NOVEL NEXT Chapter 217: Chapter 217
Sengoku scowled as he leaned over the map of the New World, frustration simmering beneath his calm exterior. He thought bitterly about the Five Elders' short-sighted approach. If only we could just get rid of Kaido once and for all, he thought. Taking down even one of the Four Emperors would shake the New World to its core, throwing it into enough chaos for the Marines to finally make a move.
He couldn't shake the resentment in his mind, imagining the missed opportunity. Letting the pirates weaken themselves from within would finally give the Marines a chance to intervene decisively and secure the New World.
With an exasperated sigh, he muttered silently, cursing the Five Elders for their interference. How can we run a good Marine if we're stuck following the orders of these old men?
Putting aside his irritation, Sengoku straightened, his voice breaking through the murmured conversations of the officers. "Everyone, quiet down! Now's not the time to debate right and wrong. We're already here, so let's execute our mission as planned."
His gaze shifted to the assembled officers, and his voice turned steely. "Prepare every officer and soldier capable of Moonwalk. Once we enter Wano, Sakazuki and I will take the lead against King the Wildfire and Queen the Plague. Gion and Tokikake, you'll direct the teams targeting Kaido's arsenal—destroy his weapons, factories, and every facility under his name."
The officers nodded, faces serious, understanding the strategy laid out before them.
"Let's give Kaido's Beast Pirates no room to breathe," Sengoku continued, his voice rising with authority. "Since we can't capture him, we'll dismantle everything he's built. Take down every member of the Beast Pirates you come across. Do not allow any of Kaido's lieutenants to escape. Understood?"
A resounding chorus of "Yes, sir!" filled the room, the officers' resolve as solid as steel.
While the Marines set their sights on Wano, Kaido was oblivious to the fate awaiting his stronghold. Back at the G-2 Marine Branch, the battle raged on, Kaido still locked in a fierce six-way struggle. With Aokiji and Kizaru joining forces, the Marines had finally gained some momentum. Luffy, no longer the prime target of Kaido's fury, had a moment to catch his breath.
This maniac, Luffy thought, shaking his head. Kaido's fixation on him was relentless, to the point where Kaido would even take a couple of hits from Garp if it meant getting a swing in at Luffy. But with Aokiji online as a reliable backup, Luffy was finally able to maneuver without the constant threat of being hammered down.
"Ice Time Capsule!" Kuzan shouted, releasing a powerful blast of cold air. The icy energy surged toward Kaido, enveloping his legs in thick ice and rooting him in place. Kaido struggled, roaring in fury, but even his immense strength couldn't break free immediately.
Seeing Kaido's legs bound in ice, Hancock and Kizaru launched their attacks in quick succession.
"Mero Mero Mellow!" Hancock cried, her pink arrows of petrification raining down toward Kaido.
"Yasakani no Magatama!" Kizaru added, a flurry of bright yellow light beams hurtling through the sky as he unleashed his laser attack.
Kaido watched both attacks approach, and though his body was momentarily frozen, he quickly evaluated which attack posed a greater risk. It didn't take him long to decide. Swinging his massive mace, Kaido swept away Hancock's attack, blocking the arrows with a powerful gust of wind. Meanwhile, he ignored Kizaru's laser attack entirely, allowing the light beams to hit him harmlessly. The lasers left only a few smoldering marks, barely scratching his thick dragon scales.
Luffy, who had finally gotten some distance, watched the bizarre scene with a mix of amusement and frustration. Limping slightly, his clothes torn and his face bloodied, he approached Kizaru with a mischievous grin.
"Hey, Uncle Borsalino," he teased, "do you see this? Kaido would rather block Hancock's attacks than pay attention to you. Some admiral you are—pretty shameless, if you ask me."
Kizaru, seeming not to notice the jab, looked skyward, speaking as though to himself. "Such strength… She truly is the Pirate Queen. Even Kaido fears her abilities," he mused, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Imagine what a force she'd be if she were on our side. I hear the Fleet Admiral is considering increasing support for Kuja Island. Maybe when we get back, I'll put in a good word for the Queen."
Turning his gaze toward Luffy, Kizaru gave a feigned look of surprise. "Hmm? Luffy-san, did you say something just now?"
Luffy let out an exasperated laugh, waving his hand dismissively. "Oh, nothing at all, old man. You take a rest; don't wear yourself out. I'll handle Kaido for a bit."
With that, Luffy shot off toward Kaido, while Kizaru simply chuckled to himself, resuming his leisurely stance.
On the battlefield, Garp's unrelenting fists kept Kaido on edge, each strike landing with devastating impact. Luffy watched his grandfather with admiration, his eyes alight with determination. Someday, I'll be the one to put Kaido on his back, he vowed. I'll be the one to make him regret messing with me.
With that resolve burning inside him, Luffy raised his hand toward the sky, summoning a massive bolt of lightning. Kaido might have some immunity to electricity, but he wasn't invulnerable. As the lightning gathered overhead, Luffy grinned.
"You can handle a few volts, right?" he muttered. "Well, if 100 million volts doesn't work, then I'll crank it up to 200 million. And if 200 million doesn't work, how about a billion?"
With the lightning crackling and flashing, he turned to his grandfather. "Grandpa! Step aside! Let me give him something to remember!"
In a flash, Luffy teleported behind Kaido, wrapping his arms around him in a tight hold.
"Nani?!"
Kaido's face twisted in surprise, his eyes lighting up with amusement. He tried to grab Luffy, eager for another round of beatdown, but Luffy was quicker. Gritting his teeth, he remembered every hit Kaido had landed on him, the sting of each blow fueling his anger.
With a fierce shout, Luffy called down the full force of his lightning in an explosive blast.
"1 BILLION Volts Heaven's Wrath!"
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