New World!
Boom!
Within a radius of 10,000 meters, dark clouds swirled as thunder and lightning lit up the sky.
A massive prison ship floated on the ocean, surrounded by Marine warships, all fully armed and on high alert.
Crack!
A bolt of lightning illuminated the monstrous figure imprisoned beneath the gigantic guillotine on the deck of the ship.
One of the Four Emperors—
Kaidou of the Beasts!
It was late May.
After Kuzan's resignation, Kaido had left Wano Country and was soon captured by the Marines. He had even extended an olive branch to Kuzan, but his offer was met with rejection, and Kaido's "kindness" turned into bitter disdain.
Now, he was to be executed.
A mighty force, now in shackles. Kaido, handcuffed in seastone, sat bound. Despite his restraints, the Marines dared not relax their vigilance, for he was Kaido—the strongest creature in the world!
Even without counting his Devil Fruit powers, Kaido's body and Haki were legendary. His sheer physical strength alone placed him at the top of the world's fiercest fighters.
The officer overseeing the execution? None other than Sengoku the Buddha.
Holding a report in hand, Sengoku glanced at Kaido's resume.
"Kaido of the Beasts, originally from the Vodka Kingdom. A former apprentice of the Rocks Pirates."
"After the disbandment of the Rocks Pirates, his strength only grew, gaining the allegiance of many pirates due to his own immense power."
"As a pirate, he was defeated 9 times."
"Captured 14 times during his attempts to challenge both the Marine and the Four Emperors alone."
"He has endured over a thousand tortures."
"Sentenced to death 30 times."
"Hanged, only to break the chains."
"Placed under the guillotine, he shattered the blade."
"Pierced by spears, only for the spears to snap."
"He has sunk seven prison ships, and to this day, no one has succeeded in killing him—not even himself."
Each sentence told a tale of death-defying feats by Kaido, who lived for the thrill of battle. Sengoku's face darkened. Every failed execution was a humiliation to the Marine's authority.
But how could they kill someone like Kaido?
Some suggested giving him a second Devil Fruit, hoping the clash of powers would tear him apart from within. But such ideas were immediately dismissed—no one could consume two Devil Fruits and survive.
Yet, what if Kaido did survive? What if a second Devil Fruit only made him stronger?
A Kaido with double Devil Fruit powers?
Terrifying.
"Admiral Sengoku, the time for execution has come," the adjutant reported.
Sengoku put down the report, his gaze shifting to the towering figure bound on the prison ship.
Just then, Kaido's eyes locked onto him.
"Worororo!"
Kaido's trademark laugh echoed across the ship, showing no fear—only anticipation.
"Begin the execution!" Sengoku ordered.
"Yes, sir!"
The executioners saluted, stepping forward to release the mechanism of the guillotine.
Clang!
The sunlight glinted off the massive blade as it began its deadly descent, hurtling toward Kaido's neck.
Crash!
The blade struck… but instead of cleaving flesh, it shattered against Kaido's skin, splitting apart like brittle metal.
"Failed… again!" murmured one of the executioners in disbelief.
Around the ship, murmurs spread.
"See, he won again! Kaido… just can't be killed."
Kaido let out a booming laugh, chains still rattling.
"Worororo! If you can't kill me, then…"
Kaido flexed his colossal body, pulling at the seastone shackles that held him down. With sheer force, he began to rise, dragging the ship into a tilt.
The shackles groaned under pressure—until they snapped, the seastone crumbling away.
"Not good!" Sengoku moved to act, but then—
"Admiral Sengoku, enemy ships spotted to the left! It's the Beasts Pirates!" the communication officer shouted.
As soon as the warning was issued, the sound of cannon fire filled the air. Explosions rocked the nearby waters, sending towering columns of water skyward.
In the distance, the feared figure of King the Conflagration approached, flanked by his subordinates.
Kaido's eyes gleamed.
"King… Worororo!"
With that signature laugh, Kaido opened his mouth and released a torrent of scorching flames, obliterating the deck of the prison ship. The fire raged, tearing through the vessel.
The flames were comparable to those of the Mera-Mera Fruit, and as Kaido raged through the ship, his body surged with unstoppable power. Panic swept through the Marines.
Amidst the chaos, Kaido's liberation was a terrifying reminder that the Beasts Pirates were a force no one could afford to underestimate.
A big golden Buddha stretched out a massive palm, pressing it down towards Kaido. It was Sengoku the Buddha in action, utilizing the Zoan, Human-Human Fruit - Mythical Zoan, Great Buddha Form.
