Chapter 51: Fourth Alliance
“Hmm? That guy Han Mo was actually taken out? Well~ that’s fine too, after all, too many monks and not enough porridge, fewer mouths to feed always makes it easier to eat your fill.”
Without a moment’s sadness for the fallen Han Mo, Nid turned back to the Needle Thorns Forest, planning to deliver the final blow to Ember.
“Goodbye, brat!”
Nid’s hand manipulating the needle forest suddenly clenched tight, and the already dense long needles forked again, filling the last bit of empty space.
“Taken care of. Next up is… Hmm?!”
Nid, who had been about to turn and leave, froze as a sudden sense of crisis crawled up his spine.
Before he could react, fierce flames suddenly erupted from within the needle forest, and countless steel needles instantly melted into molten iron.
“You!”
“Warm-up just ended, and you’re in such a hurry to leave?”
As the firelight faded, Ember’s unscathed figure emerged from within.
“How… My needles were all coated with Armament Haki! How could you be fine!” Nid roared in disbelief.
Due to Nid’s previous exchanges with Ember mostly being cannon fire at sea or remote ability clashes, he had misjudged Ember’s physical intensity.
The toughness of Lunarian Clan skin couldn’t be pierced by mere steel needles.
“Whatever, enough with the boring tricks. Time to deal with you.”
Seeing the opponent’s state, Ember had no intention of dragging it out further.
Spreading his black wings behind him and flying into the air, Ember didn’t transform into a pterodactyl again but gripped his long sword with both hands.
“Damn it! I’m not giving up that easily! Downpour·Needles!”
In a hysterical frenzy, Nid spread his arms wide, countless long needles shooting from his body like a storm toward Ember in the sky, but this time Ember didn’t even bother dodging.
“Fire Dragon Emperor!”
Ember’s momentum in the air surged higher and higher, flames burning fiercely behind him before rapidly spinning into a massive fire ring.
He then raised his long sword high, the firelight illuminating his body so brightly it was hard to look at, like a miniature sun!
When his momentum peaked, Ember swung down his long sword fiercely, and a dazzling flame giant dragon shot out.
The fire dragon spiraled toward Nid, his needle rain melting before even touching the dragon’s body.
“How… possible! The gap… how could it be… this… big!”
Facing the unstoppable fire dragon, Nid’s throat could no longer produce smooth sounds due to the scorching air.
He widened his eyes, and through the flames, he seemed to see Ember’s cold gaze in the sky.
Boom!
Nid’s body was bitten by the giant dragon, followed by a massive explosion.
Like a meteor crashing to earth, the ground within dozens of meters turned to lava, and even houses a hundred meters away were engulfed and burned by the heat wave.
“Holy crap! What the hell? What a huge commotion!”
“Hot! Hot! So hot! My hair!”
“Is that some crew’s executive fighting?”
“Seems like someone from the Beasts Pirates, an executive under Kaido!”
“Kaido, that newbie who just rose up recently?”
“He’s no newbie. Rumor has it he was on that ship with the captain.”
“You mean, Kaido was also with Rocks…”
Ember’s move shocked the pirates from other crews who were unfamiliar with or dismissive of the Beasts Pirates.
The Beasts Pirates, thought to just be filler, actually had such combat power. This unexpected discovery forced everyone on the battlefield to rethink their original plans.
“Beasts Pirates, huh? No wonder Mother values them so much, even though they’re a crew that’s been around for less than two years. Perorin~”
The BIG MOM Pirates crew also took another look at this “ally.”
“We just do what Mother says. Now let’s hurry and search for the treasure’s location. I’ll go check on Mother.”
“Be careful, Katakuri. Perorin~”
“Yeah, you too, Brother Perospero.”
……
『No idea where Mr. Kaido went.』
After dealing with Nid, Ember looked around but didn’t see Kaido, so he planned to fly to the other side of the island to check.
He was indifferent to the so-called treasure; after all, the Beasts Pirates’ true goal wasn’t here, and whether they got an extra share didn’t matter much to Ember.
『Hope Burufaruto and the others are doing fine.』
……
On the other side of the island, BIG MOM, Kaido, Silver Axe, and Wang Zhi were in a tense standoff, with many unconscious pirates lying scattered around.
“Hey! Wang Zhi, what do you think of my proposal? Decided yet!”
