one piece: gene extraction and fusion system-Chapter 276: The Flames Over Wano Country

"What did you do to my mother and sister?" Hearing about his family, the boy's emotions surged. He tried to lunge toward Renee in desperation, only to be met with a swift and merciless kick that sent him sprawling backward.

"They're fine for now," Renee said coldly, brushing off her boot. "But whether they stay that way... depends entirely on your choices."

She turned to leave, pausing only to glance back. "If you want to see them, I can have them sent to you tomorrow. I just can't guarantee whether they'll be alive or not."

With a subtle gesture, Renee summoned a black shadow soldier to her side.

"Keep an eye on him. When he makes his decision, notify me immediately. If he attempts anything suspicious, break his limbs without hesitation."

The soldier nodded in silent obedience.

Meanwhile, in the New World...

On the deck of a drifting ship in an unmarked sea region, a towering man sat in stillness. Talos, massive in frame and demeanor, stared ahead with eyes burning with anticipation. Without shifting his gaze, he asked Godot beside him, "Is the news true?"

Godot nodded. "Yeah, that guy's lucky. He got his hands on a Mythical Zoan fruit—Yamata no Orochi. One of the strongest among them. But Kaido is in Wano right now. If we make a move carelessly, we might get caught up."

Talos gave a dismissive snort. "I'm not here for Kaido. My target is Kurozumi Orochi. Someone else will deal with Kaido."

Kurozumi Orochi had consumed the powerful Zoan-type Mythical Beast Fruit, transforming him into the Yamata no Orochi. An impressive gain—for most. But Talos knew that Orochi's true power hadn't matured yet. Compared to real threats, he was still weak.

"My master has an interest in him," Talos muttered to himself, his tone unreadable.

Godot chuckled. "You sure have confidence, boss. Wouldn't be surprised if you said you were heading to fight Whitebeard next."

Their ship pressed forward, heading straight for Wano Country.

Wano Country – The Closed Nation

A land cut off from the world, fortified by waterfalls and a culture of warriors. Most of the population were skilled fighters, stronger than those from ordinary countries. But now, this strength served tyrants—Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi—who had turned the land into a weapons factory.

The ship drew near. Talos and his men disembarked without hesitation, moving directly toward the Flower Capital, where Orochi resided.

In the distance loomed the menacing silhouette of Onigashima—Kaido's base.

On Onigashima...

Kaido sat cross-legged, drinking from a gourd, when a sudden pressure twisted his expression. A fierce aura burst from his body, spreading like a wave across the entire Wano Country.

"Boss, what's wrong?"

"You drunk again?"

"I've got no clue!"

His men muttered anxiously.

Suddenly—

ROAR!

Kaido transformed into a massive azure dragon, lightning and clouds swirling around him as he rose into the sky. His glowing eyes locked onto a specific direction.

"Talos... What are you doing in my territory?" Kaido's voice echoed like thunder.

With no hesitation, Kaido spewed a torrent of fire, aiming directly at Talos's location.

"Kaido, back off. I'm not here for you," Talos growled. With a swing of his claw, the flames shattered before reaching him, dispersed by sheer force.

"This is MY territory! Leave now!" Kaido snarled.

"You want me to leave?" Talos grinned savagely. "Do you want to die, Kaido?"

Boom!

With a flick of his claws, Talos slashed the air, sending an invisible force that ripped into Kaido's dragon form. Blood sprayed—but the wound quickly regenerated.

Kaido roared again and summoned thunder, raining it down on Talos.

But before it could strike—

"Kaido, your opponent today is me."

The voice was cold, heavy, and resonated with primal strength.

The storm paused.

A figure approached. Calm, menacing. As he stepped into Kaido's view, his sharp eyes gleamed with challenge.

"Qiongqi!!"

Kaido's pupils shrank. "You two... You've joined forces?"

Two ominous figures from the New World—Talos and Qiongqi—stood before him. Even Kaido, Emperor of the Sea, felt a flicker of dread. He knew these two weren't weaker than him.

"An alliance?" Qiongqi scoffed. "No. I'm just here to test your strength. As for him... he has his own goals."

Kaido turned toward Talos. "Then what are you doing in Wano?"

"I'm here for Orochi," Talos answered flatly. "Don't get in my way."

With that, he turned his back and marched straight toward the Flower Capital.

Kaido clenched his teeth, fuming. That idiot Orochi... how the hell did he provoke someone like Talos?

But he didn't chase.

With Kozuki Oden dead, Kaido no longer feared rebellion. If Orochi died, Kaido would rule Wano himself. The arrangement had always been temporary.

What mattered most was preserving Wano—its resources, its production lines, its value.

And now, facing two monsters of equal strength, Kaido knew even he couldn't afford a head-on clash.