XX-level Hokage

So he quickly gave the order: "Morley, Raven, follow me in pursuit!"

However, to everyone's surprise, Mashiro remained completely still, seemingly unconcerned about Aokiji's retreat. She simply stood there, coldly watching the direction Aokiji had disappeared in, her eyes gleaming with a confident light. "Mashiro!" Ryu looked at her in confusion, "Why didn't you stop Aokiji? This is our best chance to crush the Marines!"

Mashiro smiled slightly, her tone tinged with mystery: "No rush, Ryu, Aokiji won't escape. He's just cleaning up our mess." She spoke casually, but it made Ryu feel uneasy.

Although he had been working with Mashiro for some time, he still found it difficult to understand the woman's thoughts.

Just then, a faint groan suddenly echoed across the battlefield, and all eyes turned once again to Akainu's gradually cooling body. Akainu's life force was rapidly draining away, his wounds were horrifying, and blood stained the surrounding ground.

Mashiro's eyes flashed slightly, then she made a decision that shocked everyone. She slowly walked towards the fallen Akainu, formed hand seals, and activated her healing power. "Learn Sage Mode."

Fujitora, Green Bull, and Chaton all looked bewildered, while Ryu was utterly perplexed: "Mashiro, why did you save Akainu? He's our enemy!"

Fujitora looked thoughtful, while Green Bull seemed even angrier: "What exactly are you planning, woman!"

Mashiro ignored the questions and continued to focus on the healing spell in her hands. The green light slowly enveloped Akainu's body and began to rapidly repair his wounds.

As she cast her spell, Akainu's previously lifeless breath gradually stabilized. Although he was still unconscious, he was clearly out of danger.

Dragon was utterly bewildered and wanted to ask for an explanation, but just then, a deafening roar echoed across the battlefield. A powerful samurai aura pierced through the air from afar, piercing Dragon's chest with perfect accuracy.

"Pfft—" Blood splattered out, and the dragon's body jolted violently as excruciating pain instantly coursed through his entire body. He turned his head in disbelief, trying to see the sudden attacker clearly.

When he saw clearly, his face revealed undisguised shock and anger—standing behind him was none other than Momousagi En. En's face still wore that cold expression, her hands gripping the hilt of her sword, the blade still dripping with dragon's blood.

Chapter 171: Kaido, Shanks, and Aokiji

Then Ryu turned to look at Mashiro. You.

His eyes were filled with confusion and resentment before he collapsed to the ground. Blood continued to flow.

The samurai sword, imbued with the domineering aura of a candidate general, was pierced through the heart without any defense. Even a dragon could not withstand such an attack.

Just as she had done with Akainu, Mashiro began to treat Ryu. Fujitora, Green Bull, and Chaton, standing nearby, were utterly astonished.

Chi and Yamato remained calm; they had never considered the Revolutionary Army as their comrades from the beginning.

After ensuring the dragon wouldn't die, Mashiro turned to observe the changing situation on the port battlefield, a slight smile on her face. Next, it would be Aokiji's turn.

Meanwhile, Sabo, along with Mori and Raven, continued their pursuit of the navy warships, completely unaware that their leader had been attacked. In the port of Dressrosa, the navy was attempting to evacuate.

As the only remaining admiral, Aokiji abandoned his usual laziness and calmly directed the warships to dock one by one, leading the remaining naval soldiers in a retreat.

Although his face appeared calm, he felt a sense of urgency. Akainu's defeat and the collapse of the Navy made him realize that he had to retreat as soon as possible, otherwise the entire Navy's fighting force would be wiped out in this battle.

Suddenly, a loud bang came from the sky.

However, just as they were about to successfully evacuate, a huge figure descended from the sky and crashed into the warship in the center of the harbor with tremendous force.

As the figure crashed into the warship, giant waves surged across the sea, and in an instant, the figure transformed into a massive azure dragon, coiling above the surface. "Kaido of the Beasts," one of the Four Emperors—how could he be here!

