The greatest secret behind the immortal nature of Kaido began to perplex Nagato, but outside the sea where this fierce battle raged, significant changes were still occurring.
The world focused on this battle, but it didn’t stop moving; rather, it moved even more because of it!
Let’s rewind the time a bit.
Early morning, 5:45 AM.
Location: The former territory of Whitebeard, now under Dressrosa’s control, the waters around Ando Three Islands.
The surrounding sea was littered with the wreckage of ships, remnants of pirate invaders like the One-Armed Jack Pirates who had been lurking nearby and had been crushed by the local defenses.
Constant pirate and marauder invasions kept Cyrus and his men continuously on alert, but being the core area, the invading enemies were relatively weak pirate gangs. With sufficient military strength, they managed to handle the situation.
However, the relentless attacks and occasional disturbances on the islands left everyone feeling exhausted.
During yet another skirmish with an audacious pirate crew, Viola, the observer stationed beside the commander Cyrus on the First Warship, suddenly turned pale with extreme fear.
“What’s wrong, Viola?” Cyrus asked, always attentive to Viola since she monitored a 4,000-mile radius and was the only one who could see their king’s battle.
Seeing Viola’s drastic reaction, Cyrus worried something might have happened to Nagato and urgently asked, “Is something wrong with His Majesty? Should we go to support him?”
“No… not that,” Viola denied, but Cyrus’s slight relief was shattered by her next words, “Another Yonko is coming… it’s Big Mom!”
Cyrus’s face changed, and he reached for the Den Den Mushi to inform Nagato but hesitated.
He stopped because he wasn’t sure if informing Nagato would interfere with his battle and because Nagato’s Den Den Mushi was out of reach.
In such an intense battle, who could keep an eye on and protect a Den Den Mushi?
Viola, thinking the same, clenched her fists and said, “Let Kaku go! We can’t fight another Yonko… His Majesty said he would handle the Yonko. He must have a plan!”
Remembering Nagato’s strategic foresight and the clearly assigned tasks, Cyrus decided and shouted into the Den Den Mushi, “Kaku! Inform His Majesty immediately, Big Mom… is here!”
Kaku, hearing this, was equally shocked but swiftly ordered the warship to set sail!
Fast forward to 6:15 AM.
When the Fourth Warship arrived at the peak battlefield, they saw Nagato and Kaido confronting each other after the Dust Release attack.
Despite having left the battlefield earlier due to being unable to continue observing, Kaku had remained on standby. Using the observed trajectory and the massive battle movements and traces, they quickly found Nagato within half an hour!
“Who are these pests?” Kaido, seeing the Fourth Warship approaching, felt annoyed. He stomped his foot and charged forward, clearly intending to eliminate the intruders.
Buzz—!
But Nagato wouldn’t allow it. A beam of light shot out, blocking Kaido’s path and forcing him back.
“They are my people, Kaido,” Nagato said from atop the Tengu, holding the Dust Release energy, his threat clear.
Kaido, unafraid, scoffed and ignored Nagato’s words.
“Your Majesty!” Kaku shouted from the ship’s bow, stopping both of them to listen, “Big Mom has appeared!”
This news caught their attention, and as they momentarily paused, Kaku continued, “Half an hour ago, Viola spotted Big Mom’s fleet heading full speed towards the Three Islands!”
Nagato quickly realized that Viola’s observation range was 4,000 miles, so even at top speed, they couldn’t have approached much in half an hour. There was still time.
However, this time wasn’t enough to decide the current battle.
It wasn’t that Nagato was reluctant to fight. This nearly three-hour battle, starting at 3:30 AM, had already given Nagato a clear sense of his standing in this world: judging by the repeated clashes and their current states, his Bloodline Selection had put him on par with Kaido, perhaps even slightly ahead!
This meant he now stood at the pinnacle, matching the Yonko!
But Kaido’s superhuman strength meant that Nagato’s slight advantage wouldn’t quickly end the fight, and the unknown factors made it impossible to kill the immortal Kaido.
Given the situation, Nagato couldn’t afford to waste more time and energy here. After quickly considering, Nagato said, “It’s over, Kaido.”
Nagato intended to end the battle.
But the frenzied Kaido wouldn’t have it. Turning to Nagato, he roared, “What nonsense? You think you can just stop? I won’t end this fight until I kill you!”
