Chapter 253: A Fundamental Gap, Kaido's Scheme
What did it mean that the wings and flames on that girl's back weren't just decorative ornaments?
Why, in addition to playing with fire, could she also casually discharge high-voltage electricity?
Was this genuinely the physical strength of a six-year-old girl?!
Looking at Chloe hovering low in the air—a ball of roaring fire in one hand and crackling lightning in the other—Kyros began to seriously doubt his entire understanding of reality.
"Could she be... a Mythical Zoan ability user?"
Kyros's first thought was a Devil Fruit user. This kind of multi-elemental ability was even more complex and absurd than some of the rarest Mythical Zoan powers.
"It's fine! You can use your weapon! What you said earlier doesn't have to count!" Chloe chirped brightly.
Previously, Kyros had proudly declared he wouldn't use his weapon, intending to subdue the child barehanded and end this farce of a duel quickly. But reality had brutally proven that he was being purely, hopelessly overconfident.
He could even sense that Chloe was actively holding back; otherwise, her flames and lightning would have caused far greater, devastating damage.
This was actually Chloe's first time dueling a "normal" opponent.
In the past, her sparring partners were either her parents and big sister, or veteran commanders like Alber, Jinbe, and Sebastian. They were all terrifying monsters who could easily withstand her going all out. This was her first time facing a challenger whom she couldn't hit with lethal force, yet who also couldn't take much of a beating.
But Kyros still felt it was highly inappropriate to draw a live blade against a six-year-old. In the end, he compromised by using his heavy scabbard as a blunt weapon.
And then he learned a harsh lesson...
What did it mean for a person's skin to be tougher than solid steel?
The martial arts and combat experience he had forged over years of blood and sweat seemed utterly useless at this moment. In terms of sheer life-and-death combat experience, Kyros was undeniably richer.
But he was facing an opponent who was infinitely faster, virtually impenetrable, capable of flight, wielded devastating elemental attacks, and absolutely crushed him in every single conceivable physical stat.
The final result was beyond unquestionable. Kyros suffered a total, humiliating defeat.
However, he didn't wallow in despair. Instead, he deeply internalized the truth that there was always a higher mountain, and subsequently embarked on an even more grueling, hellish training regimen.
As for Scarlett, following Nanamo's advice, she went and reviewed the official kingdom case files from seven years ago. She discovered that the two men Kyros had murdered were actually vicious, cutthroat gang leaders.
Scarlett's definition of Kyros shifted from "indiscriminate bloodthirsty murderer" to "victor of a gang war." While she still didn't necessarily like him, her intense disgust and hatred faded considerably.
Kyros kept his promise to keep his distance. But because of his sworn vow to King Riku, he chose to protect the two princesses from the shadows, ensuring their safety while remaining out of sight. It was a peaceful compromise.
Sea Circle Calendar Year 1521.
Two years had passed since Nanamo brought Chloe to Dressrosa and casually showed off her sister's monstrous strength.
Two years was enough time for many things to happen across the sea—such as the finalized formation of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
Dracule Mihawk's title had imperceptibly shifted in the global press to "Hawkeye," transitioning from a moniker based on his actions to one based on his physical traits. It was officially announced that he had joined the Seven Warlords.
The change in title was considered the only necessary face-saving measure. After all, the Seven Warlords and Marine Headquarters were technically in the same faction now; they couldn't let Hawkeye continue parading around with the title of "Marine Hunter."
If they had, forget the Marine veterans—even the new recruits would have raised furious objections.
Meanwhile, in the West Blue, the active Revolutionary Army encountered the fleeing Nico Robin during a coincidental operation and brought her to the secret island where the other Ohara scholars had been settled.
At the exact same time, on Fish-Man Island, Nereus received a letter from Wano Country.
"It's a letter from that man named Kaido. It looks quite formal," Amphelite noted, glancing at the signature before handing the unopened envelope to Nereus.
