The events unfolding on Hachinosu Island had captured the world's undivided attention, with news of the public execution spreading instantly to all major factions.
Wano Country, Oni Island.
Inside the banquet hall, Kaido stared blankly at the Den Den Mushi's projection, utterly bewildered by the sudden developments on Hachinosu Island.
On screen, Ulti stood with hands on her hips.
"Lord Kaido, you wouldn't believe it! Gu Jiang actually threw me out in front of all those people! How outrageous! You must teach him a proper lesson!"
"Big sis, stop talking already!"
"Hah?! Page One, don't you think Gu Jiang treated your sister terribly? I'm his fiancée, you know!"
"Brother Gurd never said he'd marry you!"
"What?! You little traitor! Whose side are you on? I'll strangle you!!"
"Gah! Stop!"
Kaido massaged his temples as the siblings bickered.
Nine out of ten sentences from Ulti were about Gurd, all trivial domestic complaints like a child tattling to their parents.
Not a single useful detail.
Neither sibling had any clue why events had developed this way, nor any understanding of Gurd's plans.
Their original mission was simply to capture Fire Fist Ace. Now that Ace had joined the Whitebeard Pirates, they could have just returned—Kaido wouldn't have blamed them.
After all, they were facing Whitebeard himself!
But this current situation?
The Beasts Pirates collaborating with Whitebeard?
If Kaido met Whitebeard, they'd be trading blows immediately—cooperation was unthinkable!
And what was this about publicly executing Marines? Since when did that brat become more radical than his own captain!
Kaido groaned, pressing fingers to his forehead.
"King, what do you make of this?"
"..."
King and the others remained silent.
They couldn't decipher Gurd's intentions.
The collaboration might be a misunderstanding, but the public execution was undeniably happening—the Den Den Mushi's live feed showed the execution platform being prepared.
The question was: what did this achieve?
Even if Gurd wanted to win hearts, doing so on Whitebeard's turf while provoking the Marines made no strategic sense.
All risk, no reward.
But one thing was certain—that kid's mind worked differently. He was the type who never took losses lying down, as proven by his reforms in Wano.
Now even many Headliners were copying his real estate ventures with surprising success.
If they couldn't understand it, they'd stop trying.
"Enough. Let the brat do as he pleases. I want to see how far he'll push this!"
Kaido stood and walked to the window.
"Wororororo!"
Azure dragon scales shimmered as he transformed, soaring into the clouds on swirling mists.
Simultaneously.
The Marines, Four Emperors, Warlords, and underground kings—all turned their attention to Hachinosu Island.
"Beasts Pirates—Gurd!"
"Who is this man?!"
"Investigate him immediately!"
Gurd had officially entered the world stage.
Anyone who could command two Flying Six members had to be among the Beasts Pirates' top brass. How had such a formidable figure remained unknown until now?
With Whitebeard gaining Fire Fist Ace and the Beasts acquiring a new powerhouse, the balance of power was shifting dangerously for other factions.
Hachinosu Island, Execution Plaza.
Thirty minutes remained.
On the hastily erected execution platform, Drake and the other two knelt on their knees, staring at the sea of Pirates below, their hearts filled with nothing but despair.
"Don't come to save us."
At this moment, the three prayed for the Marines to abandon them, yet their instinct to survive made them loathe their own cowardly thoughts.
The moment they submitted their resignations, they had prepared themselves for sacrifice at any time. But when that moment truly arrived—especially the agonizing wait before execution—it relentlessly tormented their hearts.
Grus was the most bitter and furious. He had been dragged down purely by his two incompetent teammates. Had it not been for them, his cautious nature would have at least spared him this fate.
"Drake, you bastard! If we survive this, you're taking full responsibility!"
"I'm sorry, Grus."
Drake's heart ached with regret.
If they truly survived, even if their superiors didn't reprimand him, he would voluntarily resign from his position as Sword captain and his rank of rear admiral.
He had failed miserably.
But that was only if they could survive.
Gurd stood right beside the three, listening clearly to their conversation, and offered them some very considerate comfort.
"Don't worry, someone will come to save you."
"..."
Drake and the other two turned their heads simultaneously, glaring at Gurd with fiery eyes. This despicable Pirate was still mocking them even now.
Gurd chuckled and raised his hand, pointing toward the harbor. "Look over there. See? I told you someone would come."
"..."
Drake and the others turned their gazes to the harbor, their pupils contracting slightly.
Three Marine warships were approaching!
They really had come!
At the harbor dock.
Pirates were busy moving supplies. Though they longed to join the excitement at the execution square, the place was already packed with Pirates—so crowded that no one else could squeeze in.
Besides, they still had work to do.
"Huh? Warships?"
A Pirate spotted the approaching vessels and froze for a long moment.
He rubbed his eyes and looked again.
They really were warships!
"Enemy attack!!!"
"The Marines are here!!!"
A shrill scream echoed across the harbor.
Almost simultaneously, the Marines launched their assault.
"Fire!!!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!"
The warships unleashed a volley, sending dozens of steel cannonballs flying toward the harbor. Standing atop one of them was a certain Handsome guy!
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
The harbor erupted in explosions.
In a flash of light, the Handsome guy in a yellow-striped suit appeared at the center of the street, flames raging behind him.
Admiral Kizaru had landed!
"Biu!"
A bullet pierced through Kizaru's head!
And not just one!
"Biu! Biu! Biu!"
From all directions, over a dozen bullets riddled Kizaru's body.
Watching the red-hatted Pirate recklessly open fire, his companions nearly lost their minds, clutching their heads and screaming in despair.
"You idiot, why did you shoot?!"
"Ah, I just wanted to try my luck," the red-hatted Pirate mumbled sheepishly, scratching his head. "He's an Admiral, you know! If we take him down, we'll be famous!"
"You absolute moron!"
And he wasn't the only fool.
Kizaru's eyes flickered as he observed the group of reckless Pirates daring to attack him. For a moment, he was at a loss for words.
The Pirates of Hachinosu Island were even bolder than those of Sabaody!
Well then, time to slaughter them all!
His mission was a frontal assault.
In a flash of light, Kizaru appeared midair, clasping his hands together as blinding radiance gathered. Then, countless points of light rained down like a storm!
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
"Boom! Boom! Boom!!!"
Countless flames shot into the sky, turning the port into ruins in an instant as if it had been bombarded by artillery shells.
"Waaahhh!!!"
The Pirates screamed as they fled inland towards the island.
At the execution square, the Pirates also noticed the commotion at the port.
"It's Admiral Kizaru!!!"
The most terrifying enemy had arrived!
(End of Chapter)