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By the time Mama returned to the wooden house, Daichi and Katakuri had quietly departed, walking side-by-side toward the port of Whole Cake Island.
Only one thing remained.
Daichi raised an eyebrow in surprise.
"The Straw Hat escaped?"
"Yes."
Katakuri's face was grim. "My subordinate Capone Bege released the Straw Hat. They left Totto Land together!"
"Hmm? Bege saved the Straw Hat?"
Daichi was even more surprised.
He'd met Capone Bege. That guy was a typical gangster—it was unlikely he'd risk saving the Straw Hat.
But he did it.
Could it be that Straw Hat Luffy truly had the power to attract others?
"How disgraceful!"
Killing intent flashed in Katakuri's eyes. "That bastard Bege is an important officer of our Totto Land. He's also the husband of my sister Chiffon. His betrayal was beyond everyone's expectations."
Although Bege had only been in Totto Land for a mere two years, his excellent courage and ruthless methods earned him Mama's high regard. Otherwise Chiffon wouldn't have been married to Bege.
Marriage alliances with strong individuals were Totto Land's highest-level means of recruitment.
Therefore, Totto Land was completely unprepared for Bege's betrayal. He even managed to steal a Road Poneglyph during the Tea Party when defenses were lax.
Katakuri took out a newspaper.
"This is today's newspaper."
"Let me see."
Daichi flipped through the newspaper.
"The Worst Generation Alliance!"
The headline was about the "Worst Generation Supernova Alliance" led by Trafalgar Law, along with Urouge, Killer, Apoo, and Hawkins.
Shortened to the Worst Generation Alliance.
Their target was directly Hachinosu!
Katakuri pressed on.
"You arranged the Worst Generation Alliance, didn't you?"
"Something like that."
Daichi admitted frankly.
He did arrange it, especially Apoo and Hawkins. Besides adding some intermediate combat power for Law, there was another reason.
The two were once Supernovas, but their strength couldn't even compare to the Tobi Roppo, creating a large gap with other Supernovas.
A three to four hundred million Berry bounty wasn't very useful to him, so he arranged for the two to join Law, letting them challenge the Yonko while competing with each other.
Only then could their potential be unleashed.
Daichi continued flipping through the newspaper.
Straw Hat Luffy and Bege also appeared in the newspaper, seemingly having formed an alliance. They were clearly planning something, though it was unknown whom they were targeting.
In addition, as if by tacit understanding, various forces had begun to move. Even the Cross Guild had started its operations, with Captain Buggy being quite high-profile.
This meant that the final battle for supremacy had begun.
Daichi's lips curved into a smile.
Katakuri frowned.
"You seem to be in a good mood?"
"Indeed, I am."
Daichi smiled.
The pirates had begun to move. Even if the Straw Hat didn't find the last Road Poneglyph, other pirates would surely find it.
The tide of the era was advancing!
"I'm leaving first."
Daichi stood up and left.
His purpose in Totto Land had been achieved. Now, he only needed to follow the Straw Hat and wait, or he could head to the final stop, Lodestar Island.
To find the great treasure, four Road Poneglyphs were needed, so the Straw Hat would challenge the Beast Pirates sooner or later.
On the other side, in the sea near Winner Island.
The Worst Generation Alliance fleet was advancing at full speed. Once they passed Winner Island, they'd soon reach their destination, Hachinosu.
The captains stood on the deck, gazing at the distant sea, their hearts surging with long-lost excitement. Especially Hawkins.
His subordinates ran over.
"Captain, the waves are getting bigger. Should we go back inside the ship?"
"It's fine."
Hawkins shook his head and refused.
On this expedition, he uncharacteristically had no divination results.
After arriving in the New World, facing the oppression of the Yonko, and having foreseen the outcome, he ultimately chose to join the Beast Pirates.
Seeing Kid and others charge into Onigashima and challenge Kaido—although they were defeated—filled him with envy.
When he first entered the New World, he'd been as ambitious as Kid. But harsh reality crushed him, forcing him to compromise.
However, after the Fire Festival, Daichi found him and told him to act with Law, to realize the dream he'd harbored for years!
"Go find the great treasure."
A simple sentence reignited his dead heart.
He wanted to fight one more time!
To prevent himself from making a cowardly choice again, he—who relied on divination—abandoned the divination results this time, choosing to be willful for once.
Because this was very likely the last chance in his life.
"Shihahaha!"
Laughter came from the sky, followed by a shadow covering the fleet.
The captains quickly rushed to the deck, looking up at the fleet in the sky, and the man floating in front of it.
"It's the Flying Pirates!"
"Golden Lion Shiki has appeared!"
"Prepare for battle!"
No one had expected to encounter a surprise attack immediately after leaving Wano Country. Clearly, the Flying Pirates were waiting for them too.
Law commanded the captains.
"Full speed ahead! We're close to land here, just to the northeast!"
"Understood!"
The enemy had air superiority and longer cannon range. Staying at sea, they'd be no different from targets.
Once on land, they could at least use cover for defense. And if the Flying Pirates' army landed, they could also fight on the island.
Several pirate ships engaged their external gears, heading at full speed toward Winner Island.
"Shihahaha, don't think you can escape!"
Golden Lion laughed at the sight and waved his finger.
All ships immediately changed direction, chasing the Worst Generation Alliance. The pirate captains under Golden Lion also appeared one after another.
Shiryu of the Rain, "Heavy Drinker" Vasco Shot, "Supersonic" Van Augur, and others.
After Golden Lion took over Hachinosu, his prestige greatly increased. Those strong individuals who were unwilling to join the Beast Pirates as ordinary officers almost all chose to join Golden Lion's command—especially Blackbeard's former subordinates.
Their equally cruel team style made them quite fond of him.
Shiryu, cigar in mouth, drew his sword.
Killing intent was stirring.
"We don't have a single Road Poneglyph. We're far behind!"
The struggle for the Road Poneglyphs had begun after Roger's death, so Mama and Kaido had a considerable head start.
It could almost be confirmed that both of them surely possessed Road Poneglyphs. The Worst Generation Alliance had just left Wano Country, so they might be carrying a Road Poneglyph.
"Shihahaha, prepare to land!"
Golden Lion laughed as he manipulated the fleet. It soon landed on the sea surface, then continued to chase the Worst Generation Alliance.
When he contended with Roger back then, he'd suffered a loss due to his disregard for the Road Poneglyphs, allowing Roger to become the Pirate King first.
This time, he wouldn't fall behind.
Golden Lion landed on top of the lion's head, pointing toward Winner Island ahead.
"Attack!"
"Oh oh oh!"
Island, coast.
Law held his sword in his right hand. A translucent azure light circle appeared on his left hand.
"Everyone, are you ready?!"
"I've been waiting for this!"
Hawkins and the other four captains, as well as the Heart Pirates and the subordinates of each captain, all showed ferocious smiles.
Even the Killer Pirates were no exception!
Losing their captain made them despondent, but as pirates, they shouldn't dwell on the past. Pirates should always be prepared for death. They'd lost many comrades along the way.
They were pirates.
Moving forward was what they should do.
Moreover, Killer was still there, able to serve as captain and lead them. Law's flag could also guide them.
Law's poker face broke into a smile.
"Everyone, if we win this battle, we'll get our ticket to the great treasure! Give it your all!"
"Oh oh oh!"