Chereads / One Piece : Brotherhood / Chapter 221 - Chapter 221

Chapter 221 - Chapter 221

Hachinosu Island, New World

Hachinosu Island, once an iconic stronghold and symbol of terror in the New World, had fallen into disgrace. It was a place steeped in dark history, once the seat of the infamous Rocks Pirates, a crew that had nearly toppled the World Government itself.

But those days of infamy were long gone, as currently the pirate island is governed by Ochoku, one of the Shichibukai. The island had since devolved into a gathering place for riffraff—hundreds of pirate crews, miscreants, and outcasts who sought refuge in its shadowy corners. It was a lawless den of over a hundred thousand pirates, a chaotic hive where survival meant being the nastiest of the lot.

Yet today, the entire island trembled as a new era of terror dawned upon it. The Azure Dragon had arrived.

Kaido, the Governor-General of the Beast Pirates, had set his sights on Hachinosu. His decision to claim it as his new base shook the very core of the island. The atmosphere was thick with fear and panic as Kaido tore through the pirate ranks like a force of nature, leaving nothing but carnage in his wake.

Pirates who had once lorded over their fellow scum found themselves reduced to quivering wrecks as Kaido's massive dragon form descended upon the island. His scales gleamed in the dim light, a monstrous embodiment of destruction. His roar echoed through the skies, a sound so powerful that it made the blood of even the bravest pirates run cold.

"Run! It's Kaido! The damn beast is here!" A pirate screamed, his voice cracking as he desperately tried to flee. His comrades, once boastful and full of bravado, were now scrambling over each other in a blind panic, trying to escape the inevitable doom that had befallen them.

"Where the hell do you think you're going?!" another pirate yelled, shoving someone aside in his own frantic attempt to get away. "We're all dead! We're all fucking dead!"

The ground beneath them shook violently as Kaido, in his majestic dragon form, landed, the sheer weight of his form cracking the earth. Buildings crumbled like sandcastles, and the air was thick with the acrid stench of smoke and blood. Kaido's eyes, glowing with a malevolent light, scanned the terrified masses below him. There was no mercy in his gaze—only a burning, all-consuming wrath.

"Boro Breath!" Kaido's deep, guttural voice bellowed from the skies above. With a terrifying intensity, he unleashed a torrent of dragon fire, a beam of concentrated destruction that tore through the island like a knife through flesh. The beam carved a path of devastation, obliterating everything in its wake. Pirates screamed in terror as they were incinerated where they stood, their bodies reduced to ash in an instant.

"Please, no! NOOO!" A pirate, tears streaming down his face, fell to his knees, begging for his life even as the inferno engulfed him. His cries were cut short by the scorching heat that consumed him, leaving nothing behind but charred remains.

"Why... Why is this happening?!" Another pirate, clutching a crude weapon that now seemed pitiful in his trembling hands, cursed his fate as he tried to stand against the onslaught. But his defiance was short-lived as Kaido's massive tail swept through the area, sending men and debris flying like leaves in a storm.

"Monsters... We're nothing but ants to them..." A grizzled pirate, who had once boasted of his countless victories, now lay on the ground, clutching a severed limb. Blood pooled around him as he gazed up at Kaido's towering form, despair etched into his face. His last breath escaped him in a choked sob as the light faded from his eyes.

Kaido continued his rampage, undeterred by the slaughter he had wrought. The island's once lively atmosphere had been replaced by the overwhelming scent of death and the screams of the dying.

Pirates tried to escape by sea, but Kaido's aerial form circled the island like a predator stalking its prey. With a casual flick of his tail, he smashed entire ships to splinters, sending their crews to the depths of the sea.

"Worororo!!! This is what happens when you dare to claim what's mine!" Kaido roared, his voice carrying across the island. "This is my domain now! All who oppose me will die!"

The surviving pirates, those lucky enough to have avoided the immediate wrath of Kaido's attack, were left in shock. They cowered in the ruins of what had once been their refuge, too terrified to move, let alone fight back. They knew they stood no chance against the beast that had descended upon them.

As Kaido roared once more, the sound reverberating through the very bones of the island, it became clear to all that Hachinosu was no longer just a pirate den—it was now the domain of the Azure Dragon, Hundred Beasts Kaido.

