Settsetse! The Pirate Nemesis

"I think you're just asking for a beating!"

Kaido was fully aware of Sett's thoughts—he could clearly sense that although Sett was trying his best to suppress his restlessness, in reality, no matter how much he suppressed it, his inner desire for violence had never been extinguished in the slightest.

However, just as Sett said, this was indeed Quinn's fault. Kaido glanced at Quinn beside him and gave a disgruntled snort. Startled from his fear, Quinn swallowed hard, feeling his clothes damp with sweat. Realizing his actions had displeased his boss, Quinn didn't say anything, simply nodding silently to Kaido to indicate he understood.

Since they were outside, and on Sett's territory, Kaido didn't do anything like reprimanding someone on the spot—something that would boost the enemy's morale and diminish his own. He simply said, "Fine, I'd like to see what you're really thinking, Yamato!"

As he said this, Kaido also turned his beast-like, sharp eyes toward Yamato, who was hiding behind Koushirou.

Kaido felt somewhat helpless towards Yamato… He was never good at expressing his fatherly love. And although Kaido was a pirate, if you really want to compare him to Big Mom Charlotte Linlin, he was far inferior in his attitude towards family.

Charlotte Linlin suffers from mental health issues; she experiences an overwhelming surge of maternal instinct upon seeing young pirates, sometimes even becoming distracted during battle. Kaido estimates it's because she's had too many children—don't blame Kaido for thinking that way. Lacking much formal education, Kaido can only express himself in this crude manner.

Terms like postpartum hormones and progesterone levels are not in Kaido's vocabulary.

Kaido is a typical example of an old father—unable to communicate with his children, only thinking that they will understand his good intentions when they grow up. Add to that his preference for sons, raising Yamato as a boy from a young age, even having his subordinates call him "Young Master"...

At only eighteen years old, he was already a young master with a D-cup...

That is to say, we know that Kaido has a rough and direct personality; otherwise, we would think that Kaido is playing some kind of inexplicable game.

Especially when Kaido was busy conquering Wano Country, he neglected... or rather, had neglected Yamato's education for a long time because he was wary of Kozuki Oden. This led to Yamato inexplicably worshipping Kozuki Oden, which made Kaido increasingly helpless and confused about Yamato.

In Kaido's view, this world is a place where the victor takes all. Those who once dominated the seas, whether Roger or Rocks, ultimately turned to dust. The former fared somewhat better, as he used immense temptation as a catalyst to usher in a new era, becoming a symbol etched in memory. But Rocks, aside from the older generation of pirates, is completely forgotten…

Was Kozuki Oden powerful? The answer is undoubtedly yes. After all, even now, the scar on Kaido's chest hasn't completely faded... but so what? He's still dead.

A strong person who has been killed is no longer a strong person... Kaido cannot understand why Yamato, his son, would worship such a weak person.

A weakling who was killed—even though he had once feared his terrifying swordsmanship.

Kaido initially thought this incident was an accident caused by Kun's misjudgment and his own thoughts. However, as events unfolded, Kaido was surprised to discover that this might be an opportunity to fully understand the true thoughts of his D-cup son.

292. Whitebeard's Wrath

Yamato initially thought that his escape plan would be ruined once again because his father had arrived. However, after seeing Sett, Yamato keenly noticed that things had taken a turn for the better.

Because Tina, Koushirou, and the others all breathed a sigh of relief after seeing Sett's figure, looking as if all their pressure had been relieved.

The pressure has completely dissipated, after all, Sett's strength is undeniable. On this vast ocean, so-called power is essentially just a silhouette of fists. The bigger the fist, the bigger the power.

After that, when Sett asked him to talk about his thoughts and purpose, Yamato pursed his lips, knowing that this was his chance to open up.

Looking at Kaido beside her, her father—though he was her father—Yamato's face showed little affection. Instead, it was filled with rejection and alienation. The feeling wasn't that of a stranger; it was practically that of an enemy…

Seeing the loving father and filial son in each other's eyes, Settrou couldn't help but stroke his chin and sigh at how negligent Kaido's parenting methods were.

As Yamato recounted her story, Sett also began to develop his own insights into Yamato's thoughts...

It is clear that Yamato's current animosity towards Kaido is inextricably linked to Kaido's own dereliction of duty.

