Chapter 177

Three Whale Island, New World

"Boom...!" A resounding explosion reverberated throughout the island, shaking the very ground beneath the inhabitants' feet. The once peaceful island of whalers, home to a modest population of honest folk, had been transformed into a nightmarish lair of terror and despair ever since the Beast Pirates claimed it as their own a month ago.

The day the Beast Pirates arrived was a day of horror etched forever in the memories of the islanders. Kaido, their monstrous leader, unleashed his wrath upon the helpless villagers, killing them wantonly to satiate his insatiable anger.

His fury was fueled by the devastating battle with Oden, which had left his once-mighty crew decimated. More than three-fourths of his original crew had perished in Wano, with many more deserting after witnessing Kaido himself flee from the battlefield. The crew that once numbered in the thousands is now reduced to mere hundreds, a shadow of its former glory.

Kaido had been training like a madman since their arrival on the island. His rage was volcanic, and whenever it erupted, it was the innocent villagers who paid the price. He would descend upon the village, torturing and killing indiscriminately, his anger manifesting in horrific violence.

At the edge of the island, Kaido stood, his massive frame looming over the tranquil sea. His once unblemished body now bore three large scars, each a testament to a fierce battle fought and nearly lost.

Two of the scars were given by Oden, the legendary samurai who had wounded Kaido deeply. The third, and largest, scar slashed across his back—a painful reminder of an attack from an unknown assailant. Yet, Kaido's instincts told him who the attacker was. There were few people in the world who could wield lightning as a weapon.

Kaido roared in anger, the sound echoing like thunder. He slammed his fist into the water, sending waves crashing around him. The ocean itself seemed to recoil from his fury.

His eyes burned with rage and frustration. Every breath he took was a reminder of his defeat, and every scar was a symbol of his vulnerability. Kaido, the indomitable beast, was haunted by the specters of those who had dared to defy him and nearly succeeded.

He clenched his fists, and the muscles in his arms bulged with raw power. The water around his feet hissed and steamed from the sheer heat of his fury. Memories of the battle with Oden flashed through his mind—each swing of Oden's sword, each strike that had found its mark. And then came the attack that had come from nowhere—the searing pain of lightning tearing through his flesh.

"Curse you, Oden!" Kaido bellowed, his voice a roar that sent flocks of birds scattering into the sky. "Curse you and that lightning-wielding bastard!"

His followers watched from a distance, fear and awe mingling in their eyes. They had seen Kaido in many states—drunk, wrathful, victorious—but this simmering fury was different. It was the fury of a wounded beast, more dangerous and unpredictable than ever.

Kaido's mind churned with thoughts of revenge. He would rebuild his crew, stronger and more loyal than before. He would crush anyone who stood in his way, reclaiming his place as one of the mightiest forces in the world. And he would find the one who had scarred his back, making them pay dearly for their audacity.

As the sun set, casting a blood-red glow over the island, Kaido stood at the shore, a titan against the dying light. His scars throbbed with pain, a constant reminder of his need for vengeance. He would not rest until he had hunted down every last one of his enemies and restored his name to its former glory.

"Kaido-sama," a voice echoed across the beach. Kaido turned slightly, his eyes narrowing as he saw King, one of the few who still believed in him despite his loss. King's loyalty was unwavering, and Kaido acknowledged his presence with a curt nod before turning his attention back to the horizon.

He stood waist-deep in seawater, training his resistance. He didn't know if this method would work, but he was desperate to grow stronger. The battle in Wano had shattered his belief in his invulnerability, teaching him a painful lesson.

"Kaido-sama, a CP agent has come to meet you," King announced. Before Kaido could respond, another voice, dripping with mockery, echoed from behind King.

"Ah, the mighty Hundred Beasts Kaido, the strongest creature in the world, running and hiding from a battle. Who would have known that you would have such a day too?" The CP leader taunted, unaware that Kaido's anger was already at a boiling point. The mere presence of the government agents was enough to enrage him, but he maintained his calm, not lashing out immediately.

"It seems that you are not as invincible as you make people believe you to be," the CP leader chuckled.

"Why are you here?" Kaido's voice was a low growl, a barely contained storm of fury. The CP agents had no idea that their fates were already sealed.

