"Finally found you, Kaido!" Big Mom, using the intelligence network she'd developed over this period, had found Kaido, who had gone missing after the battle at God Valley.
"What is it, Linlin." Kaido showed no particular emotion upon seeing her. Although she had taken care of him back in the Rocks Pirates, he had since formed his own crew.
"You, you've formed your own crew now." Charlotte Linlin looked at the ragtag group following him. The Beasts Pirates wasn't even a proper crew yet; not a single of the three All-Stars was present.
"Heh heh heh, didn't I tell you long ago that I planned to form a crew made entirely of Zoan-type users?" Kaido had been through plenty of battles recently, but unless he faced a top-tier powerhouse, he generally came out unscathed.
"Now, now, a guy like that won't be able to make it in the New World, Kaido. I think you should give up on this unrealistic idea and just come with me," Big Mom laughed.
The subordinates behind Kaido now barely met the requirement of being Zoan-type users, but their strength was hardly impressive. In her eyes, even the one or two who barely met the standard were nothing special.
"Shut up, Linlin. Are you looking for a fight?" Kaido narrowed his eyes. He knew full well that the subordinates he had gathered were of average strength, but he wouldn't back down in spirit.
"Don't be angry, Kaido. I didn't come here to fight you." Big Mom stopped him. She knew very well that Kaido wasn't the type to bow to anyone, and her relationship with him was much better than with others. Treating Kaido like a younger brother was also a form of investment.
"Here, Kaido." She tossed out a blue, scaled fruit. "This is a Mythical Zoan. Didn't you want a fruit like this? You'd better thank me properly!"
Kaido was still in a daze even after catching the fruit. The value of a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit was no small matter. He never imagined Charlotte Linlin would actually give it to him.
"Heh heh heh, Linlin, this is a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit. Are you just giving it to me like that?"
"What's the matter? I'm not as fixated on Zoan-types as you are. For me, a fruit related to sweets would be better." Big Mom was a pirate herself and wouldn't do something as foolish as arming an enemy.
The reason she was giving this fruit to Kaido came down to their relationship. Now that Kaido was on his own, once he grew stronger, he would surely be able to establish himself in the New World. Then, if either of them faced danger, they could form a temporary alliance.
Kaido accepted the fruit.
While Big Mom had found Kaido, Shiki was searching for Ren's trail.
Besides wanting to get revenge for the sword strike he'd received back then, he also had his eyes on the weapons being exported from "Inazuma." The massive export of weapons had put the country of Inazuma on the New World's radar.
Those weapons bearing the lightning mark were not only numerous but also of excellent quality. Many were already close to being great blades. Now, on the high seas, these weapons were highly sought-after.
But for these pirates, it was more convenient to just rob them than to buy them at a high price.
Ordinary pirates wouldn't dare to do this, but Shiki was different. He not only dared to rob them, he even wanted to make the entire "Inazuma" his.
"What a greedy lion." Ren shook his head. In fact, Shiki wasn't the only one with this idea; even the Marines and the World Government had the same thoughts. It was just that they didn't have enough military power at the moment.
Shiki had his sights set on the islands Kurozumi Higurashi and Kawamatsu had occupied overseas. So far, no one had found the true location of "Inazuma." He knew these islands weren't the real Inazuma, just a transfer point, but that didn't matter.
Conquering these islands was just the first step. The true location of Inazuma could be found after they were conquered.
"Such a big problem right from the start?"
Ren had long anticipated that someone would be after him. In fact, Kawamatsu had already dealt with quite a few characters with ill intentions. But Shiki was someone he couldn't fight.
To survive in the New World, if one didn't have great strength, then intelligence was crucial. Kurozumi Higurashi had already inserted many spies into various factions during this time. These people weren't in high positions, but they always proved useful whenever any major moves were made.
After receiving a message from Kurozumi Higurashi, Ren prepared to leave Wano Country and head overseas.
The situation within Wano was very stable, so there was no real need for him to be there. Overseas, however, a powerful combat force was needed to deal with the provocations from all sorts of pirates.
Ren could foresee that he would be living overseas for a long time to come, so he decided to have Kurozumi Higurashi return temporarily to impersonate him in Kuri to handle matters.
Besides, it was a critical time for Kurozumi Orochi. He had entered the shogunate's castle earlier than in the original timeline. Although Kozuki Sukiyaki was still in relatively good health, his illness was beginning to show.
And coincidentally, Kozuki Oden was overseas as well. This was an opportunity.
The people following Ren overseas this time were Yukiko, Yayoi, and Xiado. Considering the situation overseas, Ren had no intention of bringing anyone whose strength was insufficient. Matsuri and Saya really wanted to come, but their strength was still lacking.
"Your mouth is about to be able to hold soy sauce, Matsuri." As they watched the Dead Star sail out of the port, Yuriko and others couldn't help but laugh.
"I want to go too!" Matsuri hugged the great blade Frost-Moon Shadow Tachi and pouted. "Mom, my strength is strong too!"
"Don't be in such a hurry. With how hard you work, Matsuri, you'll definitely have a chance to go overseas with Lord Ren next year," Keiko comforted her, then glanced at Saya. "Saya, on the other hand, tries to slack off during her training every day. She definitely has no chance!"
Saya: ???
"After all, Miss Saya is too mischievous." Ayame smiled. Ayame was also very strong, even a bit more so than Yayoi, but she had to take care of her daughter, so Ren didn't bring her along.
During this time, she had also taught Matsuri and Saya swordsmanship. The two had completely different attitudes towards learning.
Saya slumped her shoulders, while Saori, holding the winged Inugami, quietly comforted her beside her.
"But, will Lord Ren be overseas for many years this time?" Saori couldn't help but ask in a small voice.
"If nothing comes up, he might come back once every few months," Yuriko said after a moment's thought. "During this time, Mr. Higurashi will return temporarily to impersonate Lord Ren."
"Pfft, I don't like that old hag at all!" Matsuri stuck out her tongue. Yuriko glared at her.
But Saya felt Matsuri was right. She didn't like Kurozumi Higurashi either, and the thought of her impersonating Ren made her angry. Just an ugly old hag, yet she dared to take on Lord Ren's form.
"If only Kurozumi Higurashi were a Zoan user, I'd have Saori feed her mochi and make her bark like a dog!"
"Saya! I would never do that!" Saori shouted, her face turning red. She was also helpless when it came to her mischievous younger sister.
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