One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 348 The Seventh Top Executive & Kaido's Third Disaster
A few days later.

A series of shocking news swept across the world like a hurricane, causing the entire ocean to boil once again.

Whitebeard announces his retirement from the seas!

[His Whitebeard Pirates crew officially disbanded, and many of his officers joined the Fallen Warriors.]

[The former captain of the First Division, Marco the Phoenix, has officially become the seventh top executive of the Enders.]

The Fallen Ones have already occupied over 70% of the New World's territory!!!

The World Economic News Agency worked through the night to print several extra issues, but they were still sold out quickly, with demand exceeding supply.

And in the latest issue of the newspaper.

The front page headline featured a picture of Whitebeard bidding farewell to Shano on the shore as he left Dawn Island.

A person wearing a cloak is bathed in the rising sun.

One stands with its back to the coast, disappearing into the distant shadows.

Below that were two lines of bold, black text titled "The title is in bold."

The legends of the old era have faded into the past; in this new era, only one king reigns!

[—King of the Four Seas, Xia Nuo!]

In the streets and alleys, at taverns and docks, almost everyone was talking about this legendary transition between the old and new eras.

"Hey, are you kidding me? That white-bearded guy is actually willing to retire like this!"

Someone shouted in disbelief.

"Idiot, this is what a smart person does. They save face for themselves. Otherwise, what will they do in the future? Can the Whitebeard Pirates defeat the Fallen Ones?"

"That's true, that man named Whitebeard is getting old after all..."

"Speaking of which, besides Marco, several more captains with a bounty of over 1 billion Berries have joined the crew. Just how strong are the Fallen Ones now? Aren't they even more terrifying than the Rocks Pirates back in the day?"

"There are many more powerful ones! I think the Rocks Pirates alone are not enough; we'd probably need to add the Roger Pirates to compare with the current Fallen Ones!"

"Indeed, the era of the Four Emperors has ended. In the new world, there is only one king and two emperors left."

"Those two families won't enjoy the same treatment as Whitebeard."

Some people chuckled, somewhat gloating, "I wonder when the Fallen Ones will make their move against those two sea emperors."

"Perhaps they're already preparing to march!"

"Haha, that's possible. The Beasts Pirates and the Red-Haired Pirates used to be behemoths that we could only look up to. Now, finally, there's someone that these two can look up to. It's true what they say, the tables have turned..."

…………

Just as public opinion continued to ferment.

At this very moment, in Wano Country.

Oni Island, inside the Skull Castle.

"This is not good, Brother Kaido."

King the Wildfire put down the intelligence files he had gathered, his brow furrowing slightly. "Judging from the situation, it seems that the captains under the old man with the white beard have indeed been tamed by the Fallen Ones."

"The members of the 16th Division almost immediately abandoned their pirate status and joined the Fallen Ones that night, following their captain."

"As for the forty or fifty pirate crews that belonged to Whitebeard's crew, a considerable number of them were unwilling to be bound and chose to break away and seek their own way. However, nearly 30% of the remaining crews submitted to the Fallen Ones."

Jin said in a deep voice, "In this way, the Fallen Ones' sphere of influence has expanded to more than 70% of the New World, almost like a pocket that surrounds our territory."

This situation couldn't be worse.

This means that from now on, the Beasts Pirates will be completely confined to one corner, and no matter which direction they want to expand and advance in the future, they must first break through the blockade of the Fallen Ones.

Conversely.

If the other side sets its sights on their beasts, they can launch a surprise attack from any direction and seize the outer territories outside of Wano Country.

It's difficult to prevent.

"Although I've been busy with festival rehearsals lately, I've still felt it!"

Quinn, sitting opposite, interjected upon hearing this:
"I asked several of my subordinates, and in their recent troubles list, anything related to the Fallen Ones is at the top. Many of the lower-ups are now living in constant fear, afraid that the Fallen Ones will come after them!"

What a nuisance, The Curtain Falls!
These past few days, the atmosphere on Onigashima has become increasingly tense.

Even when Lord Quinn himself danced, the number of people who came to support him was reduced by half.

Before learning the truth, he thought his popularity within the group had suddenly dropped, and he almost cried his heart out.

