"What an impatient drunkard," Edie muttered as he watched Kaido fly off into the distance, the massive azure dragon cutting through the sky toward Kuri. He shook his head, a mix of amusement and resignation in his expression.
He could accept Kaido's explanation, regardless of the reasoning behind it. Whether Kaido was simply venting his anger on Whitebeard's crew, or had more calculated intentions—perhaps eyeing the opportunity to seize some of Whitebeard's territory—the details were trivial to Edie.
What mattered was the bigger picture.
"It's all about the fruit," Caesar chimed in, hefting the bag in his hand with a grin. The prospect of two Emperors clashing was a rare spectacle, and one that promised a grand display of power. Edie's eyes flicked toward Chen Long, signaling without words.
Chen Long moved to the window, his massive form shifting as he leaped into the air and transformed into a majestic green dragon. The beast's serpentine body twisted through the sky before lowering its head to the window, awaiting its passengers.
"Uncle Edie, I want to go too!" Yamato's voice, filled with excitement, rang out as she bounced on the spot, arms outstretched in eager anticipation.
Edie lifted her with a chuckle. "You've really taken a liking to me, haven't you?"
Without a hint of embarrassment, Yamato declared, "Uncle Edie, I'm going to marry you when I grow up."
Caesar, unable to contain himself, nearly burst out laughing but quickly covered his mouth, stifling the sound.
"Hahaha," Edie laughed nervously, shaking his head. "You're gonna get me put on an FBI watchlist, okay?"
With that, he hoisted Yamato up and stepped onto the dragon's head. Chen Long roared softly in acknowledgment as they settled into place. The great dragon then surged forward, its massive wings slicing through the air as they headed towards Kuri, the winds of change and battle stirring all around them.
Kuri Area, Near the Coast
Marco, in his phoenix form, soared from the inner sea toward the land, following Whitebeard's instructions to scout ahead. The familiar sight of the coastline stirred memories in him. It had been 11 years since the Whitebeard Pirates last visited Wanokuni, where the Moby Dick had once run aground, and where they had first met Kozuki Oden, the Daimyo of Kuri.
"I wonder how Oden is doing now," Marco mused. Oden had sailed with them for four years before being lured away by the infamous Roger. A year later, Roger claimed the title of Pirate King. "It's been seven years since I last saw him… Wait, what's that?"
Marco's thoughts were interrupted as his keen eyes spotted something unusual in the distance. Towering peaks emitted thick black smoke from massive chimneys. "Are those… factories?" he murmured in disbelief.
Suddenly, from the direction of the smoke, a large, dark figure flew rapidly toward him. It took only moments for Marco to recognize the silhouette—it wasn't a bird but a Pteranodon.
"Kaido's right hand… King!" Marco's expression hardened. He hadn't expected to be discovered so quickly. Clearly, the enemy was prepared.
Without hesitation, Marco turned and flew back towards the sea. But King, in his Pteranodon form, unleashed a burst of speed, breaking the sound barrier before intercepting Marco mid-flight. The sharp beak of the Pteranodon, like a speeding spear, aimed directly for Marco's back.
Marco swiftly turned, raising his right leg to block with a claw. The two collided in mid-air, the impact resounding like a thunderclap. "You're well-armed, King," Marco remarked, his tone calm but alert.
The clash sent them both flying backward, but King recovered first. With a fierce pull, he retracted his head and then launched it forward with incredible force. "This is how Pteranodons hunted in the ancient times!"
The attack struck like a laser, piercing through Marco's chest. Yet, within moments, the wound healed as green flames enveloped him. "Your regeneration is as troublesome as ever," King growled in frustration.
But Marco had no interest in continuing the fight. He swiftly disengaged, flying towards the coast and shifting into his hybrid form. Quickly, he pulled out a Den Den Mushi. "Dad, there's an ambush!"
Meanwhile, Inland Sea Near Kuri Coast
The Moby Dick had just crested the waterfall, the sandy coast of Kuri now within sight. Whitebeard hung up the Den Den Mushi and squinted toward the sky, his Observation Haki spreading out to scan the area. He soon sensed a powerful aura approaching.
"Gurarara, Kaido, are you ready to die?" Whitebeard chuckled darkly.
"Oh Woroworooworo... Long time no see, hiccup... Whitebeard!" A massive blue dragon emerged from the clouds, its piercing eyes locking onto the Moby Dick.
"Kaido! This time it's the real Kaido!" Vista, the swordsman known as "Flower Sword," muttered solemnly.
Whitebeard grinned, crouching slightly before launching himself into the air. Conqueror's Haki erupted from him, wrapping around his naginata, Murakumogiri. "You're drunk, Kaido!"
With a powerful roar, Whitebeard swung his naginata toward the dragon's head. The blade, infused with the power of the Gura Gura no Mi and coated in Conqueror's Haki, was enough to tear the very sea apart.
