THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Whitebeard's expression was one of indescribable, suppressed rage, his fist, enveloped in a terrifying shockwave, slammed down on Akainu's head without hesitation.

The world's strongest man was completely consumed by fury.

In an instant, the sky split apart, and Marinford, which had already been reduced to ruins, was fully leveled.

Alastor, who had just passed by Straw Hat Luffy, sheathed his cursed sword, glancing at the scene before whispering:

"The final climax of the war is coming. You still haven't awakened Nika. I'm really disappointed."

Straw Hat Luffy had lost consciousness, showing no signs of waking up, and there was no rhythmic drumbeat signaling Nika's awakening.

This wasn't surprising, however. Luffy was far too weak at this point, and even if Nika were to awaken, he might not possess the strength to fully wield Nika's power.

"Do you know that fruit too, kid?"

A voice suddenly rang in Alastor's ear. His pupils shrank for a moment, but he quickly regained composure, glancing faintly at the old man who had appeared before him—Garp, with his razor-sharp gaze and trembling fists, his red eyes reflecting intense fury and killing intent.

"It seems that everything you do isn't entirely reckless, but has some kind of purpose," Garp growled. "You're going to mess up the world, and the old man can't let you get away with it!"

Garp unleashed his full strength, slamming down with his iron fist.

His words may have sounded high and mighty, but beneath them, it was clear that his anger stemmed from the fact that Alastor had nearly killed Straw Hat Luffy, and Ace had died at Akainu's hands. Garp had nowhere else to vent his rage, and now, Alastor became the target.

Hearing that Alastor knew of the Nika Fruit may also have been a cause of concern—perhaps Garp saw him as a future threat to Luffy.

With the death of Ace and Luffy's comatose state, the war atop Marineford had spiraled into chaos. No one could control it anymore.

The fighting raged on.

Every moment, hundreds fell—whether navy or pirate, the combined forces numbered over 160,000. The death toll was unprecedented in the history of the seas.

Meanwhile, a figure with overwhelming arrogance appeared from the ruins of Marinford—Blackbeard.

"Ze ha ha ha! I can smell it—there's blood everywhere! How far has the war progressed? Is Whitebeard dead? Please don't let him be. I'm the man who'll take Whitebeard's head!"

"Only then can I prove to the world that the era of my Blackbeard is upon us! Thief ha ha ha!"

The battle of Marineford was entering a new, more dangerous phase.

Time shifted back half a day earlier, at the port of Wano Country.

Kaido had summoned his elite forces—comprising the Three Disasters, the Flying Six, and other key members of the Beasts Pirates, including Yamato.

Father and daughter stood side by side, their maces resting on their shoulders as if they embodied a deep rivalry.

None of the Beasts Pirates dared to speak about it openly, for Yamato had grown far beyond the Oni Princess they once knew. Now, she was one of the strongest members of the Beasts, capable of standing toe-to-toe with her father, Kaido.

"Hey, Yamato, this time, let me show you the outside world and how powerful I am, your father!"

"You're not my father," Yamato replied coldly. "You're just a washed-up old man who'll be beaten down by me sooner or later."

"You're as stubborn as ever, Yamato. I hope you'll say that again later. Hegemony isn't a game where father and son argue!"

Kaido laughed as he raised his arm. "Set sail! We march to Whitebeard's territory!"

Whitebeard's territory was the largest among the Four Emperors. Without Whitebeard himself present to defend, Kaido's path to seizing it was laid bare.

With the majority of Whitebeard's forces now at Marineford, and Kaido personally leading the charge, he expected no resistance. The Beasts Pirates would become the strongest, claiming the throne of the Pirate King.

But as the vanguard approached the outer waters of Whitebeard's territory, an unexpected enemy appeared.

The scout responsible for reporting the news was drenched in sweat as he arrived at Kaido's ship.

"Why the panic?" Jack asked.

"Master Jack, it's bad— we found the trail of the Red-Haired Pirates!"

"So what?" Jack's glare was cold and dismissive.

The scout was baffled. "But… the Red-Haired Pirates are extremely powerful, and Red-Haired Shanks himself is with them! We should report to Boss Kaido!"

Jack interrupted, "Do you think I'll bother Mr. Kaido with such a minor issue? I'll handle this!"

