Momonga raised his fist high and bellowed, "I, Momonga, am willing to follow Mr. Rowan and fight to the bitter end!"
After these days of companionship, Momonga had developed an unparalleled level of trust in Rowan. He was willing to follow this man to the very edge of existence. If Rowan would not retreat, neither would he!
Inspired by Momonga's resolve, the soldiers on the warship displayed faces of iron determination. They swarmed to Rowan's side, their voices joining in a thunderous chorus: "We are willing to follow Mr. Rowan and fight to the bitter end!"
"Justice will prevail!"
A thousand soldiers shouted in unison, a sound that shook the heavens and radiated a magnificent pressure. Watching this, the surrounding factions felt a chill of anticipation.
The Navy... is actually going to face a Yonko head-on?!
When Whitebeard had arrived earlier, his interaction with Rowan had been unusual, but lacked true lethal intent. Kaido was different. The atmosphere between Kaido and Rowan was already explosive, a powder keg waiting for a single spark to ignite a world-shaking war.
"Kaido of the Hundred Beasts..."
In the center of the fleet, the shadow of Gecko Moria loomed. His eyes were fixed on Kaido, burning with a hatred that had festered for twenty years. The nightmare of the New World back then played like a broken film in his mind.
Aboard the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. He whispered to himself, "Is Kaido really planning to start a war with the Navy here?"
Whitebeard knew Rowan's status. If something happened to the "Godfather" here, Sengoku and Garp would go on a rampage. Their combined fury would descend upon the Hundred Beasts Pirates like a localized apocalypse. What could Rowan have possibly done to make Kaido this incensed?
"Mr. Rowan..." Red-Haired Shanks' expression grew increasingly grave. He knew that if a clash started between these two, every power on the Grand Line—and even the four seas—would be destabilized. A single tug on this thread would move the entire world.
Beside Kaido, Doflamingo watched Rowan and his loyal Marines. His mouth stretched into that signature, demonic grin once more.
"Fuffuffuffuffu... Going toe-to-toe with Kaido? I can't wait to see you crushed under his weight..."
As Doflamingo sneered, a small scout boat rapidly approached the Hundred Beasts' lead ship. A figure leaped onto the deck and scrambled to Doflamingo's side, whispering urgently into his ear.
"What did you say?!"
Doflamingo's face shifted instantly. The evil grin froze. Following the scout's pointing finger, he looked toward the interior of the island—at the heavily wounded, withered figure of Hawkeye Mihawk.
This scout was one of the many spies Doflamingo had embedded within the various observer fleets. The report was simple: Rowan had just defeated Hawkeye Mihawk with overwhelming, effortless dominance.
As he processed the full details, Doflamingo's expression turned heavy.
This guy...
He realized he had consistently underestimated Rowan. He had chalked up being punched away earlier to a lack of intel and a "sneaky" surprise attack. But now? If Rowan could defeat Mihawk that easily, it meant the Old Man possessed the combat power to actually trade blows with Kaido.
Behind his cracked sunglasses, Doflamingo's eyes narrowed as he surveyed the battlefield. A devious plan began to take shape in his mind.
"Lord Kaido..."
The wicked smile returned. Doflamingo stopped Kaido just as the latter was about to swing his club. "Before you move, let me say a few words..."
"Hm?" Kaido looked down, seeing the look on Doflamingo's face. He paused, lowering his club Hassaikai. "Make it quick."
Doflamingo licked his lips and took several flamboyant, arrogant steps to the prow of the ship. He threw his arms wide and laughed toward the sky.
"Fuffuffuffuffu! Pirates of the New World! Right now, shouldn't we all unite to take down this old man together?!"
"What did you say?!"
The surrounding pirates were jolted. "Unite to kill Rowan?!" "Jointly execute Mr. Rowan?!"
Momonga's face turned deathly pale. What is he trying to pull?! Every eye on the sea was now fixed on Doflamingo. Whispers rippled through the onlookers. "What does he mean, 'unite'?" "What is Joker up to now?"
Under the suspicious and wary gazes of the crowd, Doflamingo continued his roar. "Fuffuffuffuffu! Everyone, don't you see it yet?! Have you not seen the strength Rowan just displayed?! Even the World's Greatest Swordsman, Hawkeye Mihawk, was nearly killed by a single slash!"
He paused, scanning the faces of the pirates. They stared back, recalling the sight of the horizon being severed. Doflamingo licked his lips again and let out a low, dangerous hiss.
"Have you considered what would happen if you ran into this Marine Vice Admiral on the open sea? What would your fate be?"
The question hit the pirate fleet like a depth charge. A collective shiver ran through the crowd. They looked at Rowan. Behind him, the sea was slowly closing, and the sky was mending, but the scar across the island remained—a jagged reminder of a power that shouldn't exist.
What would happen if they met Rowan? They couldn't even imagine a chance at victory. Rowan was too strong; he was a natural disaster in a floral shirt.
"Fuffuffuffuffu..." Doflamingo saw the fear in their eyes and felt a surge of satisfaction.
_______________________________________________________
Read Advanced chapters on → patreon.com/Bagga_10
• Every 100 Power Stones = Bonus chapter...
• Push this Story forward with your [Power Stones]