Kaido's presence was a storm unto itself, the very skies seeming to echo his fury as thunder rumbled and lightning crackled across the heavens. The downpour that followed was torrential, drenching the blood soaked island of Hachinosu and stirring the sea into a frenzy. The once-great stronghold of terror had been reduced to a mere playground for the Azure Dragon, who now circled the skies like a vengeful god, his massive form blotting out the sky.

As he descended, his enormous form shifted back into his human-beast hybrid state, the ground trembling beneath his feet as he landed atop the skull-shaped fortress that loomed over the island. From this vantage point, he could survey the entirety of Hachinosu, now stained crimson with the blood of those who dared to defy him.

"Rooooar!!!" Kaido's bellowing roar reverberated across the island, shaking the very foundations of the fortress. The roar was not just a display of power—it was a declaration, a warning to the world that Kaido, the King of Beasts, was here to reclaim what was rightfully his.

His mind, however, was not solely focused on the conquest at hand. The wounds of past defeats still festered within him, both physically and emotionally. His loss to Oden had been a bitter pill to swallow, but the humiliation he had suffered at the hands of the Donquixote brat, Rosinante, cut even deeper.

Since that fateful battle, Kaido has sworn off drinking, instead immersing himself fully in training his haki and working tirelessly to awaken his devil fruit to its full potential.

Yet, the scar left by Rosinante's lightning attack still burned, a constant reminder of the one man who had dared to wound him in such a way. As Kaido traced his massive hand across his chest, his fingers brushing the circular scar that stood out among the many that marred his body, his hatred for the young Donquixote welled up inside him like a dark tide.

He had promised himself that he would hunt down Rosinante, that he would tear him apart, and that he would present his head as a trophy—to Yamato, his rebellious daughter, and to the world.

Just then, King approached, having reverted to his human form, his wings folding neatly behind him as he bowed before Kaido. "Kaido-sama, Hachinosu is entirely under our control. I've ordered the remaining pirates to either surrender or be executed. Our forces, led by Queen, are currently mopping up the last pockets of resistance." King's voice was calm, and his demeanor was as composed as ever, despite the carnage that surrounded them.

Kaido grunted in response, his eyes still fixed on the horizon. The storm overhead mirrored the tempest in his soul. "Good. Once the island is secure, have Yamato transferred here. Confine her to her quarters—make sure she's locked down tight. I don't want that brat running off again." His voice was laced with a bitterness that cut through the air like a blade.

King hesitated for a moment, his usually impassive face showing a flicker of concern. "Kaido-sama, Yamato-sama is already being transferred as we speak. But... is it truly necessary to treat her so harshly? She's still just a child, and I'm sure she didn't deliberately eat that devil fruit." King's tone was careful, respectful, yet there was an undercurrent of unease as he spoke.

Kaido's gaze snapped to King, his eyes blazing with anger. "You think I care about that, King? That brat is no ordinary child. Do you know what her goal is? She wants to take me down—not to best me in combat, but to kill me! My own blood, my own daughter, wants me dead." His voice rose in fury, each word dripping with venom. "If she wasn't my blood, I would've torn her apart and fed her to the Sea Kings myself!"

King, though he rarely showed emotion, couldn't help but feel a pang of sympathy for Yamato. He had seen the way she looked at Kaido—the hatred burning in her eyes. It wasn't just rebellion; it was something deeper, more personal. "Kaido-sama, I understand your anger, but Yamato-sama is still young. She doesn't fully comprehend the weight of her actions. She's just... confused."

"Confused?!" Kaido spat, his hand curling into a fist as he fought to keep his temper in check.

"She's a fool; that's what she is! Do you know who she worships? That lightning bastard, Rosinante! She idolizes him, the one who dared to scar me with a sneak attack during my fight with Oden. That brat has the audacity to say she wants to find him, to fight alongside him!" His voice dropped to a menacing growl, and his anger barely contained.

"Until the day I present his head to her on a platter, Yamato will remain a prisoner. She'll learn to hate him as much as I do."

Kaido's hand absently traced the scar on his chest again, the one left by Rosinante's lightning attack. The memory of that moment was seared into his mind, a humiliation that still gnawed at him.

"That brat took something from me, King, and I will make him pay. I will crush him, just like I will crush anyone who stands in my way."

