The group returned to the garrison building, the atmosphere tense despite their temporary shelter from the storm. Only after settling in did Ace finally ask about Jozu's plan, his expression serious. He had not been fully briefed on the latest developnts and needed clarity.
Jozu did not answer imdiately. He paused, gathering his thoughts, then spoke in a low, steady voice.
"The Beasts Pirates are led by Kaido himself. Jack and Queen are with him. King remains in Wano to guard their base. Four of the Tobiroppo have been deployed, Who's Who, Black Maria, Sasaki, and Ulti. On top of that, they have brought thirty ships from their subordinate crews."
Ace's face darkened as he listened. He was no longer inexperienced, he understood exactly what this ant. The enemy had committed more than half of their forces.
"We can't handle that level of strength," Ace said bluntly. "Jozu, what's the plan? Are we abandoning Black Spear Sword Fish Island? It's the second largest economic island we control."
Jozu shook his head without hesitation.
"No retreat. We hold our ground and wait for reinforcents. Aether sent word, he will arrive within an hour. Once he's here, Kaido won't be a threat. The Beasts Pirates only just took Bique Island. It will take them several hours to reach us."
Aside from Ace and one other, everyone already knew this. The ntion of Aether's na imdiately steadied the room. The tension eased, replaced with quiet confidence.
"Don't worry, Ace. Everything is proceeding according to plan."
"That's right."
The reassurance spread quickly. However, Ace's expression stiffened slightly. There was a flicker of resistance in his eyes at the ntion of Aether.
"Is Roger coming too?" Ace muttered. "With his strength, maybe he really can stop Kaido."
Rouge noticed the way Ace referred to Roger, her gaze soft but complicated. She said nothing. She understood her son's feelings better than anyone. The distance between father and son could not be resolved overnight.
Still, the thought of seeing Roger again after twenty three years stirred sothing deep within her.
Ti passed slowly.
Outside, the storm worsened. Massive waves crashed against the port, rising over a hundred ters before slamming down again. Seawater flooded the lower sections of the island, but the defenses held. Black Spear Sword Fish Island was no stranger to such weather.
The blonde woman by the window stared at the raging sea, her expression tense. This was her first ti witnessing the New World's climate. What would be considered a once in a decade disaster in the Four Seas was simply part of daily life here.
Then, the silence inside the room was broken.
"Ring... Ring..."
The Den Den Mushi began to sound.
Jozu picked it up quickly. As he listened, his expression shifted, then brightened with unmistakable relief. When the call ended, he turned to the others.
"Good news. Marco reports that the Big Mom Pirates have withdrawn unconditionally. Both sides agreed to a one year ceasefire. All we need to do is accept eight billion Berries as ransom for Katakuri and the others."
The room erupted in quiet excitent.
Those terms were clearly in their favor. It was a decisive victory, and more importantly, Aether's first major success since becoming a Yonko.
The subordinate crews, who had still harbored doubts, were now completely convinced.
With Big Mom's retreat, the crisis had eased significantly. The Beasts Pirates remained, but alone, they were far less overwhelming.
All they needed to do now was wait.
Then everything changed.
A deep, thunderous roar echoed through the storm.
It cut through the wind and rain, reaching every corner of the island. The room fell silent instantly.
Everyone knew that sound.
"That roar… it's Kaido."
"But how? They shouldn't be here yet."
"Maybe he ca alone," soone said grimly. "That sounds like sothing he would do."
The roar grew louder.
Without hesitation, everyone rushed outside. They spread out instinctively, keeping distance from one another to avoid being wiped out in a single strike.
Above the sub port, the storm clouds churned violently.
Then it appeared.
A massive dragon head erged from the darkness, followed by a colossal blue body that stretched across the sky. Lightning struck repeatedly, yet the scales remained untouched, not even a mark left behind.
The sheer presence of the Azure Dragon made it seem as if the storm itself had been created by him.
A crushing sense of pressure settled over the island.
"Zehahaha! Jozu!" Kaido's voice bood across the sky. "You've finally been caught!"
Jozu clenched his teeth, anger flashing in his eyes. He had personal reasons to hate Kaido, but he forced himself to remain composed.
"Kaido!" he shouted back. "The Big Mom Pirates have already withdrawn. We have a ceasefire with them. Do you really want to fight us alone?"
Kaido paused briefly at the ntion of Linlin's retreat, then sneered.
"I don't care what that old hag does. I'll crush all of you myself. This island will belong to ."
His massive body began to spin.
"Dragon Twister!"
The sea responded instantly. Towering waterspouts ford, connecting ocean and sky. They surged forward, tearing through everything in their path, dragging sea creatures into the air as they advanced toward the island.
"Damn it," soone muttered.
Only two people present could even attempt to stall Kaido. Jozu, however, was limited to close combat, making him nearly useless against a flying opponent.
Ace stepped forward, already pulling at his shirt.
Before he could act, Rouge grabbed his arm firmly.
"Ace. If you want to fight, I won't stop you. But you know your condition. You are not allowed to take off your shirt."
Ace hesitated, then let out a frustrated breath.
"I know, Mother."
He stopped, then leapt onto a nearby rooftop.
Flas ignited around his fists, burning fiercely despite the rain. He drew his arm back, then punched forward with full force.
"Fire Fist!"
A massive pillar of fire shot into the sky, colliding directly with Kaido's dragon form.
The attack was powerful enough to destroy a warship, yet against Kaido, it barely seed significant.
Instead, Kaido's eyes lit up with interest.
"Hahaha! Fire Fist Ace. Roger's son. I'll teach you your place!"
He opened his mouth.
"Heat Breath!"
A blazing beam erupted forward, eting Ace's Fire Fist head on.
For a brief mont, the two attacks clashed.
Then the balance shattered.
Kaido's Heat Breath overwheld the flas completely, crushing through them and continuing forward without slowing, heading straight for Ace.
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