"Kaido of the Beasts. What the hell is this guy trying to do?!"
On the execution platform, a few drops of cold sweat trickled down Sengoku's forehead. Kaido's appearance makes sense, yet it was also surprising. In Sengoku's view, Kaido had no ties whatsoever with Whitebeard and absolutely no reason to come to his rescue.
With that time, he'd be better off going to seize Whitebeard's territory—it'd be much more profitable.
Other than Yamato, who had already charged inside, Kaido didn't follow up with any further attacks after unleashing his Blast Breath. Instead, he seemed to be observing something. In the end, he actually transformed into his Human-Beast form and descended toward the Moby Dick.
"Damn it, could they really have formed a pirate alliance? Then Red-Hair…"
According to the Five Elders' speculations, it was Red-Hair who was secretly leading this powerful pirate alliance. If all of this were true, then the biggest issue now was Red-Hair who had yet to show himself.
"Garp, do you understand what I mean?"
Sengoku didn't understand why the Five Elders insisted on Garp appearing on this battlefield. Although Garp's status as a Marine hero meant his absence would affect morale, the trouble Garp's presence would bring was also considerable.
That meant Sengoku had to keep an eye on Garp. The one about to be executed was his adopted grandson, and if Garp did anything irrational, it would be a huge trouble.
The Marine Fleet Admiral is being held back by the Marine hero, and even when taking action, he had to consider their camaraderie. No one would believe this if they heard it.
If Kaido hadn't shown up, Garp slacking off wouldn't have made much of a difference. But Kaido's appearance had already upset a delicate balance—not to mention, he didn't come alone.
"Kaido, along with his daughter and subordinates—the total bounty on these people already exceeds ten billion."
"I know. If it really comes to that, I won't just sit and watch."
Garp still had no intention of standing up. If these people were here to rescue Ace as well, he is probably laughing inside. Unless the situation escalated even further, there was no way he'd go all in on this war.
From so far away, Sengoku couldn't clearly see what was happening on Yamato's side of the battlefield. There was quite a commotion over there, and he couldn't determine whether they were faking the fight or not.
However, Kaido's next move once again left everyone completely bewildered. In the sky, he transformed into his Human-Beast form and thunder curled around the Hassaikai. The Haki of Conqueror's Haki crackled in the sky like thunderclap.
"Long time no see, Newgate. Let me see if you've lost your edge! Destroyer of Death Thunder Bagua!"
Gripping the kanabo with both hands, Kaido smashed it downward toward Whitebeard. There was no probing, no holding back—his very first strike was Kaido's full-force attack. However, he didn't use any buff-type techniques; he was relying purely on his current physical strength.
"Get out of the way, Squard."
Seeing Kaido above, Whitebeard kicked aside Squard, who was behind him. It wasn't out of resentment, but because Squard wouldn't be able to withstand the aftermath of this battle.
If left alone, Squard might even be killed outright by the shockwaves from the clash between Whitebeard and Kaido. Even though they hadn't yet exchanged blows, the immense power of Kaido's Conqueror's Haki was already apparent.
The power of tremors wrapped around the blade of Murakumogiri. Haki extended from Whitebeard's body to the edge of his weapon. Though the weapons hadn't yet collided, the Haki was already clashing.
"Don't get in my way, Kaido!!"
Boom!!
The Moby Dick shook violently, and even the sea surface previously frozen by Kuzan cracked open under the immense impact. Though Whitebeard managed to stabilize himself, he still staggered back several large steps.
"Newgate, you've gotten weak. A few years ago, you could've taken that attack."
"I'm not in the mood to fight you, brat Kaido. Even if we're not exactly close, we're both pirates. Shouldn't the Marines be the real enemy here?"
Whitebeard had no desire to fight Kaido right now. If he started fighting Kaido, he wouldn't be able to focus on rescuing Ace. Without him, his subordinates alone definitely wouldn't be able to save Ace.
"We once sailed on the same ship. Shouldn't we team up to deal with the Marines first?"
Whitebeard wouldn't let go of any power he could possibly draw in. That earlier Blast Breath had already caused considerable casualties on both sides, but if Kaido was truly willing to ally with him, their odds of success in battle would increase significantly.
"Not interested. I'm just here to join the fight. Whether it's you or the Marines, I'm only looking for a strong opponent. There aren't many people left on these seas that are still worth my time."
Several wind blades shot out from Kaido's hands, and Kaido followed close behind, attacking Whitebeard again. The Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon granted him the power of flight, but Whitebeard didn't have that ability. Unable to leverage his footing well on the ship, he was forced to land on the ground.
The battle was unavoidable, yet Whitebeard had no intention of engaging Kaido head-on. Instead, he charged toward the area where the Marines were concentrated, using Kaido's strength to cause considerable trouble for them.
The Marines didn't send any high-ranking officers to stop all of this. The impact caused by the shockwaves was ultimately limited. If Kaido and Whitebeard really wore each other down here, that would be the best possible outcome. Once the two were both severely weakened, that would be the perfect chance for the Marines to take them down in one go.
"Edward Newgate! What are you doing? Is this your attitude toward battle?!"
"Kaido, I'm already old. I've never had any interest in titles like 'the strongest.' If you want it, just take it."
"But I don't have time to waste with you right now. I'm going to save my son!"
"Worororo! Newgate, you're still so naïve, always recruiting such weak sons."
"What did you say?!"
"Isn't it the truth? Your son is too weak—that's why he ended up in the Marines' hands.
Look at my daughter. Even if you throw her into the middle of the Marines, she's still jumping around lively as ever. If your son were that strong, you wouldn't have to worry about all this."
Kaido's words were laced with a sense of boasting, yet Whitebeard couldn't find a reason to refute him.
"But this is exactly who you are, Newgate. The world's strongest man has still lost to time."
"The current you isn't exciting at all. Since you care so much about your son, how about I give you a chance?"
"What are you planning?"
"A full-force battle with me. A fight where only one of us walks away alive! This is Marine Headquarters—no matter how much damage we cause, it won't affect our territories."
"I don't have the time, and I'm not in the mood."
"Exactly, what you lack is time. But I can give you the power of youth. This is your final stage. Don't you want the world to see what the young Whitebeard was truly like?"
Kaido pulled out a wooden box from inside his coat and threw it to Whitebeard.
"Eat it, and you'll experience the power of youth. After that, go do what you need to do—and then come back and fight me with everything you've got.
Newgate, you still have that much courage, right? If you don't even dare to do this, then I guess I misjudged you!"
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