Sweating profusely, Law focused his Observation Haki, sensing the terrifying presence slumbering within the giant skull below.
Down below, Queen's expression changed instantly.
"It's you! That lightning brat!"
Although Enel had been just a kid back then, his appearance hadn't changed much.
Especially that infuriating tone—Queen immediately remembered this guy.
King, now in his human form, rested a hand on the hilt of his sword.
"What lightning brat?"
"This guy is a Marine Headquarters Admiral candidate, Enel."
"Idiot Queen."
Veins bulged on Queen's forehead.
"I know more than you, dumbass King!"
"This guy's one of Sakazuki's close aides."
He turned toward Enel.
"What are you doing here, Enel?"
But his hands were already tensed, ready to strike at any moment.
Enel looked at him as if staring at a fool.
"Obviously, I've got business with you."
"Otherwise, why would a Marine come here?"
"Idiot Queen."
"Call out your boss."
"I want to discuss a cooperation project that concerns your future."
Queen glared at King first, then transformed into his brachiosaurus form.
"Pirates and Marines have nothing to talk about."
King also drew his sword.
Enel remained seated cross-legged on one of the skull's horns, propping his chin up with one hand as he looked down at them.
On the other horn, Law shouted in panic, drenched in sweat.
"That thing's waking up!"
Boom—
Boom—
Boom—
Heavy footsteps echoed, accompanied by an overwhelming surge of Conqueror's Haki—like the beating of war drums.
From within the skull emerged a towering figure carrying a spiked club, his face grim and shadowed.
Kaido stepped out of the hall, turned slightly upward, and spoke in a deep voice.
"You just said... cooperation?"
Enel's tone was light and casual.
"Ah, that's right."
"Cooperation."
Kaido suddenly grinned menacingly.
"Sakazuki and Sengoku just had a falling out..."
"And now he's turning to pirates for help? How amusing..."
"Has Sakazuki forgotten our hatred?"
"And yet he sends someone here to die."
Before his words even faded, Kaido's body stretched upward infinitely, transforming into a massive azure dragon. Energy surged within his mouth.
"Hot Breath!!!"
An overwhelming killing intent and Conqueror's Haki burst toward Enel. Enel only gave a faint snort.
Zzzt—
He vanished.
Kaido's massive dragon eyes turned toward Law.
Feeling the pressure bearing down on him, Law cursed under his breath.
"Damn lightning bastard... I knew it..."
Without hesitation, he raised his hand, forming a rapidly spinning circle.
"ROOM!!!"
Whoosh—
He teleported instantly.
In his place, a massive boulder appeared and was instantly shredded to dust by Kaido's violent wind blades.
Having just teleported out, Law tried to move again but was immediately locked in by Haki. King's long sword blazed with fire as he swung it down, forming a flaming dragon slash.
Law drew his sword, coating it with Haki to block the strike.
Clang!
He was forced back several steps under the immense pressure.
Whoosh—
The moment King's blade loosened, it cleaved into the ground, leaving a massive crater—Law teleported again.
...
Elsewhere, Kaido, in his colossal dragon form, suddenly looked up.
A dazzling white light illuminated the entire Onigashima, turning night into day.
Even Kaido's draconic eyes squinted from the glare.
Rumble!
From the clouds above, a colossal lightning giant—tens of meters tall—descended.
Moving too fast for Kaido to react, the giant's hand clamped around his neck, while the other, gripping a thunderbolt staff, thrust forward.
The lightning giant and the enormous dragon crashed to the ground, shaking the entire island.
Sparks exploded everywhere, but the compressed lightning forming the staff caused little actual damage to Kaido.
With a twist of his serpentine body, Kaido broke free.
His massive jaws opened wide, biting into the lightning giant's shoulder—tearing half its body apart.
The lightning giant didn't resist. Instead, he stared mockingly at Kaido as the azure dragon gathered energy in its mouth.
"In business, you were suppressed by Knock."
"In reputation, by Charlotte Linlin."
"In strength, Red-Haired Shanks later surpassed you."
"In..."
BOOM!!!!
Hot Breath and the lightning giant collided, erupting into a massive explosion.
A mushroom cloud rose into the sky, shaking all of Wano like an earthquake...
At the explosion's center, Kaido returned to human form, his expression dark.
"So you really are cut from the same cloth as Sakazuki..."
"I really want to tear your mouth open and take a look..."
"Brat."
Enel reformed his body, standing opposite him.
"But you're too slow."
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a Den Den Mushi, tossing it toward Kaido.
"Catch."
Pa!
Kaido caught it.
Enel smiled, shouting toward Law, who was struggling in a two-on-one fight.
"Let's go!"
Then he turned into lightning and disappeared.
Law, battered and exhausted, teleported to dodge sword slashes and laser beams, cursing under his breath as he activated his powers again.
Whoosh—
With their target gone, King and Queen reverted to their human forms and approached Kaido.
"Kaido."
"Boss."
Kaido nodded calmly, narrowing his eyes as he examined the Den Den Mushi in his hand, then pressed the button.
Buru~
After the Den Den Mushi powered on and gave a small ring, its expression shifted.
From the other side came Sakazuki's cold voice.
"Kaido...."
Kaido's voice carried a trace of killing intent.
"Sakazuki...."
...
Moments later.
Kaido expressionlessly hung up the Den Den Mushi.
Queen looked utterly shocked after hearing the entire conversation, while King's brows furrowed deeply.
Suddenly, Kaido burst into laughter.
"Ba rarara!!!"
"Interesting, very interesting."
"A deal too tempting to refuse."
"King, start gathering information. Get ready."
King hesitated.
"Kaido..."
"The Revolutionary Army is stirring up chaos across the seas, and now the Marines are splitting apart."
"Sakazuki's goal is obvious—he wants to throw the New World into turmoil."
"To buy the Marines more time."
"If we agree, won't that be playing right into his hands?"
Kaido narrowed his eyes.
"So what?"
"The profit we stand to gain is far too great to turn down."
"And we don't even have to pay any real cost."
"That's what makes that bastard so terrifying..."
Not only does he have black hands—his heart's just as black.
Even when he's scheming against you, he makes it impossible for you to refuse... because what he offers is simply too much.
Kaido's internal wariness toward Sakazuki grew stronger once again.
Hearing this, King fell silent.
He was right...
Setting aside the conflict between Marines and pirates, this deal was simply irresistible.
And even if their factions opposed each other, who cared about "honor" anyway...
The Four Emperors had always been in conflict with one another. Sakazuki schemed, and all they had to do was pick up the spoils.
Sakazuki's intentions were crystal clear—he wanted to throw the New World into chaos.
But the benefits were so immense that no one could refuse. And since others would be the ones getting played—why would they?
King took a deep breath.
"I understand."
"I'll start gathering the information now."
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total