Chapter 42: Rescuing the Tactical Genius, Kaido!

In the New World, on a certain island.

A group of pirates stood on the shoreline, gazing anxiously at the turbulent, churning sea.

"Why aren't they here yet? Didn't they say they were already very close?"

"They should be soon! There is no reason for Lord Roa to deceive us!"

"So many days have passed, will Boss Kaido be alright?"

"He'll be fine. Isn't the Vivre Card still completely intact?"

The pirates conversed with nervous anticipation.

"They're coming!"

Suddenly, a pirate cried out in alarm.

The pirates immediately raised their heads in unison, looking toward the distant sea.

A mass of oppressive dark clouds was approaching.

No, those were not dark clouds, but rather colossal snails. When they gathered together, they formed a shadow that could grind every wave on the ocean into dust!

The pirates began to sweat instantly.

"Is... is that Lord Roa?"

"Should be, right?"

Didn't Boss Kaido say that Lord Roa's side only had two or three kittens and puppies, which was why the two sides decided to form an alliance?

At the same time, Roa, standing on the back of a giant snail, had already spotted the pirates on the shore.

Coming back from the North Blue had saved a lot of time compared to the journey there.

The speed of the giant snails was much faster than ordinary sailing ships.

The only troublesome part was crossing the Calm Belt.

Those massive snails must have made the Sea Kings think it was an all-you-can-eat buffet; the monsters lurking deep in the ocean popped out in groups just like middle schoolers rushing for lunch.

This annoyed Roa to no end, and he had to maintain his Conqueror's Haki throughout the entire journey to travel safely.

If the Germa Kingdom hadn't been well-stocked with black grease, returning to the New World would have required heading to the Red Line and having the snails climb up the Red Line to cross the Calm Belt.

Seastone inlaying needed to be put on the agenda; otherwise, traveling anywhere was inconvenient.

However, where was Seastone supposed to come from?

Was there a country in the New World that had both an abundance of Seastone and plenty of ores to supply an arms factory?

Was there?

Yes, there truly was.

"It looks like they really are the pirates of the Beasts Pirates," Dylan said, lowering the telescope in his hand. "Still, to ensure this isn't a Marine ambush, Boss, we should let Barrett go check it out first."

There was also the possibility that some of the Beasts Pirates had been coerced by the Marines to contact Roa, lure him in, and wipe them all out in one sweep.

"I have no problem with that." Barrett looked at Roa's back.

"There's no need," Roa smiled. "Brother Kaido is much smarter than anyone imagines."

Many people thought Kaido was a brute.

Who would have thought he was an old schemer who never rejected plots and tricks?

He would certainly never hand his phone number over to someone he didn't completely trust.

Besides, Roa had already checked.

There were no other negative emotions on the pirates at the shore.

There was only anxiety and nervousness, no malice.

The snails soon stopped at the coastline, and Roa took the lead in jumping down from the snail's head.

"Lord Roa! You've finally arrived!"

Pirates wearing attire somewhat similar to the Giants rushed over in excitement.

Roa glanced at them.

A bunch of small fry and useless trash.

Not a single recognizable name among them.

Brother Kaido, seeing you living such a miserable life sets my mind at ease.

No wonder he was so thirsty for talent in the future; those who have suffered know the difference.

"The treasures have already been prepared for you!"

To their credit, the pirates of the Beasts Pirates were very tactful; treasure chests had already been carried before Roa at the earliest opportunity.

After opening the chests, the entire coastline seemed to brighten somewhat, filled entirely with gold, silver, and jewels.

Brother Kaido's family fortune was still quite substantial.

Roa nodded gently.

Though he didn't plan to invest much capital into developing his military industry, who didn't like getting things for free?

"In addition," the pirates respectfully presented two smaller opened chests to Roa. Inside were two Devil Fruits covered in spiral patterns. "These are two ancient zoan Devil Fruits treasured by Boss Kaido—the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Species: Pteranodon Model, and the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Species: Brachiosaurus Model. Please accept them, Lord Roa!"

Roa's expression turned somewhat peculiar.

Were these the abilities of King and Queen?

He had wanted to say this when reading the manga in his past life: did these two really need to eat these Devil Fruits?

