Whole Cake Island, Totto Land.
Charlotte Linlin and Kaido were sitting together, looking at some intelligence reports.
Lately, Kaido had essentially been staying with Charlotte Linlin, continuously pursuing his malicious plan to win her over, annex the Big Mom Pirates, and maybe even become a father figure to Katakuri and the others. However, Charlotte Linlin completely rebuffed Kaido. As if sensing his intentions, every time Kaido started something, she smoothly steered the conversation away. It seemed she only wanted to form an alliance with him now, win a major battle, and then immediately dissolve the partnership.
"Old Man Whitebeard and Smoker's fleet are gathering at Endless Island. It looks like they intend to start the fight there, and they've given us a clear signal," Kaido said somberly.
With the increasing number of forces from the Whitebeard Pirates and Smoker's side, it was no longer feasible for Kaido and Charlotte Linlin to set up an ambush near Endless Island or attempt to win big with a small force.
Now, Whitebeard and Smoker were employing an open, above-board strategy. We are gathering our forces right here. You either come to us, or we will march to you. Either way, we're going to clash head-on.
Was there a way to break the deadlock?
There was: they could use the opportunity to raid Whitebeard's home base. But if they did that, the Whitebeard forces would certainly take down Whole Cake Island in retaliation. That would amount to exchanging home bases, and since Whole Cake Island was more valuable, it would be a net loss!
"I just don't get it. By all accounts, we should be the ones in a hurry, so why are they so insistent on a decisive battle?" Kaido wondered, rubbing his chin.
Logically, the best strategy for Whitebeard, having received financial support from Smoker, would be to steadily advance and slowly wear them down. Yet, it was very strange that Whitebeard and Smoker were pushing for a decisive battle. The disadvantage was clearly on their side; they should be the ones initiating the confrontation.
"Ambition, and unequal interests in the alliance," Katakuri suddenly interjected.
Charlotte Linlin looked at Katakuri. "Tell me more."
"Clearly, Smoker is riding on Whitebeard's influence. We are an alliance, and so are they. If they win, Smoker can stand on equal footing with Whitebeard while simultaneously stepping on us... I suspect he has some pressing need to rapidly elevate his status, hence his desire for a quick, decisive battle," Katakuri analyzed.
After a slight pause, he continued, "The second point is that while dragging it out benefits the Whitebeard Pirates on the surface, that's all it is: the surface. Whitebeard is getting older, and his strength is likely to decline. With you, Mama, allied with Kaido-san, he fears he won't be able to hold us down if he delays too long. That's one reason. Then there's Smoker. Whitebeard can afford to delay, but Smoker cannot. This war is already affecting the Amway Group's business. At the same time, he has to provide financial support to the Whitebeard Pirates. As a businessman, the longer this drags on, the more disadvantageous it is for him. Therefore, both sides quickly reached an agreement to swiftly deal with us and then carve up the New World..."
Kaido looked at Katakuri with a hint of envy. Sigh, how great it would be if he were my son. Look at my Yamato; she's the embodiment of a father's worst nightmare...
"Do you have any good suggestions?" Charlotte Linlin asked.
Katakuri shook his head, then sighed. "We have no choice. Although we've been put on the defensive, we must accept this decisive battle and fight them head-on... Otherwise, we'll be the ones who suffer in the end."
"Yes..." Charlotte Linlin murmured.
In truth, even if Whitebeard and Smoker hadn't initiated the decisive battle, she and Kaido would have caused trouble to force one. They simply moved faster than expected.
Since things had come to this, even if it was unfavorable, they had no choice but to fight. Furthermore, it wasn't as if they truly couldn't win!
The alliance between the Whitebeard Pirates and Smoker might seem imposing and overwhelmingly powerful. However, they had a fatal weakness, and solving it could instantly turn the tide.
That weakness was Whitebeard himself.
Neither Kaido nor Charlotte Linlin truly regarded Smoker as an opponent on their level. The actual core keeping the Whitebeard Pirates and their "Double White Alliance" together was Newgate himself. As long as they could defeat Newgate, the overall situation and the advantage would be in their hands.
If they could seize the opportunity to kill Newgate... the New World would truly belong to the two of them!
In the past few days, while arranging war matters, Charlotte Linlin and Kaido hadn't been idle. Instead, they were coordinating their teamwork and practicing combined attacks. So far, the progress was quite good. Both sides were well-acquainted with each other's abilities and were on the same level of strength. The primary and secondary roles had already been decided—Charlotte Linlin would be the main force, with Kaido as the supporting force. This focused training and coordination greatly enhanced their combined tactics. Perhaps they really could catch Old Man Whitebeard off guard.
After discussing further, Charlotte Linlin, the leader of the Pirate Alliance, said somberly, "In that case, let's fight them. We will also mobilize our fleets!"
With this, the decisive battle between the "Double White Alliance" and the "Pirate Alliance" was officially confirmed.
…
At the same time, a shocking event occurred in the East Blue.
A World Noble's personal ship was blown up, and Saint Jalmack, who was touring various countries in the East Blue after leaving Mariejois, drowned after being seriously injured! He died right there in the East Blue!
This incident occurred in the waters of the Goa Kingdom, and the people of the Goa Kingdom were already in a panic. The incident was quickly classified as a 'terrorist attack.'
