Chapter 299 - 299 Heading to Egghead Island

Whitebeard still teased Hera: "Him I can understand, but are you really that trusting of him? You believe him just because he said he'd join? And you're letting him go find that Linlin woman—aren't you afraid the two of them might team up again?"

Hera shook her head: "Don't worry. While I don't have much confidence in my eloquence or my charm..."

"Then why are you..."

"...however, I have plenty of confidence in my strength."

As she said this, Hera smiled. For her, her ample martial virtue was her strongest backing.

She could fully afford to take some small risks, but for those who betrayed her, she would make them understand why her codename was Nightmare.

"Alright, what do you plan to do? Will you return to your original crew, or go somewhere else?"

Hera put away the City of Devouring Time and asked Whitebeard.

Whitebeard thought for a moment: "Ace doesn't seem to need my help. However, I haven't seen Linlin in a long time since the battle at God Valley. I might as well go with Kaido and try to persuade her."

Hearing Whitebeard's decision, Hera teased him: "What do you mean he doesn't need you? You're just too embarrassed to go back, right? You said those things, and now that you've become young again, you're running back?"

Whitebeard's old face turned red. During the Marineford War, he thought he definitely wouldn't survive, so he spoke without weighing his words. Thinking about it now, even his thick skin felt a little hot.

Kaido nodded in agreement from the side: "I know the one. 'I am a remnant of the old era; there is no ship in the New World that can carry me,' right? That was indeed quite imposing."

Having his thoughts seen through, Whitebeard ignored Hera and instead slammed a fist onto Kaido's shoulder, producing a loud thud.

"Long time no see, Kaido. Do you want to test my strength too?"

Kaido rubbed his aching shoulder, marveling at how this guy was still so strong with just martial arts, even without the Tremor-Tremor Fruit.

Even without either of them using Haki, he could still hurt him.

"Alright, I'm leaving. I'll notify you when needed. Just remember to come and join the feast when the time comes. Also, Wano Country is my territory from now on."

Hera waved her hand, her figure flashing as she vanished into the cave entrance.

After sensing that Hera's presence had vanished, Whitebeard and Kaido exchanged a glance, and the atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

In the end, it was Kaido who broke the awkward silence. After many years, the two, who had once served together on the Rocks Pirates, had become like strangers.

"Regarding Kozuki Oden, I will give you an explanation."

Listening to Kaido, Whitebeard let out a cold snort and said in a heavy tone: "That guy left my Pirate Crew without permission and broke his vow to only stay for one year."

"And to encounter such a thing and not even tell me... what did he take our friendship for?"

"Since he didn't treat the Whitebeard Pirates as family, we naturally won't seek revenge against you for his fate. This is the path he chose."

Upon hearing Whitebeard's words, Kaido nodded in agreement. When he attacked Wano Country, he had once worried that Kozuki Oden might seek help from Roger, Whitebeard, and the others.

He had even prepared himself: if anyone from those two sides came to help Kozuki Oden, he would pin everything about Wano Country on Orochi.

It wouldn't have been impossible for him to go find Ochoku and take over Hachinosu.

But until the end, no one came to help Kozuki Oden. During the years he spent dancing, only Moria even came to challenge him once.

Over time, Kaido felt relieved, and shortly after, he tore up his former vow and killed Kozuki Oden.

"However," Whitebeard shifted his tone, his aura as the World's Strongest Man pressing down on Kaido, "if you dare to betray this alliance, don't blame me, Edward Newgate, for being merciless."

Kaido resisted Whitebeard's aura and shook his head. He seemed to recall Hera's world-destroying strike: "Don't worry. Since I've given my word, I won't go back on it."

Whitebeard's aura receded slightly: "That's for the best. I'll be watching you."

On the other side, after Hera returned to the Argo, she swept her Observation Haki across the area. Finding that everyone was ready to set sail, she took out an eternal pose leading to Egghead Island.

She handed it to Nami: "This is our next destination. After we visit this place, we'll return to Marineford. Full speed ahead."

Nami nodded, took the eternal pose, and steered the Argo toward Egghead Island.

Kuina watched Hera's figure. Ever since that demonic figure appeared, Hera had been acting strange. She looked at Hera with some concern: "Hera, did something happen?"

Hera nodded, pulled Kuina into an embrace, stroked her long hair, and continued: "Don't worry. Soon, everything here will be over."

Reiju poked Gunko, whom Hera had brought back and who was still unconscious, and shouted in Hera's direction: "Isn't this the woman Marco has been chasing? Why did you bring her here?"

Only then did Hera remember she had brought Gunko back, and she hurried over.

Carrot asked curiously: "Is this our new crewmate? Why is she unconscious?"

Ain said uncertainly: "I don't think so. I remember Hera saying she wanted to find 10 crewmates, and we have enough now."

Hera shook her head and draped her Observation Haki over Gunko, beginning to scan her current physical condition.

Discovering that she was merely exhausted, she breathed a sigh of relief. This woman was suspected to be related to Brook—perhaps even his daughter—which was why she had brought Gunko back.

Through her careful probing, she discovered that the vitality in Gunko's body was entirely maintained by Imu's contract. If she were to remove it as easily as she did with Shanks, it was highly likely to cause complications due to the loss of vitality.

Moreover, removing the contract too easily might be sensed by Imu, who was imprisoned within time and space, potentially allowing it to escape from the Flower Room prematurely.

Thinking of this, Hera absorbed Gunko into the City of Devouring Time, intending to first infuse her with enough vitality and then wake her up once she had prepared the allied forces.

"This person might be related to Brook. We'll talk about it when we see him again."

Upon hearing this, Ain was no longer curious and went with Kuina to the Argo's training room. The battle with King had allowed them to identify their own shortcomings.

Yamato's eyes lit up upon hearing Ain's words: "Does she mean that I'm the last crewmate to join?"

Then, Yamato patted her proud chest: "Don't worry, I will absolutely not let down your trust."

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