As mentioned before, the reason Vergo had proactively allowed Katakuri and Jack to land on the island was not only because he did not want to take the blame for Sherwin, but also because he harbored the intention of taking advantage of the chaos to help Doflamingo seize Nico Robin.
Although judging from his young master previous actions, he seemed to have little personal interest in Nico Robin, the Donquixote Family could still use her afterward to exchange for resources with others.
As the first-generation Vergo truly devoted himself wholeheartedly to the development of the Donquixote Family.
However, the way things unfolded exceeded his expectations…
The Big Mom Pirate "Minister of Flour" Katakuri, together with the Beasts Pirate "Drought" Jack, not to mention the Flying Six and second-tier officers like Cracker— even if the entire Donquixote Family, himself included, were to act together, there was no guarantee they could take them down. Yet Sherwin, leading a group of Felynes, easily suppressed them.
At that moment, Vergo finally understood why Doflamingo had never intended to snatch Nico Robin directly from Sherwin, and instead chose to spread the news…
They really couldn't beat him!
Fortunately, he had not acted on impulse earlier. Even letting Katakuri and Jack onto the island to force Sherwin to make a move could still be considered a reaction befitting a normal Marine Vice Admiral.
Vergo secretly felt relieved. Even if he had failed to befriend Sherwin, he also had not become his enemy. In theory, at most, the other party would merely find him somewhat unpleasant to look at.
After sorting everything out, Vergo wisely abandoned the idea of seizing Nico Robin, minimized his sense of presence as much as possible, and obediently stayed to the side as a spectator.
He had once briefly entertained the thought of stepping in to help Sherwin deal with the Yonko pirates, easing their relationship a little, but he quickly rejected it.
Even if Sherwin and the others managed to drive back Jack and Katakuri this time, Vergo did not believe they could truly contend with a Yonko crew. There was no need to offend the Yonko on their behalf.
However, what followed left Vergo somewhat unable to make sense of things…
Although Sherwin side did indeed hold the overall advantage, the battle between Katakuri and Sherwin was still fairly evenly matched, and the other officers were also managing to hold on for the time being.
On the Beasts Pirate side, even though Jack was still being toyed with by Suika Meow and run around in circles, his thick hide and tough flesh meant his combat strength had hardly diminished.
As for Who-Who, despite having his teeth broken, he was still locked in a stalemate with Link Meow.
So even if Katakuri wanted to retreat, he could have done so gradually. There was absolutely no need to pay such a heavy price…
Did Sherwin do something just now that I don't know about?
Just as Sherwin turned his gaze toward Vergo, Vergo also looked at Sherwin.
"Hm?" ×2
Seeing the same puzzled expression on the other face, the two of them frowned at the same time.
Not Vergo? Then what was going on?
A rather bad premonition suddenly rose in Sherwin heart.
If it were only Vergo, whether it was the G-5 Marines or the Donquixote Family, he was confident he could handle it. But with the situation as it was now, that was no longer so certain…
It couldn't be that a Yonko had suddenly shown up, right?
Just as Sherwin, with his "jinx" tendencies, formed that thought, a sharp, violent whistling sound rang out above their heads.
Immediately after—
"Boom—!"
A tall, burly figure landed in front of them.
Whether it was Sherwin or Vergo, they finally understood why Katakuri had desperately fled just now…
Because the figure that descended from the sky was none other than the captain of the Beasts Pirates, the strongest creature on land, sea, and air, one of the Four Emperors—"Beasts" Kaido!
No, you actually came here?!
Staring at the suddenly appearing figure before him, Sherwin mind went completely numb.
After landing, Kaido didn't even bother to figure out the situation around him. With a drunken grin, he greeted Jack, "Wororororo! I just felt a familiar presence—so it was you guys, Jack."
"K-Kaido-sama…"
"captain!"
Seeing their captain appear, Jack, who had been rampaging moments ago, instantly calmed down. After taking a shield strike head-on from Link Meow, Who-Who used the momentum to disengage from the fight.
"Hm?"
Only then did Kaido notice that not only was Jack covered in scorch marks and Who-Who mouth full of blood, but members of the Beasts Pirates were lying all over the ground.
"Uwooooo—!" After a brief moment of stunned silence, Kaido suddenly burst into loud sobs. "My precious subordinates! Who did this to you?!"
Despite his drunken state, Kaido gaze turned ferocious.
Then he quickly spotted the most conspicuous structure on the island—the Navy G-5 base.
"So it was the Navy?!"
Muttering to himself while drunk, Kaido swiftly transformed into his Azure Dragon form and unleashed a blast of Boro Breath straight at the distant Marine base.
Then, he turned his gaze toward the only person present wearing a Marine uniform.
Vergo: "..."
"It wasn't me…"
Even though Vergo knew that, given his identity as a Marine, explaining himself would probably be useless, under the oppressive terror of Kaido presence, he couldn't help but try to defend himself.
However, the drunken Kaido had no intention of giving Vergo any chance to explain. After reverting to his human form, he swung his kanabo straight at him.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Vergo immediately raised his Armament Haki and activated Tekkai to block, but in front of Kaido spiked club, he still had no ability to resist. He was sent flying like a fired cannonball, smashing into a distant mountainside, his fate unknown.
"Oh? Your Armament Haki is pretty well trained, Marine."
Sensing that Vergo hadn't been beaten to death by that single blow, Kaido gave him a passable evaluation and then stopped paying him any further attention.
In Kaido eyes, anyone who could take one of his strikes was qualified to live.
"So then… who are you people?"
After casually dealing with Vergo, Kaido finally shifted his attention to Sherwin and the Felynes.
Although his head was still spinning, he at least remembered that his subordinates had just been fighting two cat Mink-like beings.
"captain-sama, the situation is like this…"
At this moment, Who-Who finally found an opening and roughly explained the course of events to Kaido.
"Hm? Hunter Sherwin? Nico Robin? I think I've heard those names somewhere… forget it, that not important!" Kaido, still not sober, gave up on thinking and shot a ferocious glare at Sherwin.
"Anyway, as long as I kill them, that enough, right? Thunder Bagua!"
Electric arcs burst across Kaido body as he charged at Sherwin at a speed that was practically instantaneous.
When Kaido appeared, Sherwin had briefly considered slipping away quietly, but he quickly abandoned that unrealistic idea.
Staying still might keep Kaido from noticing them for the time being, but trying to run would only draw his attention even faster.
So, while having Huamei Meow use a Den Den Mushi to contact Shermie on the ship, Sherwin began silently gathering strength.
When Kaido came charging over, swinging Hassaikai, Sherwin—who had been charging for a long time already—immediately moved to meet him head-on.
Link Time, activate!
Courage Style, activate!
Hunting Art · Demon Blade Rakshasa!
Wirebug Skill · Seamless Stance!
Monster Hunter Style · Secret Art · Scarlet Sky Dragon Grievance Slash!