Chapter 163: 163. The Aftermath Is Rising, The Kaido Legacy Chase

Words : 1288 Updated : Oct 2nd, 2025

Check out advanced chapters on P@treon: [email protected]/CosmicKaminari ---------- A week had passed since the battle between the forces of Wanokuni and the Double Emperor Alliance. The aftermath of their clash sent ripples of chaos across the seas, driving countless opportunists to emerge from the shadows and exploit the turmoil. In the New World, where the balance of the Four Emperors had shattered, long-hidden heroes, villains, and ambitious rogues crawled out from their hiding places. The vacant thrones of power, along with promises of untold riches, stirred envy and boldness in equal measure. The chaos was further amplified by the actions of Alex, who had claimed the Ten Thousand Kingdoms Islands as his own but showed no interest in Kaido's scattered legacy. Sensing this, the ambitions of countless others began to grow unchecked. Grand Line, a remote, mist-shrouded sea. In the hazy sunlight, a port teemed with activity. More than a dozen massive pirate ships, each brimming with cannons and armed crew, loomed menacingly over the waters. This fearsome fleet was a testament to the power and influence of its owner. The archipelago they guarded was a haven for notorious criminals. Pirates of all stripes roamed its bustling streets, their quarrels and bravado filling the air. Laughter and drunken celebration erupted frequently as they shared the latest headlines about the upheaval in the New World. At the island's highest point, seated on a towering throne carved from dark wood, was Ochoku—the ruler of the island and the commander of the fleet. Once a prominent captain under Rocks D. Xebec, Ochoku had controlled Hive Island as part of his spoils after the collapse of the Rocks Pirates. But years ago, he had been defeated and driven out of the New World by Kaido. Humiliated, Ochoku had accepted the position of Shichibukai, becoming a "Special Call" pirate under the World Government's banner. Now, as his deputy delivered the latest reports, Ochoku's expression darkened. News that the fearsome Wanokuni forces had remained quiet for a week only fanned the flames of his ambition. For years, the title of Shichibukai had chafed at Ochoku's pride. To a man who had once sailed alongside Rocks, the position felt more like a leash than a badge of honor. How could he, a former legend, settle for anything less than the freedom and glory enjoyed by the Four Emperors? His gaze shifted to the horizon, where Kaido's former territories lay vulnerable. Among them was Hive Island—the very stronghold Kaido had wrested from him. The thought of someone else claiming it filled Ochoku with a burning resolve. With a sharp motion, Ochoku hurled his wine glass against the stone floor. The shards shattered, and wine trickled between his fingers as he gripped the remains tightly. Suddenly, Ochoku unleashed his fury. With terrifying force, he launched the broken glass at a torii gate in the distance. The shards streaked through the air like a bullet, striking the gate with such explosive power that it shattered into splinters. Boom! Boom! Boom! The sound echoed across the island, cutting through the cacophony of the pirate haven. Conversations stopped mid-sentence, and every head turned toward the towering figure on the throne. Ochoku rose to his full height, his aura radiating power and command. His voice boomed across the island, amplified by his sheer presence. "Listen up, you scurvy lot!" Ochoku's eyes burned with determination as he continued, his voice unwavering. "The King's Chase begins now!" Rumors of Ochoku's ambition to claim Kaido's legacy had already spread far and wide across the seas. Now, with his declaration reverberating through Pirate Paradise, the reactions were immediate and loud. Pirates raised their weapons and wine glasses in celebration, their cheers echoing across the island. Ochoku's proclamation wasn't just a rallying cry—it was a spark that ignited ambitions among countless opportunists. But Ochoku was far from the only one moving under the shadow of the New World's upheaval. The fractured balance left in the wake of the Double Emperor Alliance had emboldened pirates across the seas, many of whom saw the position of Shichibukai as a stepping stone rather than an endpoint. While some, like Crocodile, pursued personal agendas, and others, such as Gexko Moria, avoided the dangers of the New World entirely, many still sought the opportunities now within reach. Even Weevil Russell, who roamed the first half of the Grand Line, seemed to be steering clear of the chaos. However, others— Bad Wine Bardock, the Swamp Villain Russell, and the colossal battleship Sanjuan Wolf—had already set their sights on Kaido's unclaimed territories. As these scattered forces moved like pieces on a chessboard, another announcement sent shockwaves across the world. The Whitebeard Pirates, the other half of the Twin Emperors alongside Wanokuni's forces, had made their move. The news struck the seas like a bombshell, creating towering waves in an already roiling ocean of ambition. The revelation that Whitebeard himself, or at least his fleet, would enter the fray dispelled the hopes of many would-be challengers. For all their ambition, few dared to contest the legacy of the "Strongest Man in the World." Even now, years after gaining the title, Whitebeard's fearsome power was the stuff of legend. The mere thought of his fleet unleashing destruction with world-ending force was enough to make many abandon their plans. Of course, Alex was one of the first to receive the news, thanks to his well-placed Shadow Guards. His intelligence network went beyond what even the seas could offer, providing him with the nuanced details others lacked. It became clear that Whitebeard's true strategy was more complex. While he had committed part of his fleet and some of his division commanders to the battle for Kaido's inheritance, this was little more than a smokescreen. The Moby Dick and Whitebeard's top commanders were not seeking Kaido's spoils—they were instead making preparations to close in on Wanokuni itself. Alex's thoughts turned to Whitebeard's likely method: stealth. The same underwater coating technique that had been used during the Summit War could allow Whitebeard's main force to move undetected, setting the stage for a surprise attack. As Alex processed this critical information, another report came in from Shinobu, the manager of his Shadow Guard operations. "The Red-Haired Pirates have been sighted near Whitebeard's fleet." Hearing this, Alex's eyes narrowed in thought. "Shanks..." he murmured, recognizing the red-haired captain's unmistakable timing. It was too early for Shanks to make his move. Alex knew Shanks well enough to guess his intentions. The red-haired captain's purpose would undoubtedly involve diplomacy. Without possessing overwhelming power, Shanks would rely on his ties to Whitebeard, forged during their time aboard Roger's ship. However, Whitebeard's pride was a force in itself. No amount of talk or courage could sway him easily. The only things that could truly soften Whitebeard's heart were his cherished family and the memories of his hometown. Alex's thoughts lingered on the legendary Summit War. In his mind's eye, he saw Whitebeard standing firm, delivering his final speech about Roger's era and the dreams of pirates, reigniting the flames of ambition even as his own era came to an end. Whitebeard's deep connection to Roger's legacy made Shanks' appeal plausible, but not guaranteed. Alex considered the situation carefully. If Wanokuni was to remain stable, he might need to intervene directly. Alex pondered, maybe instead of fighting at Wanokuni, he could go there himself. His subordinates and various military forces have undergone a thorough war baptism, and they are ready for the Whitebeard Pirates' all-out war.

Chapter 163: 163. The Aftermath Is Rising, The Kaido Legacy Chase

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