Mariejois was having a headache over this. In recent years, the authority of the World Government seemed to be under tremendous challenge. First, Mariejois was set on fire, and now someone had actually bombed a World Noble's ship.
Meanwhile, at the Isshin Dojo in Shimotsuki Village in the East Blue, Dragon was looking seriously at a young boy standing before him. He was puzzled: How did this kid find me? How did my whereabouts leak out? Could I be in danger?
While thinking these things, Dragon asked, "What did you just say?"
"I said my name is Sabo, Outlook Sabo, and I want to join your organization!" Sabo looked at Dragon with sparkling eyes.
Dragon was silent for a moment, then asked, "How did you find me?"
"Huh? I just wandered around and found you," Sabo said strangely. After a slight pause, he continued, "After I ran away from home, I wanted to come to Shimotsuki Village to learn swordsmanship, and then wait for an opportunity to join you. I was lucky enough to run into you here..."
A coincidence?
Dragon speculated inwardly, then he said, "Outlook... that's the Duke of the Goa Kingdom..."
Sabo didn't deny it, nodding. "That's right, I'm the Duke's son."
In reality, the current King of the Goa Kingdom was expected to die soon from illness without leaving an heir. Thus, the Outlook family was next in line to become the royal family of the Goa Kingdom. Theoretically speaking, if Sabo stayed home, he would eventually become the King of the Goa Kingdom.
Hearing Sabo's reply, Dragon was very confused. You're the son of a Duke, born into true nobility. You have everything, so why on earth would you want to come and rebel with me? Is there something wrong with him?
But soon, Dragon remembered something else. The information he'd received not long ago suggested the Goa Kingdom's royal line was about to end. The King was gravely ill and had no children... Dragon's mind worked quickly. Before long, he realized that if handled properly, Sabo's background meant he had a good chance of inheriting the throne. If this kid really wanted to join them and could eventually become the King of the Goa Kingdom, then this country could slowly become their base of operations in the East Blue.
Furthermore... Furthermore, Dragon himself could accumulate experience in governing a country here, trying to slowly change the Goa Kingdom and put the ideals he pursued into practice! This was a very promising idea!
Despite these thoughts, Dragon remained suspicious of Sabo.
In fact, since Luffy and Ace were taken away by Diarmuid, Sabo naturally never formed a bond of brotherhood with them. Without the guidance of those two rascals, Sabo was still somewhat rebellious, but at least he wasn't thinking of becoming a pirate. Instead, after learning a lot about Dragon, Sabo became very hopeful about changing the world and yearned to join Dragon's banner. It had to be said that he was truly well-fed but bored; he belonged to the Grand Noble class yet wanted to mess around with Dragon, essentially trying to overthrow his own class.
After thinking for a while, Dragon said, "While I'm glad that you, as a Duke's son, have the ambition to join us, frankly, you are still too young, and your true intentions may not lie with us. Also, I cannot simply trust you like this..."
"As for trust, I've already pulled off a monumental feat. It's my pledge of allegiance. I was actually planning to use this incident to draw your attention and make you actively seek me out, but I was lucky enough to run into you, Dragon-san," Sabo said excitedly.
A boy of barely a dozen years, talking about a 'monumental feat' and a 'pledge of allegiance.' Dragon didn't take it seriously at all.
As one's knowledge and age grow, and as they interact more with the world, the definition of a so-called 'monumental feat' changes. It's like how in childhood, failing an exam and the teacher calling your parents seemed like the end of the world. But after entering society, you realize it means absolutely nothing.
Dragon understood this principle, so he didn't give it much thought, merely asking casually, "What sort of 'monumental feat' are you talking about?"
"I blew up the World Noble! Didn't you know? Didn't you read the newspaper?" Sabo said, confused.
Dragon: ???
He knew that a World Noble had died in the East Blue, but... this was your doing? Dragon was deeply suspicious, because this truly was a massive event!
"Is that true? Why did you kill the World Noble?" Dragon asked softly.
Hearing this, a flash of hatred crossed Sabo's eyes, and he said through gritted teeth, "That bastard, during the seven days he was in the Goa Kingdom, directly and indirectly caused the deaths of over a hundred innocent citizens of the Goa Kingdom. He even publicly assaulted the Queen Consort..."
"And then?" Dragon asked.
"The port where his ship was docked is owned by my family's business. I heard the news that he was leaving, so I snuck out in the middle of the night, got some explosives from the Gray Terminal, and hid them in his cabin on the ship," Sabo said with a smile.
Dragon's mind was racing. Clearly, with a World Noble having an accident in the Goa Kingdom, the country was bound for disaster. Even the royal family was under suspicion right now, especially since this boy claimed the World Noble assaulted the Queen Consort... This matter definitely required a sacrifice. Considering the current status of the Goa Kingdom's King, Dragon had already sentenced him to death in his mind.
Mariejois would certainly demand accountability, and the internal forces within the Goa Kingdom would definitely want to put forward a sufficiently important shield to ward off the disaster. And what was more suitable for that role than a King who was gravely ill, had little authority, but still held a highly respected position?
Following this line of reasoning, the family with the best hope of inheriting the throne within the Goa Kingdom was the Great Duke Outlook's family. And now, the heir of the Outlook family was standing right in front of him.
It would be strange if he wasn't interested.
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