The Straw Hats, having emerged victorious alongside their new allies, sat among the Minks on Zou, surrounded by the sounds of celebration. The Minks were rejoicing in their survival, dancing under the full moonlight, and welcoming their pirate allies with open arms. The air was filled with laughter and cheer, and tables overflowed with food. Luffy, always motivated by his stomach, was quickly engulfed in the feast, eating as much as possible.
Carrot sat nearby, smiling brightly. She was particularly interested in the Straw Hats, captivated by their bravery. "You guys were so amazing!" she said, her eyes shining as she looked at Luffy, Zoro, and the others. "Especially you, Captain Luffy! You took down Jack with such power."
Luffy, mouth stuffed with food, mumbled something that sounded like "Shishishi, thanks!" before gulping it all down. Nami chuckled, shaking her head. "He never changes."
The leader of the Minks, Nekomamushi, approached, his large Sulong form having receded. He looked serious now as he addressed the gathered Straw Hats. "You all have our deepest thanks for standing with us against Jack. There's someone we've been protecting, a close ally to the Kozuki Clan—a samurai named Kanjuro."
As he spoke, a Mink opened a door to reveal a man dressed in traditional samurai clothing, with an exaggerated hairstyle and a paintbrush strapped to his back. Kanjuro stepped forward, bowing deeply. "I am in your debt. I am a retainer to the Kozuki family of Wano, and I have been hiding here, awaiting allies to help us liberate our homeland from Kaido's tyranny."
Luffy's eyes brightened. "Kaido, huh? The same guy that's allied with Doflamingo." His voice grew more serious, the mention of his old enemy igniting a spark of determination in him. Zoro, leaning back lazily, smirked at the mention of a powerful opponent.
Before more could be discussed, a rumbling was felt throughout the area. Zunesha, the gigantic elephant that carried Zou on its back, had begun to lift both groups, the Straw Hats and the Minks, along with the Thousand Sunny, up onto its enormous back. As everyone steadied themselves, two more figures appeared, stepping out from the shadows.
"Oi, Luffy!" a familiar voice called. It was Kinemon, accompanied by a large serpentine figure. As the two approached, the serpent transformed into a small boy. It was Momonosuke, now in his human form. Luffy, his curiosity piqued, tilted his head in amusement. "So you're not just a dragon after all!" he said with a grin, causing Momonosuke to pout.
Kinemon bowed to the group. "I bring dire news. This is Lord Momonosuke, the rightful heir to the Kozuki Clan. We have been trying to avoid capture by Kaido's forces, but now we must ask for your help. We intend to form an alliance with you—to defeat Kaido and reclaim our land."
The Straw Hats were taken aback, Zoro raising an eyebrow and glancing at Luffy for his reaction. Luffy, scratching his chin, eventually nodded. "Alright, but let's talk more once we're all settled and when we meet the guest the Minks were protecting. For now, we should enjoy the party." He grinned, a mischievous glint in his eyes, and Kinemon nodded, accepting Luffy's decision.
The party resumed, but in the midst of the celebration, a few members of the Straw Hat crew felt a shift in the atmosphere. Luffy, Zoro, Law, and Robin, whose Observation Haki had sharpened considerably, sensed something familiar—someone powerful was nearby.
"Capone Bege..." Robin murmured, her eyes narrowing. Zoro looked up, feeling the distinct presence of the mafioso pirate as well. It wasn't just him—there was a fierce battle happening not far from them.
"Someone's fighting him," Law added, his eyes focused.
Switch to Sora:
Sora, the female version of Sanji, was standing atop a wrecked cart, her fiery eyes locked onto Capone Bege's pirate crew. Her kicks came down like a storm, effortlessly overpowering Bege's underlings. Her movements were swift and graceful, her strength undeniable. She felt betrayed, hurt by the knowledge that her family—the Vinsmokes—had intended to use her as a bargaining chip in a political marriage to the Yonko, Big Mom.
"How could they think they could just sell me off like that?!" Sora snapped, kicking another pirate into a wall, her face twisted in anger and confusion. "What fools."
