Chapter 133

Wano Country, Onigashima.

Onigashima, shaped like a colossal demon horn, emerged from the abyssal seabed like a devil, its twin demon eyes glaring fiercely at Wano Country.

Headquarters of the Beasts Pirates.

After rescuing Yamato again from Kaido, bruised and unconscious, Jin quickly changed the subject.

"Big Brother Kaido, the five-year pact with Oden is down to six months."

Subtext: Instead of beating up Yamato, you should be thinking about how to defeat Oden in six months and seize Wano Country.

Kaido set down his wine bowl with a grin.

"Era la la la la~"

"Don't worry, Jin, the Beasts Pirates grow stronger every moment, while Oden..."

"Is still dancing naked in the Flower Capital."

"I've sailed the seas for years and never seen such a fool—so stupid it's laughable."

Jin's lips curled upward, fully agreeing.

"I've never seen one either."

Four and a half years ago, Oden held overwhelming advantage—he only needed to raise his arm—

and he could have rallied the samurai armies of Kuri, Shimi, Usagiwan, Suzuho, and Bai Wu, along with their daimyo, to resist the invasion.

Yet Oden was tricked by that thing, Big Snake, into a five-year pact.

Big Snake promised: he would leave Wano Country after five years.

And Oden actually believed him!

Come on, you're the ruler of a nation.

Kurozumi Orochi and the entire Kurozumi clan are merely vassals of the Kozuki family.

Jin doesn't understand how Oden, who once followed mighty figures like the Emperor of the Sea, Whitebeard, and Pirate King Gol D. Luo Jie, and even reached the final island, Laugh Tale,

could be so familiar with pirate nature.

How could he possibly believe the promise of a traitor and a pirate?

"Leave after five years?" What a joke.

Why give up something already in your hands?!

We are pirates!!!

Even more so,

had Oden merely called out to Whitebeard or summoned Luo Jie's crew, the Beasts Pirates would likely have been driven out of Wano Country.

Especially these past two years, Barzab Seven, Oden's former shipmate on Luo Jie's crew, has risen powerfully.

He became Emperor of the Sea in three years, proven by two Marine Holy War campaigns, slain the great pirate Wang Zhi, and seized the Pirate Paradise, Hive Island.

His subordinates include: Golden Lion, Mihawk, Master Tenghu, Big Bear, and other strong ones.

The Morning Star Grand Fleet has reorganized the former Giant Soldier Pirates and former Skyborne Pirates into the First and Second Divisions.

With this setup, Barzab Seven alone could hold off Big Brother Kaido; Golden Lion could likely annihilate the entire Beasts Pirates.

Mihawk and Master Tenghu would handle the finishing blows.

Or Master Tenghu could summon hundreds of meteorites...

No wonder the seas call the Morning Star Pirates the Monster Pirates.

Yet Oden called no one—not seeking aid from Luo Jie's old crew, nor inviting Whitebeard's pirates to help in Wano.

He chose a dead end from ten thousand possible paths, and spent four and a half years dancing naked in the Flower Capital.

How utterly foolish.

Calling him foolish is an insult to the word "foolish."

Jin suddenly flashed a wildly absurd thought: back then, the Lunarian tribe... didn't they fall the same way?

Very likely!

"By the way, have there been any interesting new pirates on the seas lately?"

The Beasts Pirates recruit new members differently from ordinary pirate crews—not by invitation, but by capturing them alive with Kaido's own hands.

As a top commander, Jin constantly monitors the situation on the seas.

"There's a Buggy Pirates crew in the乐园; their captain, Buggy, is a Bari Bari no Mi user; their vice-captain, Foxy, is a Gura Gura no Mi user."

"Also, the Broken Monk Pirates, led by the eccentric monk Urki, whose strength is decent."

Jin added another remark.

"Among those who recently came voluntarily, there are several promising talents; with proper training, they'll surely stand on their own one day."

"Huh?" Kaido looked surprised.

"Voluntarily came?"

Jin nodded: "Even with Marine G5 Branch blocking the entrance to the New World, far more pirates have arrived in the New World recently than before."

"Barzab Seven has high standards..."

Kaido finally caught on: the pirates coming to join the Beasts Pirates are all the trash left over after Barzab Seven picked through them?

Fine, I'll remember this grudge.

"Era la la la la~"

"Train the newcomers hard. Once we take Wano Country, we'll go after Barzab Seven."

Kaido turned to Jin, changing tone,

"Do you think we should strike early? Just in case—just in case—Oden the idiot suddenly wakes up and begs Barzab Seven for help."

"We'll face a brutal battle."

It was not that Kaido was afraid, but a conclusion reached after careful consideration of the power dynamics.

Taking御田 was no problem; the resistance forces under the several daimyo of Wano Country had already been nearly wiped out by the Beasts Pirates.

Only Barzab Seven was the greatest wildcard.

Kaido had not grown so arrogant as to believe he could defeat Barzab Seven, Golden Lion, and御田 all at once.

To speak bluntly, even if Barzab Seven did not show his face, if Golden Lion brought the Morning Star Pirates, they would likely be evenly matched against the Beasts Pirates.

At that point, years of planning would come to nothing.

Would Kaido and the Beasts Pirates not become a joke upon the seas?

Jin hesitated for a moment, then said.

"According to intelligence received, six months ago Barzab Seven boarded the Donghai Dihuang and personally led his subordinates, including Mihawk and Golden Lion, to Elbaf."

"There has been no word of their return since."

"Given that the Whitebeard Pirates went to the Hive Island for the banquet, it seems neither side has any intention of coming to Wano Country."

"Over the past six months, only the fleet of the Sea King has frequently traveled to the Hive Island to transport supplies."

"There has been almost no activity on the Hive Island."

"I believe they need time to consolidate their newly seized Hive Island, and should not have any further plans in the short term."

"But we must remain vigilant."

Kaido nodded in satisfaction; entrusting strategy to Jin was indeed correct.

Kaido was suited for brute force.

Once Wano Country is fully taken, not only must we charge forward, but we must also frequently roam the seas to earn the title of the strongest lifeform on land, sea, and air.

"Double the rewards, intensify recruitment."

"Also pay attention to patrol and intelligence work—don't be afraid to spend money; I have only one demand: be the first to know the Morning Star Pirates' movements."

"Additionally, notify Orochi that we move up our timetable by three months, to avoid any unforeseen complications."

With years of planning on the verge of success, at this critical moment, Kaido would not tolerate even the slightest mishap.

Recruiting more newcomers is merely a quantitative change for the Beasts Pirates; capturing Wano Country is the qualitative leap.

Land, population, resources…

Especially the seastone that can only be mined and processed in Wano Country will become the foundation for the Beasts Pirates' rapid expansion.

Sea Emperor? Kaido could very well be one!

"Yes, Mr. Kaido."

One may call him Brother Kaido during idle chatter, but Jin swiftly switched titles upon entering work mode.

Meanwhile, the little Yamato cradled in Jin's arms, half-asleep, seemed to hear her idol's name once more.

"Come and defeat Kaido, idol!"