"Hmph, in the end, it's all that old bastard Whitebeard's fault. Even if he couldn't beat the Fallen Ones, he could have come to us for help. Why did he just admit defeat like that?"

Quinn lit a cigar and snorted irritably.
"What a useless person, at such an old age, he's only getting worse..."

Quinn was puffing on a cigar when suddenly a gourd came hurtling towards him and smashed into his forehead.

boom!
He was sent flying and crashed heavily into the wall, feeling dizzy and seeing stars.

"Ouch, that hurts! Kaido, what are you doing now?!"

Quinn cried out in frustration.

Have you had too much to drink again? You really went too far! Who wraps their wine gourd with a domineering color all the time?
"What do you think, you idiot!"

Kaido, drunk, stood up, his eyes wide, and said fiercely:

"I clearly said this a long time ago: when it comes to fighting the Whitebeard Pirates for territory, I don't care how hard I hit them, but when you mention Whitebeard, show me some respect! That guy used to be the big brother I admired the most!"

Even back when the Rocks Pirates had just disbanded.

He heard that Whitebeard had formed his own pirate crew, and he eagerly ran over, wanting to become the captain of the first division.

Unfortunately, as he grew older, their dreams, ideas, and ways of doing things became increasingly incompatible, and they gradually went their separate ways.

"Yes, yes, I understand, Brother Kaido..."

Quinn muttered something.

When Kaido turned his head, he quietly took out a mirror and carefully looked at himself from left to right.

Thank goodness, thank goodness.

The swelling isn't in the front, so it doesn't affect the good looks of my handsome face.

The annual festival is very important, and the position of presiding over it must be held by a high-ranking officer. However, within the entire Beasts Pirates, apart from his many talents, there is no one else who can do the job.

"Let's get back to business, brother."

King glanced at Queen, rubbing his temples with a headache. "After the Fallen Ones absorbed the Whitebeard Pirates, their strength has expanded to an unimaginable level. While they are busy integrating and unable to gather forces for the time being, we should probably try to find some outside help."

He looked up at Kaido:
"Should we consider... joining forces with the Red-Haired Pirates?"

"what?"

Kaido frowned. "With that brat Shanks?" "That's right. Shanks has always wanted to maintain his so-called balance of power, and he's clearly been unhappy about the rise of the Fallen Ones for a long time."

Jin squinted and said:

"You remember, right? Half a year ago, when the War of the Four Kingdoms broke out, Shanks went to try to stop Shank. Now that the balance of the Four Emperors has been completely broken, the most anxious one should be that guy."

After hearing King's suggestion, Kaido remained silent, tilted his head back and took a big gulp of wine, then slammed the wine gourd heavily on the ground with a thud.

Jin sighed.

Having followed him for many years, he knew Kaido all too well. Seeing this reaction, he already knew that the proposal was doomed.

really.

"What a joke!"

Kaido roared angrily, "I am Kaido of the Beasts! When did I fall so low that I need to team up with that brat Shanks?!"

"That red-haired brat, back when I was just an apprentice on Roger's ship, I was already a top-tier pirate! Now, to deal with another brat, I have to beg him to join forces? Bah!"

If only Lingling were still here.

With Lingling by his side, there was nothing he couldn't overcome. If Whitebeard was also willing to stand by his side, that would be even better.

Only that redhead...

Absolutely not!

Just thinking about that scene makes me feel really uncomfortable!

"..."

King waited silently for a while, until Kaido had vented his emotions, before speaking again:

"Then what do you suggest we do, brother? Following your instructions, we've been preparing for war with all our might for the past few months. In terms of equipment and total troop strength, we have the capability to fight, but the lack of top-tier combat power is very difficult to fill..."

After all, they are the ones who have fallen from grace.

There are now a total of seven top officials...

"Hmph, who says there's no way to make amends?"

Kaido grinned maliciously, "Have you forgotten that a few days ago, I went out to sea specifically to find Whitebeard? Although that guy Whitebeard deliberately avoided seeing me, I did manage to subdue an incredible fellow on that journey!"

What an amazing guy?

Jhin and Quinn were both taken aback, exchanging bewildered glances.

For a moment, they couldn't imagine who else on this vast sea could earn such praise from Kaido.

