In a hidden, massive cave on Lodestar Island, a large group of pirates is holding a feast. The crowd is indulging in various fine wines, beauties, and gourmet food.
At the deepest part of the cave, Kaido and the core members of the Beasts Pirates are drinking and making merry.
"They've arrived."
Through the shared visual feed from the sea, information was transmitted to Bao Huang's eyes.
"Lord Kaido, Charlotte Linlin and her crew have arrived."
After confirming the movements of Queen Mama Chanter, Bao Huang quickly turned to report the news to Kaido.
"Oh, Linlin has come?"
Hearing Bao Huang's voice, Kaido put down his sake gourd and looked over at her.
"Yes, they'll be docking in about a minute."
Relying on the shared vision from various small animals, Bao Huang gave an exact time.
"King, go and bring Linlin and her crew here."
Kaido turned and instructed King.
"Understood."
King nodded, turned without another word, and walked out. As he stepped outside the cave, wings sprouted from his back, and with a leap, he soared into the sky, transforming into a Pteranodon and heading towards the direction of the Big Mom Pirates.
"Is he really going to ally with that woman Charlotte Linlin?"
Shiryu, with a cigar in his mouth, retracted his gaze from King's departing figure and looked at Kaido.
Though Kaido and Bullet have supposedly allied, it seems from their actions that both are fighting their own battles.
"Worororo... Bullet's goals are completely different from mine. He seeks to stir up a world-shaking war and seize the One Piece, but he's not a reliable partner for such a plan."
"That Kaido guy is not a trustworthy ally."
Bullet flicked the cork off a bottle, took a deep gulp, and watched the screen showing King flying towards the Queen Mama Chanter.
Feast didn't care much for Bullet's words; they were merely collaborators, and he wasn't concerned with the friction between Bullet and Kaido.
Looking at the docked Red Force and the approaching Queen Mama Chanter, Festa was becoming more ecstatic.
"With three of the Four Emperors gathered, if Whitebeard were to show up too…"
Festa slammed his hands onto the table, breathing heavily, his eyes bloodshot and filled with madness.
"This would be an unprecedented event!"
…
On the Queen Mama Chanter:
"Mamamama... Kaido really has grand ambitions," said Charlotte Linlin, seated on a massive throne on the deck, looking pleased.
The reason she came was due to Kaido reaching out through a transponder snail and offering terms she couldn't refuse.
King glanced at Charlotte Linlin, laughing heartily, but a trace of disdain flashed in his eyes. He couldn't understand why Kaido would choose to ally with her again.
Their last alliance ended in failure when they couldn't gain any advantage over Nicolas.
To King, Linlin was a disgrace among the Four Emperors. Despite having immense talent, she wasted it on having children rather than turning it into combat power. But since this alliance was Kaido's decision, he didn't argue.
"Today is a great day, Ma, Mamamama...! Let's go see Kaido. Lead the way, King."
Charlotte Linlin, in high spirits, laughed as she ate desserts.
Under King's guidance, the Charlotte Family arrived at Kaido's base.
With another Emperor arriving, the feast reached a new climax.
However, at the height of the celebration, a critical piece of intelligence was delivered to both Kaido and Charlotte Linlin.
The moment they saw the prominent name on the report, the smile on Charlotte Linlin's face froze, and Kaido's expression turned icy.
Linlin's cheerful demeanor disappeared, replaced by rage.
"Damn Nicolas…!"
She roared in fury, and beside her, Kaido's eyes were filled with cold killing intent.
The fury of two Emperors manifested as a tangible pressure that swept across the surroundings.
The pirates in the banquet hall, including the Beasts Pirates, showed fear on their faces, while the Charlotte Family officers instinctively distanced themselves from Linlin.
They knew her temper all too well; in this state, they could easily get hurt by mistake.
"What's on that report?"
Ulti craned his neck, trying to see what had made Kaido so angry.
The Charlotte Family members also turned to Katakuri for answers.
"She mentioned Nicolas, so it's definitely related to him."
Who's who lazily commented, putting his feet up on the table.
The Beasts Pirates and Charlotte Family members nodded in realization.
Indeed, only something involving Nicolas could provoke such a reaction from the two Emperors.
"But what exactly does the intel say about him?"
Many began to speculate.
At the feast:
Kaido looked down at the intelligence report.
The content was simple, just one sentence, but the name on it was enough to shake anyone's resolve:
"Nicolas has left Wano, destination unknown."
"Linlin, looks like that guy is coming to join the fun too. Let's form an alliance."
Kaido, now calm, looked at the enraged Linlin.
He knew that neither of them could take on Nicolas alone; only an alliance could give them a fighting chance.
Meanwhile:
In a certain part of the New World's sky:
The sun shone brightly in a cloudless sky, with several paw-shaped bubbles speeding through the air in parallel, about five or six meters apart.
Inside each bubble was a high-ranking Revolutionary Army officer.
"Why are we traveling like this?"
In one of the bubbles, Lindbergh looked at Karasu, exasperated.
"Because this is the fastest way to reach the New World."
Karasu replied with a blank expression, clearly not enjoying the ride either.
In the central bubble, Dragon looked ahead with a serious expression. In the distance, he could faintly see a massive fleet of warships heading in a specific direction.
According to Revolutionary Army intel, the situation on Lodestar Island could drastically impact the world's future.
That's why Dragon had decided to head there himself.