The deployment of the Dawn Division attracted attention across the New World. As Yoriichi's warship left the harbor, a number of unfamiliar ships made brief stops at the shores of Dressrosa. These seemed like ordinary merchant vessels, but behind them lay tangled webs of complex affiliations.
However, Borsalino, who had been entrusted with responsibility in Yoriichi's absence, had no time to concern himself with these unknown ships. With Yoriichi, Kyros, and the others away, Borsalino, already burdened with heavy responsibilities, found himself even more overwhelmed. All the construction work of the Marine base fell entirely on his shoulders.
While the gaze of the New World's pirates remained fixed on Dressrosa and the departing Yoriichi Tsugikuni, something else stirred quietly in the hospital ward of Migo Town.
Lying on the hospital bed, Kuzan finally opened his eyes.
What greeted him was a blindingly white ceiling, harsh sunlight pouring through the window, and a soft breeze fluttering the gauze curtain.
"A hospital, huh…"
Smelling the strong scent of alcohol in the air, Kuzan muttered under his breath. Bracing himself against the edge of the bed, he forced himself upright.
His memory was hazy. After days of extreme fatigue, most of his actions had been driven by instinct. Now, having slept for two full days, his mind was still not fully clear.
He had already forgotten how he ended up here.
Click.
The door opened gently, and Kuzan turned to look. Standing at the entrance was Dalmatian, carrying a food box.
Seeing Kuzan sitting up, Dalmatian froze in place for a second, then broke into a delighted smile.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, you're finally awake!"
"How are you feeling?"
Dalmatian rushed to the foot of the bed, joy etched all over his face.
"You're okay… thank goodness."
Kuzan looked him up and down. Seeing that Dalmatian moved easily and spoke with strength, Kuzan finally relaxed a little. But his relief quickly faded, and he asked with concern about the condition of the other Marines.
"How are the others? Are they okay?"
At this point, more of his memories had returned. He now knew exactly where he was.
"Mm, the ones who were seriously wounded are out of danger and have regained consciousness."
"Everyone's doing alright…"
"Except…"
Dalmatian's expression turned slightly downcast. It was the first time the young officer had experienced such a crushing defeat, the first time he'd seen so many comrades lost.
Even though he had prepared himself for such moments when he joined the Marines, the reality of it was much harder to accept.
"I see… as long as they're okay…"
Kuzan's expression darkened at the sight of Dalmatian's grief. But as the commander of the ICE Branch, he could only force a smile and comfort him.
"We'll avenge them."
"Dalmatian, I promise you."
Kuzan's eyes were resolute, his voice firm. Hearing this, Dalmatian rubbed his cheeks and forced himself to smile back.
"Mm!"
"Headquarters already knows what happened here. They've dispatched someone to take over the situation."
"Vice Admiral Kuzan, Admiral Sengoku has given us new orders: take all surviving Marines and return to Marineford as soon as possible."
Kuzan frowned slightly at that, puzzled.
"Take over? What do you mean?"
"Does HQ even have the manpower to care about us right now?"
"After Pirate King Roger's execution, all four seas have been in turmoil. How could the HQ possibly…"
He suddenly trailed off, as if realizing something, and looked toward Dalmatian.
"You guessed right. The only unit in the New World capable of arriving here quickly and taking over this situation…"
"It's Vice Admiral Yoriichi Tsugikuni. He's already on his way."
Dalmatian delivered the news. Hearing it, Kuzan gave a bitter smile and sighed.
"So it's Yoriichi…"
"Honestly, I feel ashamed to face him."
"The ICE Branch we built together… and under my watch…"
Kuzan looked devastated, his voice filled with guilt.
Seeing Kuzan in this state, Dalmatian couldn't help but try to cheer him up.
"Don't think that way, Vice Admiral. We're Marines. It's impossible to win every battle against pirates."
"There's victory and defeat, it's only natural."
"What matters is… that we don't lose again."
How much of that comfort actually reached Kuzan, only he knew. Slowly, he left the bed and walked to the window, gazing outside.
The hospital was located at the center of Migo Town. It was the only hospital in such a large town, so it was built in an excellent location.
It was early morning, and the streets bustled with activity. Shouts from vendors, laughter from children, all drifted in through the breeze. The townsfolk were busy, but cheerful and full of life. It reminded Kuzan of Lodestar Island, where his branch was based.
