In Wano Country, inside the headquarters of the Kaido Pirates.
Seated high upon his throne, Kaido put down the latest issue of the World Economy News and let out a sigh.
"Didn't think Creed would grow to this level already. Maybe I should've gone all out and taken care of him back in Gran Tesoro."
Back then in Gran Tesoro, Creed had only been a Supernova who could exchange a few blows with him. Strong, yes—but if Kaido had gone all-out, he could still have won.
Yet how long had it been since then?
Not only had Big Mom been defeated and brought under Creed's banner, but even the legendary pirate Shiki as well.
With Big Mom and Shiki as his left and right hands, Creed was now the strongest power in the New World.
Kaido felt a faint threat looming over him.
Standing below the throne, King also sighed.
"What's done is done, Kaido-sama. There's no point brooding over it now. We should handle the other issues first.
According to top-secret intel, the Marines' grand mobilization was originally aimed at wiping out Creed. But now, since they're still not making a move, it seems they might've changed their target. We need to be careful."
Hearing that, Jack just waved it off.
"Even if the Marines turn their guns somewhere else, it won't be at us. Aside from Creed's alliance, we're still the strongest.
There's a saying—they always pick the soft persimmon to squeeze. That won't be us."
Queen nodded in agreement.
"I'm thinking the Red-Hair Pirates will be the unlucky ones this time. They've got fewer people, so they're easier to deal with."
King shook his head.
"It's not like we haven't clashed with the Red-Hair Pirates before. Sure, they've got few members, but every single one is an elite. They're not easy to fight at all.
Personally, I think Whitebeard's side is the most dangerous."
"King's right. The Marines moved their entire headquarters into the New World to make a show of power. And who better to serve as their stepping stone than the man once called the world's strongest?"
Queen nodded in agreement.
"Exactly. If they kill Whitebeard, the whole New World will tremble, and Marine prestige will shoot straight up."
Jack agreed as well.
"But things aren't that simple. The two top heads of CPO are here too—you have to factor them in.
I've never fought them myself, but considering they've guarded Mary Geoise all these years, and not even the strongest enemies have ever breached the Holy Land…
Their strength should be at least on par with a Marine admiral, maybe even a fleet admiral."
Kaido mulled it over for a while before finally speaking slowly.
"So, from this moment on, we're going on first-level war footing."
"Because I've got a feeling… they might be planning to sweep the entire New World and unify it under their control."
Kaido's speculation left the three Calamities stunned.
The Marines… were they really going to make a move that big—flattening the New World at any cost?
Judging from the situation, it was entirely possible.
This Marine grand mobilization hadn't just gathered every powerful fighter recruited through the world conscription. All the admirals were on the move as well, and even the two CPO giants had arrived.
But even with that lineup, wiping out the New World was still a stretch.
After all, none of the Five Emperors were pushovers. If they joined forces, their combined strength could still overpower the Marines.
The three Calamities couldn't help wondering if their boss was being a bit too cautious—this wasn't like his usual temperament.
"If my intel is correct, Blood Shadow will be coming soon as well."
After a moment, Kaido revealed another piece of news that left the three Calamities completely dumbstruck.
Then they all blurted out in unison:
"No way! That's the World Government's strongest hidden card, even more terrifying than CPO. They're bringing them in too?!"
"The World Government's throwing all their power into the New World… are they really going to flatten the whole place?
Damn it, no, no, no!"
Queen clutched his head and screamed.
Jack, on the other hand, wasn't impressed at all.
"Let 'em all come. Whoever it is, we just kill 'em. What's there to be scared of?
With boss here, there's nothing in this world to be afraid of!"
"You three, get ready.
Tell the intel division to run at full capacity and double their manpower. I want constant updates on every single Marine movement."
Kaido waved them off.
After the three Calamities left, he reclined on his throne, propped his chin on one hand, closed his eyes as if dozing, and murmured to himself:
"The Time-Time Fruit… where are you…
Time waits for no one."
On Whole Cake Island, inside the council hall, everyone was present.
Over the past month, the Marines hadn't made any obvious moves. That alone made Creed and the others feel something was off.
By their estimates, once the Marine grand mobilization was complete, they should have launched an attack within half a month—maybe even just a few days.
But even after so much time, the enemy still hadn't moved.
"At this point, it's obvious.
Our alliance has made them wary, so they're hesitating."
Today's meeting was to discuss their next steps and countermeasures.
Redfield said in a loud, clear voice:
"Looks like the captain's plan worked."
"Hmph! Of course it did. Big Mom and I are both sea emperors, and Creed is even stronger than we are.
With the three of us united, we're in no way inferior to the old Rocks crew."
Shiki spoke with a hint of pride.
"What we should do next is increase surveillance on the new Marine headquarters.
I still don't believe they'll let us off so easily.
Like it or not, we're the strongest force in the world right now."
Big Mom frowned slightly.
Even if the Marines were holding back for the moment, she still felt that their main target was this alliance.
After all, she had destroyed two Marine bases and slapped the Marines hard across the face. That was not a humiliation they could just swallow forever.
"Heh. I just hope they do show up.
New grudges, old grudges—I'll settle them all together."
Shiki sneered coldly.
"Buru buru buru…"
Right then, a Den-Den Mushi on Big Mom's person began to ring.
She glanced at Creed, and when he showed no objection, she took it out and answered.
The Den-Den Mushi morphed into Shanks's likeness, grinning as he spoke.
"Yo, looks like everyone's here. Seems you're all on edge—that's good.
Anyway, I've got some bad news for you.
The World Government will be sending Blood Shadow into the New World soon. You'd all better be careful. That's it. Big Mom, you owe me one."
Big Mom fell silent for a moment before replying,
"Thanks, Shanks. Didn't expect them to send even the World Government's trump card. No wonder they waited over a month."
"Blood Shadow, huh… what a distant memory.
Back in the day, I crossed blows with their third-in-command, the Third Blade. He was damn strong. Wonder if he's dead yet?"
Shiki seemed to recall something, speaking with a trace of nostalgia.
"I heard Blood Shadow was dealing with the Revolutionary Army.
How did they find the time to come here?"
Big Mom asked curiously.
"The Revolutionary Army's been dealt a devastating blow.
For a long while, they won't be able to threaten the World Government at all.
All right, that's about all I wanted to say.
Oh, and Creed-kun, I'll come by for a drink and a chat one of these days. Bye."
Shanks hung up just like that, completely ignoring Big Mom and the others calling for him to wait.
"…That really is bad news."
Creed rubbed his nose and sighed.
(End of Chapter)
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