Chapter 21: The First Steps Toward a Plan

As I sat at the edge of the cliff, the vast ocean stretching out before me, my mind raced with possibilities. I could feel it. In every muscle, every breath—I was growing closer to Kaido's level. My training, my battles, my skills—all of it was steadily building me into a warrior capable of facing him one day. But one thought kept surfacing, nagging at the back of my mind: defeating Kaido would not be enough.

This wasn't just about a single victory. To free Wano, I had to overcome not just Kaido, but the powerful figures standing by his side. His Beast Pirates were an army of monsters, and I would be nothing if I couldn't deal with them too. And to handle that, I needed more than my strength—I needed allies.

Acknowledging the Bigger Picture

I knew I wasn't fighting for myself alone. My goal wasn't simply to win a duel against Kaido. Wano's entire future was at stake. It wasn't just about defeating him; it was about restoring my homeland to its former glory. The fields, now poisoned by factories, had to flourish again. The rivers, tainted and lifeless, needed to flow clear and strong. And most of all, the people—my people—deserved to live free from the fear and tyranny they'd endured for far too long.

To make that happen, I needed more than strength. I needed a force to fight alongside me.

Building a New Coalition

As strong as I was becoming, the Beast Pirates were more than just Kaido. They had lieutenants, subordinates, and an entire infrastructure of power. Even if I managed to bring Kaido down, his forces wouldn't crumble on their own. I needed allies who could step in and help dismantle the Beast Pirates from the ground up.

More importantly, Wano wouldn't fix itself. We would need people with skills I didn't have—builders, leaders, healers, and protectors—to help repair the damage done by years of oppression. Allies weren't just fighters; they were the foundation of Wano's recovery.

Seeking Strength in Sabaody

I pulled out the rough map I'd pieced together from my encounters in Mock Town. Among the islands marked with scrawled names and notes, one stood out: Sabaody Archipelago.

Sabaody was famous as a crossroads—a place where powerful warriors passed through on their way to greater challenges. If I wanted to find strong fighters who could match the Beast Pirates, that would be the place. I wasn't looking for just anyone. I needed people who could face the chaos of Wano and not flinch. Warriors who could stand up to Kaido's forces and come out victorious.

Beyond that, Sabaody was also a proving ground. Strong opponents gathered there, and if I could hold my own, it would mean I was ready for the battles ahead. The idea of testing myself against warriors who thrived in such a brutal environment was both daunting and exciting.

The Path Forward

I stood, brushing the dirt from my hands. This was the next step. I had always known that the fight for Wano's freedom would not be a lone effort. The world outside Wano was vast, and within it lay the people and resources that would make liberation possible.

I didn't need an army today. What I needed was a start. A few strong individuals who shared my vision—who could help me shoulder the burden of freeing Wano and rebuilding it from the ashes.

Sabaody would be the place to begin. It was time to set sail again, to find those who could fight by my side, and to prove that the strength I'd built over these years was no fluke. The fight for Wano would soon begin in earnest, and I wouldn't fight it alone.