Chapter 301

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Sphinx Island, New World

Sphinx Island, once a barren and impoverished land, now flourished under the benevolent watch of the strongest man in the world—Whitebeard.

The towering cliffs and jagged rocks that surrounded the island served as natural barriers, protecting its shores. The island itself was a stark contrast to its foreboding appearance. Once a place of desolation, it was now a thriving oasis, brimming with life.

Green pastures stretched across the island, and the once-starving residents were now healthy, vibrant, and prosperous.

Whitebeard had ensured that Sphinx Island was no longer a forgotten corner of the world. He had poured resources into it, using his immense wealth and influence to uplift his homeland. For the people of Sphinx Island, Whitebeard was not just their protector; he was a godlike figure, their guardian deity who watched over them from afar.

The presence of the Moby Dick, Whitebeard's legendary flagship, anchored just offshore, was a constant reminder of that protection. Pirates that would have otherwise terrorized the island never dared approach, knowing full well who claimed it as his home.

However, aboard the Moby Dick, the air was tense. Whitebeard's crew, loyal to their captain and fiercely protective of the island, stood on edge as they gathered to hear the latest report.

At the helm of the gathered commanders was Marco, Whitebeard's trusted right-hand man and First Division Commander. His usually calm, relaxed demeanor had turned serious as he relayed the dire news from their scouts.

"So Linlin is alive after all…" Whitebeard's deep voice rumbled, his words slow but full of meaning. His broad, muscular form rested in his massive chair at the center of the deck, but his presence alone felt like a storm on the horizon.

His piercing gaze was fixed on Marco, but his thoughts seemed elsewhere—traveling back to the days when he and Linlin had sailed the same seas under Rocks D. Xebec. Despite their shared past, there was no love lost between them. Whitebeard respected few, and Linlin was certainly not one of them.

Marco, standing at attention before his father, nodded solemnly. His green phoenix like eyes glinted with concern, though his face remained composed. He had immersed himself in training for the past year like most division commanders, but this message had made him relay it personally to Whitebeard.

"Kaido has mobilized his entire fleet. And so have the Big Mom Pirates. From what we've gathered, they're planning something big."

Whitebeard grunted, his brow furrowing. Kaido and Big Mom working together? It was almost laughable, two monsters with egos too large to ever share the same spotlight. But Marco's report couldn't be ignored. The thought gnawed at him like a persistent itch. He could sense the storm brewing, one that threatened to shake the very balance of power in the New World.

Whitebeard leaned forward slightly, his hands gripping the arms of his chair. "Those bastards…" he muttered, the disdain in his voice clear. Even with their combined strength, Whitebeard didn't fear them.

He knew he could overpower either of them—or both of them together—if it came to that. He was Edward Newgate, the man who held the title of the world's strongest for decades. But the fact that Kaido and Linlin would mobilize their entire forces meant something more was in motion, something ominous that sent a chill down his spine.

Marco could sense his father's unease. His brow furrowed as he contemplated the situation, knowing full well how dangerous it was for two Yonko to align their forces.

"With egos like theirs, there's no way they would join hands for something simple," Marco said cautiously. "Whatever they're planning, it's something monumental."

Whitebeard narrowed his eyes, the muscles in his jaw tightening as he mulled over the possibilities. He had fought both Kaido and Linlin before, back when they were all younger and less weathered by time.

He knew their ambitions, their lust for power, and their hunger for conquest. But this alliance was out of character, even for them. They despised each other almost as much as they despised the idea of sharing power.

His massive hand lifted to stroke his mustache, his deep voice rumbling with both frustration and curiosity. "What do you think their plan is, Marco?"

Marco, being the ship's doctor and also one of the sharpest minds in the crew, knew the answer. His mind had already been working through the possibilities, and he realized there was only one logical conclusion.

"Pops… I think Kaido initiated this alliance. And I'm afraid their target is Wano."

The moment Marco spoke the word, Whitebeard's eyes widened in understanding. Wano. It made perfect sense. Kaido's pride had been shattered years ago when Oden—the samurai Whitebeard had once called his brother—humiliated the so-called "Strongest Creature." Oden was the only man who had ever scarred Kaido.

Kaido would never let such a wound fester without seeking revenge. But Oden wasn't just any opponent. Whitebeard knew that Kaido couldn't take down Oden alone. That's why Kaido had reached out to Linlin.

Suddenly, Whitebeard's massive form shifted, rising from his chair with an immense force. His feet planted onto the deck with a bone-rattling thud, and the Moby Dick swayed under the sheer weight of his presence.

