CHAPTER 188- The Roar of the Beast – A Nation on the Brink

"Special combat assets across the seas?"

Kaido paused—then suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.

"Hahaha! That's nothing more than a flimsy excuse from the Navy! A bluff to scare the world!"

"But I do hope they find a few of those so-called 'special combat forces' to parade around—so I can personally crush every last one of them in front of the whole damn world!"

"I'll smash their excuses, tear off their masks, and shatter the Navy's dignity into dust!"

CRACK!

The sake jar in Kaido's hand exploded into shards under the force of his grip.

Liquor splashed and glass rained down, but Kaido's face remained grim as he raised a massive arm and roared with fury:

"Let's go, you scum! We're gonna flatten Marine Headquarters! Make them hand over Jack!"

"I'll erase the Navy from the seas—permanently!"

"LONG LIVE LORD KAIDO!"

"MIGHTY LORD KAIDO!"

The harbor erupted with thunderous chants.

Tens of thousands of pirates roared in unison, shaking the air with their frenzy. The entrance to the sea boiled with excitement.

Standing atop the seawall, Orochi's face twitched slightly.

It was a good thing to have such a powerful shield…

But when the shield itself became too overwhelming, it turned into a suffocating threat.

He might be the Shogun of Wano in name—a puppet, yes—but no one liked living with a sword perpetually hanging over their neck.

"What's wrong, Orochi? You look a little pale."Kaido suddenly turned, his voice low and oppressive."Don't worry. Under my protection, Wano is impenetrable."

"When we march on Marine Headquarters, the world will finally understand—we are the might of the Beast Pirates."

"They'll learn the price of crossing me."

Kaido paused and glanced back at Orochi.

"This is what we call beating the grass to scare the snake, isn't it, Orochi?"

Orochi's face turned ashen. The deeper meaning behind Kaido's words was crystal clear—this was a warning, to him.

Quick to cover his tracks, Orochi laughed dryly and turned to gesture toward the distant mountains.

"Haha! Kaido, you're absolutely right."

"Not just the seas—even the remnants of the Nine Red Scabbards need to be reminded who's in charge."

"They've already rejected your invitations multiple times. Even now, when you personally reached out—they dared to say no!"

"They're biting the hand that feeds! But I'm certain… after this war, they'll finally understand which way the wind blows."

"That man will definitely accept your offer and join the Beast Pirates as a powerful new asset!"

Kaido turned his gaze toward the hills—where Ashura Doji watched from afar—and broke into loud, thunderous laughter.

"Hahaha! Finally, Orochi, you said something worth hearing!"

"Wasn't someone just saying the Navy's searching for special combat assets across the seas?"

"What if—when we meet them face-to-face—their so-called 'special forces' can't even compare to the ones I want to recruit?"

"Wouldn't that be the biggest joke of all?"

"Alright, you bastards! It's time to set sail and gather the strength of the New World!"

"Let the Navy see what a real Yonko's forces look like!"

"LONG LIVE KAIDO!!!"

Once more, the harbor exploded with fervor.

Dozens of massive pirate ships unfurled their sails and began to move out at Kaido's command, slicing through the sea like an unstoppable tide.

Orochi, watching Kaido's departing figure and the vast fleet behind him, clenched his jaw and swiftly turned to leave.

He didn't even spare a glance at Kozuki Hiyori, the woman he had once placed such importance on.

"Kyoshiro…"

Hiyori's soft voice slipped past her lips, but she was immediately silenced by a small shake of the head from the passing Kyoshiro.

High upon a distant hill…

Ashura Doji sat astride a massive wild boar, cold eyes fixed on the vanishing ships and the path Orochi had taken.

His gaze darkened.

"Boss Ashura!" one of the samurai behind him called out, unable to hold back any longer.

"Kaido just declared war on the Marines and took his entire army to sea. Wano is more vulnerable than ever!"

"We should seize this moment to call for Wano's liberation!"

"There are still many across the country—waiting for this chance!"

Ever since Kozuki Oden was killed, Ashura and his followers had swallowed their pride and endured under Kaido's rule, waiting for just one opportunity to strike.

Whether it was the failed raid years ago, or now, this moment felt like destiny itself offering a chance to open the country's borders.

As the words echoed across the hillside, every samurai present wore the same desperate, burning look.

They all knew—Orochi had his warriors and his Oniwabanshu.

But without Kaido's iron grip backing them, they were little more than a brittle facade.

In their eyes—if this wasn't the moment to rise, there would never be another.