“You want us to betray our alliance with John? Impossible.” Wang Zhi stroked his long mustache and said.
“Exactly, we’re not abandoning the alliance based on your words, Linlin!”
Silver Axe chimed in, his hand never leaving his long axe.
“Mama~ mama~ drop the high-and-mighty act! You’re just after the benefits John gave you, right? Alliance? That stuff’s not worth a single Belly to you!”
“You can’t say it like that. You know John is…”
“Enough talk! Let’s fight first. I’ve been itching for this!”
Kaido had no patience left for their haggling and swung his wolf fang club straight at Silver Axe’s head.
“Roar~ The intern from back then is this arrogant now?! Perfect, let me test your mettle, junior!”
Silver Axe swung his axe to meet it, powerful Haki clashing and shaking the surrounding air.
“Uro-ro-ro-ro~ That’s more like it! Pirates settle things with fists!”
“Thunder Bagua!”
The black iron rod flashed with purple lightning as Kaido smashed it toward his opponent.
Bang!
A shield coated in Armament Haki blocked the Thunder Bagua, followed by a lightning-fast, earth-shattering axe strike.
Clang!
The axe struck Kaido’s chest solidly, sending him staggering back several steps.
“Hmm? Not bad~ You’ve grown a lot these years, junior.”
Seeing Kaido’s unscathed chest, Silver Axe was slightly surprised.
But Kaido had been somewhat famous in the Rocks Pirates for his tough physique back then, so Silver Axe didn’t dwell on it.
“Uro-ro-ro-ro~ As expected, you guys satisfy me the most! Kongorō!”
Swinging his wolf fang club again, Kaido shifted into Dragon Form and unleashed a powerful air impact.
The compressed air hit Silver Axe’s shield like an arrow, forcing him back several steps.
“Oh?! Looks like you got a nice Devil Fruit~”
“Mythical Zoan, from God Valley?”
Having seen Kaido’s Dragon Form before, Silver Axe wasn’t too shocked by the Dragon Form now, just impressed by the fruit.
“Still as chatty as ever! Watch out!”
Ignoring Silver Axe’s question, Kaido swung his club forward again, his power and speed jumping a level!
Clang!
This clash was far more intense than before, the impact clearing the area around them.
Lightning spread from their colliding weapons, hurling massive boulders into nearby houses, trees, and downed pirates.
“Relying too much on Devil Fruit Ability is no good, Kaido! Don’t forget how Rocks went down.”
“Hmph! Then feel my Haki properly!”
“Roaring Thunder Bagua!”
After separating, Kaido leaped into mid-air, raising his weapon high, his vertical pupils showing deeper beastization.
Dragon scales on his arms pulsed, wild power infused with thick Haki empowering the intimidating wolf fang club.
“Hah!”
As the club fell, the sky darkened, faint lightning flickering in the clouds.
“Mountain Splitter!”
Seeing the move’s power exceed expectations, Silver Axe dropped his casual stance and met it with full force.
Lowering his shield, he swung his massive axe upward to counter Kaido’s Roaring Thunder Bagua.
“Uro-ro-ro-ro! Thrilling!”
Kaido pressed harder, fierce Haki flowing through the wolf fang club, as if nothing could survive under that iron rod.
“Kaido! You bastard?!”
Silver Axe struggled to hold on.
Kaido’s Dragon Form power and Haki far exceeded expectations; Silver Axe, approaching as a senior, found himself overwhelmed by his former junior.
The ground beneath was cracking under the strain, Silver Axe feeling his body slowly sink—soon he’d be buried.
Reluctantly, he called for help from his ally.
“Hey! Wang Zhi, stop watching! Help me out!”
Clang!
Wang Zhi drew his great sword to join, but BIG MOM’s massive frame predictably blocked him.
“Odo~ Wang Zhi, don’t forget I’m still here!”
“Linlin, you! Get out of the way. Aren’t you here to cooperate? If Silver Axe gets…”
“Mama~ mama~ Isn’t that fine? One less to split the treasure with.”
BIG MOM gripped Napoleon, showing no intent to move.
“You know why I brought Kaido? His strength qualifies him for a share. The weak naturally step aside.”
“You woman! You didn’t stop them earlier because you wanted this outcome?”