Upon seeing this, Aokiji's expression instantly turned serious.

Despite having experienced countless fierce battles, the officers and soldiers on the naval warships still felt a sense of powerlessness in the face of such an existence.

Kaido coldly surveyed the navy before him, unleashing a massive dragon's breath that swept directly toward the warship where Aokiji was.

"Kaido!" A hint of unease flashed in Aokiji's eyes.

Kaido's strength is already well-known throughout the world, especially in terms of defense, which is almost the best in the four seas.

Although Aokiji's freezing ability was powerful, he knew that he had no absolute chance of winning against such a behemoth.

With a wave of his hand, Aokiji conjured an ice wall that blocked Kaido's dragon breath. The violent impact caused the ice wall to crack instantly, but it barely managed to withstand the attack. Aokiji narrowed his eyes, knowing that this battle would be extremely difficult.

Meanwhile, Kaido's massive dragon body did not cease its movements, its thunderous roar echoing across the battlefield. He roared again, unleashing a powerful dragon breath that, with the force of thunder, slammed directly into the naval fleet.

Aokiji's figure flashed, instantly disappearing from his original spot and appearing where the dragon's breath was about to hit. He crossed his arms and released a huge ice barrier in an attempt to block this devastating attack.

However, Kaido's dragon breath was far more powerful than he had anticipated. The ice barrier melted instantly upon contact with the breath, scattering into countless ice crystals. The warship rocked violently, and the marines on deck were gripped by panic.

Despite their desperate efforts to maintain order, their morale is gradually crumbling in the face of Kaido's overwhelming power.

Just as Aokiji was about to make another move, Kaido moved, his massive dragon body suddenly shrank, transforming into human form, and he swung his spiked club down hard at Aokiji.

"Thunderous Eight Trigrams!"

The massive spiked club, imbued with terrifying power, was crackling with black and red aura that transformed into lightning as it slammed down towards Aokiji. Aokiji abruptly turned, his entire body instantly transforming into ice crystals in an attempt to evade this fatal blow.

However, Kaido's attack speed was extremely fast. Although the attack failed to hit Aokiji's main body, the powerful shockwave still made Aokiji's figure tremble slightly.

Kaido sneered, Buddha was extremely confident in his own power.

He laughed as he shouted, "Aokiji, don't think you can escape from me!" Kaido's imposing aura filled the air above the battlefield, causing all the Marines to tremble.

Just then, an incomparably powerful aura swept in from afar. This aura carried an extremely strong sense of majesty, as if the heavens and earth were trembling.

Immediately afterwards, a gigantic red ship appeared on the distant sea; that ship was none other than the "Red Force." Standing at the bow was another of the Four Emperors—"Red-Haired Shanks."

"Hey, Kaido," Shanks said slowly, his tone carrying a nonchalant air of dominance, "It seems this battle can't continue any longer." Kaido's eyes flashed with displeasure upon seeing Shanks's appearance, and he coldly said, "Shanks, you've come to spoil the fun?"

Shanks smiled slightly, holding a rapier in one hand, and said seriously, "I'm not trying to cause trouble, I just don't want to see Aokiji killed by you so easily."

Aokiji watched Shanks' arrival with a cold eye. Although he felt a sense of relief, he knew that Shanks' appearance meant the situation would become more complicated.

Kaido's cold gaze swept between Shanks and Aokiji, and he sneered, "Shanks, are you trying to help the Navy?" Shanks gently shook his head: "I won't help either side, but I also don't want to see the battle turn into a one-sided affair."

Upon hearing that the "Naval Alliance," the Revolutionary Army, and the Navy had all gathered in Dressrosa, Shanks had a vague premonition of something ominous and hurriedly led the Red-Haired Pirates there.

But it was too late; Akainu and the other four admirals had already been captured.

Therefore, Shanks absolutely cannot allow Aokiji to fall into this trap, but the balance has been completely broken.

