Chapter 40: Goal
“Captain Kaido, did you call me for something?”
While preparing lunch, La received the notification from Ember, put down the half-fried steak, and hurried straight to the meeting hall.
“Just you? Where are the other two brats?”
Kaido sat on the chair above, with a large wine barrel in front of him, and a detailed sea chart spread out on top.
Burufaruto had already arrived nearby and was now staring intently at that sea chart.
“I looked around and didn’t see those two, so I sent Deke to find them. They should arrive soon.” Ember, who entered with La, answered.
“Forget it then, I’ll speak first.”
Kaido stood up and came to the side of the sea chart. La also leaned forward naturally, but due to her short height, she could only move a wooden crate to stand on.
“You’ve probably heard that we’re teaming up with those guys Shiki and Linlin to seize the treasure on Hachinosu Island.
The time and place for the rendezvous have already been set, in the Totland Sea Area five days from now.”
As Kaido spoke, he pointed to an island on the sea chart. “And the location for our assembly this time is this island located in Linlin’s territory.”
Everyone looked down and saw that the island’s position was right on the outermost edge of the Totland Sea Area, neither too close nor too far from Hachinosu Island, and there were no other islands nearby.
“Indeed, assembling here means it’s not easy for John and the others to notice, and it can avoid most of the small islands around Hachinosu Island. If luck is good, we can even charge straight to Hachinosu Island itself.” Burufaruto was very satisfied with the rendezvous location.
“So how much combat power do the other two sides plan to send out? And Captain Kaido, how many people do you plan to take with you?”
After carefully examining the positions of the various islands and sea currents on the sea chart and finding no issues, La asked about the specifics of the alliance.
“I plan to take everyone from the stronghold, leaving only those logistics guys behind. As for the other two islands, not a single person will be left.”
“That’s a bit adventurous.” La raised an eyebrow, not understanding Kaido’s decision.
“Taking so many people means our only three strongholds will be almost completely undefended. If enemies sneak attack, we’ll lose all our territory.
We can’t go all-in like this; we should leave at least the most basic armed forces.”
“I also support La’s view. Boss Kaido, this is indeed too risky.” Burufaruto also felt Kaido’s idea was somewhat dangerous.
Ember said nothing on the side; he trusted Kaido’s decision.
“That’s true. If it were before, I would at least leave one-third of the combat personnel and one of you or Ember on the island. But this time is different; the Beasts Pirates have new combat power joining.”
Kaido’s line of sight turned to La, and he said seriously: “La brat, this time you’re guarding this island alone. No problem, right!”
Hearing Kaido’s words, La realized that the other didn’t plan to take her along either.
“So that’s what you meant? I understand. If it’s just this one island under our feet, I can handle it alone.”
“Boss Kaido, this…”
“Don’t worry, Burufaruto. With her strength, guarding one island is no problem.
As for the other two islands, if they’re gone, they’re gone. Those islands have neither resources nor important locations.”
At this moment, Kaido’s eyes were full of determination and greed, just like a gambler who knows he’ll win the next hand and bets everything he has.
“After this time, I’ll tear a big chunk of meat off that guy John, and then we’ll switch to a new stronghold. Uro-ro-ro-ro~”
……
In the years after the dissolution of the Rocks Pirates, Kaido was actually in a state of confusion.
While other Rocks remnants were clearly targeting people and territory, he was muddling through playing hide-and-seek with the Navy, just like when he first set out to sea.
This situation continued until he met Ember on Punk Hazard, and Kaido gradually found his direction again.
So more than a year ago, Kaido established his Beasts Pirates and became captain.
But by then, the cake of the New World had already been mostly divided up, so he could only seize some unwanted fringe territories from other not-so-strong factions.
This is why Kaido, despite his great strength, only had three pitiful small islands as territory, and the locations and resources of these islands were far inferior to those under his ‘seniors’.
And now, Kaido, who gradually grew stronger relying on these scraps, finally began aiming at those truly plump prey.
The Beasts Pirates are going to eat people.
……
La also understood the meaning in Kaido’s words.
“Captain, are you taking so many people to seize islands?”
“Exactly. Our current territory is close to the Calm Belt, with no usable sea routes around, and the location is too remote. If we stay here, the Beasts Pirates can only be a second-rate force in the New World.
So we must break out!
And taking everyone out isn’t just to seize territory; it’s also to guard against others. Our opponents this time aren’t just one John.”
At this point, a fierce glint flashed in Kaido’s eyes.
“I get it, there’s also Silver Axe and those guys Wang Zhi! This time is perfect to test their strength.” Burufaruto rubbed his fists, seeming ready for a big fight.
“Those two guys are no concern at all. I’m talking about Shiki and Linlin!” Kaido dropped a bombshell.
“Huh? Golden Lion and BIG MOM?! Aren’t we allies?”
“Heh, of course we’re allies, but do you know why that guy Shiki only mentioned the alliance formation and not when it would dissolve?”
Kaido stared intently at an oddly shaped island on the sea chart and said: “Because we three all know full well that this so-called ‘alliance’ will only last until we set foot on Hachinosu Island.
The ‘trust’ between us won’t hold until we peacefully divide the treasure.”
There is no trust between pirates; betrayal is the main theme for our group. This is ‘common sense’ for every member of the Rocks Pirates.
And the so-called ‘alliance’ is just a means to keep the prey from escaping.
When the fangs pierce flesh and blood flows into the mouth, ‘allies’ become enemies blocking exclusive enjoyment of the prey.
Even for Rocks, who had overwhelming momentum back then, his captain’s orders only held until the pirate ship reached God Valley. Once on the island, there were no more companions or captains in anyone’s eyes.
“At that time, Burufaruto, you lead half the ships to wait on the outskirts of Fenrir Island’s sea area first. I’ll go rendezvous with Shiki and the others with Ember afterward.
Once John and his side are at a disadvantage and start recalling those executives stationed outside, you seize Fenrir Island and the surrounding islands at the fastest speed.”
Kaido drew a circle on the sea chart; inside the circle was his true target this time—Fenrir Island, the ‘Island of the Snow Wolf’.
……