His eyes burned with fury, his mind racing through the implications of what Marco had just said. "Those bastards…!" he growled, his voice a thunderous roar that sent shivers through even the most battle-hardened pirates in his crew.

He clenched his fists, and the air around him seemed to vibrate with the raw, uncontainable power of his Conqueror's Haki. His rage was palpable, like a storm about to erupt. His bond with Oden had run deep, and though Oden had left to pursue his own path, Whitebeard would never allow a tyrant like Kaido to destroy what Oden had sought to protect.

"Marco," Whitebeard's voice boomed, his tone carrying the weight of an impending war.

"Prepare the fleet. We set sail for Wano!"

Marco gave a short bow, his face grim but determined. He understood the gravity of the situation. This wasn't just about Kaido or Big Mom. This was about protecting the legacy of Oden and keeping Wano from falling into the hands of those who would crush it beneath their heels.

As Marco turned to relay the commands, the crew sprang into action. The Whitebeard Pirates were a force unlike any other, each man and woman on board prepared to follow their captain into the jaws of hell itself. The tension that had gripped the ship was now replaced with resolve. They would not allow Wano to fall.

The drums of war had sounded, and Whitebeard was ready to answer the call. The world's strongest man was coming to Wano, and the very seas trembled at the thought.

*****

Open Seas , West Blue

As I watched Miyamoto-san quietly tending to his sword, I couldn't help but feel the weight of his unspoken thoughts. His calloused hands moved with the precision of a master as he ran the whetstone over the blade.

The rhythmic scrape of steel against stone echoed through the deck, a sound that seemed to mirror the turmoil brewing within him.

I knew that whenever Miyamoto sharpened his sword like this, it was because something weighed heavily on his heart. He wasn't the type to show it outwardly, but in moments like these, his actions spoke louder than his words.

"Tell me, Miyamoto-san, are you sure you don't want us to go help them?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"I'm certain this situation isn't as simple as it seems. If Kaido has truly joined hands with Big Mom, it means he's confident about taking Wano." My tone was calm, but the question was laced with the urgency I felt gnawing at my gut.

Miyamoto paused for a moment, the whetstone still in his hand, before looking up at me. His expression was unreadable, as usual, but there was a flicker of something in his eyes—frustration, perhaps, or maybe a deep-seated worry he didn't want to voice.

"Ross-kun, though I am a samurai, my allegiance no longer lies with Wano or Oden-sama. I serve you now, and I will swing my blade in the direction you point it," he said, his voice low but filled with sincerity. I could feel the weight of his loyalty in every word.

But there was more. I knew him well enough by now to know that there was something left unsaid, something simmering just beneath the surface.

"And if Wano cannot face such an adversary, then there is no reason to call ourselves the land of warriors, is there?" He added, his tone slightly more bitter than before. His jaw tightened as he returned his attention to the blade, but the agitation in his movements betrayed him.

Miyamoto believed in the strength of the samurai still protecting Wano. It wasn't just Oden's Kozuki family that stood guard over the country—there were countless warriors who had spent their lives honing their skills in service to their land. Yet, as confident as he seemed outwardly, I couldn't shake the sense that he felt some measure of guilt for not rushing to their aid.

I leaned back, contemplating his words. Miyamoto-san was fiercely loyal to me, and I knew his dedication was unwavering. But Wano was his home, his people, his heritage. If there was anyone who might feel conflicted about this, it was him.

I considered pressing him further, but I knew better. If Miyamoto truly wanted to return to Wano to fight, he'd tell me. He wasn't one to hold back when it mattered most.

"If you really wanted to go, you know I wouldn't stop you," I said, watching for any flicker of change in his stance. But he remained still, his focus back on his blade. That was all the answer I needed.

Still, I couldn't shake the unease gnawing at my instincts. Something big was coming. It wasn't just Kaido and Big Mom that troubled me; it was the sense that the world itself was shifting. The balance we'd known, the delicate dance of power and influence that had shaped the seas for decades—it was unraveling.

Ever since my arrival in this world, so many things had changed. The canon I once knew was no longer a certainty. My brother had risen to become one of the Emperors, ancient weapons were in play, and forces long thought buried were resurfacing.

I had altered the course of history simply by existing here, and now it felt as if the world was trying to right itself, correcting the path that had veered so sharply off course. I wondered what that meant for Wano.

In the original timeline, Wano had fallen. Would it still? Would the presence of Kaido and Big Mom be the tipping point, or was there a new destiny waiting to unfold?

I sighed deeply, my mind racing with possibilities, but my instincts kept circling back to one conclusion: Wano was in danger. Something monumental was about to happen.