Initially, due to ingrained patriarchal beliefs, Kaido harbored resentment towards Yamato's status. Later, he simply raised her as his son. Lacking familial affection, coupled with Kaido's constant campaigning, Yamato ended up living mostly alone.

Upon arriving in Wano Country, the first scene they witnessed was Kozuki Oden enduring humiliation for the sake of his people... Whether Kozuki Oden's actions were good or bad is another matter, and upon reflection, one might feel that there were some problems. However, the atmosphere at the time had already reached that point, and children don't have much ability to think independently, plus the negative example of Kaido.

For a time, Kozuki Oden became the white moonlight of Yamato's longing for a better life. Later, by chance, Yamato found Kozuki Oden's nautical log.

It doesn't really matter what Kozuki Oden's personality was like. But his journey—first setting sail with Whitebeard, then boarding the Pirate King's ship to reach the location of the One Piece, Paul Drouf—is enough to make a whole prequel story for One Piece.

Being so inexperienced in the ways of the world, it would be strange if Yamato didn't feel anything at all.

Moreover, how did Kaido educate his children?

I heard that Yamato wanted to serve Kaido of Wano Country and become a samurai. Instead of explaining what kind of people the samurai were, they threw Yamato into a cell and put her with those samurai. And they didn't even give her food? ...Isn't this just handing her over to be brainwashed?

From another perspective, having a bunch of spineless cowards pretend to be samurai and ruin Yamato's image of samurai would be a million times wiser than this behavior... In the end, this led to Yamato and Kaido completely parting ways.

"Your teaching methods... are really..."

Touching his chin, Sett couldn't help but purse his lips. He was thinking about how to make his next words sound less harsh... at the very least, to be a little more tactful.

Unfortunately, Ser overestimated his own cultural level. After much deliberation, all he could manage to change was "idiot" to "brain-dead"...

Kaido simply drank without saying a word, but a hint of impatience was already showing in his eyes—although Yamato had made it very clear, even now, Kaido still didn't think he had done anything wrong.

This pirate-like behavior—ruthless, domineering, and judging others by one's own standards—might not be a problem in other situations, but applying it to children's education can only breed greater disaster...at least, as things stand now, it's definitely not a good thing.

"Hmph, only the weak would look for those excuses. It's all about the victor and the vanquished; what's the point of arguing about that!"

Hearing Kaido's dismissive attitude, Yamato's eyes once again filled with anger and resentment. But at that very moment, in the distance, listening to Yamato's account through a communicator...

Whitebeard's expression grew increasingly grim.

Twenty years ago… yes, not that long ago. Twenty years ago, Whitebeard went to Wano Country. However, he didn't have a specific purpose; he entered Wano Country by accident. For various reasons, Kozuki Oden boarded Whitebeard's warship and became the second division commander. Although he was a division commander, Kozuki Oden was the son of the Wano Country shogun. Therefore, his relationship with Whitebeard was more like that of brothers.

After a long adventure, Kozuki Oden, having sensed something, insisted on going to Radluff with Roger—though rough, Kozuki Oden was one of the few who could read ancient script.

After Roger died there, the Roger Pirates split up, and the remaining members either went into seclusion or became pirates, with most disappearing without a trace.

During this process, Whitebeard also assumed that Kozuki Oden had left Roger's pirate crew and gone into seclusion... Because Wano Country was closed off from the world, not a single word of this was revealed.

Even now, Whitebeard still thought that Kozuki Oden had simply returned to Wano Country to live in seclusion after Roger's death, leaving the administration to others... At that time, Whitebeard was somewhat disappointed, believing that Kozuki Oden had forgotten his promise to open Wano Country to the world.

Now it seems that it wasn't that Kozuki Oden forgot his prophecy about opening Wano Country, nor that he decided to go into seclusion and hand over political affairs to others, nor that he was arrested by the World Government...

Instead, he died! He died during the power struggle in Wano Country and in the battle with Kaido!

While Whitebeard was enjoying the gossip, focusing on Kaido and Sett, he never expected that this gossip would eventually involve him! It even brought to light a question that had puzzled him for decades!

I thought my parting with Kozuki Oden would be a reunion like any other man on the high seas, but I never imagined he was already dead! And I was kept completely in the dark, knowing absolutely nothing!

