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The loud, urgent sound interrupted Kaido's thoughts. His dragon eyes shifted to the calm-faced King.
The weak sea breeze made King's checkered shirt flutter. His scarred face showed little emotion.
He maintained his stance, locking eyes with Kaido.
Though King showed no hostility, Kaido became slightly alert.
His Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki) activated, yet he found he couldn't sense the aura of the man before him!
A girl capable of purifying alcohol with strange means, a talking cat, a blond man who didn't seem weak, and a swordsman with two renowned blades at his waist...
The people on this ship seemed interesting!
Though the Sea Restaurant Endless Dream was famous in the East Blue and even had the title of East Blue Hero, Kaido, who was far away in the New World, didn't know or care. For him, rookies who hadn't ventured into the Grand Line were unworthy of his attention.
Any strong individuals would make their presence known in the New World!
As Kaido contemplated whether to test these people with a blast of heat breath, Zyhark, after taking a few deep breaths to calm himself, spoke first:
"It's surprising to meet the Emperor Kaido here. Welcome to the Sea Restaurant Endless Dream. What would you like to eat?"
Mentioning Kaido's title was to inform Aqua and the others of the man's identity, hoping to avoid unnecessary conflict.
After their adventure on Birka Island, their overall strength had significantly increased. But Zyhark wasn't foolishly confident enough to face off against the world's strongest creature.
Even if this version of Kaido hadn't reached the peak he would in ten years!
Before heading to the Grand Line, Zyhark had briefed his companions about the Shichibukai, the Emperors of the Sea, and the Marine Admirals, who were forces to be particularly wary of.
So, hearing the name "Kaido of the Beasts," Aqua, King, and Meowth's pupils contracted, and their expressions changed drastically.
No wonder Zyhark had been so serious and urgent upon seeing the dragon!
The background noise of the Emperor's Engine grew louder, overshadowing the surrounding wind and the sound of flames on Kaido's dragon claws.
But why is the legendary Emperor of the Sea a dragon?
As a goddess, Aqua was more composed than King and Meowth, inwardly puzzled.
"So this is a sea restaurant. I thought anyone with the guts to venture into the sky must be pirates."
Kaido glanced at the setup of the Endless Dream. Confirming it was a sea restaurant, his fierce battle intent lessened considerably.
The massive dragon's body shrank as he descended onto the Endless Dream, transforming back into his human form in front of Aqua and the others' astonished eyes.
The clouds of flames dissipated, and dragon scales receded. The human Kaido stood firmly on the deck.
His immensely muscular upper body was bare, a characteristic sake bottle hung at his waist, and his sharp kanabo emitted a chilling glow.
Casually slinging the kanabo over his shoulder, Kaido looked at Zyhark and asked, "Kid, you've heard of my name?"
Standing over seven meters tall, Kaido's shadow engulfed Zyhark, bringing with it a natural pressure.
"A man who reigns like an emperor over these seas, it would be strange not to have heard of you."
Facing this monster, Zyhark struggled to maintain a composed expression, showing no signs of fear.
"Wohohoho! You've got good eyes. Are you really just a restaurant owner?"
After a few seconds of staring into Zyhark's eyes, Kaido laughed heartily.
Unlike the rookies who would be terrified at the mere mention of his name, this young man had some backbone.
"Since this is a sea restaurant, bring out your best food and drink. I'm a bit hungry. I'll think about dying after I've eaten."
Kaido, unceremoniously, sat cross-legged on the deck.
The five-meter-high restaurant interior couldn't accommodate his massive frame.
"Understood. Please wait a moment."
Seeing Kaido had no intention to cause trouble, Zyhark exhaled in relief and led Aqua and the others back to the first-floor restaurant.
Given the situation, he sternly instructed the reckless goddess not to cause any trouble, then began preparing in the kitchen.
Meowth, with its natural sharp claws, acted as the sous-chef, chopping and slicing.
Soon, the aroma of sizzling dishes wafted from the kitchen.
While Zyhark and Meowth busied themselves with cooking, Aqua and King brought out the ship's best wine and appetizers to the deck.
This was standard procedure for the Sea Restaurant, catering mostly to rugged seafarers eager for a good drink.
Kaido, who loved his alcohol, ignored the peanuts and grabbed a whole jug, chugging it down.
Gulp, gulp, gulp.
In a blink, the entire jug was emptied into his huge mouth.
"Phew, this wine isn't bad. Your ship has good taste."
Kaido slammed the jug on the deck, wiping his mouth, and licked his lips in satisfaction.
"Of course! This fine wine from Loguetown was handpicked by yours truly, the great water goddess!"
Hearing Kaido's praise, Aqua proudly patted her chest.
No one understood fine wine better than the goddess of alcohol!
"Loguetown? East Blue wine isn't too bad."
Kaido threw a handful of peanuts into his mouth, his eyes drifting to the smug Aqua, asking, "A little girl like you knows fine wine?"
"Of course! I'm the water goddess! A water goddess must have exquisite taste in wine!"
The carefree Aqua wasn't as tense as King, being casual with Kaido.
Seeing that this "Emperor of the Sea" shared her love for fine wine, she began chatting non-stop.
"To think someone in these seas would call themselves a goddess?"
