Chapter 96: Who Is The Real Winner In The High-End Duel
Kaido's calculations are simple.
He plans to take advantage of Kahn, who hasn't yet reached their level and is in a vulnerable stage, to fight him and defeat him. As the winner, Kaido aims to cooperate with the Cross Family, not only having Doflamingo, the dark intermediary labelled under Kahn, help sell weapons for the Beasts Pirates but also to get a share of the Cross Family's pharmaceutical business.
Even if they lose or there's no clear winner, Kaido can still lower his status to negotiate with Kahn, give up part of the benefits, and join hands with him to sell weapons. Whether it's a loss or a win, Kaido stands to profit.
If he loses, he only needs to give up part of the profits, but by selling weapons and Seastone worldwide and having the best intermediary maximize their profits, Kaido can still earn more than now.
If he wins, he will earn a lot of money.
That's why Kaido decided to take the risk.
What if he wins?
Of course, to achieve this kind of "win-win," they cannot form an irresolvable hatred with Kahn. If Kahn and his lieutenants are strong enough and they manage to kill one of them, Kaido will immediately change the plan to take over Kahn's five islands, as well as the biggest channels in West Blue and North Blue's talents.
This is what Kaido meant when he told King that whether there would be an all-out war would depend on Kahn and the Empress's strength. If they're strong enough to resist, Kaido will lower his posture and show favour to them. If they're not strong enough, they should be prepared to be swallowed by the strong.
So, the next move is the game between Kaido and Kahn. King and Hancock are the pawns in their battle.
However...
Kaido, who shared his little plan with King, didn't know that someone was watching their conversation. This person is not Kaido's daughter, nor anyone else from the Three Disasters. The person is not even in Onigashima or Wano Country. This person is Viola.
"Well done, Viola. Break the news to the Master now."
On the vast sea, on the deck of the Perfume Snake, customized for the new Empress after Hancock succeeded, Viola, who watched Kaido with her clairvoyance, immediately told Hancock about the conversation between Kaido and King, as well as Kaido's scheme.
Hancock, with a surprised face, touched Viola's head and then took out the Den Den Mushi to contact Kahn.
Although Haki can resist Devil Fruit's abilities, and even regular abilities are ineffective against Haki's powerful users, the premise is that the other party must be on guard. For example, when Kahn first came to Dressrosa, Viola's Paramecia Glare-Glare Fruit couldn't see his heart because Kahn was on guard, rendering Viola's fruit ability ineffective against him.
Kaido, still in a state of drunkenness on Onigashima, obviously did not have such precautions. So Viola saw everything in his heart when he spoke.
When Hancock called Kahn, she conveyed what Viola saw to him verbatim.
In the palace on Amazon Lily, while enjoying Robin's massage, Kahn, who was analyzing Kaido's motives with the smart Robin, was suddenly stunned.
"So that's it, that guy actually set his sights on Doflamingo."
Kahn wasn't surprised or angry that Kaido targeted him because he wanted a North Blue talent.
Instead, Kahn found himself far underestimating Kaido's shrewdness and vision.
This guy, as expected of someone who managed to take over Wano Country, one of the strongholds of Haki powerhouses.
Just by observing Kahn's movements, he identified the Capone Family in West Blue and the Donquixote Family in North Blue, recognizing Doflamingo's abilities and value.
The reason Kahn knows that Doflamingo is a rare talent is that he is a time traveller. Kaido, on the other hand, saw Doflamingo's potential at a glance. For this reason, he is willing to fight Kahn. If he wins, he takes control of Doflamingo. If he loses, he still gets to cooperate with him.
Thinking of this, Kahn couldn't help but raise the corner of his mouth slightly and said to himself, "Want a win-win situation? Let's see who the real big winner is!"
"Robin, go get Sonia to come here."
"Yes, Master."
Due to Sonia's unique perception, which she can only use when employing ultrasonic waves, she, like Kahn and Hancock, cannot release this unique perception 24 hours a day to eavesdrop on conversations and inner voices within her range.
Except for Umit, who knew Kaido started targeting Kahn, no one else knew about the impending high-end contest between Kaido and Kahn.
Through the clairvoyance and insight into people's hearts from Violet's Paramecia, Kahn was aware of Kaido's little scheme. So, Kahn decided to cooperate proactively with Kaido.
After he instructed Robin to call Sonia over, he gave her unknown instructions. Soon after, large sailing ships bearing the "Cross Family" flag sailed out from the port of Dressrosa, heading towards the Isle of Morlaix and Medicine Garden, Green Bit Island.
Seeing this, a spy at the port of Dressrosa immediately sent the news back to the East Region.
"Kaido, the 'Cross Family' has set sail again."
King, who received the news, immediately reported to Kaido.
"There is a 50% chance that the ship is empty, and a 50% chance that the Empress should be in charge of escorting it."
Kaido grinned and said to King, "King, take Queen with you."
"I understand, Brother Kaido."
King nodded, instantly grasping Kaido's meaning. The implication was clear: if they found a chance to kill the Pirate Empress, they should seize it and join forces with Queen.
Their thoughts were once again seen by Violet and relayed to Kahn through Hancock's Den Den Mushi.
"Master, can the concubine deal with them?" Hancock asked, her voice full of resolve.
On the sea more than 2,000 kilometres away from Onigashima, Hancock led her Kuja Pirates from the Perfume Snake to the large sailing ship, her beautiful cheeks radiating determination. Aside from being gentle and considerate in front of Kahn, Hancock was always full of arrogance and disdain for others. Now, someone wanted to kill her. How could Hancock tolerate that?
"Of course, if you have a chance, don't show mercy," Kahn said slowly. "Right now, Kaido can't fully mobilize Wano's combat power. His Beasts Pirates are not much different in size from ours. They might even be weaker than us. He only has his top cadres, his left and right hands, to support him."
"That guy dared to attack us because he thought he knew our capabilities well, believing there were only you and me in the family. As long as his top cadres can suppress you, or he can suppress me if one of us is killed, they win big and can then go to war to swallow our territory."
"Little does he know, besides you, I also have Sonia, just like his left hand."
"If they manage to kill any one of us, they will be the big winners. Similarly, if we kill one of them, we will be the real winners."
"So, it depends on your performance, Hancock, Sonia."
"Yes, Master."
"Don't worry, Master. I won't let you down," Sonia and Hancock responded successively, the latter's face brimming with confidence.
----------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone