As Rorschach and his companions prepared to accompany Kuzan to the Marine Headquarters, a major event that would change the balance of the world was unfolding elsewhere.
In the New World, within the Land of Wano.
On a massive island that loomed like a mountain, Skull Island sat atop the sea, its gaping mouth resembling the gate to hell, with dim lights glowing from the giant eye sockets of the skull.
This is the stronghold of one of the three emperors of the New World, "Kaido of the Beasts," known as "Onigashima."
Inside, the skeletal island that resembled a giant demon housed ancient structures that starkly contrasted its exterior appearance.
There were pavilions, towers, and intricately carved railings, along with artificial streams, making the place resemble the capital of a kingdom.
At the top of a towering building sat a colossal man, almost as large as a mountain. He was holding a massive sake jug over two meters tall, gulping down its contents in large swigs.
Even while sitting, the man was over four meters tall.
On his head were two thick, long horns, and his wild black hair hung loosely.
He had two long black mustaches resembling dragon whiskers, and his bare upper body looked as if it were carved from rock, with bulging muscles intertwined like giant pythons.
On his left arm was a massive dragon scale tattoo, and on his right abdomen was a noticeable X-shaped scar.
This giant man was one of the three emperors standing at the pinnacle of the pirate world: Kaido of the Beasts, the world's strongest creature, and captain of the Beast Pirates.
As Kaido continued to drink, the atmosphere in the building grew increasingly heavy.
Five or six other men of similar stature stood nearby, exchanging nervous glances, none daring to interrupt Kaido.
Suddenly, tears began to stream from Kaido's eyes as he drank.
"Uuuh, uuuh, uuuh..."
He wept as he continued drinking.
Hearing his sobs, a cold sweat broke out on the face of the nearby, rotund Queen, who instinctively shrank back behind the even larger Jack.
Kaido kept crying, "Why? Why?" Then he tossed aside the sake jug and began wailing loudly, "We were so close to gaining another rare Mythical Zoan user, and now they tell me it's gone!"
His eyes suddenly widened, and he turned to a tall man clad in black armor.
"My lifelong dream is to create an army entirely of Zoan-type users. King, what was the name of that fruit?"
The Beast Pirates' lead All-Star, known as 'Wildfire' King, replied in a deep voice, "Kaido-san, it's said to be the Zoan-type, Mythical Beast, Model: Kirin."
"Kirin?" The atmosphere around Kaido grew even more oppressive, making everyone feel as if a mountain was weighing down on their shoulders.
"Yes, like your Azure Dragon, the Kirin is also a powerful mythical beast that can control wind and thunder. The growth potential of that fruit might even surpass that of Master Yamato's abilities."
As King finished speaking, veins bulged on Kaido's forehead, and he ground his teeth in anger, his bloodshot eyes blazing.
Seeing this, Queen, Jack, and the others were so terrified they didn't dare breathe.
"Joker!! You worthless fool! Where's my Kirin Fruit?!"
Boom! A tremendous, overwhelming force burst from Kaido as he stood, sweeping across the heavens and earth in an instant.
Black and red lightning bolts erupted from his overwhelming Haki, exploding across the skies of Onigashima, reverberating throughout the Land of Wano.
As this immense wave of Conqueror's Haki spread out, the scattered pirates on Onigashima began collapsing, eyes rolling back as they lost consciousness.
Even Fukurokuju and Black Maria, who stood near Kaido, broke into a cold sweat.
Fukurokuju's gaze toward Kaido grew even more filled with awe.
The power that this sea emperor displayed year after year continued to grow stronger and more intimidating.
Merely being near his unleashed Conqueror's Haki was enough to make Fukurokuju's mind go blank.
The strength he had always prided himself on was nothing but that of an ant gazing up at a dragon in comparison to this man.
After roaring in anger, Kaido turned back to King and ordered, "Joker says a Marine brat ate my Kirin Fruit. King, find a way to bring that brat here. We can't let those Marine bastards keep such a rare Mythical Zoan!"
King nodded.
Just then, the Den Den Mushi in Queen's pocket began to ring.
Queen reached for it, and as soon as he connected the call, everyone present heard a panicked voice from the other end.
"Queen-san! The weapons factory on Winter Island has been taken over by the Red-Haired Pirates! They're holding a feast on the island right now!"
"What did you say?!"
Queen's fat face, which seemed to have no visible neck, suddenly flushed with rage, and his tiny eyes widened to the size of saucers.
"The Red-Haired Pirates? How dare they! Are they looking for a death wish? Invading our territory?"
Jack roared in fury.
Click.
The towering King placed his right hand on the hilt of his sword, took a step forward, and looked at Kaido. "Kaido-san, let me take care of this."
"Ohorohorohoro! Ohorohorohoro!"
Upon hearing the voice over the Den Den Mushi, Kaido suddenly threw his head back and laughed.
He grabbed the black spiked kanabo resting beside the table, a grin spreading across his face, revealing his white teeth.
"I was just looking for a place to vent my anger. This time, I'll go myself!"
Without waiting for anyone's response, Kaido's body began to rapidly expand, his head transforming into a majestic dragon's, which burst through the top floor and extended into the sky.
His body became covered in scales, and his form grew larger in the wind, transforming in moments into an enormous Azure Dragon, hundreds of meters long, surrounded by flames as he soared into the sky.
"King, follow Kaido-san. We'll catch up shortly."
The usually carefree Queen now wore a rare, cautious expression.
"The strength of the Red-Haired Pirates is not to be underestimated. Recent intelligence shows they've occupied over twenty islands in the New World. Even Big Mom's forces were repelled by them."
King nodded and quickly transformed into a black Pteranodon, following the distant Azure Dragon.
On a nameless Winter Island, hundreds of miles from the Land of Wano.
"Shanks, have you made up your mind? Kaido isn't an easy opponent. We might be in for a tough battle, hahahaha!"
In a snow-covered clearing, a group of people sat around a fire, eating.
The man leading them had only one right arm, three scars over his left eye, and striking crimson hair.
"Hahaha, don't worry, Yasopp. Becoming an Emperor of the Sea has been our goal for a long time. Kaido isn't easy to deal with, but were Whitebeard and Big Mom? Trust me, I have absolute confidence in myself!"
Shanks smiled confidently.
"You're right. You guys are monsters of the New World. Men! Let's celebrate in advance for Shanks becoming... the Fourth Emperor of the Sea!" Yasopp laughed, raising his cup.
"Whoo! Emperor of the Sea!"
At that moment, dark clouds gathered in the sky, with thunder rumbling between heaven and earth.
An enormous Azure Dragon stretched its coiled body down from the inky black clouds, gazing down at them.
"He's here!"
Shanks smiled and finished his drink, stood tall, and drew his western sword Gryphon from his waist, raising his head to look up at the massive dragon in the sky.
"Kaido!"
A few days later, news that shocked the world spread like a storm.
The fourth Emperor of the Sea had been born, known as 'Red-Haired Shanks!'
(End of Chapter)
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