On this vast sea, sending a physical letter was no easy feat, as primitive transportation severely limited mail circulation. Ordinary mail was agonizingly slow; only Morgans' News Coo delivery service was somewhat efficient. Unless it was a highly formal or significant matter, sending letters wasn't common practice among top-tier pirates.
"Kaido? I haven't seen that brat in years," Nereus mused, taking the envelope. "When he left back then, he solemnly swore he would challenge me again. Yet it's been years and I haven't seen a shadow of him."
Nereus opened the letter and skimmed it roughly. The contents weren't complicated. Kaido was preparing to make a massive, final move in Wano Country and formally invited Nereus to witness it. It seemed he wanted to show off and prove exactly how much he had grown.
"Are you going?" Amphelite asked.
"No, there's nothing worth seeing. It's nothing more than him finally making his move against a complete fool."
Calculating the timeline, it was indeed the right time for Kaido to launch his final takeover of Wano. Nereus had very little interest in such a spectacle. After all, whether he went or not, the final result wouldn't change.
Shortly after, Kaido in Wano Country received Nereus's reply. It made him feel a bit disappointed, but it certainly didn't dispel his plans to act.
More accurately, Kaido wouldn't have minded waiting a bit longer, but Kozuki Oden could finally endure no more.
After making countless wrong choices, meticulously eliminating every single correct answer, missing countless perfect opportunities to drive Kaido out, and dancing naked in the streets for five solid years... Kozuki Oden finally realized there was a problem.
Ultimately, on one fateful night, Kozuki Oden led the six retainers still loyal to him and launched a desperate war to subjugate Kaido.
Missing three of his core retainers, Oden's combat power was significantly weakened. However, Kaido had also lost a few key personnel over the years. With both sides experiencing simultaneous reductions in force, they reached a rare, fragile balance on the battlefield.
Although Oden managed to carve a terrifying, indelible scar into Kaido's flesh, it still couldn't change the outcome of taking a heavy kanabo strike to the back of the head.
But the most drastic divergence from fate occurred after the "wasted pot of boiling oil."
Making Kozuki Oden dance naked had originally been Kurozumi Orochi's scheme. Because of the Kurozumi clan's tragic, persecuted past, Orochi was single-mindedly obsessed with exacting brutal, merciless revenge on every single citizen of Wano.
According to his pact with Kaido, once the ultimate hidden threat known as Kozuki Oden was dead, Orochi was supposed to comfortably solidify his rule as the absolute Shogun.
Yet, at the victory banquet, every single member of the Beast Pirates who attended arrived fully armed.
Initially, Orochi paid this no mind. It wasn't until Kaido's kanabo viciously smashed his head into a bloody pulp—costing Orochi one of his Yamata no Orochi lives—that he realized there was a massive, fatal problem.
"Kaido! What the hell are you doing?!" Orochi shrieked, regenerating his head in absolute terror.
"That old hag interfered with my battle. It pissed me off," Kaido growled, resting his bloody club on his shoulder.
"You already killed her for that! What more do you want?!"
"Urororo! Isn't it obvious?" Kaido's eyes gleamed with cold ambition. "I have an old senior. Back in the day, he returned to his own country and crowned himself King. Today, he has transformed that once-weak, pathetic nation into a world-renowned superpower. Aside from complete fools, no one dares to underestimate their absolute strength.
"I figure that's a leadership lesson worth learning."
Kaido stepped forward, his massive shadow completely swallowing the trembling Shogun.
"I'm currently short on manpower, and Wano's samurai are a formidable fighting force. The problem is, these people have a baffling, fanatical devotion to the Kozuki clan, making them incredibly difficult to subjugate.
"But your vile reputation here, Kurozumi Orochi, easily dwarfs my own. If I announce that I was 'deceived' by your wicked lies, and that I am now executing you to avenge their fallen lord... doesn't that sound like a perfectly reasonable narrative to win them over?
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