I turned to Robin, who had been quietly observing the exchange from the side. Her perceptive eyes locked onto mine, as if she'd been reading my thoughts this entire time. I knew I could rely on her to handle what needed to be done.

"Robin, get in touch with Issho-san. Tell him to wrap up things in North Blue and have him return to Dressrosa," I instructed, my tone firm. "I don't care what he does, but he needs to finish whatever he's involved in within a month and get back with Law and his family."

Issho was a man of deep convictions, and while I respected that about him, I knew he wouldn't willingly abandon the people of Flevance without proper closure. Giving him a month's buffer would make the transition easier for him to stomach, and, most importantly, it would ensure he wouldn't try to overrule the order.

As long as the directive came from me, and not Doffy, Issho would hesitate to challenge it. He had his own code, and I knew he wouldn't compromise it lightly.

Robin nodded, her expression thoughtful. "And if Issho-san refuses?" she asked, knowing full well how stubborn the man could be.

"He won't refuse," I replied confidently. "But if he does, we'll deal with it when the time comes. Right now, I need him back. With Rayleigh-san away and Shakky dealing with other matters, we don't have enough heavy hitters. And Big Mom… she doesn't forget grudges. Not with the Donquixote family."

Robin's expression darkened for a moment, a flicker of concern crossing her face before she quickly masked it. She knew the history between the Donquixote family and Big Mom ran deep, and with Linlin back in play, it was only a matter of time before old wounds were reopened.

As the salty sea breeze blew past us, the tension hung in the air. Dora, standing at the ship's railing, turned her face to the wind, her brow furrowed. Her piercing eyes reflected the age-old grudge her people had carried for decades, even though she wasn't even born when the original incident happened.

The Giants' hatred for Big Mom ran deep—rooted in the events of Elbaf, a memory so bitter it was practically etched into her very bones. And despite everything, Dora had inherited that same grudge as fiercely as if she had lived through it herself.

"Are we going to fight Big Mom?" she asked, her voice calm, though I could sense the underlying intensity.

I could see why she asked. The mere mention of Big Mom, the very idea of confronting her, was enough to stir that deep resentment. Dora had trained hard, honing herself into a warrior who embodied the strength of her people.

It was clear she wanted vengeance, justice for her ancestors. But I had to be the voice of reason here.

"If it comes to that, then yes, we'll face her," I replied, the wind carrying my words across the deck. "But her power has waned. With her territory in ruins, it'll take her at least a decade to regain what she's lost, to rebuild her empire and reestablish her strength. Unless…"

I paused, and that's when the realization hit me like a cannonball. The puzzle pieces started falling into place. This entire time, I had been trying to figure out what had driven Linlin—a woman who was known for her pride and her stubborn refusal to ally with others—to join forces with Kaido. It made no sense at first. But now, I could see it clearly. The answer was there, lurking just beneath the surface of everything.

"Unless Kaido offered her a deal," I continued, more to myself than to Dora. "That's it… that's why she's agreed to join him. He must've promised to give her back the territories she lost. Territories that she doesn't have the strength to reclaim on her own right now. In exchange, she helps him take Wano."

It all clicked. Kaido was no fool—he was a brute, yes, but a calculated brute. He knew Big Mom's situation, knew she was at her weakest. Offering her back her lost lands without a fight? That would have been a tempting offer for someone like Linlin, who cared more about power and authority than anything else.

It also explained why they had mobilized together so suddenly. Kaido wasn't just planning a war for Wano; he was orchestrating an intricate game of territory, alliances, and dominance.

The idea of it made me grind my teeth. Kaido, with his beastly cunning, was playing this game to perfection. Big Mom, in her desperation to regain her former glory, had taken the bait.

"Kaido sure is maneuvering this brilliantly," I muttered, half to Dora and half to myself. "He's managed to keep his own territories while expanding into Big Mom's old lands and what was left of Shiki's. And with Wano as his ultimate prize, the world's about to shift in ways we haven't even begun to imagine."

One must understand that the New World is an incredibly vast and largely uncharted region. Even Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King who conquered the seas, might not have known every island within its treacherous waters.

The sheer size of the New World is so immense that it could easily accommodate the territories of a dozen Emperors simultaneously without their domains overlapping. But there's more to territory than just landmass. Pirates don't scramble after every island simply to stake a claim. There must be purpose and value behind each conquest.

A barren island inhabited only by wild beasts holds little significance. No pirate worth their salt would waste resources on a useless rock in the middle of the sea, no matter how vast their empire.

Profit, influence, and resources are what make territory valuable. For someone like Kaido, claiming islands isn't just about expanding his name—it's about control, wealth, and the strategic positioning that brings true power.

