"Special Combat Assets from across the sea?"
Kaidō was stunned for a moment before throwing his head back and laughing wildly.
"Ha ha ha! This is nothing more than an excuse from Marine Headquarters now that they’ve run out of options. They’re just trying to scare people."
"But I actually hope Marine Headquarters can find one or two of these so-called Special Combat Assets who are nothing but bluff. That way, I can crush every single one of them in front of the entire world."
"I’ll utterly destroy the Marines’ excuse and their reputation!"
"Only then will everyone on these seas understand exactly what happens when they offend me, Kaidō of the Beasts!"
Crack!
The sake jar in Kaidō’s hand shattered.
Strong liquor and fragments flew everywhere as Kaidō’s expression darkened. He raised his arm and roared furiously.
"Come on, boys! From here on out, follow me and flatten Marine Headquarters! Make them obediently hand Jack over to me! I’m going to erase Marine Headquarters from these seas once and for all!"
"Long live Kaidō!"
"Kaidō-sama is invincible!"
The entire scene erupted.
Tens of thousands of pirates shouted in unison, instantly turning the entire harbor into a boiling cauldron of noise.
Standing atop the embankment, Orochi’s expression stiffened slightly at the sight.
Having a powerful shield protecting you was certainly a good thing.
But when that shield became powerful beyond what you could tolerate, it could also create an unbearable sense of oppression.
Orochi might indeed be a puppet shogun, but no one wanted an excessively sharp sword hanging over their head, ready to take their life at any moment.
"Orochi, what’s wrong? You look a little pale."
Kaidō suddenly turned around and spoke in a deep voice.
"Don’t worry. With me protecting Wano Country, it’s as secure as a fortress."
"This time, when I attack Marine Headquarters, I’ll make everyone on these seas understand just how powerful the Beasts Pirates are. Only after they witness the brutal consequences will they understand what it means to tremble at our very name!"
At this point, Kaidō turned toward Orochi and spoke solemnly.
"Orochi, this is what they call Making an example of someone . Wouldn’t you agree?"
Orochi’s face immediately turned ashen.
He clearly understood that Kaidō’s words carried a hidden warning aimed directly at him.
His expression changed slightly, and he hurriedly looked toward the enormous hill in the distance before forcing out a dry laugh.
"Kaidō, you’re absolutely right. And it isn’t just everyone out on the sea. Those remnants of the Nine Red Scabbards over there need to be intimidated as well."
"Not only have they repeatedly refused your invitations, but even now, with you personally extending the invitation, they still dare to refuse. That’s simply refusing a kindness and not knowing their place."
"However, Kaidō, I believe that after this great event, that fellow will certainly understand the importance of recognizing the situation. He’ll definitely accept your invitation and become a powerful combatant of the Beasts Pirates."
Kaidō turned his head toward Ashura Dōji in the distance and laughed loudly.
"Ha ha! Orochi, you’ve finally said something sensible!"
"Didn’t you just say that the Marines are searching the entire sea for Special Combat Assets? I’m actually worried that when we meet them, the so-called Special Combat Assets the Marines bring out won’t even be a match for the people I’ve taken an interest in."
"Wouldn’t that be the biggest joke of all?"
"All right, boys. It’s getting late. Let’s set sail and gather the forces of the New World. Let the Marines see for themselves what the strongest Yonko crew looks like!"
"Long live Kaidō!"
The scene erupted once again.
At Kaidō’s command, the dozens of pirate ships gathered there quickly set sail.
Watching the enormous fleet depart, along with Kaidō’s retreating figure, Orochi’s expression became increasingly grim.
He quickly turned around and left.
He didn’t even have the time to pay attention to Kozuki Hiyori, whom he had always valued.
"Boss Kyoshiro..."
Kozuki Hiyori’s red lips parted slightly.
Before she could finish speaking, however, Kyoshiro, who happened to be passing by, shook his head and interrupted her.
On the distant hill, Ashura Dōji sat astride a gigantic boar, coldly observing everything with his subordinates.
He glanced in the direction where Kaidō’s fleet had disappeared, then toward the direction Orochi had taken.
His eyes gradually darkened.
"Boss Ashura, Kaidō has declared war on Marine Headquarters and taken the bulk of his forces with him. Wano Country’s military strength is now weaker than ever."
"Why don’t we immediately announce the liberation of Wano Country and call upon all those in Wano who are willing to fight for their homeland?"
"We believe that after all these years, there must still be others waiting for an opportunity like this."
One of the samurai could no longer hold himself back and spoke first.
Ever since Kozuki Oden had been killed, they had endured humiliation and bided their time under Ashura Dōji, remaining in Wano Country under the oppression of the Beasts Pirates.
Everything they had done was for the sake of waiting for an opportunity to open Wano’s borders.
Whether it was the failed decisive battle organized by the various families many years ago, or this perfect opportunity before them, they believed that as long as someone took the first step and rallied the people, this would undoubtedly be the best opportunity Wano had ever had to open its borders.
The moment those words were spoken, every samurai present revealed an expression of urgency.
At the very least, in their eyes, Orochi certainly had quite a few samurai under his command, along with the Oniwabanshu.
But without Kaidō’s support, all of them were little more than an empty show of strength.
In their eyes, if this wasn’t the best opportunity to open Wano’s borders, then perhaps such an opportunity would never come again.
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