Chapter 55: Kaido Appears! A Huge Threat In Kaido's Eyes!
As 'Kong's body was rapidly engulfed in flames, separating into ash and embers, Bai Ye stood silently. The death of the World Government's Generalissimo, a figure whose demise would shock the entire Grand Line, brought little fluctuation to Bai Ye's heart.
After all, in his eyes, Kong was just another watchdog eliminated on the path to overthrowing the World Government.
That's all.
As for the so-called "consequences" he might face for killing Kong—was there any possibility that sparing him would earn mercy from the World Government?
The answer was obvious: absolutely not.
The World Government had proven time and time again that they would stop at nothing to maintain their rule. History bore witness to their atrocities—when they discovered that Ohara scholars were studying the Poneglyphs, they didn't hesitate to unleash the Buster Call, annihilating the entire island to suppress the truth.
They had obscured the true history of the world, established the Shichibukai system to create an artificial balance of power among the Marines, Shichibukai, and the Four Emperors, and perpetuated chaos to ensure their dominance.
Their methods were ruthless, their intent clear: anyone or anything that threatened their power was to be utterly destroyed.
The Rocks Pirates were a testament to this ironclad philosophy. Despite their once-legendary notoriety, the mere mention of their name had been erased from history, as though they had never existed.
"Have you seen enough?" Bai Ye's voice broke through the silence, his eyes suddenly lifting toward the sky not far away.
There, shrouded in dark clouds, a powerful aura loomed. Its presence radiated tyranny, confidence, and an overwhelming arrogance.
In the entire first half of the Grand Line, there was only one individual capable of exuding such an aura.
"Kaido," Bai Ye muttered coldly, the name of the "Beasts" Emperor falling from his lips.
As if in response, the sky above began to shift. Dark clouds thickened, clashing with the steam-filled air over the boiling sea below, dividing the world into two stark realms.
Then, it appeared.
A deep, guttural roar echoed across the battlefield. "Ooooh! So you noticed me already! I thought I was hiding well!"
A massive, ferocious dragon head emerged from the dark clouds, followed by a colossal serpentine body, its blue scales glinting in the dim light. Sharp claws trampled upon flame-filled clouds, and its presence loomed like a deity of destruction.
Moments later, the full form of Kaido, the "Strongest Creature in the World," materialized. His massive frame dominated the sky, his blue-scaled dragon form sending shivers down the spines of anyone who would dare to look upon him.
Kaido had been there all along, silently watching.
But why had he not intervened sooner? The answer was simple.
Despite his reputation as a battle maniac and a seeker of strong opponents, Kaido wasn't a fool. He had no intention of challenging the World Government's overwhelming forces head-on without first understanding their purpose. To engage recklessly would have been suicide, even for someone of his strength.
Instead, Kaido had waited for the perfect opportunity.
At first, Kaido's intent was simple: to fight Bai Ye. He was always eager to test himself against powerful foes, and Bai Ye, with his unmatched strength, was the ideal opponent. If Bai Ye proved worthy, Kaido had even considered recruiting him into the Beasts Pirates to bolster their forces.
However, witnessing Bai Ye's terrifying power from afar had changed Kaido's plans.
Such strength, Kaido realized, posed a direct threat not just to the World Government but to the very balance of power in the New World. If Bai Ye survived the government's wrath and gained his own following, he would undoubtedly disrupt the equilibrium maintained by the Four Emperors.
Kaido couldn't allow that to happen.
He had made up his mind—Bai Ye had to die here and now.
Now, as Kaido stared at Bai Ye, who had just defeated the World Government's Generalissimo, his lips curled into a wicked grin. He firmly believed that Bai Ye, after fighting one grueling battle after another, was not at full strength.
No matter how powerful, no man had infinite stamina. And unlike Kaido, Bai Ye hadn't consumed a Zoan Devil Fruit, which provided unparalleled endurance.
Kaido was certain: this was his chance. If he wanted to eliminate the threat Bai Ye posed to the future of the New World, there would never be a better moment than now.