Kaido and Big Mom were both members of the Rocks Pirates in the previous era. That enigmatic overlord of the New World, hidden in the mists, had caused considerable trouble for the World Government. This was why Garp, who brought down Nox, was honored with the title of "Marine Hero."
The height from which one views the world determines their perspective, standing atop a mountain grants a different sight than gazing up from the valley.
The Rocks Pirates, having accomplished feats that shook the heavens, had learned many secrets. As a result, even Kaido, who was just a fledgling pirate back then, came to know truths hidden from the world.
"Since you know of Imu's existence, yet still choose to challenge the World Government… Kaido, just what are you planning?"
Rowen narrowed his eyes in contemplation.
Once the game pieces on the board moved beyond his control, it would create a scenario Rowen had no interest in facing.
"Perhaps…"
"I should take the initiative and visit Wano Country myself."
Letting an enemy act unchallenged had never been Rowen's way.
"But this matter requires careful planning; there's no need to rush. For now…"
Dismissing the Black Prison Thunder Realm, Rowen raised his right hand high and shouted to the awaiting Marines below.
"Long live the Marines!"
Smoker, witnessing this, widened his eyes in disbelief before shaking his head in shock.
"He really is a monster…"
The opponent he had risked his life to wound had not even stood a chance against Rowen.
The sheer disparity left Smoker with a profound sense of helplessness.
However, the Marines below had no such thoughts. They knew they couldn't compare to Rowen. Instead, their momentary shock was swiftly replaced by uncontainable excitement. Following his call, they raised their fists and roared in unison.
"Long… live!"
"Long live the Marines!!"
"Long live!!"
The thunderous cheers merged into one, and soon, all of Totto Land echoed with the soldiers' fervent cries, their voices soaring into the sky.
…
Wano Country, Flower Capital.
At the moment of King's death, beyond G-11, another individual became aware of the news at the same time.
In a dimly lit hall, Kaido sat in silence with a grim look on his face.
In his right palm rested a pile of ash. Just moments earlier, King's Vivre Card had suddenly begun to burn rapidly. By the time Kaido noticed the heat and pulled it out, it had already turned to dust in his hands.
Its meaning was clear.
Hoo…
A faint breeze drifted through the window, lifting the glowing specks of ash, carrying them away into the night.
Bang!
Kaido clenched his fist, eyes closed.
"King…!"
"It seems you've lost an All-Star, Kaido."
Kaido was not alone in the hall. Seated across from him was Nibelung Orrick, accompanied by several of his men.
Upon hearing those words, Kaido's hand moved. His massive spiked kanabo swung with the force of a meteor, crashing down like judgment itself. The impact made the air feel heavy, the very walls and floors of the hall cracking under the pressure.
Whoosh…
Bang!!
With a single swing, the floor shattered, creating a massive crater that spread outward in jagged fissures, disappearing into the horizon.
"Pfft… Cough, cough!"
Lirisk, kneeling on one knee in front of Orrick with arms crossed, had used his Zoan-enhanced, scaled arms to block the strike. Even so, blood oozed from his wounds, though he had managed to endure, the power behind the attack had left him badly injured.
Kaido did not follow up.
Instead, he glanced at Lirisk and gave a small nod.
"Not bad."
Then, turning his gaze to Orrick, he sneered.
"But you… You're quite the bastard."
"You attack my men, then come here and talk about cooperation. What am I supposed to say to that? Truly, you Celestial Dragons never change."
Creak!
A vein bulged on Orrick's forehead. Being a Celestial Dragon was a fact he couldn't escape, but it was also the part of himself he loathed the most.
Taking a deep breath, Orrick forced himself to regain composure before speaking calmly. "Let's end the pointless chatter here, Kaido."
"You wouldn't be listening if you weren't considering my proposal. So, I assume you have an answer."
"Hmph!"
Kaido didn't respond immediately, but after a brief silence, he withdrew his spiked club.
