Chapter 38: Underworld

Holy land, Mariejois, Redline

The Five Elders convened an emergency meeting with high-ranking government officials. The room was filled with powerful figures—some corrupt, some pragmatic, all influential.

The corrupt and greedy officials were quick to advocate for Kaido's elimination. "We could take everything," they argued. "His islands, his resources—they could all belong to the World Government." For them, Kaido represented not just a threat but an opportunity for personal gain. His industrial empire was thriving, and they wanted to seize it for themselves.

On the other hand, the professional and pragmatic officials urged caution. "Kaido is not just some upstart pirate," they warned. "A war with him would cause massive casualties and destabilize the world. The people will not take kindly to such a bold move by the World Government." They suggested that the Navy should handle the situation. That way, the World Government's name would remain untarnished, even if the conflict ended in failure.

"Why not offer him a partnership?" suggested one opportunistic voice. "If we control his resources, we control the underworld. There's no need for war if we can manipulate him."

The room fell into a contemplative silence. The idea had merit, but it was also dangerous. Kaido was not known for his cooperation, and there were risks in trusting a pirate, even one as powerful as he was.

The Five Elders listened, weighing their options. They understood the potential gains of a partnership with Kaido, but they were not eager to align themselves with pirates. Moreover, they were wary of the technological advancements Kaido seemed to possess. Though they didn't know the full extent of his research even having scientist is a major no in there opinion, they were cautious.

"Kaido is a threat," one of the Elders finally declared. "The Navy will deal with him. We will not dirty our hands, but we will ensure that his rise is stopped."

And so, the order was passed to the Navy" 'Kaido must be dealt with.' The World Government would stay in the shadows provide support, but ensuring that no matter the outcome, their image would remain intact. The conflict would be seen as the Navy's battle, whether it ended in victory or defeat.

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1503 Sea Calendar – New World, Unnamed Island

In the dimly lit room of a grand underground hall, a group of dangerous figures sat in a circle, their faces tense with frustration and anger. The air was thick with cigarette smoke and the palpable threat of violence. At the center of the gathering was a large, round table, where powerful men and women from the criminal underworld had assembled.

"Damn it! What is wrong with these pirate bastards!" growled a man with a scar across his face, slamming his fist on the table. "First, there's one who doesn't even allow the black market in his territory. Then, that crazy bitch steals souls, and now, we've got this new fool trying to become a tyrant dictator!"

His voice echoed through the room as the others nodded in agreement. The man's expression twisted with rage as he spat, "If you're a pirate, go find the One Piece! Why are you meddling in business?"

The discussion grew louder as the criminals in the room voiced their complaints. They were key players in the underground market—arms dealers, smugglers, assassins—and they had all been affected by the sudden rise of the Beast Pirates. The syndicate Kaido had built was different from most pirate crews. He wasn't just taking islands for protection fees; he was truly control the resources and establish his rules on them.

Kaido's Beast Pirates had expanded into food processing, tool manufacturing, and shipbuilding. And, worst of all for the underground, they provided safety to those living under their control. This disrupted the flow of protection money, smuggling operations, and the local mafia's grip on power. Where once these criminal families ruled the dark markets, now Kaido's influence had taken hold, and their profits were rapidly dwindling.

"His factories produce better weapons and tools, and his ships...they're being sold to every pirate and kingdom in the region. People who once needed us now turn to Kaido for protection," another man hissed, wringing his hands in frustration.

As the arguing grew louder, a sudden wave of oppressive force filled the room. The chatter stopped instantly, and all eyes turned toward the man sitting in the main chair. His cold, calculating gaze swept across the table. Alan Victor , the head of the Victor crime family, exuded an aura of power and menace. His family had long controlled assassination networks , illegal mining, and drugs syndicates throughout the central New World. But with Kaido taking over territories, their business had taken the hardest hit.

Victor rose from his chair slowly, the dim light casting long shadows across his figure. His presence silenced the room.

"You know what happened to the underground networks in Whitebeard's and Charlotte Linlin's territories," Victor began, his voice low but commanding. "They were crushed or forced to submit. Their control over the dark world was absolute. And now, Kaido is doing the same thing in the Prodence Sea to Mogaro sea . His territory grows larger by the day, if he suddenly come up and say he is King no one can deny it ."

He unsheathed a sword from his waist, its blade gleaming with dark intent. As he held it up, black lightning crackled along its edge, the overwhelming aura of Conqueror's Haki making the room feel as though the walls were closing in. The air turned cold and heavy as the power radiated from him, casting a shadow of dread over everyone in attendance.

"But we are different," Victor continued, his voice filled with dangerous confidence. "We are not the garbage of Sphinx Island, and Kaido is no Whitebeard. He's an upstart pirate of an inferior race, who thinks he is King . We will throw throw that inferior beast back in his place."

Victor pointed his sword at the group. The air around him seemed to grow darker as he spoke. Everyone in the room felt the weight of his words, the threat underlying his calm tone.

"Let's show the world that the underworld doesn't just bend to pirates or the Marines. The underground belongs to us—. We will show Kaido that not just anyone can stand the drakness of the dark markets ."

The criminals nodded in tense agreement, their resolve hardening under Victor's leadership. While Victor might have been gathering these men for his own goals, even he was unaware of how the local kingdoms and Cipher Pol were pulling his strings, using his ambitions to fuel their own agenda against Kaido.

But none of that mattered now. Victor's message was clear—Kaido had stepped into a world he didn't belong to, and now he would pay the price.

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