Chapter 160: 160. Force Determines Value

Words : 1240 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- After listening to Alex's words, it was as though Kaido's blood surged with renewed vitality. His slightly drunken expression transformed into one of sharp seriousness. "Even without my interference, you, who already secretly control Wanokuni and are aware of this so-called prophecy—would you calmly accept your fate?... No, of course not!" Kaido's tone hardened, though Alex had already anticipated the answer. "As expected," Alex continued smoothly, "your ultimate goal in building a powerful army of Zoan users and dominating the arms trade has never been about merely stirring up disputes at sea." Alex's gaze locked onto Kaido's. "Since you, too, desire war, why not join me in a conflict grand enough to tear down the self-proclaimed noble-born elites and those corrupted by their power and privilege?" Kaido's lips curved into a toothy grin. "You're right! If we're going to drag those high-and-mighty nobles off their thrones, it'll take a war where strength alone determines value. That's the way this world should be!" Recognizing the spark in Kaido's words, Alex pressed further. "Then what are your thoughts on the matter?" Kaido's grin deepened as he leaned forward slightly, his towering presence palpable even behind the bars. "I'm interested in this war of yours, but don't think my vision is the same as yours." Kaido's eyes narrowed, his voice rumbling like thunder. "What I want to create is a world where there's no distinction between high and low—only strength determines worth. Titles, bloodlines, status—they mean nothing." Alex neither denied nor affirmed Kaido's statement. "In the end, the winner is the king, and the loser the bandit. If you believe that strength determines worth, then proving your value in war is the only true way to manifest it, wouldn't you agree?" Kaido remained silent for a long moment, his deep contemplation filling the air with tension. Then, he smirked and growled two distinct words: "I won't be your pawn." He paused before adding, "But if it's a war as grand as you claim, one that's 'gorgeous' enough... I won't refuse to fight." Alex, unfazed, replied confidently, "It will be a war beyond even your imagination. As for its value, that will depend on how you choose to display it." At the same time, Alex turned his head toward Robin and gave her a quiet nod. She moved swiftly to release Kaido from the prison. The faint restraint of the Seastone shackles broken, Kaido straightened his massive frame. His joints cracked audibly, echoing like thunder as his immense body moved freely for the first time in some time. The oppressive aura of his towering presence filled the room as he stepped out of the cell. Yamato's eyes widened, her stance shifting as she placed her hands on her hips, ready to act. The faint spark of electricity flickered in her eyes, her readiness to strike clear if Kaido so much as flinched toward betrayal. "Relax," Alex said, his tone carrying a meaningful weight. "Your father has made his choice. He won't back down now." Kaido snorted dismissively, his trademark arrogance on full display. "Before this war begins, how I act is my business alone." "Of course," Alex replied nonchalantly. "But before that, there's a place I need you to visit." The location in question was Wanokuni's advanced scientific research base, hidden deep in its core territory. For several days now, scientists directly under Alex's command had been tirelessly working around a colossal machine, analyzing and manipulating the lineage factors extracted from Charlotte Linlin. In the massive culture tank at the heart of the facility, Charlotte Linlin's enormous body floated in a state of suspended animation. The so-called "suspended animation" wasn't a natural preservation of life; Linlin's body no longer retained the traits of a living organism. Her abilities had been stripped, resulting in an undeniable state of death. However, the process utilized pure gold extracted into a specialized liquid, which was used to immerse her body. The gold-infused solution slowed the decay of cellular information in her system by tens of thousands of times, keeping the activity of her bloodline factors intact even after her soul had departed. In simpler terms, Linlin's soul was gone, but her body's vitality was artificially maintained in this stasis. This allowed the scientists to extract her bloodline factors for further experimentation and analysis without degradation. The results of this approach were nothing short of groundbreaking. The extracted bloodline factors from Charlotte Linlin showed remarkable potential. The encoded information within her lineage factors revealed strength beyond what was thought humanly possible—far surpassing even the genetic reserves of the giants. Caesar marveled as he compared the results under the microscope. "The sheer power in these bloodline factors is unimaginable," he said, his voice tinged with awe. "It's far beyond anything seen before, even among the strongest giants!" Nearby, Comps, one of the senior overseers of the project, looked on. "How's the progress? It's been days since we began," he asked, his tone expectant. Caesar smirked confidently. "Shirororo—do you doubt the genius of this scientist? I've already constructed a combination chain for the bloodline factors. The compatibility rate is at a staggering 80%! There's no doubt we can recreate Big Mom's natural durability and infamous 'steel balloon' physiology!" Comps nodded approvingly. "Excellent. Once the combination chain is applied to the embryonic mechanical body, we'll have a war weapon on par with the physical power of a Four Emperors-level combatant. It could easily become one of Wanokuni's most formidable assets." Caesar, energized by the praise, added with excitement, "And just think, the first-generation war weapons may already be ready for deployment. I can't wait to see these mechanical legions with superhuman abilities unleashed on the world!" He clenched his fists with enthusiasm. "Once they're in action, even Vegapunk will have no choice but to acknowledge that my technology surpasses his in this field!" "Didn't Master Alex say that the first deployment might coincide with Whitebeard's movements?" Comps reminded him. "Even if the timing doesn't align perfectly, there's still the Fire Festival—ample opportunity for these weapons to showcase their potential." Comps, one of the architects of the mechanical legion, smiled at the thought of the recognition they would earn from their groundbreaking creations. At that moment, the security system in the most restricted area buzzed as numerous checks were overridden. The doors slid open, and Alex stepped in, followed closely by Kaido. Caesar turned toward the entrance, only for his eyes to widen in shock. "Ka...Kaido!!" The sight of the towering Beast Pirate sent waves of tension through the room. "Relax," Alex said, raising a hand to calm the panicked researchers. "I brought him here to assist in upgrading our alloy technology." Kaido, now inside the facility, didn't seem concerned with the flurry of activity or the researchers' reactions. His gaze immediately locked onto Charlotte Linlin's colossal figure suspended in the tank. Kaido's sharp eyes scanned her lifeless form. The Soul-Soul Fruit had been taken by Boa Hancock, leaving no doubt that Linlin was dead. Yet the sight of her body preserved in this unnatural state filled him with questions.

Chapter 160: 160. Force Determines Value

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