Chapter 161: The Current State of Onigashima!
Onigashima was no longer the towering stronghold it once was. The entire island lay shattered and ruined.
Broken slabs of massive rock jutted from the scorched earth. The once-grand palace had been reduced to rubble, while cracks spread across the island like spiderwebs.
Seawater surged in through the ruptured coastline. More than half the island was on the verge of sinking, swaying precariously as if it could collapse into the sea at any moment.
Anyone looking at the scene would reach the same conclusion—the wisest decision now would be to abandon this place entirely and find a new base.
But as Kaido gazed at the ruined land, his brows furrowed tightly. Only one thought filled his mind:
They couldn't move.
Across the seas, islands that possessed both abundant resources and top-tier strategic value were incredibly rare.
Either they were remote wastelands, devoid of people—places that would require building everything from scratch, demanding enormous manpower and resources.
Or they were already firmly controlled by other powerful forces, meaning that seizing them would require a massive war with rivers of blood.
But Wano Country was different.
It possessed both rich resources and natural defenses, making it one of the greatest "treasure islands" on the sea.
The Seastone produced here was a priceless material capable of restraining Devil Fruit users—indispensable whether for forging weapons or constructing defenses.
Centuries of national isolation had also formed a natural barrier around Wano. Its treacherous mountains and scarce ports made it extremely difficult for outsiders to invade, giving it unparalleled defensive advantages.
And most importantly—
This land produced powerful samurai.
Warriors who wielded famed blades and mastered Haki.
If they could be brought under his command, the strength of the Beasts Pirates would rise to an entirely new level.
…These were exactly the things Kaido had always desired.
To seize Wano Country, he had spent twenty whole years laying the groundwork.
From helping Kurozumi Orochi seize the shogunate…
To later controlling the government from the shadows through a puppet regime…
Step by step, he had gradually devoured control of this land. Every move had been carefully planned, costing him immense effort.
Now Onigashima might be in ruins, but Wano was right there within reach.
How could he possibly abandon such a prize just because of a single defeat?
Yet there was a problem.
He couldn't simply move the entire Beasts Pirates into Wano Country.
On the surface, the ruler of Wano was still Shogun Kurozumi Orochi, and that fragile façade of peace had lasted for eighteen years.
If the Beasts Pirates openly marched into the heart of Wano, shattering that balance, it would inevitably trigger a chain of unpredictable consequences.
The samurai who had remained loyal to the Kozuki Clan for years would seize the chance to rebel.
The country's nobles and citizens would grow furious at foreign pirates invading their land, sparking a political crisis.
It might even attract the attention of the Marines or other Emperors of the Sea, throwing everything into chaos.
…
After his great battle with Luffy, he had unexpectedly awakened the power of the Fish‑Fish Fruit, Model: Azure Dragon. His strength had skyrocketed.
But aside from that…
He hadn't gained a single tangible benefit.
He failed to eliminate Luffy, the thorn in his side.
His daughter Yamato had been taken away.
The Onigashima he had built for years had become a wasteland.
And now he couldn't even easily claim the Wano Country right before him.
It was the perfect example of losing both troops and treasure.
…
But was that really the truth?
At the center of Onigashima, a massive bonfire blazed fiercely.
Flames licked at the night sky, dyeing half the heavens crimson.
Doctors rushed through the crowd nonstop, treating wounds and bandaging injuries.
Yet many pirates—arms wrapped in bandages and bodies covered in gauze—were still singing, dancing, and drinking.
Pirates were nothing like the disciplined Marines.
Living for the moment was the creed etched into their bones.
Even though Onigashima had been devastated and their home nearly destroyed, the noisy banquet was still held as planned. Their wild laughter drowned out even the distant rumble of collapsing ruins.
"Wororororo!!"
Kaido slung an arm around King the Wildfire's shoulder while raising a massive jug of sake high into the air. The liquor spilled down freely, but he didn't care in the slightest as he roared with laughter.
"Come on, Alber! Don't pull that long face—drink a few more with me!"
The corner of King's mouth twitched uncontrollably. His usual cold and aloof demeanor was on the verge of collapsing.
…
Behind Kaido stood a blonde beauty—Black Maria—wearing a tight-fitting dress that perfectly traced her alluring curves.
Her slender hands gently kneaded Kaido's shoulders and neck, her fingertips applying just the right amount of pressure. Her eyes brimmed with irresistible charm.
Every so often, she would feed him pieces of fruit, her voice soft enough to melt anyone who heard it.
…
"Kaido-san."
King took a deep breath, suppressing the helplessness in his heart and regaining his usual calm.
"I've already informed Queen. He's bringing prisoners from the quarry to repair Onigashima. Within half a month, most of it should be restored."
His gaze was filled with unconcealed admiration.
Ever since learning that Kaido's Devil Fruit had awakened, transforming him into a true Azure Dragon, King had been brimming with spirit.
Even the way he walked had become straighter, his confidence practically overflowing.
…It almost looked as if he had broken through a bottleneck rather than Kaido.
He firmly believed that the man who had once been invincible across the seas had truly returned.
Even Straw Hat Luffy could never defeat Kaido in his awakened Azure Dragon form.
In the end—
The storm sweeping across the New World would conclude with the Beasts Pirates' victory.
…
Meanwhile, upon the dark sea—
Thousands of sails raced across the waves. Countless ships cut through the ocean, all heading toward Onigashima.
Their sails covered half the sky, creating a breathtaking spectacle.
At the center of one deck, Queen slumped heavily into a chair.
His blood-stained overalls were covered in dust and smoke. His face was pale as paper, utterly lacking his usual arrogance.
He stared fixedly at the shattered remains of Onigashima in the distance.
The remaining mass of the island swayed dangerously on the sea's surface. Massive debris continued falling into the ocean, sending towering waves crashing upward.
A storm of shock surged through Queen's mind.
"W-What the hell happened here?!"
Ignoring the severe injuries across his body, he suddenly sprang up from his chair. His tiny beady eyes bulged wide in disbelief.
"Did Boss Kaido fight Whitebeard or something?!"
In Queen's understanding, across the entire sea, only Edward Newgate — Whitebeard possessed such world-shattering power.
This was half of Onigashima!
A fortress built from countless giant rocks and steel—
And now it was simply shattered… and sinking?!
"But… but that old man Whitebeard's been dead for years!"
Queen blinked repeatedly, wondering if his injuries were causing hallucinations.
"Then who the hell did Boss Kaido fight?!"
Scratching his head, he couldn't make sense of it.
Suddenly, an absurd thought flashed through his mind.
"…Don't tell me Boss Kaido got drunk and tore down Onigashima himself?!"
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