"Hmm, are you getting curious?"

Kaido laughed even more heartily, "Since that Hanafuda guy left, the position of Drought has been vacant, hasn't it? Perfect, let's give this position to him on this occasion, let him make his debut, and let him meet you two disasters!"

boom!
As soon as Kaido finished speaking, the castle gate was suddenly smashed open by a violent force.

Amidst the flying sawdust, an extremely tall figure strode into the hall.

The ground trembled, and shadows fell.

He was an exceptionally muscular man with blond hair combed back and wearing a black military uniform. His massive, mountain-like body seemed to burst the door frame.

A cold gaze swept over, almost freezing the air.

This feeling of oppression.

"You are……"

Jhin recognized the person, his pupils suddenly contracting, "Douglas Barrett!"

Twenty years ago, he was the strongest rookie on Roger's ship, renowned for his martial prowess! After leaving the ship, he fought his way across the world alone, almost without encountering an opponent!
Even the Marine Headquarters had to deploy Sengoku and Garp simultaneously, launching a high-level Buster Call, to capture him and imprison him in Impel Down Level 6!

Looking back over the past century, even if you include all the most heinous criminals who have been arrested, this guy would still be firmly among the top few!

"Uro-ro-ro!"

Kaido spread his arms and laughed, "Well, you two are quite surprised, aren't you? This man escaped from prison when the Marine Headquarters mobilized all its forces a while ago. Not many people know this now!"

"Before this, this guy trained for twenty years in the underwater prison. Not only did his strength not decline, it was even stronger than before. Even I had to spend a lot of effort to tame him!!!"

"Watch your words, Kaido."

Barrett frowned in displeasure and snorted coldly, "If you use the word 'taming' again, don't blame me for turning on you. Our battle is still undecided, and I have no interest in being a subordinate of someone like you. It's just that the conditions you offered happen to interest me."

As he spoke, Barrett strode to the center of the hall, his military boots making a dull thud on the floor.

His indifferent eyes swept over Jhin and Quinn, sizing them up and down.

When he saw the flames burning on the wings behind Jin, he raised an eyebrow with interest.

But upon seeing Quinn's bulky body, he sneered, a disdainful smile curving his lips.

"An orphan of the Lunaria race, and a seemingly dim-witted fat guy—these two good-for-nothings are the so-called disasters you speak of?"

He sat down casually in the chair, tilting his head back. "If I remember correctly, you said you wanted me to be in some drought relief position. Am I really going to be ranked alongside someone of this caliber? Hey, hey, hey, I'll have to change my mind. Just give me the position of first mate for now!"

"what??"

Quinn flew into a rage, snatching his cigar from his hand. "You little brat, watch your mouth! What kind of person are you to associate with? People who underestimate me, Quinn, will pay the price!"

"Good, but don't be too arrogant."

A flash of anger also crossed Jin's eyes.

Although he had heard of Barrett's arrogance before, such a disrespectful attitude, which showed little respect even to Kaido, had thoroughly enraged him.

"What, you're not convinced?"

Barrett sneered, crossed his arms, and didn't even bother to stand up.

He tilted his head and looked at the two of them with disdain: "Then come at me together, let me see just how much this so-called disaster really weighs."

"That's what you said!"

Quinn roared and his obese body charged toward Barrett at an astonishing speed.

With a series of clicking sounds, his right hand, which had already been completely modified, suddenly transformed into a giant mechanical arm and slammed down!
"The wind comes and punches!"

At the same moment, Jhin also drew his sword, flames enveloping the blade, and slashed at Barrett from the other side!

"Fire Dragon Emperor!"

Despite being caught between two major disasters, Barrett didn't even lift an eyelid.

Suddenly, his right hand swelled and deformed, instantly covered with jet-black Armament Haki, and swept out like a giant steel claw!

boom!
Quinn's mechanical arm was twisted and deformed by the impact, and he was sent flying backward, crashing heavily into the wall and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

Barrett grinned maliciously as Jhin slashed at him, letting the blade hurtle towards his head.

clang!
Amidst the flying sparks, Jin was horrified to discover that his knife had been caught by the opponent using his face alone!
(End of this chapter)