"Let's hear it then…"
"Mm?"
"What are you willing to put on the table for this alliance, Orrick?"
The looming giant of a man, more beast than human, radiated an oppressive aura. Kaido's piercing gaze locked onto Orrick. "What price are you willing to pay for your ambition?"
Orrick dusted off his sleeve and smirked. "Perhaps you don't know yet, but I hold an Ancient Weapon... Sea King."
Kaido's pupils shrank violently. "You… What did you just say?!!"
…
Marineford – Fleet Admiral's Office
"You're telling me you killed King?!"
Akainu bit down on his cigar, his face hardening with disbelief. "That bastard, the one with the toughest hide in Kaido's crew, second only to the beast himself in durability and recovery, was taken out by you?"
Tsuru, who had been calmly sipping her tea, nearly choked.
That's your biggest takeaway?!
(╯‵□′)╯︵┻━┻
It was indeed a shocking revelation.
Even in the past, when "Drought" Jack had launched an all-out assault on Sengoku and Garp's escort ship, all the Marines had managed to do was sink him into the ocean. These Ancient Zoan users weren't just tough, they were damn near unkillable.
Knocking them down was one thing.
Actually killing them?
That was an entirely different beast.
But… this was Rowen they were talking about.
The Goro Goro no Mi user.
The Marine Soryu (Azure Dragon).
If there was anyone capable of pulling off such a feat, it was him.
The real issue wasn't whether King was dead.
The real issue was,
"Rowen," Akainu's eyes narrowed. "Do you have any idea what kind of storm this might stir up?"
Killing King was an undeniable victory, but it also meant the Marines had directly provoked Kaido. And with Orrick lurking in the shadows, the Hundred Beasts wouldn't be the only threat they'd have to contend with.
Kaido wasn't the type to let this go.
With war on the horizon, they had to consider whether the Marines were truly prepared for what came next.
Rowen, however, remained unfazed.
"Relax, Fleet Admiral. I've already decided to personally head to Wano and keep a close eye on Kaido's movements."
Akainu: "..."
That... actually makes sense.
If Rowen went in full force, raining down thunder from the skies, even Kaido's crew wouldn't hold up for long.
But before Akainu could voice his approval,
"Enough of this nonsense!" Tsuru finally lost her patience.
Between Akainu's impulsiveness and Rowen's reckless confidence, it was a miracle Marineford hadn't burned down yet. If left unchecked, these two lunatics would turn Wano into a battlefield before Kaido even made a move.
"Have you forgotten, Akainu?!"
"Kurozumi Orochi is in league with the World Government!"
"Wano might not be an official ally, but that doesn't mean we can just storm in! And now that Kaido stands behind him, we have to tread even more carefully!"
Tsuru felt utterly exhausted.
If Sengoku were still Fleet Admiral, such a reckless idea wouldn't have even been considered.
He was steady. He planned ahead. He didn't rush into things without a solid grasp of the situation.
But these two?
One was a man of pure aggression. The other was an actual living thunderstorm.
If they had their way, war would erupt before the ink had even dried on the battle plans.
Hearing this, Akainu exhaled sharply, releasing a cloud of smoke.
"Tch. Of course, I know that."
Then, suddenly, he turned his gaze toward the door.
There, watching with amused eyes, stood a man with graying hair and a knowing smirk.
"Hohoho… Now you see how hard it is to be Fleet Admiral, eh, Akainu?"
"Shut it, old man!" Akainu scowled. "As Inspector-General, you have no business barging into this meeting. You wanna be court-martialed, you senile bastard?"
"Ooooh, how scary!"
With a chuckle, Sengoku waved him off and casually shut the door behind him, vanishing down the hall.
(End of Chapter)
You can read ahead up to 90 chapters on my patreon, and I've also activated a (date-to-date) subscription model on my patreon: https://www.patreon.com/darkshadow6395