Take the Donquixote Family, for instance. Despite their influence, they only held close to thirty populated islands under their control. Yet even that relatively small number of islands generated enough revenue to sustain a sprawling empire. And that's because those islands were strategically chosen, each providing wealth, manpower, or critical resources.

In our case, the weapons industry plays a crucial role. While we don't rely solely on the income these islands provide, maintaining them is a matter of principle.

Without proper protection, the inhabitants of these islands would live in constant fear of being overrun by pirates, revolutionaries, or even the World Government. Our family's presence offers them stability, peace of mind, and a sense of belonging to a greater whole.

This balance of power, resources, and influence is what makes holding territory in the New World both complex and vital. And while the sea is vast, the game of power is always about leverage—choosing the right islands, controlling the right resources, and expanding in ways that truly matter.

"What about Whitebeard?" Smoker, who had remained silent since the beginning, broke the quiet with his question. He popped a candy into his mouth, eyes narrowing in thought. "Isn't he supposed to be the strongest pirate alive? So why doesn't he go after territories like Kaido does?"

Before I could respond, Lucci's cold voice cut in. "Were you even listening to Master Ross's lesson? Whitebeard isn't like the others." His sharp gaze locked onto Smoker, who simply waved him off dismissively, unfazed by the intense scrutiny.

"Alright, alright, no need to act like you know everything." Smoker muttered, unbothered, but Lucci wasn't wrong.

"Lucci's right." I spoke, drawing their attention back. "Whitebeard isn't driven by the same ambitions as most pirates. He doesn't go after territories for the sake of power or wealth like Kaido does. Whitebeard is different. He only claims territory when it's requested—when the inhabitants of an island voluntarily ask him for protection. That's how he operates. It's why so many islands under his flag remain fiercely loyal. They weren't conquered. They were saved."

"But even with that approach," I continued, "Whitebeard's territory is the largest of all the Emperors. It's nearly three times the size of Kaido's domain. That's a testament to just how much influence Whitebeard's name holds in the New World. People trust him. They look to him not just as a ruler but as a protector—a guardian. Kaido, on the other hand, rules through fear and force."

Smoker chewed on his candy thoughtfully before speaking again. "So, what about Wano? Do you think Whitebeard will come to their aid? You mentioned that Oden was someone Whitebeard treated like a brother."

Leo, who had been listening quietly, chimed in, "Yeah, didn't Whitebeard and Oden have a strong bond? If Kaido and Big Mom are making a move on Wano, wouldn't Whitebeard step in to help?"

Miyamoto's ears perked up at the mention of Wano. His calm, samurai demeanor couldn't hide the spark of interest that the topic ignited in him. After all, he was once a warrior of Wano before he pledged his loyalty to me.

I nodded, "Yes, Oden was like a brother to Whitebeard. They sailed together, fought side by side, and respected one another deeply. If Whitebeard gets wind of what's happening in Wano, there's a high chance he'll intervene. But Kaido and Big Mom would have considered this. They aren't fools—they know Whitebeard wouldn't ignore an attack on Oden's homeland. It's likely part of their strategy."

The ship's deck fell into a contemplative silence as my words sank in. The gravity of the situation was clear to all of us. The potential clash of titans—Kaido, Big Mom, and Whitebeard—could reshape the entire New World.

"Do you think Whitebeard could take them both on?" Smoker asked, breaking the silence once more.

I leaned back, crossing my arms. "Whitebeard is still the strongest man alive. His power is beyond anything Kaido and Big Mom could muster together, at least in terms of sheer strength. But even Whitebeard can't fight an entire war alone. If Kaido and Big Mom have aligned their fleets, it's more than just a battle of strength. It becomes a war of numbers, resources, and strategy. And I am sure they have planned a counter for Whitebeard; they do not have to defeat him, only stall him long enough."

Leo, scatching his little head, raised a brow. "And what if they've set a trap? Something that even Whitebeard can't fight his way out of?"

Smoker leaned forward, curiosity in his eyes. "Do you think Wano can resist Kaido and Big Mom without Whitebeard's help?"

I answered honestly. "Wano is strong, and its people are fierce. Oden trained some of the finest samurai the world has ever seen. But against the combined might of two Emperors? I don't know. That's the reality we face. They'll need Whitebeard's help if they're to stand any real chance."

Miyamoto sheathed his sword, his eyes closing briefly as if in silent contemplation. "Wano will endure," he said, his voice firm. "It has survived centuries of isolation and invasion. The samurai will fight with everything they have, as will Oden sama's retainers. But if fate demands Whitebeard's intervention, then so be it. Wano's true strength lies not in its isolation but in its resolve."