“Wh…why is this monster here…?”
Near the ruins, a few Marine soldiers had survived. As a research lab, even if it wasn’t as significant as the former Punk Hazard, some experimental facilities still remain.
These facilities retained important data and required personnel to guard them.
Moreover, the cost of building the research lab was exorbitant. Future experiments might require these facilities to be restarted, so there were always people stationed here, along with research personnel responsible for the regular maintenance of the facilities.
Those who dares to attack the Marines are lawless pirates. Such individuals took to the seas to fulfill their desires, and wealth often ranked at the top of their priorities. Since there were no treasures in the research lab, pirates generally saw no reason to attack it.
The cost of attacking the Marines was significant. Only sufficient profit could compel them to do something so crazy.
For some pirates, fame was also a form of profit. At times, they do outrageous things just to become famous. However, attacking a relatively unknown place like this provided little to no benefit and wasn’t worth the effort.
Over the years, this semi-abandoned research base had become a comfortable post for lazy soldiers. Positioned in the first half of the Grand Line, they had never faced an attack and never expected to face an Emperor of the Sea from the New World one day.
Although the base’s facilities were regularly maintained, and the firearms and artillery were in working order, the only use these weapons had was to allow Kaido to feel the atmosphere of battle.
Artillery shells landing on his body were no different from scratching an itch—perhaps not even effective for that.
To Kaido, these people were like ants. He didn’t care how many ants were crushed when destroying an anthill, nor would he go out of his way to stomp on the ants that managed to flee—provided they didn’t provoke him.
The overwhelming disparity in power left them utterly incapable of resistance.
“Hey, kid, tell me: where’s the thing that was originally here?”
Amid the ruins, Kaido noticed some familiar equipment, like a peculiar groove. Estimating its dimensions, he reckoned it was just the right size to hold a plate.
He wasn’t merely destroying things. While tearing apart the research lab, he found various pieces of equipment. From the looks of it, the intelligence he’d received wasn’t entirely false—he had simply arrived too late.
“A few…a few years ago, it was sent elsewhere…”
Staring at the kanabo, with spikes larger than his own head, the surviving researcher had no thought of resisting. Whatever Kaido asked, he answered.
After interrogating several of the survivors, Kaido lost interest and turned to leave the island.
However, instead of heading straight back to Onigashima, he contacted Queen.
“Boss?”
“Queen, exactly how many experimental islands did you use back in the day?”
“Well… quite a few. The World Government and the Marines prepared plenty of places for us.”
“Give me their address. I want to see where they’ve moved it.”
According to Kaido’s latest intel, there had indeed been an object resembling a plate here years ago, but it had been relocated long ago. No one knew exactly where it had been sent.
Since it wasn’t here, Kaido decided to comb through every location Queen knew about. Once he got the specific locations, Kaido began to wander randomly across the Grand Line.
This time, however, he didn’t unleash his destructive powers. Instead, he carried a radar, scanning various locations.
Turning this island upside down was to turn the fabricated report in the newspaper into reality. He didn’t do it afterwards because he wanted to make the search for plates go more smoothly. He simply preferred not to use his brain most of the time, but that didn’t mean he was brainless.
…
Kaido’s involvement in this matter distracted him, temporarily keeping him away from Onigashima. While others’ opinions on the situation varied, for Yamato, this was nothing short of excellent news. If he gets tied up with this for years, it would suit her perfectly.
Meanwhile, on Onigashima, a fight had been raging for four straight days.
It was now midnight, yet there was no sign of the fight stopping.
In the Beast Pirates’ ranking battle system, established over a decade ago, this was the longest and most intense battle in its history.
This wasn’t just any ordinary fight—it was Jack’s promotion battle. If he defeated Setsuna, it would signify that he had surpassed the current No. 0, earning the qualification to obtain a new Calamity title.
Boom!
Jack’s massive body crashed to the ground, his steel body carving a deep crater in the ground. Yet, his consciousness remained clear. Shaking his head, Jack once again pushed himself up and stood firm.
“Fish-Men really do have a powerful physique.”
“That should be my line. Minks are the ones who have monstrous physiques.”
Jack’s fights often turned into prolonged battles. It wasn’t unusual for him to be knocked down, only to get back up shortly afterward. This cycle would repeat until his enemy’s stamina was utterly depleted.
But this ranking battle was different. Though Setsuna was panting heavily and clearly showing signs of severe exhaustion, Jack wasn’t in great shape either. After continuously fighting for days, the end of the battle was finally in sight.
“It’s about time we finish this, don’t you think? I’ve heard from Brother Mandrell that you are quite special compared to him.”
“Yeah! It’s about time to end this.”
Setsuna looked up at the sky. On the night of a full moon, Minks were at their strongest. They didn’t need to rely on the power of the Moon Stone; simply gazing at the moon was enough to enter the Sulong state. This was also the biggest difference between her and Mandrell.
In their normal states, they possessed combat strength close to the current Calamity-level. However, in their Mega forms, their strength was undeniably Calamity-level, though it didn’t last long.
Setsuna was even more special than Mandrell. Thanks to the amplification of her Sulong form, when combined with her Mega form, she could briefly unleash strength rivaling the strongest Calamity.
The full moon reflected in her eyes, and under the moonlight, her pupils contracted before turning a deep crimson.
Crackling sounds of electricity occasionally emanated from her body while the Power of Aura surrounded her.
Her fangs grew sharper, and low growls escaped his mouth.
Amid the growls, her hair began to grow rapidly, wildly fluttering behind her. At this moment, she had transformed into a highly unique, pure-white Lucario.
“Howl!”
A wolf’s cry pierced the night sky. Opposite her stood Jack, his body continuously expanding.
Though he hadn’t entered his Human-Beast form, he now stood upright on two legs, transforming into Gigantamax Copperajah, as colossal as a skyscraper.
Since Copperajah was merely an ability, his limbs remained proportionally normal, without turning into exaggeratedly short legs.
With a heavy stomp of his right foot, a multitude of metal spikes covered the entire battlefield.
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