Watching the scene before him, Kuzan looked momentarily dazed. A slight smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, but it soon faded. After a long pause, he spoke quietly.
"We're… not leaving for now."
"Let's stay in Migo Town."
"Until Yoriichi and his team arrive, we'll protect this place."
As he said this, Dalmatian had walked over to the window and sat on the bench beneath it, opening the food box. At first surprised by Kuzan's words, he looked at him, then followed his gaze out to the street.
After a moment, Dalmatian understood why Kuzan had suddenly made such a decision. He nodded firmly.
"Alright."
So the survivors of the ICE Branch remained in Migo Town.
Meanwhile, on Lodestar Island, Kaido and the Beasts Pirates were enjoying the spoils of their victory.
Inside a lavish villa, Kaido lounged on a sofa, legs crossed, drinking wine while admiring the garden.
Years of voyaging had wearied him. Like all men, he longed for land. Kaido had long wanted a permanent base of operations. When he first visited Wano, he was instantly drawn to the natural ocean current barriers surrounding the nation.
This sparked his ambition to seize Wano and make it his headquarters.
To that end, he collaborated with Orochi, working to gain full control over the country.
Their efforts had already borne fruit. Through Orochi's rule, Kaido enslaved Wano's people and set up numerous factories to begin researching artificial Devil Fruits.
But things didn't go smoothly for long. When the Whitebeard Pirates escorted Kozuki Oden back to Wano, Yamato's ties to the Beasts Pirates were exposed. Enraged, Oden led the Nine Red Scabbards to attack.
In the ensuing battle, Kaido eventually gained the upper hand. At the final moment, with help from the Kurozumi witch, Kaido struck Oden down with a club and claimed victory.
How did the witch help?
She transformed into Momonosuke, pretending to be a hostage in the middle of the duel. Oden, distracted by the illusion of his son, lost momentum. His spirit faltered.
In battles between top-tier fighters, the slightest distraction leads to defeat. Oden never got to unleash his strongest technique and fell swiftly.
It was laughable, really. Oden clearly knew his family was safe under Whitebeard's protection. But seeing a "hostage," he lost focus.
Truly, a father's love made him vulnerable.
Whitebeard had initially intended to stay out of Wano's affairs. Though Oden was the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates, Wano was the Kozuki family's homeland. Oden had personally asked Whitebeard not to interfere.
But when Kaido used such despicable tactics to win, it infuriated Whitebeard. The legend himself stormed the battlefield, killed the Kurozumi witch with one punch, and swung Murakumogiri straight at Kaido.
Kaido, still young and not yet at his peak, had already been drained by the fight with Oden. He couldn't dodge in time. Whitebeard's slash hit him square in the chest.
Thanks to King and others covering him, Kaido narrowly escaped with his life.
Whitebeard didn't pursue. Rather than finish off Kaido, he focused on Oden's condition. After all, Oden had taken a full-force strike from Kaido while unguarded.
Fortunately, like Kin'emon, Oden was made of tough stuff. Though he passed out, he wasn't gravely injured.
Driven from Wano, the Beasts Pirates began wandering the New World in search of a new base. Over the years, they made temporary homes on various islands.
After Pirate King Roger's capture and the public announcement of the One Piece, Kaido set off to find the legendary treasure.
Eventually, his sights landed on Lodestar Island.
Before Laugh Tale became known, Lodestar had been considered the final island. Kaido believed the Marines stationed there might be guarding some hidden truth.
After scouting the island's defenses, Kaido decided to strike.
A future Yonko, Kaido wasn't just brute strength. Before attacking, he prepared thoroughly.
After all, someone who had slowly plotted to seize Wano was hardly rash.
Before the assault, Kaido sent word that he was only attacking Lodestar to avenge the capture of his subordinates. He claimed no harm would come to civilians.
This tactic sowed mistrust between the Marines and townsfolk, sapping morale.
Once he sensed this, Kaido launched the first wave.
Unexpectedly, the Marines had a powerful Logia user. Their clash with Kuzan inflicted heavy losses on the pirates.
So Kaido wisely pulled back. Not out of fear, but to regroup and give the Marines time to abandon the island.
He had no desire to fight Kuzan to the death. Even if victorious, who knew how many subordinates would fall with him?