Thinking this, those around could clearly feel Whitebeard's aura constantly gathering and rising. The terrifying pressure shattered the surrounding glass. Even thousands of meters away, Sett and Kaido could still clearly sense and receive Whitebeard's terrifying pressure from afar.

Looking towards the tall buildings, Whitebeard had already stood up, his towering body bulging with muscles. Unlike in the future, Whitebeard no longer had those densely packed needles on his body. Although his physical strength had stopped increasing, his imposing presence remained undiminished.

At the age of sixty-four—which might have been an old man's age in Sett's previous life, but in this world, it was merely a stage for a strong person.

Although his strength has ceased to grow, it hasn't declined in the slightest either. His spirit remains vigorous; Whitebeard is currently at the very peak of his life!

Indeed, Whitebeard is less than five years away from his decline, but from another perspective... during these five years, Whitebeard will be in a state of peak energy and physical strength, like a final burst of energy before death!

In a long-awaited fit of rage, veins bulged one after another on Whitebeard's neck. The pressure, like a hurricane passing through, instantly created another crack in the clouds that had already been torn open by Sett and Kaido.

Not far away, Charlotte Linlin, sensing the terrifying pressure emanating from Whitebeard, couldn't help but burst into laughter.

Although all three Emperors of the Sea were once members of the Rocks Pirates, their crews differed from those of Roger and Shanks, which were purely composed of dreamers and more of an adventurer's party than a pirate crew. The Rocks Pirates were filled with powerful individuals who were constantly at odds with each other. Among them, Kaido and Charlotte Linlin had the best relationship.

In fact, Kaido's Mythical Zoan type Azure Dragon Fruit was given to him by Charlotte Linlin when the Rocks Pirates disbanded... Before that, Kaido was a pure martial arts practitioner.

Now, seeing that her most hated Whitebeard was so angry, and because of her good brother Kaido, Charlotte Linlin not only wasn't nervous, but even burst into laughter.

"Hahaha, hahahaha~~ Whitebeard! Looks like your good brother hasn't gone into seclusion like the other Roger members, hahahahahaha!!!!"

"Shut up!!!"

His eyes were bloodshot, and Whitebeard's gaze held an undisguised rage. The moment they sensed this anger, Marco and the others abandoned their casual, spectator attitude and became serious—although it happened twenty years ago, Marco and the others had never forgotten Kozuki Oden, who had traveled with them!

He was said to be the son of the shogun of Wano Country, but in reality, he had no arrogance whatsoever. He mingled with them all, and now, this good brother of theirs has died so mysteriously? And they've been kept in the dark for so long?

Without hesitation, from a distance of over a thousand meters, the white-bearded man, standing six meters tall, suddenly leaped into the air, the platform beneath his feet instantly shattering. He himself, wielding the Murakumo-giri, one of the twelve supreme weapons, ascended into the sky.

His muscles bulged, he gripped a knife in both hands, and stared at Kaido's figure with bloodshot eyes: "Kaido, die!!!"

"snort!!!!"

Hearing Whitebeard's roar, Kaido's eyes flashed with pressure. Then, his muscular arms were covered in dragon scales!

293·Clash of Kings

Known as the strongest man in the world, could Whitebeard's power really be weak?

No.

Even though Whitebeard's title as the world's strongest man has been taken by Sett, no one dares to underestimate him in the slightest... Sure enough, just after Sett took away the title of the world's strongest man, Whitebeard has already earned the nickname of the world's strongest Devil Fruit user.

Why was Sett able to steal Whitebeard's title of the world's strongest? Because of his rampage, because of his overpowered abilities. But the price he paid was that he nearly died. This terrifying cost caused him to lose all his reason. Even if Sett were allowed to rampage again, he wouldn't unleash his power…

Now, at sixty-two, he is at the peak of both his spirit and strength. Let alone Kaido, even if Roger were reborn, he would have to give way to Whitebeard in his current state!

Standing atop the vast ocean, wielding the Murakumogiri sword, veins bulged one after another on his white-bearded arm. He swept across the sky, cracking the air in his wake, as if collapsing a section of space in an instant!

