"Kaidou, you punk, what exactly do you want to do?!"
The classic Four Emperors' greeting - a clash of Supreme King Haki, and unlucky onlookers suffer because of it. Even Red Hair's Great Ship Group seems questionable in quality.
Aside from the main force of the Red Force, other affiliated pirate groups usually follow Shanks. When Kaidou unleashed his Supreme King Haki, Red Hair's officers were fine, but the affiliated pirates couldn't withstand it and fell on the deck.
"Hmm, grrr grrr grrr, Shanks, your men are really weak, huh? Is this your hobby?"
"That's none of your business, Kaidou, are you looking for a fight?!"
With equally powerful Supreme King Haki, Shanks pushed Kaidou's back, and Gryphon was already unsheathed. Faced with unpredictable Kaidou, Shanks did not let down his guard.
"Truly, such powerful Supreme King Haki. The brat from Roger's ship has grown to this level, just great, now it won't be boring..."
Clang!
Gryphon collided with Hassaikai, and the clash of Supreme King Haki shifted from intangible to tangible.
Shanks had foreseen all this and wasn't surprised.
With his Observation Haki, Shanks has a natural advantage; his Observation Haki has reached the level of Future Sight, coupled with his unique Observation Kill ability, making him immune to others' Observation Haki awareness.
With these abilities, he's always able to seize the initiative in battles.
Other members of the Red Hair Pirates had no intention of intervening. This was their leader's battle, and acting first without others joining would only disgrace Shanks.
"Kaidou, what exactly do you want to do?!"
Shanks wondered if there was an issue with his Observation Haki, for he saw Kaidou sitting down to drink. What was crucial was that after a few simple clashes, Kaidou truly sat down and started drinking, and after that, Shanks lost sight of Kaidou's future actions.
Kaidou seemed to disappear from the future, similar to Shanks' Observation Kill, but Kaidou relied more on some external factor.
"Oh, I'm just bored, so I planned to visit your place for a while. Haven't you noticed I brought alcohol? It's from the West Sea."
"How do you know something like...Uta?!"
"Yeah, that little girl misses you a lot. I specifically asked on the way here to find out this preference.
Considering your habit, I should say this:
Grant me a favor, sit down and have a drink properly, or I can bring that little girl over to rejoin your pirate crew. You're an Emperor now, and that girl is now a world-renowned Songstress, so it wouldn't violate any agreement."
This wasn't much of a threat, but it worked on Shanks, who indeed didn't want Uta to return to piracy. So Kaidou joined the feast, and coincidentally, Shanks had some questions he wanted clarity on.
...
"Kaidou, regarding Mr. Oden, don't you have anything to say?"
"Why are you like that old geezer Whitebeard, always bringing up that guy? While he was a decent opponent, what's so alluring about him?
If you must know, it's Kurozumi Orochi's scheme. If you don't believe it, you can visit Wano Kuni yourself to see its current state.
Moreover, Oden's daughter is now Wano Kuni's General; you can have her answer you directly."
Shanks paused in silence, ultimately choosing not to delve further into the matter. He had his own thoughts.
Kaidou lingered there for about half an hour. Until Kaidou left, Shanks still couldn't figure out what the guy's purpose here was.
"Shanks, truly not letting Uta return? Although Hundred Beasts Fruit isn't a pirate group, it's still Hundred Beasts' stuff. Keeping Uta there could affect many things in the future."
"I know, but Uta's stage shouldn't be on our pirate ship, it should be the whole world. It's better than being hunted by the Navy with us, and Kaidou is a battle maniac, he wouldn't affect the outcome in such a way.
I'm now more interested in what his goal is; he wouldn't come here just to sit, right? Speaking of which, that alcohol was genuinely good, I should ask where he got it from..."
"By the way, I met his daughter while I was in the East Sea. Recently, his daughter has stirred quite a commotion in the East Sea."
Hawkeye commented quietly from the side. Kaidou wasn't a swordsman, and this was Red Hair's territory, so he didn't have the reason to take action, merely providing Shanks with a bit more intel.
When not deliberately messing around, Shanks' intelligence was indeed working, and he seemed to grasp some things when putting himself in their shoes.
"Seems like...I've been used by that guy."
Not even 10 minutes after Kaidou's departure, a customized Radio Snail on him rang, and a deep voice resonated.
"Red Hair, that Kaidou guy, what exactly did he say to you?"
"Nothing, just had a drink."
"Red Hair, do you think we're idiots? Trying to fool us with such an excuse? Don't forget what your situation is."
"If you don't believe it, you can do whatever you want. And don't think you can order me around."
"You..."
Shanks hung up directly, wrapping an arm around Hawkeye's shoulder, pulling him back to the table; the party wasn't over yet.
"Shanks, that call..."
"A few suspicious guys, don't mind them, keep drinking!"
Meanwhile, at Mary Geoise, the Five Elders looked at the Radio Snail emitting busy signals, remaining silent for a long time.
"Can the words of this Red Hair be trusted?"
"This kid has his mind, better follow Sengoku's arrangement, tighten surveillance, aside from that, there's no other solution for now."
...
Due to Kaidou's baffling actions, various Radio Snails within the Navy's system almost went into busy status, besides, some shared info with privately acquainted individuals, even Kuzan joined this circle.
"Admiral Kuzan, is there anything?"
The Radio Snail's eyes gradually turned dead-eyed, and its mouth even mimicked a cigar, except it didn't emit smoke.
"Smoker, you've seen the Headquarters' latest order, right?"
"Seen it..."
"I command you as a Headquarter Admiral, do not act rashly. The matter in the East Sea is beyond your handle, do you understand?"
"I..."
"That woman isn't just any pirate; she can even circumvent my attacks and unleash a cold wave not weaker than mine. Smoker, the Headquarters has a major operation, absolutely do not disobey during this time."