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The boundless sea stretched to the horizon.
Kid stood at the bow, his heart surging.
"It's within reach!"
"Kaido, Big Mom—all the old-era nobodies will be defeated by me!"
"We are the strongest!"
"I am the one who will become the Pirate King!"
Kid spread his arms, proclaiming his victory, yet no one responded to his bold words. All he heard were the cries of war-torn chaos.
The world was burning, pulling him back from his dream to reality.
"Boss! Boss!"
"Captain, wake up!"
"Kid-san!"
The remnants of the Kid Pirates gathered around the blood-soaked Kid, each one in a panic.
"Boss is dying!"
"Damn it!"
"Even Killer, who was covering us!"
Not only was the captain on the verge of death, but the vice-captain, Killer, who'd been protecting him, was also severely injured and covered in blood.
If they didn't receive timely treatment, both of them would die!
"Oh oh oh!"
At this moment, the pirates' excited shouts were like a mountain crashing into the sea!
With just one strike, Boss Kaido had defeated the formidable rookie who'd given Ulti and her brother such a hard time. This unparalleled strength was the greatest reason they followed Kaido.
The strongest should be like this!
The Kid Pirates trembled, feeling the most primal fear for the first time, like lambs to the slaughter trapped in a demon's den.
The pirates raised their hands.
"Beast Pirates, we surrender!"
"Please, save our Boss!"
"They're going to die soon."
The plaza was silent for a few seconds.
The Beast Pirates looked at each other, then burst into laughter.
"Surrender? That's hilarious!"
"You think this is a game of pretend?"
"Dare to provoke our Beast Pirates, and the only price is death!"
"Uh, Boss Kaido..."
As they laughed, the pirates hesitated.
Kid's strength was considerable. Given Boss Kaido's personality of valuing talent, he might actually let the opponent off the hook.
The pirates secretly looked at Kaido.
Kaido's expression was grim. He hoisted his spiked club and turned to leave.
In his place came Daichi.
"Tap~ tap~ tap~~~"
His footsteps seemed to tread on the hearts of Kid's group.
Daichi approached Kid, extended his hand, took a knife from his subordinate's hand, and plunged it down under the terrified gaze of Kid's group.
"No!"
"Pfft!"
The blade pierced through Kid's heart!
Daichi released his hand, looked at Kid's group, who'd lost all their strength and collapsed in despair, and spoke coldly.
"I gave your captain a chance, but he still arrogantly chose to provoke us. I won't give him a second chance."
"I'm also giving you one chance."
"Whether to stay or leave, you decide for yourselves."
With that, Daichi turned and left.
"Captain Kid... was killed..."
Kid's group was dazed, unable to accept their captain's death. Along the way, they'd faced countless crises, but each time they'd emerged victorious.
When they arrived at Onigashima and reunited with Captain Kid, they'd trembled with excitement when Kid announced he'd challenge Kaido at the banquet. They'd never imagined they'd lose.
Now, the dream was shattered.
"Bepo, get the medicine."
"Penguin, Shachi, prepare for surgery!"
"Hurry up!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Just as Kid's group was engulfed in the silence of their captain's death, a calm voice reached their ears. They looked at the speaker, their eyes widening.
It was Trafalgar Law.
He was treating Killer!
Wait!
"Law-san, please save our captain!"
"He's already dead."
Law didn't even lift his head, pulling on his gloves.
"I'm just a doctor. I can only save lives that aren't dead yet."
"Move aside, don't get in the way."
"Time to transfer."
"Room!"
By the time Kid's group reacted, they'd already arrived in a quiet room. Kid's corpse and Killer had also been transferred there.
The surgery began immediately.
At this moment, at the banquet plaza.
No one cared about the whereabouts of Kid's group.
To the Beast Pirates, this was just an entertaining performance. Arrogant newcomers like Kid were never in short supply, but no one had ever appeared who could shake Boss Kaido.
"Who's Who was defeated?"
The pirates suddenly noticed that Who's Who was now severely injured and lying on the ground in his transformed state.
Just now, their attention had been drawn to the battle between Boss Kaido and Kid. They hadn't noticed how Who's Who was defeated.
However, Urouge was also covered in wounds.
"In that instant, Urouge actually turned into a giant!"
"Who's Who-san was caught by Urouge!"
"The situation reversed instantly!"
Some pirates had witnessed the process. Simply put, Urouge, who'd been taking a beating the entire match, suddenly unleashed a powerful move, grabbed Who's Who, and then finished him off with a combo.
"Lost again?"
Daichi noticed the situation of Urouge and Who's Who's battle and shook his head speechlessly.
That idiot had completely become a disgrace among the officers—always getting into trouble but never learning his lesson.
Who's Who's abilities were not inferior to Sweet Commander Snack. As long as he was a bit more cautious, Urouge had almost no chance of winning.
Even the strongest power is useless if it can't hit the enemy.
However, that guy just loved to show off. He especially loved to taunt before a fight, increasing the enemy's rage.
Every beating he took was not in vain.
The banquet continued.
"Wororororo, my little ones!"
Kaido came to the stage on the third floor and announced the news of the expedition. Next, the Beast Pirates would mobilize their entire army to search for the trace of the Road Poneglyph.
The pirates roared with excitement!
It finally began!
They'd been waiting for this day for many years.
The battle for the great treasure!
On the third floor, in a quiet secret room.
Daichi was drinking alone, waiting for his guest to arrive.
Soon, a figure appeared out of thin air.
Trafalgar Law.
"Sit."
Daichi pointed to the seat across the table. After Law sat down, he spoke with a smile.
"Killer's life was saved?"
"Yes."
Law's gaze was deep.
"This was all part of your plan, wasn't it?"
"That's right."
Daichi admitted frankly.
"To challenge the Yonko, your team's strength is far from enough. I need you to go and kill the Golden Lion Shiki."
"..."
Law took a deep breath.
When he followed Daichi to Wano Country, he'd vaguely sensed Daichi's intentions. It turned out to be as expected.
Kill the Yonko Golden Lion!
Even if Daichi hadn't arranged it, he'd had the same idea.
His original target was actually Kaido behind Doflamingo, but Doflamingo went to Mary Geoise. There was no need for him to deliberately challenge Kaido.
Compared to that, Golden Lion was relatively easier to deal with. Everyone understood the principle of picking the softest persimmon to squeeze.
But Golden Lion was no pushover. After he took over Hachinosu, he recruited a large number of subordinates, especially many of Blackbeard's former crew.
Strong soldiers and horses!
And Daichi killed Kid but left Kid's subordinates, especially Killer. This was clearly prepared for him.
Now the Kid Pirates had lost their captain and were on the verge of falling apart. He'd defeated Kid and saved Killer's life.
As long as he spoke, Kid's group would surely be willing to join his ranks.
"Apoo, Hawkins, Urouge."
Daichi enumerated. "These three are from your generation, aren't they? If you need them, I can also give them to you."
"..."
Law frowned tightly.
Apoo, Hawkins, and Urouge—in his opinion, they were definitely not weak. But he also knew that these three, in the eyes of the man before him...
Well, they weren't worth mentioning.
Otherwise, he wouldn't give them away so easily.
"What do I need to do?"
"Do you even need to ask?"
Daichi smiled slightly. "You go and kill Golden Lion first. Then after we find the great treasure, we'll go to Mary Geoise together and kill all those damned Celestial Dragons."
"Yonko working together, isn't that interesting?"
He wanted to form a Yonko alliance!