"I know the missing children in the city are tied to the nobles and the royal family," Clarence said, eyes burning with long-suppressed fury. "I never told my wife the truth. I only told her I'd found clues about our son. We agreed I would fake my death, change my identity. For the first time since he vanished, she smiled."
The memory softened his face, but his hands trembled as he continued. Teach and Mobius stayed silent, listening.
"I became a beast tamer under a false name. By chance, I was pulled into this project and I learned the truth. The nobles were breeding human pets. Children stripped of their humanity, molded to live and die like beasts. Families shattered, all for their twisted desires." His voice cracked with anger.
"The more I saw, the more it ate at me. This had to be exposed. But… my child was still in their hands." He looked down at the boy in his arms. "Perhaps fate took pity on me. A noblewoman wanted a fox-like human pet. The moment I saw him, I knew. Creel. My Creel. He looks like me, he's handsome, cute. Too perfect. That's why she chose him."
Mobius raised an eyebrow, thinking, So he's bragging about himself while praising his son.
Even Teach had to admit Clarence had the kind of refined, gentlemanly looks that turned heads. Teach unconsciously touched his own face. He wasn't elegant like Clarence, but his sharp jaw, white teeth, long mane of hair, and sheer masculine presence had their own kind of charm.
Handsome in another way. He would never admit otherwise.
"I watched him grow, but I couldn't reveal myself. Not until today." Clarence's voice wavered. He bowed his head deeply. "You must go. I won't speak a word of this. If the nobles learn what you've done, you'll die horribly."
"This is already the last base," Teach said flatly.
"What?" Clarence blinked.
Mobius smirked. "The rest are gone. We dealt with them all. Nobles, guards.... all dead. Only the children remain."
Clarence's breath caught.
"Lord Kaido invaded the Kite Kingdom for its beast-taming techniques. King Brady is dead, cut down by Kaido. The royal family wiped out. Kaido rules this country now. He's fighting Marine Hero Garp as we speak." Mobius's grin widened. "If you doubt it, step outside. The battle shakes the whole island."
Clarence's tears finally broke. The secret he'd carried for years, the despair he'd buried, it all came flooding out. Hugging Creel tightly, he dropped to his knees, forehead pressed to the floor. "Thank you. Thank you for saving this country. Thank you, Lord Kaido."
Mobius blinked, baffled. Did Boss Teach just… hand the credit to Kaido?
Teach turned, cloak swaying. "The rest is up to you. Tell the world the truth. Free the children. We're leaving."
"Sirs, you're not coming?" Clarence asked.
Mobius cut in, voice low. "We'll be gone."
The masks they wore told Clarence what he wanted to believe. "You're Kaido's hidden agents, aren't you? Don't worry. I won't reveal your identities."
Teach's lips curled. "Good that you understand."
Before Clarence could ask more, Teach pressed three Devil Fruits into his hands. "Give these to Kaido. Tell him there's wealth waiting, tens of billions in treasure, a hundred years of royal foundation. Remind him we'll meet again."
Clarence bowed deeply, clutching the fruits. Don't worry. I will deliver everything.
When they were clear of the base, Mobius frowned. "Boss… wasn't that too much? You gave Kaido Devil Fruits, treasure, a kingdom's foundation. You're feeding our future enemy."
Teach laughed. "They were just scraps. This country was already finished. Without power, it would've been torn apart by pirates within a month. Kaido will claim it, make it his base. At least under him, the people won't suffer from every passing vulture."
"But won't Kaido's rise block our own?" Mobius pressed.
"Does that matter?" Teach's grin widened. "Kaido was destined to rise. I only sped it up. This invasion? I lured him here. Used him as a blade. He crushed the king while we erased the nobles. A fair trade."
Mobius's jaw dropped. "So this whole war..."
"Planned," Teach confirmed, voice like iron. "I used Kaido. Now he owes me. Better the wealth sits in his hands than another's. And we took enough for ourselves." His gaze slid knowingly to Mobius.
Mobius flushed. "We'll need it when we sail, right?"
Teach barked a laugh. "Exactly. Besides, who says Kaido will be our enemy? Maybe one day, he'll be an ally. This world is shifting, Mobius. The gears of fate are grinding louder." He spread his arms to the sky, one boot set on a stone, laughter booming. "Zehahahaha!"
Mobius watched him, heart burning with awe. Only this man… only Teach… could plan so far ahead, laugh so boldly at the storm to come.
Teach ruffled little Peto's head as she peeked out from his coat. Her tiny hands clutched him, trembling but determined. "Come out," he said gently. "From now on, you'll be with me. No one will hurt you again."
Her wide eyes glistened. She hopped down, standing on shaky legs, imitating her savior.
Meanwhile, back in the city, the clash of titans shook the kingdom. Kaido's monstrous physique and healing powers kept him locked in battle, while Garp, battered but unbroken, fought on against the Roger Pirates' onslaught.
The earth split, craters spread but still they held back, wary of the civilians trapped on the island.
The world watched, spellbound, though fatigue was setting in. Blows too fast to follow, destruction beyond comprehension, it became more than a fight, it became a storm.
And then, a figure appeared. A man carrying a child walked straight toward the battlefield.
Gasps spread. Is he insane?
The man raised a megaphone, voice carrying like thunder:
"Please stop fighting! Don't harm Lord Kaido! He is our hero!"
The battlefield froze.
The Roger Pirates. Garp. The Marines. The spectators. Even Kaido himself.
All stared, stunned, as the words echoed like a bell across the island and into the world.
Kaido.....a hero?