King bowed his head, understanding that there was no reasoning with Kaido when it came to Yamato or Rosinante. The relationship between father and daughter was fractured beyond repair, a bond twisted by hatred and misunderstanding.

Yamato, who had learned of her mother's tragic fate, had directed all her anger and sorrow at the one responsible—Kaido. And Kaido, in turn, saw only betrayal in his daughter's eyes, a reflection of the very hatred that consumed him.

Kaido's eyes narrowed as he turned to King, the gleam of ambition burning behind his gaze. His fury, though still palpable, was now tempered by a calculated cunning that had begun to define the new phase of his reign.

He was no longer just the rampaging beast that the world feared; he had become something more dangerous—a monster with a mind sharpened by the lessons of past defeats.

"Forget about the brat!" Kaido growled, waving off any further mention of Yamato. His tone shifted, taking on a more focused edge as he fixed King with a piercing stare. "Have you got the information I asked for? Have you found a way to make those artificial devil fruits that Queen mentioned?"

King, who had expected his master's question, nodded. "Yes, Kaido-sama. We've finally pinpointed the location of the science division responsible for the research. It's located on an island called Punk Hazard, near the Donquixote territory. The island is heavily guarded, but with the Native Hunting Competition drawing away most of the marine powerhouses to South Blue, this is the perfect time to strike."

Kaido's lips curled into a menacing grin, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Punk Hazard, close to Donquixote territory, eh?" He chuckled darkly, a low rumble that sent shivers down the spines of those who heard it.

"Maybe I should pay them a visit as well, bring their heads back as trophies. The Donquixote brat has been a thorn in my side long enough."

In the past, Kaido might have rushed headlong into an event such as the native hunting, driven by his thirst for battle and the thrill of conquest. But the Kaido who now stood atop the skull-shaped fortress, was different.

His defeats had forced him to evolve. He had reined in his impulsiveness, focusing instead on honing his own power and building a stable yet powerful crew, he did not want the repeat of what happened back in Wano. He was still a beast, but now he was a beast with a brain—more dangerous than ever before.

King, noticing the shift in Kaido's demeanor, pressed on. "If we move swiftly, we can catch them off guard. Queen's knowledge from his time with MADS gives us an edge about what we must look for. We know what Vegapunk and the others were working on, and now we can take that knowledge for ourselves."

Kaido's grin widened; his mind was already racing with possibilities. The Artificial Devil Fruits were just the beginning. If he could harness that power, he could build an army like no other, making the Beast Pirates truly unstoppable.

The thought of it sent a thrill through him, a taste of the future he was carving out—one where he stood unchallenged as the mightiest in the world.

"Fine!" Kaido barked, his decision made. "Once you clear things up here, have Queen take care of Hachinosu. Then we'll head to Punk Hazard and pay that bastard Vegapunk a visit. We've both got debts to settle with him." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper, his eyes narrowing with lethal intent.

"He thinks he can use us for his experiments and get away with it? This time, we'll be the ones doing the experimenting."

King bowed deeply, understanding the gravity of the task ahead. "As you wish, Kaido-sama. We'll make sure everything is in place. This time, we'll take what's ours."

Kaido watched King retreat to oversee the final stages of the conquest of Hachinosu, his mind already racing ahead to the next phase of his plan. The Native Hunting Competition, once something that would have enticed him to participate, now seemed trivial compared to the prize that awaited him. He could already picture it: the scientists of Punk Hazard kneeling before him, forced to bend their genius to his will, crafting the ultimate weapons that would secure his dominance.

"Just you wait," Kaido muttered to himself, his voice a low growl. "I'll take everything back, and more. The whole world will tremble before me."

Meanwhile, a few miles away from the island, the fleet of Beast Pirates, though reduced and battered, cut an imposing figure as it sailed toward Hachinosu. The flagship, a massive vessel brimming with a brutal history, stood at the center of the formation, its black sails billowing in the stormy winds that whipped across the sea. Deep within the belly of the ship, in a dank and darkened brig, a small figure sat huddled in chains.

Yamato, barely six years old, was a pitiful sight, yet even in her tattered state, there was something fierce about her. Her silver-white hair, usually wild and untamed, now clung to her face, matted with sweat and blood.

Her eyes, a piercing azure like her father's, stared out from under heavy lashes—eyes that had seen more than any child should. Her small frame was bound by seastone shackles that clasped both her wrists and ankles, the cruel restraints digging into her skin, leaving angry red marks that matched the countless lacerations crisscrossing her body.

