Chapter 48: The Four Emperors Go to War
"So why are we still having a banquet today?" Ayaan took a sip of juice and said helplessly. "Didn't Kaido and the others say they'd be arriving soon?"
"Because yesterday's party was for Yamato and me. Today is for you!" Ace replied cheerfully, sitting next to Ayaan.
"Yeah, yeah! What kind of pirate doesn't love a party?" Yamato chimed in, holding a sake jug in one hand and a giant slab of meat in the other. She was chewing and drinking heartily, her words muffled through a mouthful of food, yet she still made sure to throw a comment Ayaan's way.
"And what's with drinking juice, huh? Are you still a kid, Ayaan? Pirates are supposed to guzzle down alcohol!"
"I'm sorry, I'm still more than half a month away from turning sixteen. So technically, yes, I'm still a minor!" Ayaan rolled his eyes. "And you—aren't you supposed to be a girl? Is it really okay to drink this much every day?"
"What? I want to be a heroic samurai like Kozuki Oden! How can I call myself his successor if I can't even handle a drink?" Yamato chomped down on bone and meat alike, her bite strength enhanced after eating the Kami Kami no Mi (God-God Fruit), but still kept talking about her ideal self.
"No, it's just because you like to drink, isn't it?" Ayaan retorted. "Honestly, I think your father Kaido's genetics play a huge role here."
"After all, your dad is the definition of an alcoholic."
"Genetic influence, huh? Maybe there's something to that," Yamato shrugged, not bothered by the jab. "But this time, it looks like I'll have to fight my old man!"
"Come on," Ayaan scoffed. "With Whitebeard around, do you think you'll even get a chance to jump in?"
Soldiers fight soldiers, generals fight generals—that's always been the rule of war. As long as Whitebeard wasn't defeated, there was no chance Kaido or Yamato would clash directly.
Now that Whitebeard was fully healed and at his peak, Kaido would be lucky just to hold his ground. Defeating him? Keep dreaming.
Still… Kaido isn't the kind of guy to fight a losing battle. With the Whitebeard Pirates' power now combined with mine, Yamato's, and Ace's, the Beasts Pirates don't stand a chance. This kind of move doesn't suit Kaido unless there's something else going on…
This might not go the way we expect.
Ayaan's intuition turned out to be accurate. Three days later, when the Beasts Pirates' fleet appeared in front of the Moby Dick, he realized what Kaido was really planning.
"Ayaan! Ace!" Yamato called out excitedly, waving her iron kanabō. "Look at those ships—they're singing! Since when could Dad's ships sing?"
Ace blinked in confusion. "I dunno... Can ships sing?"
Ayaan facepalmed. "You two seriously didn't read the intel? Those are Homies—sentient objects created by Big Mom using her Soru Soru no Mi (Soul-Soul Fruit). These are clearly ships from the Big Mom Pirates!"
"Big Mom Pirates?" Ace finally realized something was off and turned to see the rest of the Whitebeard Pirates staring at the singing ships with grim expressions, preparing for battle.
"Wait, are we fighting two of the Four Emperors now?!"
Ayaan frowned. "Most likely. Our presence here has shifted the power balance between the Emperors. Big Mom probably feels threatened…"
He also guessed that this was driven by Kaido and Big Mom's past relationship—former crewmates on the Rocks Pirates. Perhaps Kaido used that connection to convince her to act, citing the growing threat of Whitebeard's crew.
"Thankfully…" Marco exhaled in relief. "That crazy woman Charlotte Linlin isn't here herself. Looks like Katakuri is leading."
Ayaan narrowed his eyes and scanned the fleet carefully. Sure enough, Linlin was nowhere to be seen.
"She's probably guarding her territory. It is the Four Emperors after all—not the Three. Red-Haired Shanks might not be ambitious, but he helps maintain the balance of power in the New World."
"If the Whitebeard Pirates were to fall, Big Mom and Kaido would probably go after Shanks next. So it makes sense for Big Mom to keep strong forces back at Totto Land to deter him."
Feeling slightly more assured, Ayaan relaxed. Without Charlotte Linlin herself, this was still a winnable battle—even with Katakuri.
While Ayaan was still analyzing the situation, Whitebeard stepped forward and laughed:
"Gurararara! Don't overthink things before a fight!"
"So what if Linlin and that brat Kaido teamed up? I am Whitebeard!"
With a thunderous motion, Murakumogiri (his naginata) emitted a massive quake bubble and crashed into the sea.
The resulting shockwave sent an immense tsunami toward the enemy fleet, looking like it would swallow them whole.
"Whitebeard!" Kaido roared from the prow of his flagship. His body transformed into his Seiryu (Azure Dragon) form, and he summoned a violent tornado, creating a giant sea twister to counter the oncoming wave.
"Gurarara! It's little Kaido! What, want another beating?" Whitebeard shouted.
"Orahahahaha! Old man Whitebeard! There's only room for one strongest in the world—and I've wanted your head for years!"
Blood boiling with excitement, Kaido forgot all about Yamato and his treasure vault and charged straight ahead in his dragon form.
"If you want my head, come get it! I've been looking for a new dragon-hide belt anyway!" Whitebeard roared back, coating Murakumogiri with Armament Haki, crackling with black lightning.
The massive weapon clashed with Kaido's claw, and the sea itself shuddered.
The sky cracked open, split down the middle by the shockwave from their clash. Their Haki erupted violently, and the nearby Moby Dick rocked as waves buffeted the ship. Most of the crew standing nearby were thrown off their feet by the sheer force of it.
With his strength restored, Whitebeard was intoxicated by the thrill of battle. He glanced at his crew with a burning gaze and shouted:
"Back off! This battlefield is not for you!"
Marco transformed into his phoenix form, flying upward while yelling, "Dad! You're causing chaos again! Everyone, abandon ship before the next shockwave hits!"
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