Cake Island was burning. After Fleet Admiral Sakazuki's Meteor Volcano, the island's temperature had risen dramatically, with flames engulfing houses and streets alike. The once-prosperous capital had transformed into a living hell. Ordinary residents and countless Homies suffered heavy casualties.
Had the Emperor, Big Mom not personally intervened to block the worst of Sakazuki's attack, the death toll would have been even higher.
As the Meteor Volcano subsided, the surrounding Marine warships advanced, preparing to land. The Big Mom Pirates, however, reacted with remarkable speed.
On the beach, Cracker barked orders, "Fire! Do not let them reach Cake Island!"
Though caught off guard by the sudden Marine assault, the Big Mom Pirates were seasoned veterans of countless wars. Their recovery was swift.
Booms echoed along the shoreline as they hastily set up cannons, returning fire in an artillery duel against the approaching warships.
Yet despite their efforts, the disparity in firepower was apparent. The hastily deployed artillery could not match the overwhelming strength of the Marines' fleet.
Admiral Aramaki observed the pirate cannon fire with a cold sneer. "They fight for their lives, yet they really think they can stop us on the beach?"
A spinning flower suddenly erupted from Aramaki's back, propelling him at high speed toward Cake Island.
From another flank, Admiral Fujitora unsheathed his sword-cane. "Colleagues, step back. Let this old man clear the way!"
Purple gravity ripples coiled along his blade as he growled, "Gravity Blade: Fierce Tiger."
The horizontal slash wave cut through the air, bending gravity itself. The Big Mom Pirates' defensive fortifications shattered instantly, and the crew was sent tumbling backward.
"Seize the opening Admiral Fujitora has created! Land!" the Marines shouted, eager to exploit the breach.
---
Meanwhile, far across the seas in Wano Country, Onigashima loomed.
Once the Flower Capital, the city had now become the stronghold of the Beasts Pirates. Kaido's wrath had reshaped it into a fortress of terror.
Previously, Orochi had been slain—or so Kaido thought—but the former shogun's Yamata no Orochi ability had granted him eight lives. Recently, Orochi had been secretly detonating explosives across Onigashima, destroying Kaido's preparations for a world war and causing tens of thousands of casualties among the Beasts Pirates.
Eventually, King the Conflagration captured Orochi, and Kaido executed him using Sea-Prism Stone weapons, reducing his body to nothing and feeding it to prisoners in Udon prison.
Despite losing Onigashima and years of stockpiled weapons, Kaido's empire in Wano remained intact. The SMILE factories, weapon factories, and mines were untouched, allowing him to continue building his forces. Wano Country had become a true pirate nation under his rule.
---
Today, a distress call from the Big Mom Pirates reached Kaido.
Learning that the Fleet Admiral himself was leading an assault on Totto Land, Kaido wasted no time. He ordered Queen to defend their base while Jack led the Tobiroppo and other Beasts Pirates to aid the Big Mom Pirates. Kaido, along with King the Conflagration, went ahead personally.
However, the Marines were prepared. As Kaido departed Wano, a Marine fleet intercepted him.
Three figures stood in his path, floating effortlessly using Moonwalk: Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp. Kaido's expression darkened slightly. "Worororo, former Fleet Admiral Sengoku, former Admiral Zephyr, and Hero Garp. I did not expect to see all three of you here."
Sengoku's gaze was cold as he addressed Kaido and King, the Beasts Pirates visible in the distance. "Kaido, remain here. We old men will not allow you to reinforce the Big Mom Pirates."
Kaido's lips curled into a grim, knowing smile. "Worororo, this is your scheme, isn't it? You exchanged hostages with the Phoenix Pirates to draw Admiral Kizaru away, stopped me with the three of you, and now the new Fleet Admiral leads the attack on the Big Mom Pirates. Clever."
Sengoku snorted. "Even in retirement, we could not ignore your alliance. Your actions threaten the world. We must stop it before it grows beyond control."
King's face mirrored his concern, but Kaido showed no fear. The awakening of his Devil Fruit had left him confident in his invincible power. He laughed, a wild and defiant sound.
"Worororo, want to stop me? You are relics of an old era. Watch the world's strongest power."
Kaido's body shifted, shrinking slightly as deep purple flames swirled around him. Conqueror's Haki radiated outward like a tsunami, shaking the air itself.
Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp's expressions darkened instantly. Sengoku muttered gravely, "Garp, this is going to be a serious fight."
"Mm," Garp replied, his face tense.
---
Elsewhere, on Popo Island, the Phoenix Pirates had completed the hostage exchange with the Marines.
Kizaru casually invited Marco for tea. Though curious about the Admiral's intentions, Marco decided to wait and see.
During their conversation, Kizaru praised Marco's skill in quickly assuming control of the Whitebeard Pirates' legacy. Marco felt a quiet sense of satisfaction—receiving admiration from an Admiral was no small thing. Emboldened, he began speaking proactively about his strategies and duties.
Onboard the Moby Dick, the Captains grew restless. It was nearly two hours of conversation, and they could not comprehend how an Admiral could talk so casually with Marco.
Then, a transponder call arrived from the Big Mom Pirates, and the Phoenix Pirates' attention immediately shifted, alert and tense.
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