Like transparent glass shattering, a crack spread across the sky. Terrifying vibrations rippled along the blade, the force of the impact creating a vacuum wherever it passed. The violent backflow abruptly altered the direction of the surrounding sky, the flowing clouds swirling back into a surging torrent, which was then churned into a thick fog by the shattered vacuum.

Under this terrifying pressure, not only Kaido, but even Sett's eyes revealed a hint of excitement—the blade swirled with flowing clouds, and the moment it struck, it seemed to tear the entire sky down. This terrifying pressure hit Kaido hard; without hesitation, he stood up, and thick dragon scales wrapped around his arms. His once plain hands began to grow large knuckles, and his claws became as sharp and razor-sharp as polished ivory.

He clenched his fist suddenly, and the hard scales stood up one after another. Even under the thick scales, people could clearly see the muscles bulging and the blood and qi constantly vibrating hidden under the scales.

His gaze locked on it, and then a flash of Conqueror's Haki appeared, transforming into a jet-black light that coiled around the azure dragon claw iron fist.

"Dragon Bullet!!!"

The moment it was swung, a surge of high-temperature heat flowed from the bulging phosphorescent armor, causing the air to steam. The heavy punch that erupted under high pressure was like a blazing meteor striking the sky. Even the aftershocks of the explosion shattered the surrounding stone pillars into dust.

Then, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the azure dragon claw iron fist finally made contact with the pitch-black Murakumogiri.

The moment the attack struck, Kaido's eyes widened in shock—the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit wasn't about causing tsunamis or earthquakes, but rather, as its name suggests, a series of violent tremors. This seemingly casual ability, under Whitebeard's development, possessed a terrifying destructive power akin to a natural disaster.

The vibration doesn't care how hard your fist is. The moment it made contact, Kaido felt a tingling sensation in his arm. Under the violent impact, some of the blood vessels in his arm were directly shattered by the vibration, and blood burst out from the gaps in his scale armor!

Gritting his teeth, Kaido felt unprecedented pressure from both the pervasive vibrations and Whitebeard's own power—Whitebeard was like a nightmare to Kaido.

It may sound embarrassing, but that's the truth. Back when he was in the Rocks Pirates, due to his young age and lack of power because he hadn't consumed a Devil Fruit, Kaido was just an apprentice crew member... It wasn't until he obtained the Blue Dragon Fruit that Kaido truly began to rise to prominence.

Before that, as someone second only to Rocks, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that Whitebeard was the first mate of the Rocks Pirates—it's just that the Rocks Pirates were too brutal, killing, plundering, and killing after every battle, which didn't align with Whitebeard's values, leading to the eventual parting of ways between Whitebeard and his crew.

Regardless, Whitebeard's existence remained a nightmare for Kaido... He thought that after acquiring the Mythical Zoan-type Azure Dragon Fruit, which is even rarer than Logia-type fruits, he could finally contend with Whitebeard. However, in the instant of their struggle, feeling the pressure, Kaido quickly realized that even at sixty-two years old, Whitebeard was still not someone he could easily challenge!

A crimson glow flashed in his eyes, and then Whitebeard's arm grew even larger, his upper body pressed down, and terrifying power flowed continuously from the blade.

Already struggling to hold on, Kaido could only grunt after feeling this new wave of pressure. He was then blasted into another street, smashing through countless houses and leaving a trench tens of meters deep in the ground before finally coming to a stop!

Holding a long sword, at the peak of his physical and mental strength, Whitebeard showed no extra burden on his face after unleashing such a terrifying, furious strike.

Of course, Whitebeard knew that Kaido was no weakling... For ordinary pirates, this strike would be enough to take their lives. But Kaido, also known as the Emperor of the Sea and renowned for his incredible resilience...

"Cough, cough,"

He stood up from the mound of earth and then leaped out of the ditch onto the ground. Kaido's current condition is definitely not good.

Blood gushed from the arm that had taken a direct, furious blow from Whitebeard, and faint traces of bone fractures could still be seen. The phosphorescent armor that had withstood the cannon fire was now in pieces, some shattered by the blast, others worn away by the sand and gravel as it was thrown through the air.

But Kaido, known for his vitality, stood up from the ravine, stretched his shoulders, and then clenched his fist. In the next moment, the wounds on his flesh began to heal at a visible speed.

Even so, Kaido's gaze remained unwavering—a true expert's skill is immediately apparent upon making a move.