Nearly three hours of intense battle had left Kaido heavily injured, yet still evenly matched with Nagato, earning Kaido’s respect. His eyes and tone no longer showed initial contempt.
But Kaido wouldn’t back down, and his respect for strong enemies made his fighting spirit and killing intent towards Nagato even more intense!
Nagato’s next words, however, subdued Kaido’s madness.
“When I say it’s over, it’s over,” Nagato said calmly from atop the Tengu, “Don’t forget my words, Kaido. ‘Your dream or my head, choose one.’ But now, it seems you can’t take my head.”
Kaido halted in mid-air, his muscles bulging and veins popping, but after a fierce internal struggle, he snorted angrily and stopped fighting.
Kaku and the soldiers, holding their breath in tension, finally exhaled in relief.
Kaido’s dream of building a powerful crew of Devil Fruit users was the leverage Nagato used, and the reason for continuing the SMILE trade.
Taking Whitebeard’s territory meant becoming a target, and Nagato knew this. Thus, he made various plans.
Among the many problems, the most challenging wasn’t the government or Marines but the other Yonko. Their attack was inevitable, and Nagato prepared for it.
Now strong enough to rival Kaido, Nagato was powerful but wouldn’t dare face three Yonko simultaneously.
Thus, he hadn’t killed Jack before, ensuring contact with Kaido for this very situation, using SMILE as leverage to stabilize Kaido.
However, plans couldn’t keep up with changes.
Kaido attacked on sight, perhaps hoping to kill Nagato and take over SMILE, but Nagato’s strength made that impossible.
Nagato, with his increased power from Bloodline Selection, thought of solving Kaido directly, simplifying the problem. But Kaido’s secrets prevented this.
Thus, careful planning and coincidences led to this moment.
The raging demonic fire gradually extinguished as Nagato deactivated Susanoo, landing on the ship. He addressed Kaido on the sea, “It seems we need to resolve this through negotiation, Kaido.”
“Negotiation?” Kaido landed without falling into the sea, stomping his right foot to rebound into the air, “What nonsense is that? Get lost!”
Nagato knew Kaido’s pirate nature and ignored his attitude, continuing, “You need more patience, Kaido. Your strength can’t solve everything…”
“Bullshit!” Kaido interrupted disdainfully, “I told you before, there’s nothing fists and strength can’t solve in this world! Remember that, boy!”
“Don’t think I don’t know what you want…” Kaido’s fierce smile faded, replaced by his usual angry, intimidating expression. He stared at Nagato, “I want SMILE and Whitebeard’s territory! I am Kaido!”
Kaido’s temporary calm after the battle made him slightly rational, guessing Nagato wanted to negotiate the territory, surprising Nagato.
But Kaido’s subsequent arrogance only made Nagato shake his head.
“I thought you’d really woken up, but it seems I can’t expect much from your mind,” Nagato replied, “You can’t achieve that, Kaido.”
Kaido turned to leave, but Nagato stopped him, “If you still want SMILE, stay put. I won’t repeat myself.”
“Hmm?” Kaido turned abruptly, eyes full of fury and violence, ready to fight again!
“Knowing what’s best improves efficiency for both of us,” Nagato said calmly, unfazed by Kaido’s glare, “Let me explain the situation, Kaido.”
“Clearly, our goal is the same, this sea.”
“Your biggest reliance is your strength, but understand this, Kaido: you can’t kill me, nor can you necessarily kill Charlotte or Shanks. You don’t have the means or ability for a guaranteed victory.”
“On the contrary, this territory is in my hands. I need to keep it.”
“In this New World, only you three are qualified opponents. Among you, I hope to form an alliance with you, Kaido!”
Without Kaido speaking, Nagato knew his response and continued, “Stop dreaming of war, Kaido. I’ll pay a price, but you can’t afford it!”
“After our battle, I confirmed some things. You should know what people of our level mean.”
“Rejecting my proposal means losing this territory and more than just SMILE. Think carefully, do you and your territory want to oppose me?”
Nagato and Kaido locked eyes, their intense gazes suffocating Kaku and the soldiers on the warship.
After a brief silence, Nagato broke it.
“Alliance or losing SMILE and opposing me? The choice is yours, Kaido.”
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