As a Celestial Dragon, Shanks is well aware of the World Government's hidden strength; once war breaks out, it will undoubtedly cause immense suffering and destruction.

Kaido snorted coldly. Despite his displeasure, he knew Shanks' strength was not to be underestimated. Facing two formidable enemies, he wasn't afraid, but he also didn't want to get bogged down in a protracted battle. Just then, Mashiro observed the changing battle from afar.

Her gaze remained fixed on the changing situation on the battlefield, a slight smile playing on her lips.

Kaido's arrival was a backup plan she had arranged long ago, and Shanks' intervention, though unexpected, did not shake her plans.

"Shanks' arrival has added some uncertainty to the situation," Mashiro thought to herself. She knew that Shanks wouldn't easily take sides, but rather preferred to maintain a balance.

However, this does not affect her overall plan.

With Shanks' arrival, the atmosphere on the battlefield became delicate.

With Aokiji, Kaido, and Shanks all gathered together, a strange balance was formed.

Shanks' Red-Haired Pirates quickly deployed under his command, forming a standoff with Kaido. Aokiji, meanwhile, calmly observed the situation while searching for an opportunity to escape.

Chapter 172: Kaido VS Shanks

Mashiro stood high in Dressrosa, coldly watching the confrontation between Kaido and Shanks, her heart completely unmoved.

The situation remained under her control. Although Shanks' intervention was a variable, it did not substantially disrupt her plans. On the sea near the port, Kaido's dragon form clashed with Shanks' Haki, making the atmosphere on the battlefield increasingly tense.

The clash of the two powerful emperors cleaved the clouds, unleashing a deafening roar of thunder, as if the entire world was celebrating their victory.

They trembled at the prospect of battle.

Kaido glared angrily at Shanks, his massive dragon body tumbling in the air, his dragon breath already poised to strike again. He shouted, "Shanks, you're such a busybody!"

"Thunderous Eight Trigrams!" Kaido roared, swinging his massive spiked club. Black and red Haki transformed into lightning in the air, directly striking Shanks. Shanks' expression darkened, and he instantly swung his rapier, a sharp sword aura carrying his supreme Haki meeting Kaido's attack.

The two powerful auras clashed fiercely in mid-air, and the violent shockwaves stirred up the harbor's seawater, sending it surging outwards. The sea churned wildly, and even distant islands began to tremble.

Shanks stared coldly at Kaido. Although he knew Kaido's terrifying power, he was equally confident in his swordsmanship and Haki. "You shouldn't be lingering here, Kaido," Shanks said calmly, but his tone was extremely serious. "This battle is meaningless."

Kaido sneered dismissively, "Hahaha! Meaningless? Perhaps that's true for you, but I will never allow anyone to escape from my sight, especially those Marine scum!"

"Since you insist, then I have nothing more to say." Shanks narrowed his eyes, and the rapier in his hand gleamed brightly. The battle that followed intensified.

Kaido's Thunder Bagua, imbued with unparalleled power, relentlessly slammed into Shanks, but Shanks, with his exceptional swordsmanship and the combined efforts of the Red-Haired Pirates, repeatedly deflected Kaido's fierce attacks.

Under the combined attack of the Red-Haired Pirates, Kaido gradually found himself at a disadvantage.

Although his defenses were unparalleled, he still found it difficult to escape unscathed when surrounded by Shanks and his crew. Shanks's second-in-command, Ben Beckman, the sniper Yasopp, and the other powerful crew members worked in perfect harmony, forcing Kaido to retreat after several attacks.

Kaido's face grew increasingly grim, a hint of resentment flashing in his eyes. However, he also knew very well that the tide of battle had turned in Shanks' favor, and continuing to entangle himself would only plunge him into a deeper predicament.

At this moment, Aokiji glanced at the situation on the battlefield and secretly breathed a sigh of relief. Taking advantage of the moment when Kaido and Shanks clashed, he quickly ordered the remaining Marine soldiers to begin their retreat.

