Chapter 425: Turbulent Deep Sea
This day, at Marine Base G-1, a battle capable of shocking the entire world erupted.
No—this could no longer be called a battle. Should be called a campaign or war.
After all, though both sides combined totaled only five people, any one of these five could easily ignite war anywhere in the world.
Whether destroying an island or creating a nation—mere trifles to them.
Undoubtedly, the conflict occurring at this Navy base was the largest-scale war these seas had witnessed—at least so far.
Setting aside that war for now, looking downward—located in the ocean's depths, near Fish-Man Island within the cavity beneath the Red Line—chaos gradually unfolded.
Here lay a pitch-black deep sea outside Fish-Man Island.
Originally a dark deep sea even Fish-Men rarely visited. Yet on this deep sea's floor existed a not-too-large bubble.
Within this bubble—a monster was imprisoned.
Kaido sprawled on his back on the seafloor, limbs spread. Thick seastone chains embedded deep into the ground. Even a monster as formidable as Kaido currently couldn't move.
Or rather—even capable of movement, he'd be powerless. In such deep sea, what could he do?
Any excessive movement shattering this bubble would bring death.
Though dying like this wouldn't be bad—still felt somewhat unwilling.
So this imprisonment continued.
The seafloor's silt was very unsuitable for lying down. But whoever imprisoned him here obviously hadn't considered this at all. Half Kaido's body had nearly sunk into the silt.
This deep sea had no light, no sound. Nothing.
What Kaido could do daily—besides eating and sleeping—was just open his eyes, staring at the darkness above.
He'd even forgotten how long he'd been imprisoned here. After all, in this place time and space had lost meaning. He sensed nothing.
However, this day, sudden change arrived.
In the dark, deep sea, light suddenly appeared.
Kaido—constantly staring blankly upward—keenly noticed the approaching lights. His eyeballs instantly swiveled.
Though unable to use Haki, his eyesight hadn't declined.
Those lights gradually approached. Kaido could already see clearly by faint light—Fish-Men carrying lamps.
"Really is Kaido."
These Fish-Men circled above, looking down at the motionless Beasts Kaido below.
The leader's tone was quite complex. "The pirate emperor who once dominated the seas—Beasts Kaido—actually reduced to this."
Kaido watched these guys.
"Be grateful, Beasts Kaido. We've come to rescue you."
The leader descended, directly entering the bubble imprisoning Kaido. "Though I'd love to publicly execute you immediately, can't help it. Orders from above."
Kaido showed no reaction. Just quietly watched this guy.
The Fish-Man entering the bubble—Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Stainless—frowned. "Don't you have anything to say?"
Kaido's jaw moved slightly. Then his low voice finally emerged from his throat.
"Bunch of idiots. Entered the beast's hunting ground without realizing?"
"What?"
Stainless's eyes widened.
At that very instant, seawater suddenly exploded.
Something extremely fast pierced through the water, directly forming a vacuum tunnel.
Like a meteor crashing into bowling pins, the Navy Fish-Men floating above the bubble didn't even react. Their bodies had already been shattered by that massive black shadow.
Several seconds later, seawater transformed into surging currents, churning in all directions.
Below, the bubble trembled continuously. Seemed ready to shatter anytime.
"..."
Stainless's eyes widened. He stared blankly upward. Light receded. Darkness returned. But he vaguely saw blood spreading through the currents, and companions' severed limbs rippling.
His body suddenly jolted alert. He turned around.
The ground trembled. Seawater grew more turbulent.
Something was coming!
In this darkness—something darker than darkness itself approached.
Stainless's hand pressed on his sword hilt. Then the next instant—
"ROAR!!"
He saw the monster.
Sea Forest—this massive coral forest stretching from Fish-Man Island to the outer seafloor depths.
For several years now, this forest's depths had become Fish-Man Island's forbidden zone. Ryugu Palace government and Entry-Exit Management Bureau jointly stationed forces here. Even island compatriots weren't allowed deep inside.
Fish-Man Island legends said Director Brett conducted some secret research deep in the forest. But whether true—nobody knew.
Then this day, someone quietly infiltrated from the forest's edge. Advancing forward through dense coral forest.
Using Observation Haki to carefully avoid all possible enemies ahead.
They'd gradually approached the coral forest's depths.
"Defenses are truly quite tight."
After again using Observation Haki to avoid a patrol squad in advance, Vice Admiral Gion—nicknamed Momousagi—murmured lightly with some admiration.
However, not far from the destination now.
This matter involved Ancient Weapons. Absolutely couldn't let Fish-Man Island's evil schemes succeed!
Momousagi's expression was extremely resolute. Wasn't transforming into this appearance precisely for this moment?
However—
"Regrettably, this is as far as you go."
Above the dense forest ahead, a certain man's voice suddenly sounded.
Momousagi's hand instantly pressed on her sword hilt. "Who's there?!"
Exposed! How?!
The guy above was slowly descending. "Didn't you consider we'd deploy surveillance Den Den Mushi in such classified areas?"
"The deep sea naturally hosts quite a few fish species. Observation Haki can't distinguish their presence either."
"Tesoro?"
Momousagi immediately recognized this man's identity. That Brett guy's close companion. The world's number one entertainer—Gild Tesoro.
This guy wore a bubble, allowing free movement on the seafloor.
"Feel like you look somewhat familiar?"
Tesoro frowned at the female Fish-Man before him. "But whatever. Later you'll honestly tell us everything you know."
"Big words."
Momousagi slowly drew her sword.
An devil fruit user wanted to fight them—Fish-Men—in the deep sea?
Truly foolish.
Momousagi understood Brett's earlier amusement now.
"Who's talking big?"
Tesoro tilted his head. "You don't think—knowing something's wrong—I'd come alone, right?"
Momousagi frowned tightly. She could sense massive monsters surrounding them from all directions. Fish-Man Island's sea beast forces.
"No, no, no—they're not the trump card."
Tesoro waved his hand. Then shouted behind him. "My excellent student—your turn now."