Kaido, seemingly lost in his drunken haze, reacted with surprising speed. Just as the bisento was about to strike, he snapped back to reality. "Boro Breath!" He raised his head, opening his mouth to unleash a blast of fiery breath. But the attack was cut short as Whitebeard's blade crashed down on his skull.
BOOM!!
Kaido's eyes bulged as black and red lightning crackled violently from the impact, the force of the blow sending his massive dragon head crashing into the sea below, creating a colossal wave.
"It hurts! Damn…!" Roaring in pain, Kaido quickly lifted his head from the water, his dragon body rapidly shrinking. Within moments, he stood on the coast, human once more but seething with fury and pain.
Blood dripped from the corner of Kaido's mouth as he sneered, "Do you want to die here, Whitebeard? This country is already my territory, and I am now the Shogun of Wanokuni!"
"Shogun?" Whitebeard landed back on the deck of the Moby Dick, a deep frown etched on his face. "Where is Kozuki Oden?"
Kaido let out a mocking laugh. "Kozuki Oden? That fool is already dead. I executed him in public!" He taunted, a wicked grin spreading across his face. "Come to think of it, wasn't he one of your former commanders?"
At those words, veins bulged on Whitebeard's forehead, and he laughed angrily. "It seems there's another reason for revenge!"
He didn't bother asking why Kaido had attacked his pirate crew. What would be the point? The battle was inevitable now. The only thing left was to fight.
"Jozu, stay on the ship for now. I'll clear the way!" Whitebeard ordered, his voice thick with suppressed rage. Gripping his naginata tightly, he took a few steps on the deck before leaping toward Kaido.
"Isn't it unfair to fight empty-handed?" A voice called out from above.
Edie, standing on the back of another dragon, casually tossed Kaido's massive kanabo down to him. Kaido caught it with a grin, immediately swinging it with brutal force.
"Thunder Bagua!"
The air crackled with power as the two pirate emperors clashed. The collision of Kaido's kanabo and Whitebeard's naginata, both surrounded by Conqueror's Haki, sent shockwaves rippling through the air.
Boom!
It was as if the world itself shook. The shockwave spread out from the point of impact, causing sand to swirl and waves to crash backward. The sheer force of the clash made it impossible for those nearby to keep their eyes open.
"Pops!" Jozu cried out in concern, his eyes wide with worry.
For several tense seconds, Kaido and Whitebeard were locked in a stalemate, their strength warping the very terrain around them. The sand within a hundred-meter radius was blown away, leaving a massive crater in its place.
Suddenly, Kaido was sent flying backward, crashing into the forest on the shore. Whitebeard, though rebounded by the force, managed to stabilize himself and landed steadily on the deck. His eyes narrowed as he looked up at the sky.
High above, Edie hovered on the back of his dragon. "Didn't you agree not to interfere, Dr. Edie?" Whitebeard growled.
"Kaido was drunk and didn't bring any weapons. I was just being fair by giving him his mace," Edie replied with a smile. "Fairness is important, after all."
Whitebeard remained silent, but his eyes flicked to the figure standing behind Edie—another one of the Earthly Branches, masked and menacing. The mask style indicated it was [Zishu], a figure who had recently made headlines.
"Are you displeased?" Zishu asked, chuckling darkly. "Heavenly Father, did you really think I wouldn't come down there and slice him to pieces?"
"You're a bit too extreme..." Edie shook his head, his tone still gentle. "Whitebeard, I actually admire you. If you've come all this way to Wanokuni to seek revenge on Kaido for attacking your crew, everyone would praise your honor. And I would be among them."
This guy... his attitude is infuriatingly smug! Whitebeard thought, growing more wary of Edie. He knew that if Edie decided to intervene, the battle would become far more difficult. Whitebeard might be able to handle Kaido, but if Edie attacked at a critical moment, the outcome could be disastrous.
"Gurarara, what do I need to do to make you back off?" Whitebeard asked with a strained smile.
"2.2 kilometers away seems close, doesn't it? Does it scare you?" Edie chuckled lightly, making no move to retreat. He continued to stand atop his dragon, a hundred meters above, looking down at Whitebeard.
Whitebeard's heart sank. Though he hated to admit it, the pressure Edie exerted simply by standing there was immense. He wasn't worried about a one-on-one fight with Edie, but his concern for his Sons weighed heavily on him. "You seem to be short on research funds, Edie. Kaido gives you 20 billion every year, doesn't he?"
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes and spoke in a low, serious tone, "10 billion Berries! Move ten kilometers away!"
The crew aboard the Moby Dick was stunned. They couldn't believe their ears. Their father, Whitebeard, offering ten billion Berries just to get Edie to move away? The pressure this scientist must be putting on him was unimaginable.
Edie, too, was surprised by the offer and couldn't help but admire Whitebeard's boldness and decisiveness. But it wasn't enough. What he wanted wasn't ten billion, but two hundred billion!
"Hmm... Whitebeard, I could refuse your offer, but I have a counter-proposal," Edie said, pulling a small dagger from his pocket. He tossed it down lightly.
"Cut yourself, and I'll move ten kilometers away."