Capone Bege, watching from a distance, tried to maintain his composure, but beads of sweat formed on his brow. Sora was too powerful, and his men were nothing compared to her sheer combat prowess.
Suddenly, a warm presence enveloped Sora from behind. A familiar set of strong arms wrapped around her waist, and she stiffened, eyes widening. It was Luffy.
"Oi, what're you thinking about so intensely?" Luffy asked, his voice teasing and casual. Sora could feel the warmth radiating off him, and her heart skipped a beat. She tried to turn her head, but before she could respond, Luffy's Conqueror's Haki surged forth. In an instant, the remaining pirates around them dropped to the ground, their hearts seemingly stopping under the pressure of his devastating Haki.
Luffy looked at Capone Bege, his gaze dark and unforgiving. "You messed with my family," he said, his voice filled with fury. "You'll regret it."
After ensuring Bege had fled, Luffy and Sora returned to Zou, where the festivities were still ongoing. Luffy's face was serious, the playful energy he usually carried replaced by a deep, simmering anger. He called for a meeting, his voice cutting through the chatter of the party. The Straw Hats, Law, the Minks, and the newly arrived Samurai gathered, all of them aware that something significant had happened.
Luffy stood at the center, Sora by his side. His arm was still protectively wrapped around her waist, a gesture that made it clear where his loyalty lay. He looked around at the gathered group, his gaze hardening.
"There are some things we need to sort out," Luffy began, his voice steady. "First, we need to make sure we're all on the same page. Kaido isn't our only enemy. Big Mom's involved now, and they tried to use Sora as some kind of bargaining chip."
The room fell silent, the implications of Luffy's words sinking in. The Minks exchanged glances, and Nekomamushi stepped forward. "If Big Mom is involved, then the stakes have grown even higher. What do you propose we do, Straw Hat?"
Luffy's eyes blazed with determination. "We're not gonna let anyone use our friends like that. First, we're going to take her territory. Then, we're gonna take the rest."
Zoro grinned at his captain's words, his swords resting at his sides. "Sounds like a plan, Captain."
Law, always calculating, nodded thoughtfully. "Taking down Big Mom won't be easy, but if we can liberate some of the Minks she has captured, we might gain more allies."
Robin looked at Luffy, her eyes filled with both concern and admiration. "We need to be careful, Luffy. Taking on two Yonko at once is no small task."
Luffy's smile was confident, almost reckless. "I know. But we've got something they don't. We've got each other."
The meeting continued, plans forming, alliances strengthening. The Minks vowed to stand beside the Straw Hats in their battle, while Kinemon and Kanjuro spoke of the importance of reclaiming Wano from Kaido. There was a shared sense of purpose, a determination that united them all.
As the night wore on, the group continued to strategize, their bonds growing stronger with every word. Luffy, Sora, and the rest of the crew knew that the battles ahead would be their toughest yet, but they also knew they had something worth fighting for—freedom, family, and the chance to take down the tyrants who had oppressed so many.
The chapter ended with Luffy standing at the edge of Zou, looking out at the horizon. The sun was beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the sea. He clenched his fist, his heart filled with resolve.
"Big Mom, Kaido... your time is up. The Straw Hats are coming."
Meanwhile in Wano:
The sky over Wano was a bruised shade of purple, dark clouds swirling ominously above as if reflecting the chaotic mood of the land below. In Bakura Town, the aftermath of battle had left the ground scorched and bodies sprawled everywhere. The battlefield was marked by destruction, with broken trees and shattered buildings, a stark representation of the clash that had taken place.
Kaido, in his enormous dragon form, coiled above the wreckage, his massive bulk casting a long shadow across the destruction. His eyes were filled with fiery rage as they locked onto Hawkins, who was barely holding himself upright, his body battered and covered in bruises.
"Did you really think you could betray me?" Kaido's voice was a deep, resonant growl, shaking the ground beneath Hawkins. The pirate magician coughed, blood spilling from his lips as he tried to speak, but no words could come out.
