Chapter 70: Whitebeard: The Ship Could Use a Few More Dragons

Meanwhile,

As soon as Ron returned to the laboratory in Upper Yard, he spotted Whitebeard waiting outside.

A trace of confusion immediately arose in his heart.

What was the captain doing here at a time like this?

"Captain?"

Ron walked over.

"What’s going on?"

Whitebeard grinned broadly when he saw him.

He stepped forward and spoke in a mysterious tone.

"Ron, lad."

"Do you want Kaido’s blood?"

Ron’s pupils contracted.

At that moment, he vaguely understood what Whitebeard was thinking.

Taking a breath, he cautiously asked,

"Kaido?"

"Captain... you’re planning to go after him?"

"Gurarararara!"

Whitebeard burst into laughter.

"As expected, you understand me best, Ron."

"Even though I don’t think much of that brat Kaido, I have to admit that his Devil Fruit ability is incredibly useful."

Ron nodded.

That much was undeniable.

The power of Kaido’s Fish-Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon was absurdly versatile.

It granted control over wind, fire, lightning, and clouds.

It allowed flight.

Most importantly, its durability and recovery abilities were downright monstrous.

Any pirate would covet such a power.

Whitebeard continued:

"We’re based in the sky now."

"Going up and down is a hassle."

"If we had a few dragons as transportation, that problem would solve itself."

Ron nodded thoughtfully.

"Captain, that’s actually a solid idea."

"However, we should make the most of this opportunity."

He smiled slightly.

"After all, Kaido has been one of the Four Emperors for decades."

"I’m sure he’s accumulated a mountain of wealth."

"Oh?"

Whitebeard’s interest was immediately piqued.

Although he personally cared little about money, he knew the crew currently needed resources.

"What do you have in mind, Ron?"

Ron thought for a moment.

In truth, he had been considering a plan against Kaido for quite some time.

He simply hadn’t expected to put it into action so soon.

But as the Whitebeard Pirates continued growing stronger, many of the previous obstacles were no longer major concerns.

"Here’s the plan."

Ron spoke calmly.

"Captain, your job is to keep Kaido occupied on Onigashima."

"As for the All-Stars, hold back as many as you can."

"Even if you can’t keep all of them busy, that’s fine."

He continued:

"We’ll send Enel, Izou, Dyson, and the others who possess Glint-Glint Fruit (Pika Pika no Mi) powers."

"Their speed is extraordinary."

"They can sweep through Wano and loot massive amounts of gold and treasure in a very short time."

"And it’ll be extremely difficult for anyone to catch them."

The more Whitebeard listened, the brighter his eyes became.

Eventually, he couldn’t hold back his laughter.

"Gurarararara!"

"Excellent idea, Ron!"

"Let’s do exactly that!"

Nothing made Whitebeard happier than imagining Kaido suffering a loss.

Just picturing Kaido’s expression when he discovered that decades of accumulated treasure had vanished was enough to put Whitebeard in an excellent mood.

At the same time, Ron took out a Den Den Mushi and contacted several people.

Before long, streaks of lightning and dazzling golden beams flashed across the sky.

One after another, division commanders and allied pirate captains arrived.

Every face was filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Vice Captain!"

One commander immediately asked:

"We’re really going after Kaido this time?"

"Finally!"

Another laughed.

"I was getting bored to death up here!"

The atmosphere instantly became charged with excitement.

Everyone knew this would be a rare opportunity.

A battle against one of the Four Emperors.

"I didn’t expect to return to Wano so soon..."

Izou murmured softly.

"I wonder how everyone is doing."

His mood was noticeably heavier than the others’.

The last time he had left Wano, he had departed alongside Kozuki Oden.

Those memories still felt vivid.

Now he was returning alone.

"Oden..."

His fists clenched tightly.

Crack.

Crack.

The sound of his knuckles echoed sharply through the room.

"I’ll avenge you."

His eyes burned with determination.

The grief of losing a friend and the resolve for the coming battle merged into one.

Ron walked over and patted him on the shoulder.

"Alright."

"This mission is important."

He understood Izou’s complicated emotions.

But as Vice Captain, he needed everyone focused on the objective.

Izou looked at Ron.

His expression was complicated.

He opened his mouth as though he wanted to say something, but no words came out.

The sea breeze drifted through the open windows.

It carried away some of the heaviness and brought with it a sense of hope.

Izou took a deep breath and steadied himself.

"Understood, Vice Captain."

"I’ll follow orders."

Ron nodded.

"I know exactly what you’re thinking."

Then he turned toward the assembled group.

His sharp gaze swept across the room.

"Listen carefully."

"Your mission is simple."

"While Pops keeps Kaido occupied, you will seize every piece of treasure the Beasts Pirates possess."

The room instantly became even more energized.

Everyone understood how dangerous the mission was.

But they also understood how exciting it was.

They were about to rob one of the Four Emperors.

Kaido himself.

Ron then looked directly at Izou.

His tone softened slightly.

"Izou."

"Your target is Kurozumi Orochi."

"He’s just a puppet shogun, but he’s accumulated plenty of wealth over the years."

Ron paused.

Then he added:

"When you get there, what you do afterward is your choice."

"But remember."

"Looting treasure remains our top priority."

"And don’t get yourself captured."

Izou’s eyes widened.

He stared at Ron in disbelief.

This was special treatment.

Ron was giving him the chance to complete the mission while also collecting a bit of interest on Oden’s behalf.

Warmth rose in Izou’s chest.

"Thank you, Vice Captain Ron."

He bowed deeply.

His voice was filled with gratitude.

He understood how valuable this opportunity was.

Ron waved his hand casually.

"Alright."

"Try to empty Kaido’s treasury."

"Don’t leave him a single Berries ."

"Hahaha!"

"Understood!"

One commander laughed loudly.

"Don’t worry, Vice Captain!"

"Even if I don’t find treasure, I’ll still turn Wano upside down!"

"That’s right!"

Another grinned.

"My laser cannons aren’t exactly known for their accuracy."

"Hahaha!"

The room erupted with laughter.

Everyone was practically vibrating with excitement.

This would be the first true battle for many of them since gaining their new Devil Fruit powers.

They had to make it spectacular.

They had to win.

Whitebeard rose to his feet.

Murakumogiri rested upon his shoulder.

His laughter thundered through the room.

"Gurarararara!"

"Brats!"

"Let’s move out!"

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