Kaido sneered at Aqua, sensing a unique aura but unwilling to delve deeper as the wine's taste pleased him, casually inviting:
"Drinking alone is dull. Join me."
"Challenge me in a drinking contest? Fine, I accept!"
Aqua, in high spirits, sat opposite the massive Kaido, confidently grabbing a jug of wine.
When it came to alcohol, the stubborn goddess's pride surged, forgetting Zyhark's earlier warning.
Hearing her, Kaido was momentarily stunned: challenge? When did I challenge this little runt?
In this era, few could provoke a challenge from him!
"Wohohoho!"
After a brief pause, Kaido laughed heartily.
But the laughter was soon drowned out by the louder, urgent engine sound.
Kaido stopped laughing, looking at King, who stood with arms crossed, serious and ready to "strike" at any moment: "No need to be so tense. Though my reputation isn't great, I prioritize benefits. I have no reason to attack you now."
"It's fine, King. He's right. I don't sense any malice. Come, have a drink!"
Saying this, Aqua silently downed a bowl of wine.
King's eyes stayed on the seated Kaido for a few seconds.
Confirming no danger, the sound of the Emperor's Engine gradually subsided.
Unable to refuse Aqua's enthusiastic invitation, he finally sat across from Kaido, too nervous to speak.
Aqua, however, was already deep in conversation with Kaido after a few bowls of wine.
When Zyhark and Meowth brought the dishes to the deck, Aqua was talking about pirates.
"Hey Kaido, since you're a pirate, do you know Shanks?"
"Shanks? That red-haired guy from Roger's crew, right? I fought him not long ago."
Mentioning Red-Haired Shanks, Kaido's eyes flashed with memories of a one-armed man holding a sword. "His Haki is impressive."
Though Red-Haired hadn't yet become an Emperor, he was a renowned pirate in the New World.
(East Blue Navy Headquarters mentioned that Red-Haired became an Emperor four years before Luffy set sail. But with the protagonist's time travel effect, this timeline is advanced.)
Especially his duel with the world's greatest swordsman, Dracule Mihawk, left a lasting impression on many, including Whitebeard.
"That's right! I drank with them at Foosha Village!"
Aqua raised her bowl, clinking it with Kaido's, her blue eyes filled with reminiscence.
She had a favorable impression of the Red-Haired Pirates, recalling their lively party spirit.
"Oh? He drank on your ship too?"
Hearing Shanks' name, Kaido's interest in the mysterious Sea Restaurant grew stronger.
"Not really. We held a banquet on the beach…"
…
Zyhark watched Aqua almost bonding with Kaido, his mouth twitching.
What was this goddess doing?!
Couldn't Kaido just quietly enjoy his meal and drinks?
Confused but resigned, he placed the dishes between them.
"By the way, Kaido, you said you came to this high altitude seeking death?"
Aqua, oblivious to Zyhark's signals, casually grabbed a fried chicken leg.
"Yes, being the strongest creature, I can't die, which is quite troublesome."
Kaido chewed on a chunk of Sky Island octopus, speaking with genuine distress.
Oh, sure, if you really wanted to die, why not eat another Devil Fruit? Why not jump into the sea with Seastone handcuffs?
Zyhark couldn't help but sneer inwardly.
His thoughts remained internal, but the blunt Aqua, after a gulp of wine, laughed loudly:
"Hahaha, you're such an idiot! Zyhark said Devil Fruit users die if they eat a second fruit. Are you a user? Just find another fruit and eat it!"
Zyhark: "..."
Kaido: "..."
The previously harmonious atmosphere turned awkwardly silent.
In the distance, a flock of southward birds sensed the unusual danger, swiftly retreating, avoiding the Endless Dream.
"Wohohoho! Aqua, you make a good point."
After a laugh, Kaido's slightly tipsy eyes turned fierce and deadly.
"Speaking of which, you called yourself a goddess. On these seas, those claiming godhood died at God Valley…"
He referred to his former captain, the world's previous dominant force, Rocks D. Xebec!
With a serious look, Kaido lifted his kanabo, standing up.
A massive shadow, filled with murderous aura, engulfed Zyhark and his team.
The strongest creature was furious.
Tension filled Zyhark, who readied his lightning-covered blades.
Though Aqua's added drama played a part, he had expected the tyrannical Kaido might not leave peacefully.
"If you dare call yourself a goddess, let me see if you have the courage to back it up!"
Boom!
Kaido's fierce eyes released an unspeakable, terrifying pressure.
Red lightning exploded from his imposing figure, a hellish force enveloping the entire ship!
Under this overwhelming pressure, the sky turned black and white, losing its color.
This was Conqueror's Haki.
Kaido's Conqueror's Haki!
Red lightning ravaged, mercilessly crashing onto Zyhark, Aqua, King, and Meowth.
It felt like their bodies and souls were being devoured!
After several seconds, the storm of energy began to fade.
Kaido, still standing in the center, withdrew his Haki, surprised by what he saw.
Before him, three figures remained standing, not passed out or foaming at the mouth as he'd expected.
"Wohohoho! My instincts were right. You guys have potential."
"So, I apologize, but I have a reason to fight now. My pirate crew is in a growth phase."
"Join the Beasts Pirates as my top officers, or perish here in this white sea. Choose."
(End of Chapter)