"Joy Boy…"
Kaido's face darkened as he muttered the name.
He had heard that name from Rocks before.
Along with another one.
"Im."
Back then, Kaido had not understood what those names represented. But as he grew stronger and learned more, he finally understood what Rocks had meant when he spoke of Joy Boy.
"Kaido."
"Hm?"
Kaido snapped back to his senses and looked at White Ghost.
"How strong was Rocks' Haki, exactly? Strong enough that Garp and Roger had to team up to kill him?"
Kuro and the others looked at White Ghost in surprise.
"Rocks? Who's that?"
"The Marines joined forces with Pirate King Roger before?"
Kaido took a gulp of wine, memories surfacing in his eyes.
"Strong. Very strong. Strong enough to suffocate you."
White Ghost stared at the burning bonfire, his eyes flickering.
"Have you found a way to temper your Haki?"
Kaido sighed.
"Other than fighting Whitebeard, I haven't found any other way to temper my Conqueror's Haki."
Both fell silent.
Neither spoke, and the others naturally kept quiet as well. When two giants of the sea went silent, no one interrupted.
After a long while, White Ghost looked at Kaido.
"I don't want to fight you. If the two of us fight to the death, we'll only make things easier for them."
Kaido met White Ghost's gaze.
"What are you trying to say?"
White Ghost extended his wine bowl toward Kaido.
"After I enter the New World, let's form an alliance. Why should only those with the name D stand on the stage? Why can't anyone else?"
The others stared in shock.
They all felt their captain had drunk too much.
Weren't these two supposed to be mortal enemies?
Kaido stared at White Ghost for a while, then stretched out his wine gourd and clinked it against White Ghost's bowl.
"Wororororo! You bastard.
"You're right. Why should only that damned D be allowed to stand on the world stage? Why can't anyone else?"
Everyone watched in shock as the two clinked drinks and emptied them.
Only Kuro, Lafitte, and a few others smiled.
Kaido set down his gourd and stood.
"We'll talk about an alliance once you reach the New World. If you can't even get past this hurdle, then saying anything now is pointless."
"You think I'll die that easily?"
White Ghost looked at the bonfire with cold eyes, the corners of his mouth spreading.
"Wororororo!"
Kaido flew into the sky amid loud laughter and disappeared into the distance.
The moment they saw that, the people watching from afar immediately reported back to their masters.
The ones behind the scenes all breathed a sigh of relief.
Good.
That brute Kaido was not helping.
Otherwise, things would have become troublesome.
Sakazuki, who had just entered the North Blue, listened to the report with cold eyes.
"Full speed ahead. Since he wants to die, we'll grant his wish."
Borsalino rubbed his chin.
"How scary… Is he really alone? I wonder what kind of confidence he has."
Kuzan said nothing.
He simply stared blankly at the sea, still thinking about White Ghost's words.
"You're nothing more than ambitious men with official paperwork."
Three large warships advanced in a line, charging at full speed toward White Ghost's location.
The scum of the North Blue all fell silent.
After all, the one leading the operation this time was that mad dog, Akainu.
They were very familiar with him.
In the past, Akainu had suppressed the North Blue with an iron fist. Anyone he targeted never survived.
Akainu's slaughter had left a deep shadow in the hearts of the North Blue.
It did not matter what the target was. Once he found one, he would send a Great Eruption over.
He had killed until the pirates of the North Blue trembled in fear.
Eventually, some countries could no longer endure it and protested to the World Government together, demanding that Sakazuki be severely punished.
In the end, under political pressure, the Marines had no choice but to recall Sakazuki and replace him with Kizaru, that seasoned slacker, to guard the North Blue.
Kizaru and Sakazuki had completely different styles.
Akainu killed anything he saw.
Kizaru, on the other hand, spent his time lazing around in the North Blue. Only when he received orders would he go out and fire a couple of beams, and that was usually the end of it.
The people of the North Blue liked Kizaru's slacking style.
Marine Headquarters, however, nearly exploded.
Eventually, they recalled Kizaru too and stationed a mix of hawks and doves in the North Blue, which finally made things look a little better.
Around the waters of the former Asdea Kingdom, ship after ship floated on the sea.
They were all here to watch the show.
Pirates, mafia, nobles.
All of them were bold and unafraid of death.
Those with less courage did not come. They were preparing to watch the live broadcast instead. It would not be as exciting as seeing it in person, but at least it was safe.
Just as the sun began to rise, three warships slowly appeared on the distant horizon.
"They're here! They're here! The three Marine Admirals are here!"
In the sky, Morgans excitedly flapped his wings.
"Three, two, one—start the broadcast!"
"Yes, President!"
The staff beside him immediately pressed a button.
Click. Click.
Projection Den Den Mushi all over the world opened their eyes, and the screen showed three warships sailing side by side.
On the warships, each Admiral stood aboard a separate vessel.
On Sakazuki's side stood Onigumo, Doberman, Strawberry, and John Giant.
Behind Borsalino stood Gion, Tokikake, and several other Vice Admirals.
Kuzan did not have many people with him. After all, Akainu was leading this operation, and the main force consisted of hawkish Marines. He and Borsalino were only there as support.
When they saw the Marines' lineup, whether those present or those watching the broadcast, everyone silently mourned for White Ghost.
What could he possibly use to fight this?
How long could he last against all three Admirals at once?
Could his crew really fight those elite Vice Admirals from Marine Headquarters?
Everyone believed White Ghost was dead this time.
He clearly had a chance to run, yet he insisted on acting tough.
Now?
Even if he wanted to run, he could not.
Only Gild Tesoro was laughing wildly.
He hated White Ghost to the bone.
White Ghost held a Den Den Mushi and looked at the three warships on the sea.
Doflamingo's voice came through the receiver.
"Fufufufu… My dearest business partner, how about handing over the treasures you've collected to me for safekeeping?"
White Ghost sensed the auras aboard the three warships, and the corner of his mouth lifted.
"You're that sure I'll die?"
"Fufufufu. Not necessarily. But you know, all three Admirals are here this time. No matter how strong you are, you can't fight three at once, can you?"
White Ghost narrowed his eyes at the warships approaching the shore.
"Heh. If I die, you'll finally be at ease. Then no one will know your secrets, right?"
Doflamingo watched the broadcast and spoke into the Den Den Mushi.
"Fufufufu. I just hate to see the things in your hands go to waste. You know how troublesome they are to collect."
White Ghost sneered.
"That's because you're weak. If you can't do it, blame yourself. Look for the problem in your own ability."
Click.
Doflamingo stared at the disconnected Den Den Mushi, veins bulging on his forehead, his expression ugly.
"Doffy, that guy is dead this time. Don't bother with him," Diamante quickly said from the side.
"Fufufufu…"
Doflamingo laughed.
"Dead for sure? I don't think so. That guy definitely has a trump card. Just watch."
Nearby, a little girl eating grapes looked at the broadcast.
"They say the one who understands you best is your enemy. Looks like Young Master has quite a lot of faith in that guy."
Doflamingo accepted the wine Baby 5 handed him.
"Watch carefully. That guy will definitely give the Marines a huge surprise."
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