Chapitre 129: Chapter 129: Clashing Head-On with Kaido
The Beasts Pirates set off grandly from Wano Country.
Initially, Kaido was confident he would visit Kuke alone.
But after thinking about Sengoku's fate, he silently changed his mind.
He returned and gathered the Beasts Pirates' elite—heading out in full force.
The momentum was tremendous.
The movements of the Emperors are closely watched by the world, and Kaido did not conceal his actions; in fact, he acted more arrogantly than ever.
It immediately drew global attention.
"The Beasts Pirates are mobilizing in full force? What's happening? Are they going to war with someone?"
Nations throughout the New World were filled with anxiety.
"It must be targeting the Sun and Moon Pirates. Whitebeard and Big Mom already spoke out—clearly unhappy with Kuke, who just became an Emperor yet dares to try to stand above them."
"As expected from the most reckless Kaido—he says it, and he does it, leading his army directly into action."
"Are the Emperors about to go to war?"
"Confirmed—the Beasts Pirates are after the Sun and Moon Pirates. Kaido has stated that if he wins, he will take everything from them, including Kuke's crew."
"Terrifying. I'm leaving the New World. With monsters fighting, there's no room for us to survive."
"Will Kuke face him? Surely he won't back down. They are both Emperors—who would fear who?"
"Who will win?"
The general sentiment was nearly split down the middle, with a slight leaning toward the Beasts Pirates due to their overwhelming numbers compared to the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"This is crazy. Kuke has just killed the Fleet Admiral and is now challenging the other Emperors. He's truly mad."
"As expected of Kuke..."
If it had been anyone else, people would have mocked them.
Facing three veteran Emperors, they'd be destined to die.
But with Kuke...
Many held expectations.
They were eager to witness a clash among the Emperors.
It had been many years since the New World saw such a confrontation of top forces.
The entire New World felt the oppressive atmosphere; fear hung in the air. The timid had already fled.
The bold remained.
Hoping to witness history.
The massive pirate ship sailed.
Thousands of pirates, 90% of the Beasts Pirates' elite, were aboard.
Kaido stood imposingly at the ship's bow.
To his left and right were King the Wildfire and Queen the Plague—the number two and three of the Beasts Pirates.
"The Sun and Moon Pirates could hide before—skulking in the shadows. But now... they are Emperors like us. They can't keep hiding, can they?" Kaido believed this mission would achieve its goal.
He would find the Sun and Moon Pirates.
Holy Land, Mary Geoise
The Five Elders laughed heartily.
The plan was a success.
"These simple-minded pirates, with their short tempers, are so easy to manipulate." After being frustrated for so long, they finally found something to celebrate.
"Kaido's rashness is expected, but who could have predicted that Whitebeard, who has always refused to meddle in worldly affairs, would react too?"
"It seems Whitebeard really cares about his title as the strongest man."
"With this, the Sun and Moon Pirates will be unable to move freely in the New World, constantly clashing with the other Emperors. After years of this, how many of them will be left?"
The Five Elders were quite pleased with themselves.
This was the real method.
They didn't need to do anything, and they could put the Sun and Moon Pirates in jeopardy.
Even if it failed, it didn't matter.
The World Government wouldn't bear any loss.
"All past failures—it was all Sengoku's fault."
"Right, a 'wise general'? More like a foolish one. If not for him, we wouldn't have agreed to all those ridiculous plans."
The Five Elders placed all the blame for their previous failures on the late Sengoku.
They certainly wouldn't admit their own mistakes.
"Sengoku's funeral? Not worthy of our attendance."
They decided.
Over time, they would gradually erase Sengoku's presence.
In ten or twenty years...
Perhaps no one would remember that there was once a Fleet Admiral named Sengoku.
Yes.
That's what they would do.
Sengoku, even in death, couldn't escape such disgrace.
Aboard the Radiant Eclipse
"Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido—they're all unhappy with me?" Kuke read the newspaper.
His gaze turned cold.
Who did they think they were?
There were still unresolved scores from before.
"Captain, something seems off about this. Suddenly, there are all these voices praising us," Shakky frowned.
She sensed something unusual.
It was expected for some to be discontent when a new Emperor rose—challenges and provocations were normal.
But to provoke the ire of every other Emperor at once? That was strange.
"The World Government is behind this. I was already suspicious about why their newspapers would elevate us so highly. This is the Five Elders' plan," Kuke saw through it clearly.
