Chapter 205: Chapter 205: Storming the War
Inside Iron Shield City, the general unleashed his finest swordsmen and martial artists. Guns and cannons were useless against this enemy soldier—only elite fighters stood a chance!
Kaido, shrugging off the hail of enemy fire with his near-invincible body, hammered at the city gate. The pain from bullets and cannonballs only fueled his rage, veins bulging as he roared. With a deafening crack, the gate shattered under his relentless assault.
The soldiers of the Vodka Kingdom surged forward with renewed vigor. If they could storm the city, plunder its riches, and cover the Heavenly Tribute, this year’s war would end. They’d rest, regroup, and return to fight another day!
Suddenly, a massive shadow loomed over the battlefield, halting even Kaido’s rampage. He glanced skyward, where an ostentatious golden island floated brazenly into their war.
"Jahahaha! Brook, my man, this war’s a joke! These guys are so weak, not a single one knows Haki!"
Golden Lion Shiki cackled, looking down at the warring soldiers like they were ants scrambling in the dirt.
"Don’t get cocky, Shiki," Brook chided. "Before you hit the New World, you didn’t know Haki either. That Oni kid down there? His potential’s no less than your!"
Brook’s eyes gleamed as he spotted young Kaido. His dream of assembling a crew with all four Emperors was one step closer. If he could snag Red-Haired Shanks someday, his Emperor Flush would make even the World Government think twice!
The Golden Island’s arrival cast an eerie silence over the battlefield. Vodka Kingdom’s soldiers and their youth brigade gaped at the glittering island, hearts racing. With that mountain of gold, they’d never worry about the Heavenly Tribute again! But their general broke into a cold sweat.
Wasn’t that the Golden Island of the Hell Pirates, one of the New World’s four dominant crews? Why would such a terrifying force show up here?
He barked orders, commanding his troops to sound the retreat horn. The entire army was to pull back, even though Kaido had just smashed Iron Shield City’s gate. Fighting under the nose of such a monster crew was suicide—one wrong move, and these ruthless pirates would slaughter every last soldier.
Kaido, hearing the retreat horn, seethed with fury. He’d risked everything to break that gate, with a fortune in war spoils within reach, and now they wanted him to back off?
Ignoring the order, he charged into Iron Shield City, tearing into the enemy with reckless abandon. The general could flee if he wanted—Kaido was staying to claim the treasure and better his lot!
The rest of the Vodka Kingdom’s forces, including the youth brigade, retreated like a receding tide. Some rookie soldiers, fresh to the battlefield, couldn’t run fast enough.
Iron Shield City’s defenders, seeing the horned terror still rampaging, ignored the floating Golden Island and launched a desperate counterattack against Kaido.
...
Back with the Vodka Kingdom’s army, Kaido’s defiance sparked outrage.
"General, Kaido’s ignoring the retreat order! He’s disobeying direct commands—he’s done for!" a staff officer spat. Insubordination was the army’s cardinal sin—such soldiers were punished without mercy.
The general sighed. "What a waste. That kid had potential, could’ve been a real asset down the line."
But the Hell Pirates’ threat loomed too large. Losing a promising soldier was a small price to pay for survival, so he ordered the full retreat.
...
On the Golden Island, Brook hadn’t expected their mere presence to scare off the Vodka Kingdom’s army. He’d underestimated the Hell Pirates’ fearsome reputation!
"Gurarara! That kid’s got guts, but he’s a bit too reckless," Whitebeard Newgate chuckled. "The whole army’s pulling back, and he’s still in there swinging. Kinda dumb, huh?"
Newgate admired the kid’s fearless fighting spirit. It reminded him of his younger days, picking up a weapon to defend his hometown, no matter the odds.
"Brook, wanna test that kid’s limits?" Redfield asked, eyeing Kaido, who was now surrounded but still holding his own. His spiked club sent Iron Shield City’s swordsmen and martial artists reeling.
Kaido was even dodging stray gunfire, but he’d eventually tire out and get captured—or worse.
...
Inside Iron Shield City, the general watched the Golden Island with growing dread. The Vodka Kingdom’s forces had retreated, yet the Hell Pirates lingered. That could only mean one thing: they were targeting the city!
Why would a powerhouse like the Hell Pirates care about a place like Iron Shield City?
"Quick, Lieutenant! Find out if any of our people crossed paths with the Hell Pirates!"
Earl Iron Shield, a high-ranking noble of the Valorant Kingdom and a fighter on par with a Marine Rear Admiral, felt powerless. Even a Marine Admiral might struggle against this monstrous crew.
"My lord, none of our people have ever met the Hell Pirates, let alone offended them!" the lieutenant reported after a quick investigation.
Below, Kaido, battered but unyielding, kept fighting, felling more soldiers with every swing.
Another advisor spoke up, voice uneasy.
"My lord, Nass mentioned seeing the Hell Pirates in the Sabaody Archipelago—the day they killed a Celestial Dragon. Also, those two tycoons who became our arms suppliers through the prince? Rumor is they gifted him a mermaid."
Earl Iron Shield’s eyes widened.
"You’re saying the Hell Pirates might be here because of that mermaid?"
The advisor handed over bounty posters for Fishman Tom and Tiger.
Could that mermaid be tied to those fishmen? If so, his idiot son had stirred up a hornet’s nest!
"Get Nass here now! Tell that fool to bring the mermaid and hand her over. We need to beg their forgiveness!"
The earl’s panic grew. The Golden Island’s refusal to leave, combined with their silence, was driving him to the edge.
...
On the Golden Island, Brook and his crew watched Kaido’s battle with fascination. The Oni kid’s raw power rivaled a young Newgate, and his durability was second only to Charlotte Linlin. A rare talent from a rare race.
"Brook, this Kaido’s the real deal—a born warrior!" Shiki grinned, impressed by the kid’s potential.
Nearby, Fisher Tiger, freshly nine years old, overheard the praise. A spark of rivalry flared in his chest. The crew’s big shots never hyped him up like this! He refused to believe he was that far behind Kaido.
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