One Piece: Awaken The Replication System

"Don't mess with us, alright?!"

"Uh!" Kaido's words hung in the air, full of insinuation.

Leno led Katakuri and his group into the town for some hospitality. When he heard it was an invitation to a tea party, he agreed. After all, arriving in the New World meant he'd inevitably cross paths with the Four Emperors and other powerful forces.

Aside from a past clash with Whitebeard, he didn't have any grievances to settle here. Stirring up more enemies was unnecessary—especially when he was just starting to establish a foothold.

...

Late July, Sea Circle Calendar 1513

The second showdown between Leno and Kaido took place on an unnamed island. After three days and nights of intense battle, Leno, still holding back his Sulong form, sent Kaido plunging into the depths of the sea, marking the fight's end. Spectators like Katakuri, Smoothie, and Daifuku returned to report the incident to Charlotte Linlin.

The husband proposed to Charlotte Linlin that she marry one of her daughters to Leno. Heart fluttering with ambition, she gathered her daughters, each one eager to make a lasting impression at the upcoming tea party.

Despite Kaido's focused training to strengthen his Haki, he found himself overpowered by Leno yet again. Though Kaido's skills were advancing, Leno's growth outpaced him by leaps and bounds. It was clear: Kaido respected Leno's strength.

After their duel, they shared a few drinks. Kaido suggested Leno replace John's group as the fourth pillar of the New World. But Leno brushed it off, reminding him that the Hunter's Guild wasn't like the Pirates—and that Shanks' Red Hair Pirates had ascended on their own terms.

Kaido scoffed, vowing to challenge Shanks himself one day to see if he was worthy of his reputation.

(Shanks: "Really? That's what you think? Well, cheers to that, Kaido.")

Over a few more drinks, Kaido mocked Captain John, lamenting how such a once-mighty figure had been brought low by betrayal. He even shared stories about his past with Captain John, colored with disdain. He revealed that he and Charlotte Linlin had once swindled a road poneglyph from him—though they'd yet to decipher its meaning.

"On the Red Line, we face a common enemy—the World Government!" Kaido declared, pounding his fist on the table. "That's why we must join forces! Let's start the greatest war the world's ever seen!"

"To overthrow the ruling 'nobility' who've grown lazy in their cushy lives—we'll bring true equality and freedom!"

But Leno refused. "Timing and circumstances matter, Kaido. The world isn't chaotic enough yet to attempt such a move. Killing the Five Elders or the Celestial Dragons is like removing a single stone from a mountain—the World Government's foundation won't be shaken so easily."

"The first to revolt usually ends up a mere pawn," he continued. "History shows us what works: build strength gradually, gather support, and bide your time. Let the Revolutionary Army be the ones to stir the pot for now."

Kaido looked frustrated.

"How about I marry my kid to you, then?" he asked, looking rather sheepish. "This way, we're family!"

Leno simply raised an eyebrow.

Typical Kaido—hard to take seriously, even in a moment like this. Though powerful, he had his own odd ideas about loyalty.

With the alliance rejected, Kaido departed, somewhat disappointed. Not long into his journey back, he found out that Jack had been knocked out, and Yamato, who'd been locked up, was nowhere to be found. He simply shrugged it off, feeling rather carefree.

Back in Kale Bali, the Hunter's Guild office bustled with activity. Leno and Luwell were deep in discussion about establishing a new route from Fish-Man Island to Kale Bali—a challenging route, more dangerous than the paths connecting East and South Blue. But the potential profits were enormous, and it would expand the guild's influence.

As Leno saw it, taking a slice out of the World Government's monopolized shipping lanes could seriously impact their control and strengthen the guild.

More significantly, the oppression and heavy levies by the Celestial Dragons couldn't last forever. People's reverence for them would erode over time, replaced by growing discontent and defiance.

But Leno had no grandiose ambitions of liberating the world. He'd never been driven by some noble cause to free humanity.

Suddenly, a loud bang shook the building.

"Mentor, please teach me how to beat Kaido!" boomed a familiar voice.

Leno looked out the window to see Yamato kneeling on the ground, forehead pressed down hard enough to crack the stone.

With an exasperated sigh, Leno grabbed a Den Den Mushi to contact Kaido.

"Kaido, come back and take away your daughter!"

"Ah? Hey, what're you saying? The signal's awful, I can't hear you!" Kaido's voice crackled in response.

Typical Kaido. Leno sighed, realizing Kaido had probably sent Yamato to him on purpose.

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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg