The natural system started off strong, but the navy finally reached its peak!

They are by no means without the ability to fight; at the very least, they can put up an effective resistance, buy time, and even request reinforcements from the Whitebeard Pirates.

“But,” Gern’s tone suddenly turned cold, “what did he choose?”

"He chose to believe Orochi and Kaido's flawed verbal promises!"

In the City of Flowers, they danced a ridiculous, naked dance for five years straight!

"Then, he personally, bit by bit, extinguished the flame of hope that had just been ignited in the hearts of all his followers!"

"And while he was dancing, Hyogoro and his yakuza forces were completely slaughtered, and other daimyo and samurai who had the will to resist were purged one by one!"

"His supporters have been uprooted!"

The courtyard was completely silent, except for Gern's calm yet piercingly incisive narration.

Yamato's face turned pale, his lips parted slightly, but he couldn't make a sound.

She only knew that Oden was dancing and "enduring," but she had never seen so clearly what the price was behind this "endurance."

Because these things... weren't written in the diary.

He has never mentioned his own biological father, Kaido.

“Even at this point,” Gern continued, “I still believe that Oden could resist!”

After all, he was the second division commander of the Whitebeard Pirates! A member of the Roger Pirates!

This network and background were enough to shake the entire New World back then!

"Back then, the G-10 branch I belonged to had not yet been established, and the New World was largely a world of pirates!"

He could have easily sent a distress signal or broken out with his family and core warriors.

Seek help from Whitebeard or Roger's former crew!

If Whitebeard and Roger's former crew had actually come, Kaido wouldn't have run away.

"The title of 'World's Strongest Creature' is awesome! I'll fight anyone who says it's not!"

"Unfortunately, someone still chose to dance." Gern shook his head slightly. "Until finally being forced to the brink of boiling oil, he suddenly realized it was too late."

"Lord Oden..."

Yamato isn't stupid. Although he's a bit naive, what Guern said wasn't just made up; it was actually feasible!

Even our famously single-minded Luffy understands that the only way to deal with a true villain is through combat.

"Heh, Oden's life has been too smooth." Gern slowly stood up.

"He was stupid to begin with, but he was also exceptionally gifted, born strong, and worshipped by the people. He also found a beautiful wife on the street."

He was even recognized, accepted, and regarded as a comrade by legendary figures like Roger and Whitebeard, who stood at the pinnacle of the world.

"This kind of early life shaped a deep-rooted psychological perception in him."

My intuition was right; the path I chose is the right one.

This world... will eventually give way to my 'specialness'.

“It’s a naive arrogance,” Gern pointed out, “that prevents him from recognizing true, pure evil.”

He might have thought Orochi and Kaido were just 'pirates in another sense' or 'power-hungry madmen'.

You can use magnanimity, strength, and the manner of a 'hero' to win people over and negotiate.

"It's a pity he doesn't understand. Perhaps Kaido would, but Orochi would never!" Gern's tone was resolute.

He doesn't care about magnanimity, nor does he recognize anything "special" beyond ability; their sole purpose is to plunder, dominate, and destroy.

Negotiation and naiveté are merely catalysts for their self-destruction.

"Oden lived within the 'legendary template' of his life experiences."

He firmly believed he would be the hero who pulled off a last-minute comeback, just like he was on Whitebeard's ship.

Just like the adventures on Roger's ship, one can always find a way out of seemingly hopeless situations and turn danger into safety.

"But what he didn't know was that in the real struggles of politics and national destiny, there aren't that many dramatic reversals at the 'last minute'."

"Yes, there is only the deep abyss of despair that is difficult to escape after repeatedly missing opportunities."

That's his 'stupidity'.

It wasn't a lack of ability, but a fatal misperception; an overly smooth life had given him the cruelest illusion.

After Gern finished speaking, Zoro frowned, seemingly lost in thought, but inwardly he agreed with Gern's words.

From a factual perspective, Oden was indeed foolish.

King closed his eyes, it was unclear whether he was lamenting Oden or reflecting on Kaido.

Yamato's eyes were still somewhat unfocused, but he was still trying to find a point of rebuttal.

“But my father… Kaido…”

"Kaido is a pirate." Gern raised an eyebrow and calmly continued the conversation.

"A sea emperor who plunders, destroys, and attempts to establish an order based on violence and fear."

But then, the tone immediately shifted.

"But I have to admit, Kaido... is a very good opponent."

He looked at Yamato, as if explaining to her.

"In his world, there is his own twisted yet direct logic."

He acknowledges skill, especially... the skill in a one-on-one fight. As long as you can win him over in a direct confrontation.

Even if it's only temporary, he will still show it the appropriate 'respect'.

"So, back then, his decisive duel with Oden in Ringo..." A complex emotion flashed in Gern's eyes.

"I think Kaido is probably also conflicted inside."

He acknowledged Oden's strength and might even have admired his heroic spirit.

But in order to achieve his ambitions, he must win, though through dishonorable means.

Kaido never expected this, but afterwards, he still agreed to cooperate with Kurozumi Orochi...

This inner conflict may be one of the reasons why he later became obsessed with finding a 'true adversary,' and even cultivating 'someone who could kill him.'

When Oden's duel with Kaido was mentioned, Yamato's eyes flickered, as if she wanted to say something but couldn't find the words.

Just then, it seemed that Gern suddenly remembered something important.

"By the way, speaking of people you know..." Gern's tone became somewhat subtle. He looked at Yamato and slowly said...

"The Marineford War, the war in which Ace died..."

"Ace!!!"

The name made Yamato's expression turn stern.

“During that war…” Gern observed her reaction and continued slowly, “your father Kaido also went to Marineford.”

Yamato was stunned: "What? Father..."

“That’s right. Although we don’t know his purpose, he did come…” Gern nodded. “However, he was unable to enter the main battlefield.”

“Because…” Gern deliberately paused, leaving the audience in suspense.

"He was stopped by another person in the waters surrounding the Navy Headquarters."

Yamato held his breath, leaning forward slightly, eager to know the answer: "Who is it?!"

Seeing her anxious expression, the corners of Gern's mouth unconsciously turned up.

Instead of answering immediately, she suddenly took a step back.

Then, before anyone (including Zoro, who had been listening intently, and King, who had been looking down) could react...

As if by magic, Gern stretched his arm backward with a dazzling speed.

They pulled a person out directly from the shadow of the heavy wooden door frame of the general's mansion!

The man, who had been leaning weakly against the doorframe, was dragged limply to the center of the courtyard by Guern's pull, exposed to the sunlight.

He was dragged here by Gern, and at this moment, he was seriously injured, unconscious, and covered in blood and dust.

The Four Emperors, Shanks the Red-Haired!!!

Gern grabbed Shanks by the back of his collar with one hand, lifting him slightly as if displaying some rare object, and looked at the dumbfounded Yamato.

"The person who stopped Kaido, preventing the war from escalating further and potentially turning into a global conflict..."

"It's Red-Haired Shanks!!!"

"Ta-da! Surprised? Unexpected?!"

"puff!!!"

Taking advantage of the relaxed atmosphere and the fact that no one was paying attention, Zoro quietly crept to the side corridor, picked up a jug of sake, and took a swig.

After witnessing Gahn's sudden "demonstration" and hearing his seemingly casual yet highly informative words...

He couldn't hold it in and spat out all the wine in his mouth!

Yamato was completely dumbfounded.

She looked at Shanks, then at Guern.

The brain seemed to temporarily short-circuit due to the overwhelming images and information.

There's nothing I can do, damn it!

The amount of information was overwhelming, and the visuals were so stunning that everyone was momentarily at a loss for how to react.

Chapter 619 I brought your father

"Hey, seriously?"

Seeing Yamato's stunned expression, Zoro spitting out his wine, and King remaining silent, Gern's face showed a hint of "disappointment."

He even waved Shanks, which he was carrying, with one hand, saying, "Give me some reaction!"

"I went through a lot of trouble, fighting my way from the sea all the way here, and finally managed to drag it to Wano Country!"

This is Shanks, one of the Four Emperors! Alive! Uh… still alive for now.”

Just as Gern was expressing disappointment with everyone, the dramatic reaction that Gern had been expecting soon arrived.

Moreover, the owner of the voice was unusually agitated.

"Shanks!!!!"

A loud roar, tinged with shock, came from deep within the general's mansion!

Immediately afterwards, a figure shot out like a cannonball, its rubber arms extended, and it instantly darted to the entrance of the courtyard!

It's Luffy!

He seemed to have been resting or celebrating with his companions deeper into the mansion when he was startled by the commotion outside and rushed over.

At this moment, his eyes widened as he stared intently at the wounded, weak-breathing man in Gern's hands.

The red-haired man, who was being casually dragged along, had long since lost his smile, replaced by anxiety!

"Hey! You weirdo!" Luffy yelled at Gern, "Release Shanks!"

As Luffy appeared, the others in the general's mansion quickly poured out as well.

Hiyori followed behind with a worried expression, and when she saw the scene in the courtyard, she covered her mouth in shock.

How did it turn out like this in such a short time?

Gurn, Shanks being carried, Yamato looking distraught, Zoro holding a sword on guard, and King standing there dumbfounded.

Meanwhile, the other members of the Straw Hat Pirates also appeared one after another: Nami, Robin, Usopp, Chopper, Franky, Brook, and Sanji.

Everyone looked serious and quickly took their positions behind or to the sides of Luffy, forming a defensive formation.

Gern's gaze swept over everyone, first giving a friendly smile to Nami, who was hiding behind Zoro in fright.

Then he nodded to Jinbe, who was standing calmly next to Luffy, as a greeting.