Chapter 602: The Phantom Troupe Mission, The Strange Momonosuke!
"Huh?"
"Is everything already settled over there?"
"I'm rushing back at full speed and I still missed a fight like that?"
After receiving Rem's message, Chrollo clicked his tongue in genuine disappointment.
"The captain already made arrangements. You are to proceed to Wano Country immediately," Rem said evenly.
"Assist the Shimotsuki clan with their operation. If Momonosuke does anything unusual, you may kill him on the spot."
"As for the Straw Hat crew, they probably won't attack you."
"Understood. Leave it to us," Chrollo replied.
"A country that's been sealed off for ages…"
He smiled, eyes narrowing with interest.
"There have to be secrets and treasures hiding in a place like that."
As the leader of the Phantom Troupe, his first instinct was exactly what it always was.
If there were valuables, they would take them.
"Boss, can we make a big mess this time?" Uvogin complained, sitting on top of a massive Aragami with a bored expression.
"These monsters are strong, sure, but fighting them isn't as fun as fighting people."
There had been plenty of intense battles against the Aragami during this operation, but for Uvogin, that kind of intensity no longer scratched the itch.
Chrollo chuckled.
"Do you miss the ship that much?"
"I wouldn't call it nostalgia," Uvogin snorted.
"I just didn't expect Sevien to be a traitor."
"If I knew it would end like this, I should've beaten him up a few more times back on the ship."
Anger flashed across his face.
Uvogin was the type who ran straight, no detours.
After so many battles together, he had already started seeing Sevien as an ally.
He never imagined that, under those circumstances, Sevien would turn around and pull something so rotten.
If Uvogin had been there, he would have beaten the man to death.
For him, most flaws could be tolerated.
Betrayal never could.
"All right," Chrollo said, still smiling.
"We'll have plenty of freedom of movement in Wano."
"So go ahead. Let your emotions run free."
He paused, eyes glinting.
"Just don't sink the island."
Then he raised a hand, signaling the group forward.
"Let's go. Wano Country."
While everyone prepared in their own ways, Chrollo turned and headed back toward his cabin.
Machi appeared at the door soon after, her tone calm.
"Is this really a good idea?"
"Don't tell the captain what we discovered."
"If we tell him, other squads will come running," Chrollo said, grinning like a child with a bad plan.
"This trip's been too easy."
"People need to challenge themselves sometimes."
"And whatever is happening in Wano might be a good challenge."
It had to be said, even when Chrollo was smirking, he was still absurdly charming.
Machi opened her mouth as if she wanted to argue.
Then she saw his smile and fell silent anyway.
Chrollo stepped closer, voice dropping.
"You don't really think the captain isn't aware of things like this, do you?"
"Our actions, our thoughts…"
"It's probably all under his control."
He raised a hand and gently lifted Machi's chin.
"That's why, even with so many terrifying creatures on board, not a single one dares challenge his authority."
"At least, that's how I see it."
"I understand," Machi said softly.
Then, suddenly, she let out a startled sound.
"Waaah…"
…
While Chrollo and his group moved toward Wano Country, Kaido had also returned.
Inside Wano, in the lair of the Beasts Pirates, the atmosphere was heavy.
"Your Excellency."
The Three Calamities had already arrived before Kaido, standing ready like weapons waiting to be drawn.
Kaido sat on his seat, a massive sake jug in hand. His gaze was fierce enough to make the air feel sharper.
"The current situation in Wano Country," he asked, voice low.
It had to be said, Kaido looked terrifying just sitting there.
Queen answered quickly.
"The Straw Hat crew has begun planning their operation against Kurozumi Orochi."
"With the assistance of Conrad from the Mink Tribe, we estimate Orochi's forces will be wiped out very soon."
"Those warriors who've stayed silent for a long time are stirring again."
"The Shimotsuki clan has returned to Wano Country, but they still haven't made any moves."
Kaido's eyes narrowed.
"So the Shimotsuki have gotten involved too."
He drank, then spoke again, slower.
"Will that man come back?"
Queen hesitated.
"Nothing's been found yet, but…"
Before Queen could finish, Kaido cut him off.
"If you do find out, he won't be that man anymore."
Queen immediately shut his mouth, suddenly obedient.
"Your Excellency," King asked, voice steady.
"If the Shimotsuki clan gets involved, should we maintain the current stance, or intervene?"
"We watch first," Kaido said.
"The situation still isn't clear."
"If it's only what we see on the surface, we probably won't even get a chance to move."
He took another long gulp of sake.
It was absurd.
He had already drunk so much, yet his mind remained sharp enough to calmly weigh the board.
"Your Excellency, someone has arrived outside…"
A subordinate rushed in.
He barely got the words out before a blade flashed.
A short, brutal sound.
And the man dropped dead.
This was a Beasts Pirates member.
Someone had cut down Kaido's own subordinate right in front of him.
Yet Kaido did not fly into a rage.
Instead, he looked toward the entrance, strangely calm.
"You're here?"
"And your strength is no less than your father's."
A man stepped into the room.
He wore traditional Wano clothing, neat and refined. A luxurious sword hung at his waist.
In his hand, he held one of the Supreme Grade Blades.
The Heavenly Fang Blade.
"Kaido… it's been a long time."
Kaido stared at him, then spoke the name slowly.
"Lord Kozuki Momonosuke."
He even used honorifics.
That was the shocking part.
Yes, the one who came was Momonosuke.
But he was no longer in the form of a child.
"Kozuki Momonosuke?"
Even the Three Calamities froze.
They were not even questioning whether the man in front of them was Momonosuke.
They had seen Momonosuke before.
When he vanished, he had been a little boy.
Even if many years had passed, Kaido addressing him like this was still difficult to swallow.
"It seems you kept your promise," Momonosuke said coldly.
"Prepare yourselves. Wano Country will be in my hands."
"If your pirate crew runs into anyone who fails to recognize me again…"
His eyes turned sharp.
"Send them to me. I'll kill them myself."
He said only that, then turned and walked out as if the entire room belonged to him.
Even the All Stars, loyal to Kaido to the bone, could not help turning their eyes toward Kaido.
What in the world was going on?
Kaido set down his jug slightly.
"You all probably already know," he said.
The room fell silent.
Then, in unison, the Three Calamities reacted.
"Hah?" Queen blurted.
"What exactly are we supposed to know?" King asked.
Jack scratched his head, voice rising.
"Hey, hey, hey, even if I'm a dumb guy, you still gotta tell me!"
For a moment, all three of them were completely lost.
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