Kaido's rage had reached its peak. Without another word, he opened his massive jaws, a faint blue glow gathering in his maw. Hawkins barely had time to look up before Kaido unleashed a devastating blast of his "Bolo Breath." The beam of energy completely obliterated Hawkins, the explosion shaking the earth for miles. The remaining subordinates around Hawkins cowered, looking up in absolute fear at the monstrous Yonko above them.
"Take the survivors to Udon Prison," Kaido commanded, his voice booming with authority. His subordinates scrambled to follow his orders, rounding up the remainder of the beaten crew and preparing them for transportation to Udon, Wano's feared labor camp. The prisoners were shackled, bruised and battered, with fear painted across their faces, their hopes crushed under the might of the Beast Pirates.
Satisfied that his orders were being executed, Kaido turned, his massive form shrinking as he transformed back into his humanoid shape. He was still imposing, his muscular frame covered in a long blue coat, his heavy kanabo club resting across his shoulder. He gave one last look at the devastation, his eyes narrowing.
"Make sure no one escapes." He didn't wait for a response before he leaped into the air, soaring towards his lair on Onigashima.
Onigashima, Kaido's fortress, loomed in the distance, a monstrous skull-shaped island that seemed to defy nature itself. The large torii gates, adorned with skulls and lined with his subordinates, heralded the arrival of the Beast Pirates' leader. As Kaido approached, the guards stationed there immediately bowed low in respect. The All-Stars, Kaido's elite commanders, stood at the entrance of the grand hall, awaiting their leader's return.
The towering forms of King the Wildfire, Queen the Plague, and Jack the Drought greeted Kaido as he walked inside, his heavy footsteps echoing throughout the large stone chamber.
"Welcome back, Kaido-sama," King said, his voice composed as usual, his black wings folded behind his back. He wore his standard spiked mask, and his demeanor was calm, though his red eyes carried a cold, calculative gleam.
Queen, ever the flamboyant one, grinned widely. "Oi, oi, Kaido-sama! We heard you had quite the battle out there! Hope you brought back some spoils."
Jack's presence was notably absent, and King looked towards Kaido. "Jack's situation remains unknown," King said, a hint of irritation in his tone.
Kaido's face contorted into a scowl, and his body tensed as rage bubbled within him. The tension in the room grew thick as Kaido let out a low growl. He had entrusted Jack with the mission, and to not have any updates irritated him.
"Unknown, huh?" Kaido's voice was low, simmering with anger. He slammed his kanabo into the ground, the impact leaving cracks across the stone floor beneath his feet. "Jack's incompetence will be the end of him," he muttered under his breath.
The Tobi Roppo—Kaido's elite six officers—were standing to the side. Who's Who, Sasaki, Black Maria, Ulti, Page One, and X Drake eyed the situation carefully. They knew better than to intervene when Kaido was in one of his moods. Ulti, always brash, whispered to Page One, "Damn, if Jack's screwed up again, it's gonna be hell around here."
Kaido turned towards one of the Beast Pirates who had brought him a large jug of sake. Taking it without a word, Kaido uncorked the jug and began chugging it down in large gulps. The sake flowed down his throat, the liquid calming the rage that simmered just beneath his skin. After downing several servings, Kaido slammed the empty jug onto the ground, a satisfied sigh escaping his lips. He slumped onto his throne, seemingly lost in thought for a moment.
Then, as if struck by an idea, Kaido reached for a transponder snail. Its eyes flickered as it came to life, awaiting his words. Kaido's lips twisted into a grin, a wicked glint in his eyes as he dialed the frequency.
"Let's see how my old friend is doing," he muttered.
The transponder snail rang several times, the sound reverberating through the hall. Queen perked up, his curiosity piqued. "Who're you calling, Kaido-sama?" he asked, though the answer soon became apparent.
The snail's face transformed into a distinctly familiar face—Charlotte Linlin's. Big Mom. Her unmistakable laughter echoed through the receiver, a sound that even made some of Kaido's hardened subordinates shiver.
"Ma-ma-ma-ma! Kaido, it's been some time," Big Mom's voice came through, almost amused.
Kaido leaned back, a small grin forming on his lips. "Linlin, I figured it was time we talked again… for old times' sake."