Chapter 524: Challenge
Kaido's tall figure stood tall on the deck of the Moby Dick. Being able to fly, he naturally had a more stable way of making his entrance, but that would make him seem less impressive. To make a more intimidating entrance, he chose to jump down from the sky.
However, it must be said, the quality of Whitebeard's flagship was quite impressive. A regular ship would likely have been destroyed by Kaido's arrival.
Kaido greeted Whitebeard like an old acquaintance, making it seem like he was just dropping by for a visit.
But Whitebeard's expression wasn't as friendly; after all, this was his ship.
"Stand back, he isn't someone you lot can handle!"
Although they hadn't seen each other in years, judging from Kaido's past display of strength and recent news, it was evident that Kaido had truly become a monster, one that even his sons couldn't handle.
Seeing his people about to attack invading Kaido, Whitebeard's first instinct was to stop them.
Then Kaido, under the gaze of the members of the Whitebeard Pirates, walked step by step towards Whitebeard.
"Newgate, you've grown old."
Under Whitebeard's hat back then was golden long hair that couldn't be concealed. But now, Whitebeard had wrapped his head in a bandana, with many more wrinkles on his face. At 61 years old, Whitebeard wasn't yet at the point of becoming senile, but he was definitely an old man.
Kaido, on the other hand, was 46 years old, an age considered prime in the one piece world. Edward Newgate, Rocks, Roger—these were all individuals who had left a profound impression on him.
Looking at the monster from the past growing old, he also felt a bit emotional.
"Brat, you've got some nerve coming onto my ship. But you've arrived just in time. What happened to my brother, Oden?"
"That fool is your brother? He's dead. He died seven years ago, killed in a rebellion orchestrated by Kurozumi Orochi's scheme."
Kaido lied without any change in his expression. Some truths were known to everyone but couldn't be spoken aloud, at least not the real cause of Oden's death.
Him dying from the Kurozumi rebellion is the best way for the Beasts Pirates to rule Wano Country.
Oden is dead.
The words struck the ears of many crew members of the Whitebeard Pirates like thunder. Even Whitebeard's pupils contracted. In the next moment, the large sword placed beside him was gripped in his hands, its blade wrapped in terrifying Haki, slashing towards Kaido.
One of the 12 Supreme Grade Swords- Murakumogiri, the weapon that had accompanied Whitebeard in battles for many years. He didn't use the Quake-Quake Fruit's ability here, because if he did, the first to suffer would be his own crew members.
"How could Oden! Die because of the scheme of an unknown person!"
"Worororo, come!"
The Hassaikai was also enveloped in Haki, not Armament Haki, but Conqueror's Haki!
The same was true for Whitebeard's Murakumogiri; though he was old now, he hadn't reached the point of being on his deathbed. And in a sense, the health potion from the Beasts Pirates had made his body even stronger.
Though he was now an old man, his strength was still at its peak, not yet at the point where he couldn't muster the Conqueror's Haki.
The kanabo and the large sword collided, setting off a clash of Haki. From the center of impact, two terrifying auras spread out. The first to suffer were the crew members near them. Just the collision of their aura caused these pirates, who could be considered elites even in the New World, to be sent flying.
The ship's railings creaked and groaned as they were buffeted by the aftermath, causing tiny cracks to appear on the hull.
"Take care of those nearby! All newcomers, get away from here! This level of battle isn't something you can watch!"
Marco's both feet transformed into bird claws as he grasped the deck, feeling as though he might be sent flying by the collision of their auras.
The sea churned with even greater waves, clouds in the sky were displaced, and the wind howled, as if the world itself lamented the clash between the two.
On a surveillance ship in the distance, Marine soldiers shouted to report what they saw.
"This is Surveillance Ship No. 127! This is Surveillance Ship No. 127! Kaido and Whitebeard are fighting on the Moby Dick, I repeat! Whitebeard and Kaido are fighting!"
After Kaido interrogated the whereabouts of Whitebeard from another surveillance ship, the surveillance ship responsible for monitoring Whitebeard sprang into action. Their nerves had been tense for several days, but it wasn't until today that they realized they had underestimated the top-tier forces in the world.
...
"You've grown quite a bit over the years, brat."
During the clash with Whitebeard, Kaido was not at all at a disadvantage. Whether it was his super strength or Conqueror's Haki, he matched Whitebeard blow for blow. At this moment, Whitebeard also understood one thing deeply: the present Kaido was no longer the same brat from back then.
Back then, he had to rely on Charlotte Linlin's protection to live smoothly on the ship, but he was now a monster on par with himself.
"And so have you, old man. Despite your age, you're still a monster."
"What happened to Oden!"
"I already told you, that guy died seven years ago because of the scheme of his subordinate."
Boom!
The large sword clashed with the kanabo once again, rage covering Whitebeard's face.
"If you're trying to provoke me, then you've succeeded, brat. Are you here just to inform me of Oden's death?"
After Izou discovered the problem, Kaido also appeared here. It didn't take much thought to realize something was amiss.
"Whether you believe it or not doesn't matter. That's the reality of Wano Country now. That guy's daughter is now the Shogun of Wano Country, and I am the protector of Wano Country. That place is now my territory.
I'm not here to chit chat with you; I'm here to issue you a challenge. Of course, if you want to fight me now, I'm not afraid. As long as you can bear the consequences!"
During the clash, Kaido underwent his transformation. Escaping from the battle without entering his Human-Beast form wouldn't be so easy, and Whitebeard didn't pursue. As Kaido said, he couldn't bear the consequences.
Engaging in full combat with Kaido now, regardless of the outcome, would result in heavy casualties among his sons.
"A challenge?"
"In seven days, we'll settle our score on this island. If you don't believe the cause of Oden's death, then defeat me there and then we'll talk!"
Saying that, he tossed the Eternal Pose to an island then grabbed the Flame Clouds and soared into the sky. He knew Whitebeard would accept this challenge.
That was his plan; engaging in an all-out war didn't serve his interests, but he can't stand it if he doesn't fight. So, by fighting Whitebeard, he could keep the conflict within certain bounds.
However, in his mind, his evaluation of Oden diminished further. Having the identity of Whitebeard's brother and not utilizing it—it seemed not only foolish but also beyond comprehension to him.
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