Gancho was still puzzled by Kaido's intention, but he soon understood. When Kaido ordered the waiting pirates to sail their ships toward Green Bit, everything began to make sense.
Before the assembled Tontatta, Kaido suddenly unleashed a breathtaking display of power. His body rapidly expanded and transformed, morphing in the blink of an eye into a colossal azure dragon a kilometer long, coiling in the sky above Green Bit. This sudden change sent the gathered Tontatta into a panic.
"A dragon! Kaido is a dragon!" one Tontatta cried out in terror.
"Idiot, that's the power of a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit," a more knowledgeable Tontatta immediately explained.
Carue gazed up at the dragon in the sky, his eyes shining with worship. "Is this the Captain's true power? It's too incredible!"
Kyros couldn't hide his astonishment either. "It's simply unbelievable..."
"Wororororo..." Kaido let out his signature laugh, his massive dragon head looking down at the little folk below. "My dear Tontatta friends, are you all ready?"
Without waiting for an answer, the dragon began to circle and fly around Green Bit. The gale-force winds stirred up by the mere movement of its draconic body made many unprepared Tontatta lose their footing. Even more shocking, Kaido then released blazing flame clouds that lifted the entire island of Green Bit high into the air.
This scene left not only the Tontatta speechless, but even the members of the Beasts Pirates were stunned. This was the first time they had witnessed Kaido lifting an entire island into the sky, a feat far more awe-inspiring than the earlier act of lifting pirate ships.
After accomplishing this feat, Kaido did not return to Wano Country. Instead, he guided the island directly toward the Calm Belt. The enormous dragon's shadow flickered among the clouds, carrying the entire island and countless astonished gazes toward an unknown horizon.
Kaido's dragon form undulated through the sea of clouds, the flame clouds bearing Green Bit along as it drifted slowly. The Tontatta held tightly to trees, watching the unprecedented spectacle with a mixture of fear and excitement.
The Beasts Pirates' crew members stood at the bow of their ship, cheering for their Captain's power, their shouts echoing across the sea.
Night had fallen. A bright full moon hung high in the sky, its silvery-white light cascading over the land of Wano Country like water. Outside Moku Town in the Kibi region, a long-planned rebellion was quietly brewing. Kazuki Hidehiro and Shimotsuki Toshiya led several hundred samurai, lying in wait within the forest outside the town. The night wind rustled the leaves, masking the soldiers' soft breaths.
"Father, as you instructed, I have already spread the news of rebellion in the Kibi region to the Flower Capital," Kazuki Hidetada reported respectfully in a low voice. "Just as expected, King and Queen in the Flower Capital dispatched Hyogoro and Fukurokuju to suppress it. Right now, they are resting up ahead in Moku Town. Together with the Oniwabanshu members, their total force is seventy-four."
Kazuki Hidehiro nodded slightly. In the moonlight, his resolute face looked especially severe. "Well done, Hidetada. Intelligence has always been the key to victory."
Shimotsuki Toshiya could barely contain his excitement, his crimson eyes flashing with eagerness in the dark. "Lord Kazuki, the time has come. As long as we capture Hyogoro and the others, we can join forces with Shimotsuki Munechika and strike directly at the Flower Capital, freeing Wano Country from the Beasts Pirates' rule!"
"The plan remains unchanged," Kazuki Hidehiro said gravely. "Fukurokuju and the Oniwabanshu are of little concern, but Hyogoro is powerful. When the time comes, Denjiro and I will hold him off. You must eliminate the others as quickly as possible."
Denjiro licked his lips, a bloodthirsty gleam in his eyes. "Leave it to me. It's been a long time since I've had a good, proper fight."
Shimotsuki Toshiya added, "If we can capture Hyogoro alive, it would greatly aid our attack on the Flower Capital. That man holds considerable prestige in Wano Country. If he were to join our side, he'd be a tremendous asset."
Kazuki Hidehiro gave a noncommittal nod. At that moment, the young samurai Kazuki Hideaki voiced a concern. "Father, what about the residents of Moku Town? There are still many innocent civilians there..."
"Minor scruples cannot bind those who achieve great things," Kazuki Hidehiro interrupted without hesitation. "Let them blame Hyogoro and his men for choosing this place as their base. For the future of the Kazuki family, for Wano Country's tomorrow, such sacrifices are unavoidable."
With that, he shinged as he drew his long sword, its cold steel glaring sharply in the moonlight. Turning to face the samurai behind him, Kazuki Hidehiro raised his voice:
"Warriors! That outsider pirate, Kaido, has enacted a series of laws in Wano Country that defy our traditions, completely betraying Lord Sukiyaki's principles of governance! He has shamed our samurai spirit and made our people suffer! Tonight is the time for us samurai to repay our debt to Wano Country! Let us set things right together!"
"Set things right!"
"Set things right!"
"Set things right!"
Most of those gathered here were Wano Country nobles whose interests clashed with the Beasts Pirates. Kazuki Hidehiro's rallying cry instantly ignited their fighting spirit. Battle cries echoed in the night air as the samurai drew their weapons, battle lust burning in their eyes.
"Attack!" With Kazuki Hidehiro's command, he charged toward Moku Town first.
"Attack!"
However, just as the rebels were about to charge into the town, the previously dark Moku Town suddenly lit up with countless torches, illuminating the night sky as if it were day. Hyogoro, leading the Oniwabanshu, was already arrayed in defensive formation outside the town.
"Lord Kazuki, I suspected as much," Hyogoro's steady voice carried over. "You spread news of rebellion precisely to draw us out. It's a decent trap, but unfortunately, we were prepared."
"Damn it!" Kazuki Hidehiro cursed under his breath before shouting, "Hyogoro! Kaido is an outsider pirate who acts like a tyrant in our Wano Country, enacting harsh laws that make the people's lives unbearable! If you have any samurai pride left, you should join us in driving out the Beasts Pirates!"
Shimotsuki Toshiya also shouted, "Join us! What you'll gain with us far exceeds what you get from Kaido! We can restore you to the status and respect you deserve!"
Hyogoro shook his head, his figure looking especially imposing in the moonlight. "I'm sorry, I cannot comply. While Kaido-sama's reforms have indeed harmed the interests of you nobles, for the majority of Wano Country's people, life has genuinely improved. Markets are thriving, public order is stable, and the people can finally eat their fill."
"Stubborn fool!" Hidehiro roared. "Then don't blame us for being impolite! Attack!"
"Attack!" The rebel forces surged toward Hyogoro's lines like a tide.
Facing the onrushing enemy, Hyogoro slowly drew his own long sword, its blade gleaming coldly in the moonlight. He took a deep breath and shouted in a powerful voice, "Oniwabanshu, face the enemy! For Wano Country's peace and stability!"
***
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