"So, why is there a banquet today?" Shin took a sip of juice, looking around with a hint of exasperation. "Didn't we say that Kaido and his crew would be arriving soon?"
Ace, grinning broadly, settled in beside him. "Yesterday was for Yamato and me, and today, we're celebrating your joining us!"
"Exactly! And no pirate worth their salt skips a banquet!" Yamato chimed in, hoisting a wine pot in one hand and a hefty hunk of meat in the other, her voice jubilant.
"And what's with you drinking juice? Pirates should drink heartily!" Yamato teased.
Shin raised an eyebrow as he glanced at her. "And drinking juice makes me a kid? Pirates are supposed to drink something stronger, you're saying?"
Shin sighed. "I'm still a little over two weeks from turning sixteen. Technically, I am a minor," he pointed out, rolling his eyes. "And, as a lady, do you think it's wise to drink so much daily?"
"What's wrong with that? I aspire to be as bold as Kozuki Oden—someone who truly knew how to live! How could I not drink?" Yamato proclaimed before taking a hearty bite of her food. Even in the throes of her declaration, she still seemed thrilled by her self-proclaimed lifestyle.
"Are you sure it's not just because you like drinking?" Shin raised an eyebrow. "Maybe it's a bit of Kaido's influence. After all, he's quite the super drinker."
"Is that so? Maybe there's some truth to that," Yamato replied with a carefree smile. "But this time, I'll probably end up fighting him too!"
Shin smirked. "Don't count on it. With Whitebeard here, there's no way it'll come down to a fight between you and Kaido."
Battles at sea followed a predictable pattern, with leaders clashing at the top. Unless Whitebeard fell, there was little chance Yamato would even get near Kaido. Given Whitebeard's restored strength, Kaido would be lucky to hold his ground.
'But Kaido isn't one to make careless moves,' Shin reflected. 'With the Whitebeard Pirates and fighters like Ace, Yamato, and me, the odds don't favor the Beast Pirates. This isn't a risk Kaido would take lightly; there's got to be another factor at play.'
His intuition proved accurate. Three days later, when the Beast Pirates' ships finally came into view, Shin saw exactly what Kaido had prepared.
"Shin, Ace!" Yamato called out excitedly, waving her kanabo. "Look, those ships are singing! When did my dad's fleet learn that trick?"
Ace blinked in confusion. "Singing ships? I didn't know ships could sing."
Suppressing an eye roll, Shin shook his head. "Maybe if you'd reviewed the intelligence reports, you'd know. These 'singing ships' are Homies, creations of Big Mom. Isn't it obvious?"
"Big Mom's crew?" Ace's expression turned serious as he glanced around, noting that the Whitebeard Pirates' crew was also on high alert.
"Why would they team up against us? Are we really about to face two of the Four Emperors at once?" he muttered, apprehension creeping into his voice.
Shin frowned. "It's probably about maintaining power balance. With our entry, the Whitebeard Pirates' strength has tipped the scales. Big Mom's crew would see that as a threat."
'And Kaido and Big Mom do have an old alliance… They'd come together if they felt the balance among the Four Emperors was in danger,' Shin reasoned. 'It makes sense they'd partner up and try to counter Whitebeard's growing influence.'
"Thankfully…" Marco exhaled in relief. "It looks like Charlotte Linlin herself isn't here. Katakuri seems to be leading the charge."
Shin narrowed his eyes, surveying the ships. There was no sign of Big Mom. 'She must be protecting her territory,' he mused. 'It makes sense. She wouldn't want to leave her stronghold vulnerable, especially since she's not the only one out there—Red-Haired Shanks is still keeping his eye on the balance. If something happens to Whitebeard's crew, Shanks would likely be their next target.'
With a sigh, Shin felt reassured. Facing Katakuri instead of Big Mom would be challenging but manageable. They could still hold their ground in this battle.
Before Shin could strategize further, Whitebeard stepped forward. "Gurararara! Don't overthink things—just fight when the time comes."
His voice rang confidently as he raised his weapon, his hands glowing with power. With one mighty swing of his naginata, he unleashed a wave that churned the ocean, sending a massive tsunami toward the enemy fleet.
"Whitebeard!" A thunderous roar came from Kaido, who had shifted into his dragon form. He summoned a violent whirlwind to counter the oncoming tsunami, creating a towering water spout that clashed against Whitebeard's attack.
"Gurarara! Is that you, Kaido? Want another beating?" Whitebeard's laughter boomed across the sea.
"Ororororo! Whitebeard, there's only room for one strongest! I've wanted to take your head for ages!" Kaido growled, abandoning all caution as he lunged forward.
Whitebeard grinned, his eyes sparking with fierce excitement. "If you want my head, come claim it! I could use a nice dragon-hide belt!" His naginata crackled with dark lightning as he met Kaido's dragon claws in a thunderous clash.
The sea quaked, the sky seemed to split in two, and the clash of their Conqueror's Haki sent a violent shockwave through the air. The Moby Dick rocked precariously, and crew members standing too close were swept off their feet by the force.
For Whitebeard, the fight was pure exhilaration. With his body revitalized, he felt an unstoppable desire to unleash his full strength. Noticing his crew moving closer, he bellowed, "Stand back! This is a battlefield for the strongest!"
Marco transformed into a phoenix, hovering just above the deck. "Dad's getting fired up again. Everyone, get ready to disembark!" he yelled, guiding the crew away from the boat as Whitebeard and Kaido continued their titanic clash.
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BONUS CHAPTER: 100 powerstone achieved
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