Chapter 44: Preparing for the War

The winds of fate carried my ship across the vast ocean, yet my mind was already set on my next move. The final battle was approaching.

Wano was waiting. My people were waiting.

Kaido's rule had lasted for seven years too long.

And now, the time had come to end it.

Gathering Strength

After my meeting with Whitebeard, I had gained something invaluable—allies.

Marco the Phoenix, the Whitebeard Pirates' First Division Commander.

Jozu the Diamond, the man with an unbreakable body.

✔ Several other strong commanders and fighters willing to support me.

They were not fighting my war.

They had simply chosen to fight alongside me.

That distinction was important.

I had no right to demand their help, but I had earned their respect.

Still—allies alone would not be enough.

I had to refine my strength even further.

I had already created an attack capable of killing Kaido.

Now, I needed to ensure that when the time came, I would be able to land it.

Refining My Ultimate Strike

Every great warrior had a finishing move—an attack that could end a battle in one decisive strike.

For Kaido, it was his Thunder Bagua.

For Roger, it was his Divine Departure.

For Whitebeard, it was his quake-infused bisento swings.

And for me—it was my Dragon-Slaying Strike.

I infused Supreme Conqueror's Haki into my blade, sharpening its willpower.

I compressed my Advanced Armament Haki, ensuring my slash would bypass Kaido's scales.

I honed my Supreme Observation Haki, predicting the exact moment to strike.

I refined my movement, eliminating any wasted energy.

The result?

A single strike faster than the eye could perceive, strong enough to tear through Kaido's defenses.

But the real question remained—could I land it when the time came?

Planning the Invasion of Wano

My strength alone wasn't enough.

To overthrow Kaido, I needed strategy.

I gathered Marco and my allies, and we began formulating a plan.

1️⃣ The First Move: Entering Wano

Kaido's forces patrolled Wano's seas.We needed a covert approach to avoid an all-out battle before reaching land.Marco's flying abilities could allow us to bypass the main forces.

2️⃣ The Second Move: Splitting the Beast Pirates

If we attacked all at once, Kaido's forces would be overwhelming.Instead, we would divide and conquer.Jozu and the commanders would take out Kaido's key fighters, ensuring they couldn't interfere.

3️⃣ The Final Move: Confronting Kaido

I would face Kaido alone.No interruptions. No distractions.One decisive battle to determine the fate of Wano.The Final Night Before War

As the plan was set, I found myself alone on my ship's deck, staring at the moonlit ocean.

I had waited years for this moment.

I had sacrificed everything to reach this point.

And yet, there was no fear in my heart.

Only resolve.

I tightened my grip around my blade.

No matter what happened, Kaido would fall.

The war for Wano was about to begin.