With that, Jack climbed onto his Mammoth and charged towards the Red-Haired Pirates.

The scout fled, horrified, to Kaido.

When Kaido heard Jack was going to confront the Red-Haired Pirates alone, he laughed, "As expected of the Disaster chosen by me!"

Queen sneered, "He's just a stupid murloc with his brain flooded."

King smirked. "Better than you, coward."

Yamato, however, had a different feeling stirring inside her.

"Red-Haired Shanks…" she murmured quietly. "I feel like I've heard that name before."

Yes, it's in Oden's diary—he seems to have been an intern on Roger's ship.

Yamato had almost forgotten the contents of Oden's diary since he hadn't read it in a long time.

"That Shanks," Yamato asked, "Is he very powerful now?"

"Hehehe, it seems that Master Yamato doesn't know much about the outside world. Let me explain," Black Maria said, covering her mouth and smiling.

"The red-haired Shanks is one of the Four Emperors, tied with Kaido as the emperor of the sea. It's said that his Haki is so overwhelming that most people can't even stand in front of him."

"I see," Yamato squinted at Kaido. "Stinky old man, it seems there are many people in this sea who can challenge you. You're not the strongest in the world, despite your boasts."

"Hmph, I'm really underestimated!"

Inspired by Yamato, Kaido transformed into his green dragon form and flew toward the island where the Red-Haired Pirates were located. The sound of his dragon roar echoed across the battlefield.

"See it clearly, Yamato. I didn't buy my title of strongest with money. Stop your delusions of defeating me, it won't happen anytime soon!"

Watching Kaido soar into the air in his massive green dragon form, Yamato smiled confidently and ordered,

"Speed up the ship and follow him."

King, Queen, and the others exchanged glances, nodding obediently. "Yes, Master Yamato."

Just like a proud leader of the Beasts Pirates.

Dragons can fly not with wings, but by generating flame clouds in the air, creating a path for them to soar through.

Kaido descended upon the Red-Haired Pirates' island with overwhelming power, arriving faster than Jack, who had set off earlier. His massive eyes, larger than any building, scanned the island below.

Not many Red-Haired Pirates had come—only eight core cadres, plus Shanks himself. In terms of military strength, they were vastly inferior to the Beasts Pirates.

However, despite Kaido's terrifying Long Wei, no one in the Red-Haired Pirates panicked. They maintained calm, going about their business—smoking, eating chicken legs.

Shanks, holding his famous sword Griffin, which resembled a griffin and radiated undeniable strength, glared at Kaido from below.

"Kaido of the Beasts, give me some face and please go back!" Shanks' voice was filled with arrogance, like a king speaking to a challenger.

In the original story, Kaido had often shown restraint when faced with Shanks due to their past encounters. However, with Yamato watching from behind, Kaido no longer felt the need to hold back.

"Ha ha ha ha!" Kaido roared, his green dragon form radiating monstrous energy.

His words made everyone in the Red-Haired Pirates' group exchange glances, their expressions shifting in shock and confusion.

"Red-haired brat, how old do you think you are? Do you really take yourself so seriously?"

"Becoming a Four Emperor at such a young age has made you arrogant?"

"Let's have a life-and-death fight then! I'm bored!"

"Hot interest!"

Red-Haired Shanks had long known about Whitebeard and the Navy's impending clash at Marineford. However, instead of rushing to Marinford, he had come to Whitebeard's territory to stop Kaido and his Beasts Pirates from expanding further.

Why was this necessary? Despite their past animosity with Whitebeard, Shanks had little reason to intervene in Kaido's takeover. However, considering Kaido already held the title of the strongest single-handedly, Shanks likely didn't want the Beasts Pirates to grow any more powerful.

Shanks likely sought to maintain a balance in the New World and prevent chaos that might arise from a Beasts-dominated world.

Before arriving, Shanks discussed his plan with Beckman, and both concluded that if Kaido didn't wish to lose his subordinates in a futile battle, he might show restraint.

But now, Kaido refused to give Shanks the courtesy he once had.

"Kaido, do you really want to duel with me? Think carefully!"

"Hey, red-haired brat, I've told you before—this world isn't just about what you want!"

The heat from Kaido's wild breath surged, creating an inferno-like atmosphere, making the Red-Haired Pirates grimace in discomfort.

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