"Build high walls... stockpile provisions... delay claiming kingship..."
Kaido repeated these words, then suddenly threw his head back and laughed heartily.
"Gorarararara!!"
"Not a bad summary at all, kid!!"
Bam—
The laughter ceased abruptly as Kaido leaned forward, his crimson eyes glaring so fiercely that even the Den Den Mushi lost its composure, crawling backward in fright.
"Since you know this... why would you do something so foolish!"
"The world is far more terrifying than you imagine. With your current strength, you don't even qualify to participate in the war. How dare you act under the banner of hunting Celestial Dragons!"
"Let me tell you..."
Kaido's voice turned grim. "That thing's tentacle came to Wano Country looking for King because of you. I killed it... no, that thing shares your similar immortal ability. It probably escaped."
"They'll find you soon..."
"Come to Wano Country now. For King's sake, I'll protect you. Understood?!"
His final words erupted like a hurricane, causing the Den Den Mushi to retreat further, seemingly on the verge of disconnecting from the strain.
...
Contrary to the Den Den Mushi's pathetic state, the voice coming through remained calm and unwavering.
"By 'tentacle,' you mean the God's Knights, correct."
...
...
Kaido's expression shifted dramatically. After a long pause, he spoke in a low voice, "You... what do you know?"
"Almost everything."
The Den Den Mushi stabilized its emotions, continuing to mimic the speaker's expression—now wearing a cold smirk.
"Those creatures' so-called immortality is nothing but a crude imitation of my clan's perfect immortal secret technique."
"Now let me answer your question about why I operate under the name Kari..."
"They stole our abilities, took our homeland, dissected and experimented on our remaining clansmen for centuries. Now only a handful of us remain..."
The suppressed resentment, rage, and oceanic hatred in the voice even moved Kaido.
Each word seemed dripping with blood.
"I can't wait another moment! I swore before the graves—exterminating the Celestial Dragons is my sole purpose for existing!"
"This ends only with death!!"
...
...
Kaido let out a long sigh, then chuckled softly. "Is that so? My apologies then."
"I acknowledge your resolve. Continue on your path!"
He wasn't the type of tyrant who demanded absolute obedience. Normally, he wouldn't even mind being contradicted by his subordinates.
He valued talent greatly. For enemies whose strength he recognized, he would welcome them into his crew without holding past grudges.
As a leader, he was quite competent in this regard.
...
Actually... this attempt to observe Kaido was also Griffin's experiment.
If Kaido hadn't noticed, he planned to have Kari join the Beasts Pirates while his main body followed the regular Marine path, sending Kari to the Beasts Training Camp for advancement.
As expected, Kaido detected him immediately.
Kari carried too many secrets that couldn't withstand prolonged scrutiny from top-tier experts. If Kaido whimsically decided to test how many times he could resurrect by swinging his club...
Better to maintain some distance—it preserves the mystery and makes it easier for me to fabricate stories.
...
...
"Alright, let's talk about why you sought me out."
Kaido sat upright, his eyes clear and focused.
He deduced that Kari must have something to request from him. If Kari was willing to join the Beasts Pirates, then he would certainly help his own people.
If he didn't join...
Even if I acknowledge your resolve, business is still business.
...
"I hope Kaido will agree to King Riku's request and send a Wano Master Craftsman to Dressrosa."
Thump—thump—
Kaido rhythmically tapped his fingers on the stone armrest and said indifferently, "I don't care what you need the person for. Give me a reason to agree."
...
...
"What about the whereabouts of Kozuki Oden's son, Kozuki Momonosuke?"
Kaido's pupils contracted sharply as he said coldly, "What kind of joke are you making?! That brat was burned to death long ago!"
"Kozuki Oden... nothing remains of that man, neither his ashes nor his son!!"
...
"Is that so…"
"What about the prophecy Kozuki Toki made before her death—'Twenty years later, nine shadows descend'—do you truly not care?"
Griffin's light laughter came through: "Kaido, you haven't cleaned up this country thoroughly."
"If you ask me, you've been too merciful with those foolish samurai."
...
"Are you telling me how to do my job... you brat!"
...
"No, just a suggestion."
"So, Kaido, do you agree to the exchange?"
A long silence.
Sitting on the stone throne, Kaido grinned. "I agree."
...
I'll deliver him personally!
Compared to the whereabouts of that spineless brat, Kari... you're the one who interests me.
Knowing everything, are you...
Interesting!!
——
——
——
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
On the warship, Griffin slowly opened his eyes.
His consciousness being attached to Kari didn't mean Griffin's soul had left his body, leaving his true self defenseless.
A similar analogy would be...
It was roughly equivalent to Griffin controlling Kari as if he were a game character.
While controlling a game character, one can be fully immersed, but if something unexpected happens nearby—like his mother calling him for a meal—Griffin could still snap back to reality immediately.
By the same logic, when Kari acted autonomously, it was like leaving the game running on autopilot.
...
...
Griffin bit his finger, a habit of his when deep in thought.
He felt that Doflamingo's plan was too complicated, with too many uncertainties.
Using the tournament prize as a gimmick...
Why did it feel so familiar?
Had Doflamingo ever succeeded in planning something like this?
Griffin had a premonition that this matter wouldn't go as smoothly as Doflamingo envisioned.
...
Heh, you foolish flamingo, you're too petty. If you're going to do it, go big.
Kaido will probably come, right...
Just before reaching the port, Griffin dialed another number.
...
"Moshi moshi, this is Kuzan."
"It's me."
"Hmm... It's Griffin, huh? Using an encrypted Den Den Mushi to call—is it about that matter?"
Griffin smiled faintly. "I've seen her. The arrangements are good; she won't be in any danger for the time being."
Of course, who knows in which remote corner Robin is trembling in fear.
She's probably even drawing circles to curse me.
...
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, is it convenient to talk?"
After a moment, Kuzan's voice came through: "It's fine now."
"I'm not entirely sure about this intelligence—it's a message from one of my informants in the New World."
Griffin lowered his voice and said gravely, "He spotted Kari's traces in the New World!"
"Aren't you working with a high-ranking official? You could go check it out."
...
...
"Um... Griffin, let me be honest with you."
Kuzan's lazy voice came through: "I actually don't really want to capture that guy. Although... hasn't he never harmed any Marines?"
"Are you kidding me?!" Griffin suddenly raised his voice.
"Was the harm I suffered fake?! Do you have to wait until he kills me before taking serious action?!
Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
...
Among the Marine higher-ups, calling someone by their actual name indicated a closer relationship, while using their codename suggested more distance.
Kuzan fell silent for a moment.
His tone was no longer lazy.
"I almost forgot... sorry."
"Location?"
...
Griffin slightly opened his mouth.
"Dressrosa."