Chapter 501: The End of the Great Dragon Hunting Era

The Five Elders were taken aback as they witnessed the battle unfold. Initially, many had underestimated Kaido's strength, recalling how Oden nearly beheaded him with just two strikes. However, the fight between Luffy and Kaido painted a starkly different picture, emphasizing the vast gulf in power between them. Despite Luffy's previous victories over formidable opponents like Doflamingo, Zephyr, and Katakuri, and his apparent peak strength, facing Kaido revealed the true might of a Four Emperor.

The reality of Kaido's strength, showcased by his staggering 4.6 billion Berry bounty—second only to Whitebeard's 5 billion—made those who once dreamt of defeating him to reconsider. The sight of Kaido standing up, unfazed, and striking Luffy down with a single blow of his Thunder Bagua, sent shivers down their spines. Luffy, known for his resilience and miraculous comebacks, was laid out cold, a humbling sight that made the spectators question the feasibility of defeating such a beast to claim the title of Joyboy.

As Luffy lay defeated, the Straw Hat Pirates' fate hung in the balance, with their captain captured by Kaido and their collective strength seemingly shattered. The remaining forces—Nekomamushi and Inuarashi's Mink Clan, Marco's Whitebeard Pirates, the Heart Pirates, and the Samurai of Wano—appeared too feeble to challenge Kaido alone.

This grim turn of events cooled the ardor of many would-be challengers worldwide. The notion of a "Great Dragon Hunt" fizzled out as quickly as it had ignited, with the realization that even Luffy had failed to make a dent in Kaido's defenses.

Meanwhile, reactions varied greatly among those watching. Ace, seeing his brother Luffy defeated and captured, clenched his fists in rage, determined to avenge him and fulfill their mission in Wano. The Revolutionary Army, too, felt a personal call to action, given their ties to Luffy.

At Marine Headquarters, preparations were underway to address this major upheaval involving two of the Four Emperors and the geopolitically crucial Wano. High-ranking officials like Admirals Aokiji and Momousagi, along with legends like Garp and Sengoku, were mobilized, illustrating the gravity of the situation. Admiral Akainu, tasked by the Five Elders, was focused on capturing Luffy in the Grand Line, a mission that underscored the strategic distractions at play within Marine ranks.

In Mariejois, the Five Elders pondered Luffy's potential identity as Joy Boy. His failure to defeat Kaido raised doubts, complicating their plans. They concluded that capturing Luffy alive was paramount, directing CP0 to Wano to secure the best outcome for the World Government.

As these multiple factions converged on Wano, each with their own agendas and motivations, the stage was set for a showdown that could reshape the power dynamics of the New World.

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