"Retreat! Retreat for all!" Aokiji coldly ordered. He knew that this battle was beyond the Navy's capabilities, and even as an admiral, he was unwilling to linger in such chaos.

Although Kaido noticed Aokiji's actions, he was already surrounded by the Red-Haired Pirates and could not spare the attention to stop him. In the end, Aokiji successfully led the remaining Marines away from the battlefield and quickly disappeared into the distant sea.

Seeing the Marines escape, Kaido's rage intensified. His dragon form reappeared in the sky, looking down upon Shanks and his crew. Although the battle had reached a stalemate, Kaido, being one of the Four Emperors, was not about to give up easily.

"Shanks, do you really think you can stop me forever?" Kaido said through gritted teeth, his tone filled with intense resentment.

Shanks shrugged, a calm smile appearing on his face. "Kaido, don't be too fixated on the immediate outcome. You should know very well that continuing will only result in mutual destruction."

Kaido remained silent for a moment, then let out a cold snort. Although he was unwilling to admit it, Shanks was right. Continuing the fight would only cost him more unnecessary damage. Moreover, the current situation was far more complicated than this battle.

"Hmph! You win this time, Shanks." Kaido said coldly, his massive dragon form slowly descending and gradually returning to human form.

A shadow crossed his eyes, as if he was wary of Shanks but unwilling to linger at this moment. With Kaido's retreat, the Red-Haired Pirates had no intention of pursuing him.

Shanks stood at the bow of the ship, coldly watching Kaido's departing figure, pondering the future situation. "Next, it's time to make a trip to Whitebeard's place..." Shanks muttered to himself.

Under the command of the Red-Haired Pirates, they quickly sailed away from Dressrosa and headed to another unknown battlefield.

Kaido returned to Dressrosa, his gait heavy, each step feeling like it was treading on the heart of the island. Despite having just been at a disadvantage in his duel with Shanks, his imposing presence remained undiminished.

Mashiro had been waiting for Kaido's arrival. Seeing him appear in the palace, she smiled slightly, as if she had anticipated it all. "Kaido, you've had a long journey," Mashiro said calmly.

"Hmph!" Kaido snorted coldly, his eyes filled with rage. "Mashiro, Aokiji has escaped. Your plan doesn't seem to have been entirely successful." Mashiro shook her head indifferently: "Aokiji's escape isn't important. Anyway, Akainu and the four potential admirals are already in our hands."

The army's strength has been weakened. As for Aokiji, he can't cause much trouble on his own.

Her gaze remained calm, as if she had already seen through everything.

Mashiro knew that Aokiji was merely a pawn of the World Government; the real enemy was the World Government's higher-ups, and her plan had only just begun. Kaido glared at Mashiro with displeasure. Although he was somewhat annoyed by her attitude, he had to admit that there was some truth to what she said.

At this moment, Kaido was already pondering his next move. "What are you planning to do next?" Kaido asked coldly.

Mashiro smiled gently, turned and walked to the window of the palace, his gaze sweeping across the vast sea: "I will have to meet the other three Yonko sooner or later. Whether it's Shanks, Big Mom, or Whitebeard, they will all be under my control."

Her voice was filled with unparalleled confidence and ambition, as if she held the fate of the entire world in her hands.

"You'd better not underestimate them, especially Whitebeard. His strength is far beyond your imagination," Kaido warned. Despite being one of the Four Emperors, his fear of Whitebeard was evident.

Mashiro's smile remained unchanged as she turned to look at Kaido, her eyes gleaming with a profound light: "No matter how strong they are, they are ultimately just pawns on a chessboard. Kaido, are you willing to continue joining forces with me?"

Kaido remained silent for a moment, then finally snorted coldly, "As long as your plan benefits me, I won't object." Mashiro nodded, as if everything was under control.

She knew the real battle was yet to come, and the day when the World Government would be overthrown would eventually arrive. And she, Hinata Mashiro, would be the ultimate ruler of this world.