He wasn't fond of wasting men. Replacing even cannon fodder wasn't easy, and if officers died too, that would be unacceptable.
His instincts proved correct. The ICE Branch retreated, and the Beasts Pirates unleashed their revelry upon the island.
But Lodestar wasn't rich in resources. After a week of partying, their supplies ran low.
Their ships held reserves, but those were for emergencies.
Creak.
The door opened. A tall man in a black mask and sword at his waist entered and closed it behind him.
Kaido turned and grinned.
"Oh! King!"
"What brings you here?"
"Come, sit and drink."
He rose from the sofa, fetched red wine from the cabinet, and wrapped an arm around King's shoulder, dragging him to the couch.
Kaido preferred strong liquor, but King enjoyed the subtler notes of red wine.
"Not now, Boss Kaido."
"There's something I need to report."
Kaido waved off the formality, poured the wine, and chuckled.
"Report? Still so stiff."
"Just say what it is. No need for formality between us."
King's tone turned serious.
"The island's supplies are running low. I've checked the terrain. There isn't much arable land. This isn't a wealthy island. It can't sustain both the locals and us."
Kaido blinked, surprised this was the issue.
"Supplies short? Then make the people farm. Expand the fields!"
"It's a big island. There should be room."
"If it's still not enough, cull the excess. Keep only those who can work."
"Or we raid other islands!"
King nodded.
"That's the second issue. The Marines here used to restock from Migo Town, five days away."
"And the Marines who fled… are now stationed there."
"If we're going to raid, that's the best target. But…"
Kaido laughed before King could finish.
"No 'but!'"
"Those mutts didn't flee? They dared to stay?"
"What are they planning? A counterattack?"
"King, rally the men. We're taking Migo Town. Two islands will be enough to feed our crew!"
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
With Kaido's command, the Beasts Pirates prepared for deployment.
However, his men took their time. It was three full days before they finally departed Lodestar.
Once gone, the island was desolate. The civilians could do nothing but curse their invaders.
In this world, the weak have limited options.
Shriek! BOOM!
A cannonball struck a merchant ship at Migo's harbor. The explosion shattered the peaceful morning.
Dockworkers turned to look. Some sharp-eyed civilians spotted warships lined up on the horizon.
On their masts flew the horned skull flag.
"Pirates!"
"Pirates are here! Run!"
Children emerged from homes, confused, just in time to see a shell arc overhead and strike a rooftop.
BOOM!
The blast hurled a child into the air. His body hit the ground with a sickening thud, motionless.
From the sea, the pirates opened fire. Shells rained down on the harbor.
"HAHAHAHAHA!"
From atop the ships, the lookouts laughed as they watched the destruction. They adjusted the cannons for deeper impact and shouted,
"Fire! Hahaha! Fire again!"
Just as another volley came,
"Ice Wall!"
A tall Marine in uniform appeared at the harbor. With a shout, he raised his hand, and a wall of ice surged up to meet the shells.
Flames and smoke obscured the view.
But when it cleared, the ice wall stood tall, protecting the port.
And the sea beneath began to freeze rapidly, the ice spreading toward the pirate ships.
"Logia! That's the Marine!"
The Beasts Pirates recognized him instantly. The lookout shouted down, and Kaido stepped to the bow, squinting at the shore.
"Heheheh…"
"That guy… Vice Admiral Kuzan, the Ice Man!"
As Kaido spoke, a tall figure beside him stepped onto the railing and leapt into the air. Flames erupted from his back, and a pair of wings unfolded.
"King, that one's yours."
"Mm."
With a flap of his wings, King soared toward Kuzan, drawing his blade midair.
Shriek!
The terrifying sound tore through the air. Instinctively, Kuzan drew his sword, Kogarashi, and raised it.
A shadow flew across the sea, and a blade clashed with his own. The impact cracked the ground beneath him.
Looking up, Kuzan saw a masked man with wings blazing.
"King."
He recognized him immediately. With a murmur, he activated his Devil Fruit. Ice encased Kogarashi and shot up King's blade, trying to freeze him whole.
But King was fast. His blade burst into flame as he twisted away, taking to the skies.
From above, he looked down at Kuzan and asked coldly,
"Marine, why are you still here?"
"You haven't left yet?"
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