Wano Country, Onigashima.
Kaido, nine years younger than Big Mom and currently fifty-three years old, learned of Rayleigh's defeat from King.
To Kaido, this was one of the rare pieces of good news he had received over the past year.
However, his attention was not on Rayleigh, but on the two suspected Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit users mentioned in the report, Pini and Youki.
Kaido's desire for Zoan-type Devil Fruits had reached an intense level.
Aside from his pursuit of freedom and dominance, he had a clear ambition: to build a pirate crew made entirely of Zoan-type ability users.
But his plans had suffered a major setback.
Hanafusa, the ally who had been helping him track down Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits, had been killed by Dracule Mihawk more than a year ago.
Kaido had taken in Hanafusa's children afterward. Both Ulti, now fifteen, and Page One, thirteen, possessed Ancient Zoan abilities. However, their strength was still developing, and they were far from becoming reliable fighters. More importantly, the supply line for Ancient Zoan fruits had been completely severed.
Not long ago, Kaido caught wind of a Mythical Zoan user named Sali in the first half of the Grand Line. He had intended to recruit him, but his path was blocked by Akainu.
Kaido could have bypassed Akainu by flying directly into the first half of the Grand Line, but doing so while the Marines knew his movements would expose his territory to attack.
He had spent years building his base. He would not risk losing it.
In the end, he clashed with Akainu in a fit of rage before returning to Onigashima, dissatisfied.
"Uororororo!" Kaido roared with laughter, lifting a large jar of alcohol and draining it in one motion.
"The Rayleigh of the past was powerful, but now he is just an old man, even older than Whitebeard. His defeat is nothing surprising!"
He grinned, eyes gleaming with interest.
"But those two who fought him… if they really are Ancient Zoan or even Mythical Zoan users, that is the real prize. Uororororo!"
Kaido slammed the jar down.
"Track their movements. The moment you confirm their location, report it to me."
King nodded silently in acknowledgment.
Meanwhile, somewhere in the New World, the Red Hair Pirates were unusually quiet.
The day before, while Pini and Youki were engaged in their fierce battle against Rayleigh, Red-Haired Shanks received a call from Dracule Mihawk via Den Den Mushi.
"Hello, Hawkeye? What a rare call," Shanks said casually. "I was just feeling a bit off. What is it? Finally ready to settle things with me?"
Mihawk's voice remained calm and indifferent.
"I have been bored lately. Fighting someone like you with one arm has little meaning, but there are too few interesting opponents. I will make do."
Shanks' expression darkened instantly.
"Make do? You bastard, you better hurry up. I have been wanting to cut you for a long time!"
"I am already on my way to the New World," Mihawk replied before ending the call.
Shanks stared at the silent Den Den Mushi, his face unreadable.
Ben Beckman, the Red Hair Pirates' vice captain, noticed and spoke casually, "What is wrong? Did Hawkeye upset you? That does not seem like you."
Shanks suddenly broke into laughter.
"No, I was just thinking of a reason to throw a banquet. Forget it. Everyone, drink as much as you want. The party continues!"
Beckman lit a cigarette and smirked.
"Weren't you just saying you felt sick from drinking too much?"
Shanks laughed loudly.
"On a boring day like this, Hawkeye coming to challenge me is worth celebrating. Of course we drink!"
Lucky Roux and Yasopp walked over together, each carrying large barrels of alcohol.
"Banquet time! Keep it going!" they shouted.
And so, the feast that had already lasted three days continued without pause.
After another night of heavy drinking, the News Coo flew over the island where the Red Hair Pirates were temporarily stationed. Most of the crew were still suffering from their hangovers.
While the entire world focused on the shocking news of Rayleigh's defeat, few paid attention to the smaller reports buried on the second page.
One article stated that one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, White Lion Sali, had appeared in the New World. His ship, the White Lion, was heading straight for Dressrosa.
Another reported that Dracule Mihawk had also entered the New World, cutting down every pirate he encountered along the route of his coffin-shaped boat.
While others might overlook such details, the Marines did not.
Every piece of information was carefully analyzed and verified.
Naturally, both reports ended up on Fleet Admiral Sengoku's desk.
At that moment, Sengoku was overwhelmed.
According to intelligence from Gourmet Island, the Dawn ship's chef, Kirk, had suddenly appeared there the previous day. He then located Ash on Carnival Island. Shortly after, Ash, Kirk, and the woman traveling with Ash all vanished without a trace.
Ash's Den Den Mushi could no longer be reached.
He was completely out of contact.
As for the Thunder Dragon Gaya, after a brief communication with Wyper, all contact was lost as well.
Sali, now confirmed to have entered the New World aboard his ship, was also unreachable.
Even Mihawk, who had answered Sengoku's call, offered no useful explanation.
"I am going to cut people," Mihawk had said plainly before ending the call.
Sengoku clenched his fists.
"Who exactly are you planning to cut?!"
Other factions had yet to fully react, but it was only a matter of time.
The Seven Warlords of the Sea rarely gathered in one place. The only reason they would ever do so was under orders from the World Government.
But now, four of them had independently converged in the New World.
Anyone unaware of the situation might assume this was a coordinated move by the World Government, possibly even the start of a war against one of the Four Emperors.
The reality, however, was far more chaotic.
Even the World Government had no idea what was happening and had pushed the responsibility onto him.
Sengoku slammed his desk and roared in frustration.
"These damned fools! How am I supposed to know why they all ran off to the New World?! If you have the nerve, then answer your Den Den Mushi!"
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