In the New World, at New Onigashima.
After the destruction of Wano Country, Kaido had relocated his base here, rebuilding his stronghold atop the island's highest mountain. While it lacked the natural defenses of Wano's massive protective walls, Kaido had turned the entire island into a heavily fortified military base.
Just as he received Big Mom's distress call and prepared to lead his forces to support her, urgent news arrived.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku had personally mobilized three hundred warships and was advancing directly toward the Beasts Pirates' territory.
The moment Kaido heard this, he understood the situation immediately. It was the same strategy as before, a coordinated strike meant to divide their forces.
Without hesitation, Kaido transformed into his Azure Dragon form and soared into the sky to intercept the enemy.
On the other side, Sengoku led an overwhelming force. Alongside him were Admirals Aramaki and Fujitora, twenty newly promoted Vice Admirals, fifty Rear Admirals, and seventy thousand Marine soldiers. Also accompanying them were the newly appointed Shichibukai, Dracule Mihawk, Bartholomew Kuma, Buggy the Star Clown, Bartolomeo the Cannibal, Cavendish, and Trafalgar Law, known as the Surgeon of Death.
As for Boa Hancock, she had been accused by the World Government of cooperating with the Emperors Alliance. Publicly, she was said to be imprisoned, but in truth, she had been enslaved by the Celestial Dragons.
To eliminate the Beasts Pirates, Sengoku had committed the majority of Marineford's elite forces. Reinforcements had also been drawn from branches across the four seas, making this force even larger than the one previously deployed against Big Mom.
Despite the Beasts Pirates suffering losses during the Egghead conflict, their core strength remained formidable. King the Conflagration and Jack were still active, and four of the Tobiroppo had survived. Above all stood Kaido himself.
As long as Kaido remained, the Beasts Pirates could always be rebuilt.
Although the Marines had seventy thousand troops against fewer than ten thousand pirates, the numerical advantage meant little if Kaido could not be defeated.
Standing at the front, Sengoku addressed his forces, "The Beasts Pirates have fewer than ten thousand men left, while we stand at seventy thousand. The advantage is ours. Our objective is simple, we will completely annihilate the Beasts Pirates."
A thunderous cheer erupted from the soldiers as they raised their weapons.
Zephyr, standing nearby, gave a satisfied grin. "Their morale is high."
Vice Admiral candidate Momousagi spoke with a serious tone, "That may be true, but Kaido is not an opponent that can be taken lightly."
Aramaki crossed his arms confidently. "Leave Kaido to me and Issho."
Fujitora nodded slightly. "Alone, I would not stand a chance. But together, we can hold him down."
Zephyr added firmly, "Your task is to stall him. Once we deal with his commanders, we will join you and finish him together."
Sengoku then turned his attention to the Shichibukai on another warship. "Your mission is to deal with the Beasts Pirates' executives. Show us your worth."
Bartolomeo grinned wildly. "What a start, fighting an Emperor's crew right after becoming a Shichibukai."
Law's gaze remained cold. "Your forced conscriptions are becoming frequent. First Big Mom, now Kaido. You Marines don't give us much choice."
Cavendish flipped his hair dramatically. "As long as the reporters capture my finest moments, I have no complaints."
Buggy laughed loudly, masking his fear. "Leave everything to me."
Behind him, his former prisoner subordinates cheered excitedly, completely confident in his supposed strength.
Sengoku frowned at their lack of discipline, but chose not to press the issue. Some of them were unreliable, others indifferent, and a few, like Mihawk, were simply interested in testing their strength against powerful opponents.
Aramaki glanced ahead with a hint of concern. "Kaido's territory is massive. Even if we reach New Onigashima, that place has been turned into a fortress. It won't be easy."
Sengoku's expression grew heavy. "As long as Kaido falls, this war will be a success. That man is too dangerous to be left alive."
At that moment, a Marine reported, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, New Onigashima is in sight."
Sengoku nodded. "Good. Issho, Aramaki, prepare yourselves. You will open a path for the fleet to land."
Just as they were about to respond, a powerful pressure descended upon the fleet.
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Dark clouds gathered overhead, lightning crackled, and fierce winds swept across the sea.
The sudden change was unnatural, even for the unpredictable New World.
Fujitora's Observation Haki flared as he sensed an overwhelming presence. "Something is coming. The pressure is immense."
Sengoku's face darkened. "It's Kaido. Increase speed. We must reach the shore immediately."
Before the order could fully spread, a booming voice echoed from the heavens.
"Wororororo, you came all this way, Marine. Why rush to leave?"
The voice carried across the battlefield, yet Kaido's massive form remained hidden within the storm clouds.
The soldiers tightened their grips on their weapons, fear creeping into their hearts as they scanned the sky.
The fleet spread across the sea, but only a portion of it fell under the shadow of the storm. Kaido's presence loomed directly above them.
Zephyr frowned deeply. "I can feel him, but I can't pinpoint his exact location."
Aramaki's usual confidence faded slightly. "That body of his is massive. It should not be hard to hit."
Fujitora stepped forward, drawing his blade. "Then I will strike first."
With a controlled motion, he summoned a massive meteor from the sky and sent it crashing toward the clouds.
In response, Kaido unleashed a blazing breath, obliterating the meteor instantly. The shattered fragments rained down like fiery stars toward the warships below.
Then, hidden within the storm, Kaido's power surged.
A massive tornado began to form, spiraling violently through the sky.
"Now it's my turn," Kaido's voice thundered.
"Marine, sink into the sea. Sea Dragon Twister."