officially Crowned!'"
"Understood."
The secretary hurried off.
Morgans whistled. Two News Coos swooped down from the sky.
"I've got a feeling more will happen. Trail Creed's ship. If nothing pops in an hour, return. Keep your distance."
"Caw caw!" The birds nodded and took wing.
"Creed, Creed… with you in the game, what shape will the New World take? I can't wait to see."
He gazed into the distance.
Out there, several Navy warships were sailing in, their great sails emblazoned with the Marine insignia.
At the harbor beneath the Golden City, Robin saw Creed and Redfield return and greeted them with a smile. "Captain, Uncle Redfield—you're back."
Creed nodded and scooped up Falkor, who flew over to nuzzle him. This little one had chosen loyalty this time, staying with the Giant Bat to watch the ship rather than following Creed up top.
Seeing that, the Giant Bat tried to imitate Falkor and pounce on Redfield—only to get flicked aside by a single finger.
Creed patted Falkor's small purple head, took some goodies from his carry space to console her, then finally turned to the ship's unexpected guest. "Rayleigh-senpai, you seem to really like this ship. Want to sail with us?"
The uninvited guest was Rayleigh, who was currently running his hands over Creed's grand vessel, enamored with every line.
"All Adam Wood, exquisitely designed and practical—definitely the handiwork of Tom's two apprentices. Kid, you've got money."
"Sail together? No, no. I'm already an old man, and there's no place on the Grand Line I haven't been. Anyway, I'll take my leave—and thanks for today."
Rayleigh waved and turned to go.
"You're too polite, Rayleigh-senpai. You guarded our ship—really, we should be the ones thanking you."
Robin filled Creed and Redfield in. During the window when Redfield sensed the Calamities and left the ship, Tesoro had sent strong hands to seize the vessel—but Rayleigh had driven them all off.
"That guy…"
Creed watched the man's back for a moment, then said, "We should get underway too."
…
Creed's ship slipped away from the Golden City.
"A gold mine like this—it's a shame not to take it."
At the helm, Redfield looked back at Gran Tesoro, unable to hide his regret.
"The web of interests is too huge—especially the deep ties to the Celestial Dragons. Absolute Sanctuary access was granted by the World Government. Us taking control? Basically impossible."
Creed had thought it through.
Without the Celestial Dragons and the Government balancing the interests, a casino-metropolis like this would be carved up by the Four Emperors in no time.
"Captain! Looks like ships are tailing us aft! If I'm not mistaken—it's the Navy!"
Up on the mast with a spyglass, Lawding shouted down in surprise.
(End of Chapter)
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