The rumor mill of the Grand Line was a powerful force, and the latest news was spreading like wildfire. According to the reports, the reason Luffy and Carl of the Straw Hats had grown so powerful was simple: they had used their faces to catch Kaido's Thunder Bagua. Even Zoro, Sanji, and Law had supposedly benefited from this brutal "training".
On a secluded island, the Supernova alliance consisting of Kid, Apoo, and Hawkins watched Kaido with a mix of fear and misguided ambition. They believed that while they might not be on the level of Luffy and Carl yet, they were certainly equal to Zoro or Law. If the Straw Hats could survive Kaido's mace to gain power, they reasoned that they could too.
However, they failed to realize a crucial truth: it wasn't just about bravery. Their Haki had not been active long enough, and attempting to take a direct hit from a Yonko was less like training and more like courting death.
"Oh? You three are brave enough to stand your ground against me!" Kaido shouted, his interest piqued by their defiance.
"We're beyond brave!" Apoo yelled back, trying to bolster his courage. "Kaido, if you've got the guts, hit me with that mace! If I flinch, I'll call you 'Grandpa'!".
"Is that so? Then I'll be happy to help you!" Kaido laughed. "Watch closely... Thunder Bagua!".
In a flash, Kaido appeared in front of Apoo. Instead of hitting his face, the massive mace slammed into Apoo's stomach, sending him flying backward at speeds that broke the sound barrier. Before losing consciousness, Apoo's only thought was a confused curse: why hadn't Kaido hit his face, and why wasn't it the specific version of the move mentioned in the paper?.
"That idiot!" Kid growled, watching his ally fall. "You're supposed to take it with your face! How can anyone be that stupid?".
Hawkins remained clinical even in the face of disaster. "And Kaido used a standard Thunder Bagua instead of the advanced version. If Apoo dies without gaining any insight, this was a complete waste of time".
Despite their words, Kid and Hawkins prepared for their own turn. Kid gathered every scrap of metal on the shore to form a giant mechanical arm, while Hawkins transformed into his towering scarecrow form. They were ready for battle, or so they thought.
"So, you've heard of my techniques?" Kaido said, looming over them. "But you're far too weak to handle that move. Just try to survive this!".
He swung the mace again. Within seconds, Kid, Hawkins, and Killer—who had tried to launch a sneak attack—were all sent spiraling through the air. All four Supernovas were knocked completely unconscious; even Hawkins' straw man abilities couldn't protect him from the raw power of an Emperor.
Kaido looked at the terrified low-level pirates remaining on the shore. "What is wrong with those brats? How do they know so much about my moves?".
One of the soldiers tremblingly handed Kaido a copy of the morning newspaper. As Kaido read the article written by Carl, his face twisted in pure rage. "Ahhh! Damn you, Carl! I'll kill you for this!".
The report was a devastating blow to Kaido's pride, mainly because it contained a grain of truth. He realized that when he first fought Luffy and Carl, they hadn't known how to infuse their attacks with Conqueror's Haki. He had, in essence, unintentionally taught them the pinnacle of combat skills.
His goal had been to crush the "Fifth Emperor," but instead, he had turned the Straw Hats into a group of elites. Carl's claim that Kaido was the "best teacher in the sea" felt like a mockery that Kaido couldn't escape. He had strengthened his enemies, and now they were powerful enough to fight him to a standstill or force him to retreat.
The psychological impact was massive, but the chaos was only beginning. Across the New World, legends like Whitebeard, Big Mom, Blackbeard, and even Sengoku were reading the same report. They began to suspect that Carl wasn't lying.
Kaido, unaware that half the world was now looking to "enroll" in his class for free, looked down at the defeated Supernovas. "Hmph. These four survived a hit, so they have some potential. Take them back to the mines in Wano!".
As the weeks passed, the Straw Hats remained hidden, focusing on their own growth. Meanwhile, Wano became a hotspot of activity. Warriors from all over the sea were arriving to challenge Kaido. While most were swatted away or killed, a miracle eventually happened.
A challenger actually managed to take an advanced hit to the face and, after being rescued, showed genuine signs of comprehending how to release his Armament Haki. When this news leaked, the sea erupted. Carl's report had been officially "verified" in the eyes of the public: Kaido really was the ultimate teacher.
People began to rationalize the failures, claiming that those who died simply lacked the "aptitude" or "understanding" required for Teacher Kaido's advanced course. If you wanted to reach the top tier of power, the consensus was clear: go to Wano and get hit by a mace.
Inside Onigashima, Kaido stared at the latest headlines, nearly exploding with fury. The papers now claimed his "training sessions" were mandatory for any top-tier hopeful and reminded everyone that the classes were completely free of charge.
"Carl, you b*****d! I will never let you get away with this!" Kaido roared.
While Kaido fumed, the rest of the world's power players were delighted. The Navy was pleased because the successful challenger was a Vice Admiral who had joined through the World Military Draft. This meant the Marines now had a potential Admiral-level candidate in their ranks.
For the other Emperors—Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Shanks—the news was simply hilarious. Whitebeard laughed, wishing he had thought of this years ago. If he had sent his "sons" to spar with Kaido earlier, the Whitebeard Pirates might have reached a level of power beyond imagination.
Soon, Whitebeard, Big Mom, and Blackbeard all began making their own arrangements. If Kaido was offering a world-class training program for free, they were more than happy to send their own crews to take advantage of the "Best Teacher in the Sea".
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