Shortly after, Kuke's message spread across major newspapers.
"Hahaha, as expected of the Sun and Moon Pirates—there's no fear. They dared to kill the Fleet Admiral; would Kuke fear Kaido?"
"While others fear Kaido, it's clear Kuke isn't fazed at all."
"It's a head-on clash. Kaido is out searching for the Sun and Moon Pirates, but Kuke is even bolder—taking his small crew to Kaido's very lair."
"It's clear who's got the bigger vision. Kaido's scope is still too narrow."
"This is going to be entertaining."
The seas were in an uproar.
When Kaido finally got the news, several days had already passed.
"He's coming to Wano to visit me?"
Kaido's eyes widened in fury.
He stared incredulously at the newspaper.
"Kuke is coming to visit me? To come to see me on his own accord? Who does he think he is?" Kaido roared.
A visit was far from a friendly gesture.
It wasn't out of fear; instead, Kaido felt insulted.
"I occupied Oden's Wano, and even Whitebeard didn't dare visit me after finding out. Who does Kuke think he is?" Kaido's anger soared.
He felt as if Kuke was disregarding him.
Knowing that Kaido had taken his forces out to sea, Kuke not only didn't retreat but had the audacity to provoke him.
Since becoming an Emperor, Kaido had never faced such a situation.
In the past, he was always the one challenging others. No one ever came looking for trouble with him.
His indestructible body gave him the confidence to do whatever he wanted on the seas. No one wanted to deal with such a troublesome figure, which only fueled Kaido's arrogance.
"Governor Kaido, what do we do now? Should we head back immediately?" Queen asked.
There weren't many forces left in Onigashima.
They definitely weren't enough to match the Sun and Moon Pirates.
"Go back?"
Kaido's aura became even more savage. "I don't want a battle happening in Onigashima."
He'd spent years building his stronghold.
He didn't want it destroyed.
"Is there any specific time mentioned in those reports? When exactly is that bastard coming to Wano?" Kaido asked King.
King carefully went through the newspapers.
He flipped through several from different publishers—the content was mostly similar, but none gave an exact time.
Kuke hadn't given a time.
He wanted to see if the World Government would make a move. If they planned on trying to profit from the situation, Kuke intended to set up an ambush and deal with them first before heading to Wano.
Naturally, he couldn't be precise.
"There isn't any."
Kaido sneered. "I get it. Kuke's just stalling for time."
Kaido believed he had figured out Kuke's little scheme.
No specific time.
It could mean months or even years later.
Coming years later wouldn't technically be breaking his word.
But Kaido had no intention of waiting that long.
He didn't have much confidence in his ability to defeat the rapidly growing Sun and Moon Pirates years from now.
"I won't be toyed with. Stick to our original plan—head for Fish-Man Island. The Sun and Moon Pirates have taken it under their protection. If I go there, its ruler will have no choice but to return."
Kaido was never the passive type.
He was the type to take action.
"Trying to stall with tricks? Too bad for him, I saw right through it."
"The Sun and Moon Pirates dare to play such petty games in front of the wise Governor Kaido—they're as foolish as rookies," Queen flattered.
King looked at Kaido with reverence.
He had always known.
The world might see Kaido as reckless, but he was, in fact, quite cunning.
Not for nothing was he the leader King followed.
Feeling the adoring gazes of his trusted subordinates, Kaido couldn't help but feel pleased.
"Kuke, you're just a newcomer. Besides your strength, you're still a rookie in every other aspect."
Onboard the Radiant Eclipse
The Radiant Eclipse advanced at full speed.
Wano was growing nearer.
They were about ten days away.
The long journey across the sea mostly consisted of dull moments.
Kuke personally guided Baby 5 in her training.
He left her side just before her needy personality flared up.
He then held Kuina's hand, correcting her grip and teaching her to control her strength.
He looked approvingly at Koala, who was drenched in sweat, working hard on her sit-ups.
The young ladies aboard the ship.
Were all diligent.
Very good.
After finishing his guidance, Kuke went to the deck, where he saw Shakky and Violet.
Shakky was assessing the wind and weather.
Violet was in charge of intelligence.
"By the way, who's the new Fleet Admiral after Sengoku's death?" Kuke suddenly wondered.
The position of Fleet Admiral couldn't stay vacant.
"Fleet Admiral?"
Shakky frowned as she flipped through the latest newspaper. "Strange... it's been more than half a month, and the World Government still hasn't announced who the new Fleet Admiral is."
It seemed odd.
A pirate ship couldn't be without a captain.
A warship couldn't lack its commanding officer.
The position of Fleet Admiral, commanding millions of marines, determined the balance of power across the sea.
It couldn't be left empty.
"The new Fleet Admiral will definitely be chosen from the current Admirals—probably one of Kizaru, Aokiji, or Akainu," Shakky guessed.
"I didn't expect I'd end up helping Akainu indirectly." In the original timeline, Akainu took over, and Kuke believed Akainu had the highest chance of becoming the next Fleet Admiral.
Thinking about Akainu as Fleet Admiral...
Given his personality...
"Shakky, send a gift to the Marines on my behalf. Congratulate Akainu for becoming Fleet Admiral," Kuke decided. He wanted to mess with Akainu a bit and make sure his promotion wouldn't be too comfortable.
"Kuke, do you really think Akainu will be the next Fleet Admiral?" Shakky looked at Kuke with confusion.
She instinctively wanted to ask how Kuke knew Akainu would take the position.
But recalling all the mysterious things about Kuke—like predicting the entire lineup of the Seven Warlords of the Sea—she chose to believe him.
"Alright, Captain. Conveniently, we're not far from the G-5 Marine Branch here in the New World." Shakky went to prepare the gift.
A few minutes later, Shakky shifted into her vampire form, carrying the gift towards the G-5 Marine Branch.
G-5 Base
Located deep in the New World, where countless monsters lurked, vigilance was constant.
"Unidentified figure spotted on the horizon. Be on guard."
Shakky flew over the G-5 base, dropping a massive iron box in the plaza below before vanishing into the sky, leaving the marines puzzled and wary.
"Was that the witch Shakky of the Sun and Moon Pirates?"
"What did she drop?"
"Don't go near it. What are the Sun and Moon Pirates up to now?" The marines at G-5 were anxious, and the Vice Admiral in command quickly used a Den Den Mushi to contact Marine Headquarters.
No one dared approach the iron box.
Fearing it might be some sort of bomb or dangerous item.
They waited for several hours.
Finally, under instructions from Marine Headquarters, they opened the box.
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DONT FORGET POWER STONE FOR EXTRA CHAPTERS
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 154+ at patreon.com/Emik01.
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