King fought entirely on his racial abilities, and Queen's reliance was also technology.

Especially King, whose ultimate attacks were all executed in human form, making his fruit ability purely for show.

Brother Kaido, you were a bit desperate to put together the Beasts Pirates.

"How could I be so polite?" Roa gestured with a bashful expression, signaling Dylan to step forward and take the two Devil Fruits.

The Beasts pirates, however, felt a heartfelt sigh of relief.

Since Lord Roa was willing to accept them, it meant he was willing to help rescue Boss Kaido!

Just as the pirates were about to speak, Roa asked Dylan, "How is it, are you interested this time?"

Dylan had mentioned earlier that he would prefer a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.

Dylan thought for a moment and said, "The Pteranodon model. Boss, can I have this fruit?"

"Of course." Roa was very generous.

What was a mere ancient Zoan Devil Fruit, after all?

With permission, Dylan solemnly took the Pteranodon model fruit out of the box and took a large bite without hesitation.

The taste of the Devil Fruit made Dylan frown slightly, but it was just for a moment; the next second, his brow smoothed out.

"So, this is what it feels like to be a Devil Fruit user?"

His face began to protrude and elongate, and his arms bent and flattened. "Boss, please allow me to test it out."

"As you like." Roa shrugged.

In just the blink of an eye, Dylan had transformed into a pteranodon over three meters tall.

He should be much smaller than King, considering the vast difference in build.

"My strength has increased so much! An Ancient Species truly lives up to its reputation!"

With a flap of his wings, Dylan kicked up a gust of wind as he soared straight into the sky.

The pteranodon, with a wingspan of over six meters, flapped its wings and flew rapidly through the sky.

At first, he was somewhat unaccustomed to it, but soon, Dylan mastered the trick of flying, soaring and rolling gracefully in the air with great satisfaction.

Then, Dylan abruptly flapped his wings twice, sending two massive flying slashes plunging from the sky, directly tearing two huge cuts across the sea surface.

Following that, Dylan descended sharply, slicing across the coastline like an arrow. His right wing cut into the ground, and the rock and soil could not stop him in the slightest, being easily cleaved apart.

Roa nodded slightly.

Not bad.

Dylan was already a master of the No-Sword Style, and now his wings had truly become blades.

"So," Roa finally looked at the anxious yet timid pirates, "where is Brother Kaido?"

The lead pirate hurriedly pulled out a small piece of paper. "Boss Kaido has half a Vivre Card hidden on him, and we found our way here through the guidance of the Vivre Card!"

Fragments of the same Vivre Card would attract one another.

Still, Brother Kaido, where on earth did you hide the Vivre Card?

Did the Marines not search you?

Roa's expression grew somewhat bizarre.

"Boss Kaido is imprisoned on an island not far from here! We didn't dare get too close!" the pirates said excitedly. "But with Lord Roa leading us, it will be different!"

"That's right, Lord Roa, let's set off quickly!"

"Us?" Roa casually took the Vivre Card from the pirate's hand. "I'm enough by myself."

"Boss?" Barrett cried out in alarm. "How can that be?"

"Boss! Let us go with you!" Dylan also made an emergency descent, speaking anxiously.

"Too many people will just be a hassle. Without mishap, there is a true monster guarding that place. Everyone wait here for our return."

With that, Roa transformed into a black tiger and soared into the sky.

"..." Barrett clenched his teeth in frustration.

It was still because he was too weak!

"I wish you victory in battle." Dylan could only offer his blessing.

Was this Lord Roa's ability?

Doflamingo looked up in wonder.

This was the first time he had ever seen Roa transform into a black tiger.

A Mythical Zoan?

Before long, Roa followed the guidance of the Vivre Card and arrived in the airspace above an island.

It was not a very large island, but it was dotted with numerous buildings. Most of them were not residential houses; they looked more like research facilities.

Many warships were docked at the port.

Research facilities?

Surely it couldn't be such a coincidence?

Roa muttered to himself inwardly.

"Anyway, let's activate the Field Spell first!"

Roa descended rapidly.

"Magnitude Shift!"

Operation codename: Rescuing the Tactician Kaido!

...

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