In truth, the Beasts Pirates had already started their preparations long before the mention of Whitebeard's arrival.
Wano Country Mobilization
It was the New World, and the morning sun was just waking the common people of Wano Country. One by one, they rose, washed, and began their day, believing it would be no different from any other.
Yet, unknown to everyone above, a fierce storm was already brewing beneath the calm surface, deep within the Grand Line below the isolated nation. Pirate ships proudly flying the flag of the Beasts Pirates were fully prepared and organized.
This time, the Beasts Pirates had truly mobilized a massive force. They had thirteen Marine warships that they themselves used, plus nearly a hundred other pirate vessels of various sizes. The sheer number of ships was immense, densely packing the sea around Wano Country.
On the five leading warships, the five main generals for this mission were already standing at attention, ready for battle.
The leader, naturally, was Jack the Drought, one of the Four Calamities of the Beasts Pirates and the Minister of Military Affairs for Wano Country. He was the official commander-in-chief of this expedition.
Flanking him on the surrounding warships were four other high-ranking executives: the Tobi Roppo, who also served as the Four Generals of Wano Country. They were Ulti, Sasaki, Page One, and Reiju, and they made up the four main vice-generals of this force.
The rest of the fleet was commanded by subordinates they had recruited recently, who now held the rank of Shinuchi within the Beasts Pirates. Each Shinuchi acted as the captain of one of the smaller pirate ships. Because the Artificial Devil Fruits had not yet been fully developed, most of these Shinuchi were simply powerful, ordinary pirates. There was no alternative, as genuine Devil Fruits were incredibly rare. However, to earn the title of Shinuchi in the Grand Line, a person's bounty would be at least $50,000,000 Berries.
Among the subordinates, Reiju's crew was the most unusual. Having only recently arrived in Wano Country, she hadn't had enough time to recruit many retainers. Therefore, the pirate ship behind her was crewed by her three brothers and the clone soldiers of the Vinsmoke Family. In terms of pure strength and combat experience, she, her brothers, and the clone soldiers were actually superior to most ordinary Shinuchi and common grunts. This was enough to make up for her own relative lack of strength within the executive ranks.
Behind these Shinuchi were the everyday grunts of the crew. They were all dressed in the distinctive, Viking-like attire of the Beasts Pirates. Unlike the disorganized behavior of the grunts when Kaido first arrived, more than a month of continuous training had transformed them into what seemed like an elite force in all respects.
This improved discipline was mainly due to Kaido appointing Jack as the Minister of Military Affairs. After receiving Kaido's direct order, Jack had diligently, and brutally, trained these grunts. Jack's severity and cruel streak were well-known throughout the crew. While the entire process was excessively strict—and some recruits even died during the training—the results were undeniable. The previously lax morale of the entire Beasts Pirates organization had instantly tightened.
As for the pirates who died during training, Kaido couldn't have cared less. Since these men were pirates to begin with, Kaido had no intention of using any gentle methods on them.
Intelligence and Leadership
In addition to the main combatants, a special group was present. Their leader was Foxy, also one of the Tobi Roppo and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Wano Country. At this moment, he stood next to Jack.
He was participating in the expedition, but unlike the combat executives, his role as Minister of Foreign Affairs gave him a single, distinct mission: to help the five main generals better complete their tasks.
How would he help? Through the network of spies he had carefully trained during his time in Wano Country. These spies were his contribution to the overall operation.
This vast armada, gathered on the Grand Line, was the complete force for the Beasts Pirates expedition. Waves surged around them, and a palpable sense of bloodlust hung in the air. Every member of the crew, from the highest-ranking executive down to the lowest grunt, understood the importance of this expedition, and their faces were filled with a mixture of excitement and anticipation.
Kaido's Arrival
Everyone looked up into the sky. They didn't have long to wait.
Above them, rolling dark clouds gathered, laced with lightning and the rumble of thunder. The Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, the ruler of Wano Country, and an Emperor of the New World—Kaido of the Beasts—emerged. He had transformed into his magnificent, giant dragon form. His massive body cast a shadow over the entire sky, and his huge eyes looked down at every single person below.
At this sight, even the Shinuchi and grunts who had seen Kaido in this Ancient Zoan form before were filled with shock. The feeling was even more intense for those who were witnessing his true appearance for the very first time.
Besides Kaido, King also appeared. He had completely lowered his guard, removing his mask to reveal his strikingly handsome face and white hair. Flames burned intensely behind him as he flew effortlessly beside Kaido's gigantic dragon head.
"Boom!!!"
The moment Kaido made his appearance, every person in the entire Beasts Pirates force immediately knelt down and roared in unison.
"Long live Kaido-sama!!!" "Long live Kaido-sama!!!" "Long live Kaido-sama!!!"
Their collective voices thundered across the sea and echoed through the sky.
Kaido's satisfied, booming laugh answered them.
"Worororo... Rise!!!"
Only then did everyone stand up. Even so, among all the members of the expedition, only the high-ranking executives and a few of the Shinuchi were brave enough to look directly into Kaido's terrifying gaze.
"Good, I'm very pleased with your morale!" Kaido roared, his voice carrying immense authority.
He continued, laying out the chain of command: "Jack, you're the commander-in-chief for this mission. Ulti, Sasaki, Page One, Reiju—you all are the vice-generals. Foxy will handle intelligence for you. Listen to me! No matter where you go, whether it's the Marines, the World Government, pirates, or anyone else who dares to stand against the Beasts Pirates, tear them to pieces! Make them vanish completely from the Grand Line!!!"
"Yes, Kaido-sama!" the five generals replied with respectful shouts. Even Ulti, who was usually so rebellious, had eyes filled with deep loyalty at that moment.
"Very good!" Kaido said, then turned his gaze toward the remaining grunts and spoke generously.
"This time, I'll reward anyone who performs exceptionally well. Whether it's Devil Fruits, powerful weapons, treasure, or beautiful women—whatever you want, I'll personally grant it as your reward!"
At this promise, the eyes of the Shinuchi and the grunts immediately lit up with avarice.
"Long live Kaido-sama!!!" they shouted, their voices excited and full of fervor.
Kaido nodded in satisfaction. His massive dragon body coiled and soared higher into the sky, finally raising his great head.
"Then, depart now. I await your good news!"
"Yes!!!" came the unified roar.
"Boom!!!"
As the sails of countless pirate ships were raised and the pirates cheered wildly, the great expedition of the Beasts Pirates began.
Watching his subordinates depart, Kaido then turned his head to King, who was flying next to him.
"Let's go, King. Don't let your big brother fly off and leave you behind!" Kaido playfully urged.
A slight smile crossed King's handsome face. "Don't worry, Big Brother. I might not be as strong as you, but my flying speed is definitely not slow at all."
"Wororororo..." Kaido laughed heartily. His giant dragon body soared and began to ascend into the thick clouds overhead.
Seeing this, King's flames flared up intensely behind him, and he swiftly followed his captain.
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