“Mama~ You’re not wrong. Win or lose, whether it’s Shiki or John, they’re our enemies.
To deal with one, we three are enough—no need to split the cake further!”
“Silver Axe’s out because he’s too weak!”
BIG MOM stated the plan openly without hiding.
Wang Zhi fell silent but didn’t sheathe his sword.
Seeing his hesitation, BIG MOM dangled more bait.
“Silver Axe’s territory is right next to yours, isn’t it? Yours are small and close to Hachinosu Island…”
“…”
Sensing Wang Zhi’s expression soften, BIG MOM smirked triumphantly but said no more.
She waited.
“Hachinosu Island goes to me.” After a silence, Wang Zhi named his price.
“Deal! But Totland Sea Area’s islands are mine.”
“Fine.”
“You!”
Silver Axe’s eyes bulged hearing their deal!
How could this be?!
Just moments ago, the four were negotiating amicably, just a symbolic spar before sitting down to talk terms…
How?
“Because you’re too weak! Idiot!”
Kaido’s words snapped Silver Axe from his self-doubt.
『I’m too weak? Impossible! How could I be too weak?』
“I can’t be weak! I’m—I’m Silver Axe!” Silver Axe roared, desperately trying to push back Kaido’s attack.
“Heh heh! Now that’s interesting.”
Feeling renewed resistance, Kaido grinned.
He had no interest in foes who’d lost the will to fight.
“Hey! Kaido, stop playing around. Let’s finish him together.”
With terms settled, BIG MOM wanted to quickly eliminate the outcast.
“No need for you, old woman! I’ll handle him myself.”
Kaido naturally refused BIG MOM’s involvement, wanting to beat Silver Axe solo.
Such a great opponent was rare, especially this life-or-death brawl that set his blood boiling.
“Mother said don’t call me old woman, brat!” BIG MOM was displeased but didn’t press forward.
“Damn it, don’t underestimate me! Heaven Splitter!”
Cornered, Silver Axe unleashed his strongest move without restraint.
It gathered all his Haki into an all-out attack, abandoning defense.
Silver Axe’s full-body armor exploded off, muscles bulging with endless power in every fiber.
“Die, Kaido!”
“Uro-ro-ro-ro! Thrilling! So thrilling! This all-out desperate fight!”
Leaping into the air again, Kaido felt every pore and scale reveling in ecstasy.
“Too bad it’s about to end.”
“Descending Third Realm·Yomi!”
Muscles bulging in his arms, Kaido raised his wolf fang club, drawing countless lightning bolts from the thick clouds to coil around it.
Kaido also unleashed his Conqueror’s Haki fully, wrapping it around the iron rod.
Natural might, mythical beast ferocity, and… king’s Haki combined, elevating the move to unprecedented power.
“That’s! The thing only Rocks and those guys could…”
Seeing Kaido wrap Conqueror’s Haki around his wolf fang club, Wang Zhi’s eyes widened.
“Mama~ mama~ What a terrifying brat. Grown this much in just a few years?”
A hint of regret flashed in BIG MOM’s eyes; she’d once planned to recruit Kaido, even giving him a precious Mythical Zoan fruit.
But right after Rocks died, Kaido vanished. When they met again, he’d built his own faction, so BIG MOM knew he wouldn’t join her.
“Damn! You brat actually…!” Silver Axe stared at the terrifying strike, despair flooding him.
『Am I really dying here? After finally waiting for Rocks to die, finally my era…』
Sky splits! Earth crumbles! A thousand birds cry!
The extreme violence wrapped in countless thunderbolts slammed into the ground—into one man!
The blinding lightning seemed to scorch viewing eyes, the entire island shaking violently, making one wonder if it would sink…
Boom!
The strike landed, but lightning lingered, the deafening roar arriving late.
Centered on them, the surroundings became a doomsday wasteland.
Finally, after seconds, lightning and dust settled, leaving only Kaido standing.
Splurt!
A crack appeared on the charred body on the ground, then a second, third… followed by blood erupting everywhere.
Silver Axe still clutched a long pole, its axe head gone, metal fragments scattered nearby.
“He’s dead.”
Wang Zhi looked at Silver Axe’s charred corpse and sighed…
“Dead.”
Kaido slung his wolf fang club over his shoulder and said.
Thus, the fourth Pirate Alliance was formed.