The wounds, still fresh and bleeding, were slow to heal, the seastone sapping her strength and countering the powers of the Mythical Zoan fruit she had unwittingly consumed.

"Oye! Be careful! She's Kaido-sama's child," one of the pirates warned, his voice laced with fear as he hesitated near the entrance to the brig. His eyes darted nervously to the other pirate, who was holding a barbed whip with a sadistic grin. The whip's spikes were already stained with dried blood, a testament to its frequent use.

"Hahaha, you moron! Who do you think ordered me to punish the girl until she learns her place?" The cruel pirate retorted, his laughter twisted and dark. He took a step toward the cell where Yamato was confined, the anticipation of inflicting pain gleaming in his eyes.

The second pirate swallowed hard, his throat dry. He couldn't believe it—Kaido had ordered this? The very idea of harming the child of the mighty Dragon of the Sea was enough to make his blood run cold.

But as he watched his colleague, whip in hand, approach the cell with such gleeful malice, he began to believe it. Still, a part of him feared that his colleague's cruelty might go too far, that the child might not survive. He rushed into the cell just as the first lash cracked through the air, the spikes biting into Yamato's flesh with a sickening sound.

Despite the brutality of the assault, Yamato did not cry out. She didn't even flinch. She sat there, unmoving, her small hands clenched into fists as the whip tore into her flesh again and again. Blood dripped from fresh wounds, adding to the stains already marring the wooden floor.

The cruel pirate was panting heavily, swinging the whip with all his might, but the satisfaction he sought eluded him. Yamato's silence was defiant; her resolve unbroken.

"Damn... damn you, you monster! Why... why don't you scream?" The pirate bellowed, his voice cracking with frustration. He lashed out again, this time across her face, the barbs tearing away a chunk of flesh and skin. Yamato's head snapped to the side, blood trickling down her cheek, but still, she made no sound. Her eyes, cold and lifeless, met his with a gaze that sent a shiver down his spine.

"That's... that's enough," the second pirate stammered, his voice trembling. He grabbed his colleague's arm, pulling him away from the child, who had refused to break. "Let's go. I don't think we should involve ourselves in this matter anymore."

The cruel pirate, now drenched in sweat and shaking from exhaustion, allowed himself to be led away. The door to the brig clanged shut behind them, the sound echoing in the cold, damp silence.

As soon as the pirates left, Yamato slowly moved to a corner of the cell, where a faint beam of light filtered through a small tear in the ship's wooden boards. She reached beneath a loose floorboard, retrieving a carefully concealed bounty poster. Her hands shook as she pulled it out, not from fear or pain, but from the sheer effort of keeping the poster in pristine condition despite her wounds, her liefeless eyes brimmed with color.

The poster was of Donquixote Rosinante, the man she idolized, the one she called her spiritual mentor. 'Heavens Equal,' it read under his name, a title that resonated deeply within her.

Despite her young age, Yamato understood the significance of what she had seen that fateful night—the night when Rosinante had brought her father, the seemingly invincible Kaido, to his knees with a single, devastating attack. It had been a moment of revelation for Yamato, a moment when she realized that even the strongest could fall.

"I will find you, master... Soon I will get out of this hellhole, and I will come find you," Yamato whispered, her voice hoarse yet filled with an unwavering determination. The pain coursing through her body was intense, but it was nothing compared to the fire that burned within her soul.

She carefully smoothed the bounty poster, her small fingers tracing the lines of Rosinante's face as if drawing strength from the image.

Her resolve, forged in the crucible of her suffering, was unbreakable. Yamato knew she had a long way to go, but she would endure, she would survive, and she would escape. One day, she would stand before Rosinante not as a child, but as a warrior worthy of his guidance.

Until that day came, Yamato would endure whatever trials awaited her, no matter how brutal. Her father's cruelty, the shackles of seastone, the endless beatings—they were all just obstacles on her path to freedom. And no matter how many scars she bore, she would carry them with pride, as symbols of her resolve.

As the ship sailed closer to Hachinosu, the storm outside intensified, but within that small, dark cell, a different kind of storm was brewing—a storm of defiance and unyielding will, one that even the mighty Hundred Beasts Kaido could not extinguish.

******

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