He couldn't help but commend the Five Elders.
Not bad.
Whether the World Government had fanned the flames or not, Kuke had always intended to "greet" Whitebeard, Big Mom, and the other Emperors.
The World Government's actions simply drew more attention to it.
A bigger impact.
And in the end, more accomplishment points.
"Once I pass the 500,000-point mark and gain new abilities, I'll give the Five Elders a taste—after all, they played quite the role."
Yes, that would be fitting.
The Five Elders were like shareholders.
They deserved their share.
Kuke looked at his crew.
None of them showed any fear—Gion and the other powerful members were eager for battle.
Even Makino, who had no combat prowess, was unafraid.
She knew.
No matter the circumstances, her crewmates and captain would protect them.
"The Emperors," Nico Robin mused.
She had only heard of them in legends.
Now they were enemies, rivals.
She realized she wasn't even slightly afraid.
Instead, she was eager to be part of such a historical event—to go from a seeker of history to a participant in its making.
This change...
Nico Robin was captivated by it.
And it was all thanks to the captain.
Her eyes lingered on Kuke, a hint of admiration in them.
If not for him...
Nico Robin knew she would still be struggling for survival, without any chance of being part of something so monumental.
And then she remembered how Kuke had welcomed her to the crew in the grandest way possible.
The overwhelming emotion made her legs weak.
For the usually composed and rational Robin, it was rare to display an expression similar to Hancock's—that look of love-struck devotion.
Seeing it, Hancock sighed, raising her hand to her forehead in exasperation. "The pressure is immense."
Above her were Gion and Stussy, who had already gained the upper hand, and below her were others ready to make their move—Hancock truly felt the pressure.
"Big Mom has invited us to her next tea party. There's still time, and there's no rush from Whitebeard's side either. But Kaido has already mobilized the Beasts Pirates," Shakky looked at Kuke.
The first two would take time before any confrontation.
But the Beasts Pirates could meet them at any moment.
Everyone turned to Kuke, awaiting their captain's orders.
Should they go on the offensive or wait for Kaido to come to them?
Retreating or yielding was not an option.
"We go to Wano directly, to the Beasts Pirates' stronghold." Whether Kaido had left his base or not, Kuke had already planned for this. "Stussy, leak the news to the newspapers—let them know the Sun and Moon Pirates will be paying Kaido a visit in Wano."
"Understood."
Stussy took out her Den Den Mushi.
She contacted various newspapers, including the News King, one of the underworld emperors she knew.
Upon hearing the news, Morgans, the News King, stuttered with excitement, "C-can I go to Wano too? I want to document this."
Such a big scoop—for someone who chased news all his life, even poison wouldn't have deterred Morgans.
"Do as you please," Stussy hung up the Den Den Mushi.
It was done.
This meant there was no turning back for either side. Whoever failed to show up would become the laughingstock of the Grand Line.
"Kaido... back in the old pirate days, his luck wasn't great—Charlotte Linlin had him completely under her thumb. Seems like his fate hasn't improved," Shakky sighed, pitying Kaido.
The Radiant Eclipse sailed at full speed towards Wano.
"Violet, keep an eye on the movements of the World Government and Navy strongholds. I don't want anyone interfering while I deal with Kaido," Kuke said to Violet.
Her abilities.
Ensured the Sun and Moon Pirates wouldn't be ambushed like they had been at Sabaody.
"Yes."
Violet's voice trembled.
"What? Are you scared? It's just Kaido. Don't worry, as long as I'm here," Kuke patted her shoulder reassuringly.
Violet stared at Kuke, then shook her head vigorously, her hair swaying. "No, Captain, I'm just... too excited."
"As long as you're not scared."
Kuke smiled as he walked away.
Violet watched his departing figure.
"Still not used to it?" Nico Robin approached Violet. "Suddenly seeing those legendary monsters reduced to mere challenges in our captain's eyes... It's a stark contrast, isn't it?"
Violet nodded.
Exactly.
Doflamingo, who had once made her despair, had feared Kaido like the devil himself, bowing his head in submission.
And Doflamingo, to Violet, had already been an unimaginable monster.
The higher-up Kaido had been beyond her comprehension.
"You'll get used to it. We're just lucky to have joined Captain Kuke," Nico Robin said, a proud smile curving her lips.
Violet slowly mirrored the smile.
Her heart had fully settled with the Sun and Moon Pirates.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 154+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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