"I am just here to renegotiate the terms of the agreement you previously had with the World Government and also to give you a piece of good news," the agent continued, his tone mocking. Kaido felt every word coming out of the agent's mouth was an insult.

"Well, now that you are in no position to supply us with advanced weapons and Seastone, you need to pay us back in a different way. You have taken the World Government's resources and money, so it is only right you pay something back—"

Before he could finish, a large palm clasped his masked face in a vice-like grip. Kaido's eyes burned with fury.

"Let them know I will come for them too!" Kaido hissed. The other two CP agents, who had followed the leader, moved to act, but King was quicker. A blade pierced through one of the agents's backs as King attacked the moment Kaido moved. The CP leader struggled in Kaido's grasp, but Kaido's grip tightened. The pressure increased until the agent's head popped like a balloon.

Kaido had no more interest in dealing with the World Government. He realized he had been too naive to deal with them directly. His first course of action would be to rebuild his crew along with a base, and then he would go on a hunt to bring down everyone who stood against him. He tossed aside the corpse and returned to his training.

Kaido now understood that relying too much on his Devil Fruit would doom him sooner or later. His Haki still had a long way to go if he truly wanted to become the king of the world. The sea lapped around his waist, each wave a reminder of his vulnerability, and his determination hardened. He would emerge stronger and more fearsome than ever, and those who had dared to challenge him would pay the ultimate price.

Kaido's eyes turned to King, who had finished off the second agent. "King, summon the remaining crew. We have work to do," Kaido ordered.

King nodded. "Yes, Kaido-sama."

Kaido's mind churned with plans for revenge and rebuilding. He would not rest until his power was absolute, and those who had defied him lay broken at his feet. The scars on his body were a constant reminder of his past failures, but they also fueled his resolve. He would turn his pain into power, his defeat into victory. The world would tremble once more at the name of Kaido, the King of Beasts.

**********

Wano kuni, New World.

Whitebeard sat majestically on a specially prepared seat, while Oden occupied the Shogun's seat. Wano, which had remained closed for centuries, had hosted the Whitebeard Pirates, who had come to their rescue when the World Government and Marines had besieged them. Whitebeard and his crew had stayed back to ensure that Oden had the time to recover completely and stabilize Wano.

"So, the World Government is already making such a power play?" Whitebeard commented as he read through the latest intelligence that Marco had passed to him. Even Oden, who held a similar copy, couldn't help but frown. The main piece of information was about the Military World Draft. The Marines were planning to expand at an unprecedented rate.

From the approximate numbers, it seemed like their total strength would almost double. The surprising fact for Whitebeard was that the World Government had agreed to this. Although the Marines were under their command, they had never wanted to allow the Marines more power than intended, so they could be kept in check.

"Pops, it's just a military draft. At best, they would get more regular troops. I don't think many from the New World would even bother joining the Marines, and the Four Blues are not really going to provide them with quality forces," young Marco commented. Marco had been growing steadily and was fitting well into the role of first division commander, but it seemed like he still held some arrogance as part of Whitebeard's crew.

"You truly underestimate the Four Blues, Marco. I can list a dozen names off the top of my head, and every one of these fellows came from the Four Blues. You shouldn't underestimate a place. Have you forgotten that the man who conquered the seas came from the East Blue, which is considered the weakest of the seas? And the man who rivaled him also came from the same East Blue," Whitebeard replied, his voice carrying the weight of experience.

Marco fell silent, absorbing his captain's words. Whitebeard's gaze shifted back to the report at hand, his thoughts a mix of concern and confidence. He was not worried about the Marines' abrupt declaration of a world draft because, as long as he was alive, no one could touch what was his. Of that, he was confident.

Oden, meanwhile, was deep in thought. "The World Government must be planning something big to agree to such a massive expansion. They never give the Marines more power than necessary."

Whitebeard nodded. "Indeed. This draft isn't just about numbers. It's about preparation. They're getting ready for something."

"But what could it be?" Marco asked, his curiosity piqued. "What could they be preparing for?"

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed. "War, perhaps. Or a significant shift in power dynamics. The New World is full of unpredictable elements. They might be trying to consolidate their control."

Oden spoke up, his voice steady. "Whatever it is, we need to be prepared. Wano has just recovered, and we can't afford another conflict so soon."

Marco turned to Whitebeard, a serious expression on his face. "Pops, do you really think the Marines can pose a threat to us?"

Whitebeard took a sip of his sake and looked at his first division commander. "The Marines are always a threat, Marco. Never underestimate your enemy. But we have something they don't—family. Our bond makes us stronger than any military force."

Whitebeard's eyes sparkled with determination as he looked at his crew, his family. "Let them come. We'll show them why we are the strongest in the world."

"Has there been any news of that bastard Kaido?" Oden asked, his voice tight with anger. His fist clenched, and his knuckles turned white. If he had not taken on the responsibility of governing Wano, he would have already embarked on a hunt for Kaido.

"He must be hiding at the edge of the world somewhere," Whitebeard replied, his deep voice resonating through the room. "But trust me, that brat will return. If Kaido truly realizes what he lacks and starts working to mitigate his shortcomings, he will become an even more dangerous adversary for you. After all this humiliation, he's bound to make a comeback."

Whitebeard's eyes narrowed as he spoke, a mix of caution and advice in his tone. "Kaido's devil fruit isn't simple. If that brat ever successfully awakens his devil fruit and masters his haki, he would truly become a force to reckon with."

Oden's gaze hardened as he listened, the weight of Whitebeard's words sinking in. The tension in the room was palpable, a reflection of the gravity of the situation.

Whitebeard continued, "Kaido's fruit is a Mythical Zoan, one of the rarest types, and even among mythical zoans, his fruit seems to hold a special place. If he awakens it and combines it with advanced haki, he could reach a level of power that even I would respect. Right now, he's licking his wounds, but if he emerges stronger, he could become a true apex predator of this world."

Oden's brow furrowed in thought. He knew the potential dangers Kaido posed, but hearing Whitebeard's analysis made it all the more real. "I won't let that happen," Oden vowed, his voice low but filled with determination.

Whitebeard nodded, understanding Oden's resolve. "That's the spirit. But remember, Oden, power isn't just about strength. It's about strategy and will. Kaido will be more cunning after his defeat. You need to be ready for anything. Now that you have taken responsibility for Wano, you have a duty to your people. And worry not, we, the Whitebeard Pirates, will come to your aid. After all, I can't have my brother fighting his battles alone."

"So, you guys have planned to depart early?" Oden switched the topic because he knew that the Whitebeard Pirates were leaving to attend to another important matter.

"Yes, we've been getting repeated reports from Fishman Island. The island is being ravaged, and a few among my crew have wished for me to intervene directly," Whitebeard commented. With more than twenty divisions now, he had quite a few Fishmen among his crew, and his sons had made a heartfelt plea to help Fishman Island.

"So, you are planning to declare Fishman Island as your territory?" Oden asked with a smile. He knew how Newgate acted. Once he set his mind on something, there were no half measures.

Whitebeard took a large gulp of sake and bellowed with laughter. "I am going to teach all those upstart brats what happens when they mess with my family."

Oden couldn't help but join in the laughter. The room seemed to lighten, if only for a moment, as the two powerful men shared a moment of camaraderie. The bond between them was strong, forged through battles and mutual respect.

"Fishman Island is lucky to have you as their protector," Oden remarked, his tone sincere. "With you declaring it as your territory, no one would dare touch it."

Oden leaned back, his mind briefly drifting to the peaceful times he hoped to secure for Wano. "It's good to know you'll always have our backs, Newgate san."

Whitebeard's expression softened. "Always, Oden. We're family, and family looks out for each other. Now, about Kaido—"

"Leave Kaido to me," Oden interrupted, his voice filled with determination. "I will ensure Wano is ready for his return. I won't let him bring suffering to my people again."

Whitebeard smiled, a mixture of pride and concern in his eyes. "I know you will, brother. Just remember, if you ever need us, we'll be here. No one fights alone in the Whitebeard family."

*******

A/N: Thank you for your continuous support. In the meantime, I request that my readers please spare a few minutes of their precious time if possible and leave their reviews and thoughts about the story so that I can improve upon the story and help it reach more One Piece fans.

For those eager to dive into the next chapters of our One Piece saga before anyone else, I invite you to join me on Patreon. By becoming a patron, you'll not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our narratives and much more.

Currently updated until Chapter 231.

Patreon : www.patreon.com/Silent_stiele