The morning after completing the secret transaction with the World Government, Kaido could hardly wait to set sail once more. The sun had just risen, and the docks of Onigashima were already lined with the elite forces of the Beasts Pirates in orderly ranks.
In the morning light, the eleven main officers stood in a line: Bullet's tall figure was particularly striking; Urouge carried his massive pillar; Sebastian held his meteor hammers in both hands; Commodore Gavin was polishing his long sword; Nour Morris and Cedric conversed in low voices; Nixon adjusted his tie; the three newly promoted officers—Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi—looked ahead with solemn expressions; while Enel played idly with his golden staff.
Behind them, over a thousand fully armed pirates stood in neat formation, their metal weapons gleaming coldly in the sunlight. This was the entire force Kaido had publicly announced for this expedition. In reality, to avoid raising suspicion from the outside world, he had intentionally left King, Moria, and Queen—three of his most capable officers—to hold down Wano Country. Over the past few months, these three had established considerable notoriety in Wano, enough to intimidate petty troublemakers without completely crushing the hopes of the resistance—precisely the effect Kaido wanted.
"Wororororo!" Kaido's hearty laughter echoed across the bay. "Men, it's time to let the New World witness our strength! Set sail!"
"As you command!" the thousand-plus pirates answered in unison, the soundwave causing ripples on the sea's surface.
After months of management, the Beasts Pirates' ranks had rapidly expanded to fifteen hundred members. This was still the result of Kaido's insistence on an elite troop policy; otherwise, doubling the number wouldn't have been a problem. For this expedition, he took twelve hundred from the main force, specially preparing three large three-masted sailing ships for the purpose. These warships were newly built, each equipped with the most advanced cannon systems.
The sea breeze picked up, and the sails swelled. Kaido stood at the bow of the flagship, watching the gradually receding coastline of Wano Country, a meaningful smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Soon, the pirate ships sailed out of Wano's waters.
"Bullet, Urouge, we'll part ways here. You'll wait here for King's notification. I leave Wano in your hands," Kaido said to Bullet and Urouge beside him.
"Kaido-sama, don't worry. As long as I'm in Wano for a single day, no one will be able to threaten the Beasts Pirates," Bullet responded to Kaido.
"Leave it to me, Captain," Urouge also said to Kaido.
"Bullet, Urouge, regarding the Rokushiki and Seimei Kikan training manuals we obtained from the World Government, you should train in them as well. Especially the Seimei Kikan; it will be a great help for your future," Kaido said to the two of them and the officers behind them.
"Yes!" Several of them nodded upon hearing this.
Most of the people who came out this time would return with Bullet and the others. Those setting sail with Kaido were only the officers Sebastian, Enel, Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi, along with thirty fish-men and fifty pirates.
Quickly, the three pirate ships separated. Kaido's ship sailed directly into the distance, while Bullet and Urouge, each commanding a ship, headed towards a nearby small island. They would wait there for a call, ready to return to Wano at any time.
The sea breeze gently brushed past. The Beasts Pirates' flagship cut an elegant arc across the azure sea. Amidst a crackle of electric current, Enel transformed into a flash of lightning and instantly appeared beside Kaido. Before the afterglow of the lightning had fully dissipated, his youthful voice rang out: "Captain, what's our first destination?"
On the deck, Inuarashi twitched his furry ears and curiously leaned over. "Yeah, Captain, where are we heading first? Is it the legendary Skypiea?" His round eyes shone with anticipation.
"Idiot!" Nekomamushi immediately retorted to Inuarashi, then said, "Skypiea is in the first half of the Grand Line, far from here! Captain, are we going to Fish-Man Island? I remember you returned to the first half of the Grand Line through Fish-Man Island before."
Hearing about returning to Fish-Man Island, Sebastian and the dozens of fish-men on board all cast hopeful glances. Clearly, they also wanted to return to Fish-Man Island to see it, having been away for over a year. Of course, they would be willing if given the chance.
"Wororororo!" Kaido's hearty laughter echoed over the sea as he raised his gourd and took a big swig. "Neither! Our first stop is Dressrosa!"
"Dressrosa?" Inuarashi scratched his head, his fluffy tail unconsciously swaying. "What's so special about that country?"
A gleam flashed in Kaido's eyes as he said gravely, "We're not going to Dressrosa itself, but the small island next to it—Green Bit. There might be Devil Fruits we need hidden there, and..." He deliberately drew out his tone, "...the legendary Tontatta Tribe lives there."
The purpose of this voyage was equally clear for Kaido: to find a way to increase the Beasts Pirates' foundation. The fastest method to increase strength was Devil Fruits. Thinking of Devil Fruits, Kaido naturally thought of several that could single-handedly change the course of a war, such as the Kibo Kibo no Mi and the Uta Uta no Mi.
Of course, Kaido had no idea where these fruits were. But in his memory, the princess of the Tontatta Tribe on Green Bit would become a user of the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi in the future. The abilities of the Heal-Heal Fruit were undoubtedly an exceptional support-type fruit.
Furthermore, in the original story, the Tontatta Tribe possessed several Zoan-type Devil Fruits. So, Kaido intended to try his luck there.
And even if he gained nothing, the Tontatta Tribe itself held considerable value. After all, the Tontatta were known as the Green Managers, capable of cultivating various plants. Kaido planned to continue research on artificial Devil Fruits in the future. Therefore, if necessary, he would take a group of Tontatta with him from Green Bit.
"Tontatta Tribe? Are they the race with very small stature?" Nekomamushi said.
"Idiot, of course. They're called the small tribe. They probably aren't even this tall." Inuarashi said, placing his hand at his own waist to demonstrate.
"I remember hearing about the Tontatta Tribe back on Fish-Man Island," Sebastian recalled. "They're said to be tiny, even smaller than our palms. But despite their small stature, they possess incredible strength and move very fast."
"Even smaller than a palm? That tiny?" some who had never heard of the Tontatta Tribe exclaimed in surprise.
At the same time, they were filled with anticipation for the journey ahead.
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