“Kuke, what should we do with them?” Gion approached Kuke, her voice calm yet filled with anticipation.

She already knew the answer. To Kuke, the rest of the Beasts Pirates weren’t worth much, and their gender disqualified them from any other consideration.

“It’s happening,” Kaido thought to himself, his heart pounding. He barely had time to mourn the loss of his future wife to Kuke because now, it was the moment that determined not only his fate but the fate of the entire Beasts Pirates.

“I don’t care if I get caught,” Kaido muttered, resigning to his fate. He had been captured numerous times in the past and always managed to escape eventually. But looking around at his subordinates—his crew that had taken decades to build, the foundation of his power—Kaido did not want to end up alone.

Can I run? he thought. He might have a chance, but his subordinates? Apart from King, who could fly, there wasn’t much hope for the others. Ultimately, Kaido sighed heavily and let his pride slip away.

Kaido lowered his head, his voice surprisingly humble, “Let us go. I owe you one. And I keep my promises. I’ll even help you attack Marine Headquarters if that’s what you want.”

Defeat had come, and Kaido knew he couldn’t walk away without offering something in return.

“Your promises mean nothing,” Kuke said as he stepped closer, staring down at Kaido’s weary face. “But I’m not here to kill you.”

Kaido possessed the Azure Dragon, one of the most powerful Mythical Zoan Fruits in the world. Kuke had had his eyes on that Devil Fruit for a long time. If he killed Kaido, the fruit might reappear somewhere in the world—possibly in an unknown location, staying hidden for decades or even forever. Capturing Kaido was too troublesome; keeping him contained indefinitely was practically impossible. There was no way to guarantee Kaido would remain quiet forever.

Kaido, who had been bracing for the worst, looked up in shock.

“You’re letting me go?” His eyes widened. “Not even a promise in return? Is my word really that worthless?”

Kaido started to boast, “I am the great…” but as he glanced at Kuke’s flawless physique, the words died in his throat. The defeat still cut too deeply.

“And your subordinates?” Kuke asked, shifting his gaze to King and the others.

Their Devil Fruits were not as rare or valuable in Kuke’s eyes. Killing them or letting them live made no difference to him.

“They’re yours to decide,” Kuke said, turning to Gion and the others. “The victors make the call.”

“They’re too weak to be a threat,” Gion replied, sliding her sword back into its sheath. She had no desire to cut down those who posed no real challenge.

King and Queen’s expressions darkened in anger. Being called weak was an insult, but they had no strength left to argue. They’d fought two-on-one against Gion and still lost—and she wasn’t even at her full power yet.

Kaido frowned as he looked at King and Queen, their heads hanging low.

“Wait,” Kaido said, piecing things together. “Did you two really fight together and still lose?” He had assumed it was a one-on-one fight with King. That would’ve been understandable—Gion was well known, even when she was in the Navy, and now she wielded a Mythical Zoan. Winning a one-on-one wasn’t unexpected.

“But both of you?” Kaido pointed at his most trusted commanders, rage and disbelief clear in his voice. “Are you telling me that it was two against one, and you still lost? You’re useless!”

“She’s strong, boss,” Queen muttered, feeling helpless. They weren’t even on the same level; her power was terrifying.

“No excuses. You fought two-on-one and lost. Useless,” Kaido spat.

Queen, in a moment of anger and desperation, said without thinking, “But boss, you also lost pretty quickly. It’s not like we…”

The words trailed off as Queen realized what he’d just said. He shrank back, not daring to meet Kaido’s furious, bloodshot eyes.

The silence was thick as Kaido struggled between rage and helplessness. His wound had been reopened mercilessly, and there was no denying the truth. The entire crew—from Kaido down to the lowest member—was left speechless, each privately cursing, “What kind of monstrous pirate crew are we dealing with?”

Shakky turned her gaze to Jack and Who’s Who.

“This one’s trash—get lost,” she said, pointing at Who’s Who.

His face twisted in humiliation as he limped away toward Kaido without a word.

“And you?” Shakky glared at Jack, sending a shiver down his spine.

“I was originally planning to kill you,” she said, blowing out a puff of smoke. Jack stiffened, his face paling.

“But you showed some loyalty just now. I’ll let you go, but I’ll take an arm. It should keep your arrogance in check.”

In an instant, Shakky vanished. A blur later, Jack’s left arm went flying. Jack clutched the bleeding stump, slowly making his way back to Kaido.

“Another two-on-one loss?” Kaido asked as he saw Jack return, his eyes filled with disappointment. When Jack nodded, Kaido’s face darkened even further.

“Old man, let this one go. And remember, I have nothing to do with you anymore,” Yamato shouted, knocking an unconscious Sasaki over to Kaido’s side with her club.

Kaido winced, realizing that he had truly lost his daughter.

Several of the lower-ranked officers—the Tobiroppo and others—had been killed instantly by Stussy, those who had mouthed off during the battle. The rest slunk back towards Kaido, forming a disheartened huddle, their faces drained of color.

“What about Wano?” Kaido asked cautiously, looking at Kuke.

Wano belongs to me, Kaido thought, It’s Beasts Pirates territory, right?

He rubbed his hands awkwardly, knowing he was asking too much.

Kuke looked at Kaido, ready to say he had no interest in the land. Before he could speak, Kaido interjected,

“I’ll take Onigashima and leave immediately,” he said quickly. Despite how painful it was to abandon the home he’d built over a decade, Kaido dared not try to negotiate now. The defeated had no right to negotiate.

Far off in the distance, Hiyori sat on the ground, unmoving for over ten minutes. Her small head was spinning.

The enemy she feared the most, the enemy that was her greatest nightmare, the Beasts Pirates, Kaido of the Beasts, had been utterly defeated.

Hiyori stared blankly ahead, her eyes welling with tears. “Kawamatsu-ojisan, did we really win?” she asked, though she’d seen it with her own eyes. She’d pinched herself many times already, just to make sure it wasn’t a dream.

“It’s real,” Kawamatsu said, his voice trembling as much as his heart.

Kaido wasn’t invincible, after all. There really was someone stronger than him.

“He must be the strongest man on the sea,” Kawamatsu whispered, filled with awe as he looked at Kuke’s back. As much as he admired Lord Oden, he had to admit that Oden was not this powerful.

“Kawamatsu-ojisan, what will happen to the Beasts Pirates now? What will happen to Wano?” Hiyori asked.

“Everything depends on that man,” Kawamatsu replied.

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DONT FORGET POWER STONE

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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up 40+ chapters at patreon.com/Emik01.

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep