Chapter 174: 174: The New Alpha.

Words : 865 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

The Three Disasters trembled under Zenkichi's overwhelming aura. After a long silence, Drought Jack, always the brute with little sense, clenched his teeth and stood against the pressure. "How did you control Boss Kaido?" he growled, voice strained. "Let him go now!" He stumbled forward, pushing through the force pressing down on him. "We became Kaido-sama's subordinates willingly. We won't betray him unless you've surpassed his strength and proven yourself worthy to lead the Beasts Pirates." "We respect strength," Jack added firmly. "Only someone more powerful than Kaido-sama deserves our loyalty. If you're relying on tricks to control him, we'll never bow to you." Zenkichi's expression remained calm, almost amused. He nodded slowly. "Your conviction is admirable... but conviction without power is meaningless." He stepped forward lightly, the crushing aura dissipating around him. "If you want to test my strength, I'll give you the chance. Come, all of you—attack together." Jack and the others glanced at each other. With Zenkichi's pressure lifted, they felt like they stood a chance. They launched themselves forward, determined to fight. But they were wrong. A towering, light-blue ethereal warrior erupted behind Zenkichi—a full-body Susanoo. Its sword shimmered with power as it swung down in a single devastating arc, leveling the surrounding terrain. Dozens of Beast Pirates were cut down in one strike. The Three Disasters were flung backward like broken dolls, groaning from deep wounds. Zenkichi stood atop Susanoo's forehead, arms folded, voice calm. "Do you understand now? This is the power I command." Below him, silence reigned. The remaining Beast Pirates could only tremble. One move, and their forces had been devastated. Zenkichi's cold indifference was more terrifying than Kaido's rage. They understood his message clearly: they were expendable. One by one, the pirates dropped to their knees and lowered their heads. "We'll follow you, Zenkichi-sama! Please spare us!" Zenkichi nodded in approval, his eyes flicking over to the battered Three Disasters. "And what about you three?" Jack grunted and wiped blood from his lip. "We surrender. We follow strength—and you've proven yours." Without hesitation, the three of them acknowledged Zenkichi as their new captain. There was no sentiment in the Beast Pirates, only respect for overwhelming power. Kaido had ruled through force, and now, someone stronger had taken his place. "Good," Zenkichi said, waving a hand. "Start treating the wounded. I want the crew reorganized immediately." --- Mariejois – The Holy Land The Five Elders sat around a low table, grave expressions darkening the room. The reports from Sengoku and the navy admirals weighed heavy in their hands. "Four of our strongest men—Sengoku, Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru—were defeated?" one of the Elders muttered, disbelief thick in his voice. "Are we sure this isn't a fabrication?" "Sengoku may be old-fashioned, but he wouldn't fabricate something like this," another Elder said sharply. "This... Zenkichi may possess power we don't fully understand." "Such strength shouldn't even exist in this world." "And yet it does. We've seen it before. Don't forget about Im-sama." The room fell silent at the mention of that name. If Zenkichi posed a threat to Im-sama, then the very foundation of the World Government was at risk. "Report this to Im-sama immediately." — In the depths of Pangaea Castle, Im-sama sat cloaked in shadow, the very air around them cold and heavy. They glanced briefly at the report before tossing it aside. "You've governed this world for centuries," Im said without emotion. "And now you can't handle one upstart?" The Five Elders knelt before them, sweat beading on their foreheads. "If your incompetence continues, end your lives and be done with it." They bowed deeper, trembling. "We will use everything at our disposal to destroy Zenkichi." — Across the Seas News of the humiliating defeat of the Navy's strongest spread like wildfire. The Beast Pirates had already seen Zenkichi's terrifying might firsthand. They believed it. But other powers were skeptical. Many dismissed it as exaggerated tabloid nonsense. "The Navy's top four defeated by one man? Ridiculous." — Cake Island – Territory of Big Mom In the center of Totto Land, Charlotte Linlin tossed a newspaper aside with a snort. "These reporters get more ridiculous by the day. What garbage." She roared, slamming her hand on the table. "Where are my cakes?! If they're not here in five minutes, someone's head is rolling!" Just as she was about to return to her usual gluttony, Katakuri burst into the room. "Mother—Zenkichi and Kaido are approaching!" Charlotte's face froze. "Both of them? Together?" Katakuri nodded. "Kaido's carrying Zenkichi on his back... in dragon form." "That's impossible!" she barked. "That fool Kaido would never carry someone on his back like a pet!" "I didn't believe it either," Katakuri said grimly. "But I saw it myself. If you don't believe me, see for yourself." Outside the island's borders, the sky rippled as a giant azure dragon approached. On its head sat a man, calm and regal, his long black cloak fluttering in the wind. Zenkichi had arrived. ---

Chapter 174: 174: The New Alpha.

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