Kaido turned swiftly, his right fist clenched, enveloped in Haki, and struck back at the descending palm.
Fist meets palm.
Before they even connected, the clash of Conqueror's Haki between them sparked an intense battle of wills.
Boom!
A deafening explosion reverberated across the sea as the two titans clashed. The skies above and the sea below split apart under the sheer pressure of their power, creating a massive divide that sent waves rippling violently in every direction.
The Conqueror's Haki Collision was fierce, and the overwhelming spiritual pressure caused many nearby Marines to faint, unable to withstand the immense aura.
Boom!
The massive prison ship, unable to handle the sheer force of the clash, disintegrated, scattering Marines and filling the air with desperate cries for help. Sengoku's frown deepened as he rescued the fallen Marines, not wasting words on Kaido.
Satisfied with the destruction, Kaido chuckled and transformed into his Zoan, Fish-Fish Fruit - Mythical Zoan, Azure Dragon Form, taking to the sky. He soared back to Jhin's ship as the cheers of his Beast Pirates erupted.
Sengoku, though he had failed to execute Kaido, showed no disappointment. The mission had another purpose.
The Den Den Mushi rang.
Sengoku picked it up, hearing the familiar voice of Fleet Admiral Kong.
"How did it go?"
"Failed," Sengoku replied calmly.
"Well, it's part of the plan," Kong reassured him. "Kaido's aggression will stir up trouble."
Sengoku nodded, his strategic mind always turning. "Yes, but we need him out of the New World."
"Of course not," Kong responded. The Four Emperors were dangerous, but their presence in the New World was a necessary evil, preventing chaos from spilling into the rest of the world.
Sengoku's eyes gleamed with wisdom. "Eventually, we can provoke a clash between him and Leno. Kaido and Leno are bound to meet sooner or later."
Meanwhile, aboard King's ship, Kaido took a swig from his jug, letting the alcohol drip freely from the corners of his mouth. He slammed the jug down and grabbed the newspaper King handed him.
"That brat Kuzan chose a rookie from East Blue?" Kaido scoffed. "Interesting."
The newspaper bore the mark of the Hunter Guild, a crimson-black dragon with snarling fangs.
"He picked another dragon? Worororo!" Kaido laughed wildly. "Looks like you'll be my next target!"
King, ever the voice of reason, reminded him, "Marine and the World Government won't allow you to leave the New World, let alone challenge Leno in East Blue."
Kaido grinned mischievously, gazing at the towering Red Line on the horizon. "Then, I'll challenge him at the top of the Red Line next month. Let Morgans know. If Leno and Kuzan don't show, I'll destroy their island!"
"That's Celestial Dragon territory!" Jhin warned, shocked by Kaido's audacity.
Kaido smirked. "It's mostly barren. Besides, Sengoku let me go on purpose. He wants me to go after Leno and the Hunter Guild. The World Government isn't going to take care of them themselves, so they're using me as their sword."
He took another long swig, his laughter echoing. "Worororo! That works perfectly for me."
In East Blue the assessment of the Hunter Guild continued. Leno stood at the peak of his strength, having just completed the fusion of his talents.
His Gluttony King talent, combined with Sniper's Eye and several other powerful abilities, had evolved into the SS-level Gluttony Demon King. As Leno opened his eyes, a powerful warmth surged through his body, transforming every cell. This was not just an increase in strength—it was a complete, physical evolution.
His body sang with newfound power, his muscles surging, his senses sharp as ever. He smiled.
Meanwhile, the challengers who were attempting the Hunter Guild's assessment were growing frustrated. The icy climb before them seemed impossible.
"How can anyone make it to the top?"
Leno, calm and composed, landed in front of the vertical ice wall. "Let me show you."
With ease, Leno thrust his hand into the hard ice, creating cracks as he climbed with stunning speed, passing the 300-meter mark in mere moments.
Below, those who had doubted him watched in stunned silence. Rob Lucci, arms crossed, observed Leno with narrowed eyes. "That strength... it's monstrous."
Leno reached the 600-meter point, where the air was thin and the wind howled, but he didn't falter. His climb was relentless, undeterred by the cold or the harsh elements.
Reaching the summit, Leno looked down at the struggling challengers below, proving it wasn't impossible.
Rob Lucci, determined to surpass him, followed, reaching the top with great effort.
Leno sat calmly, his eyes opening. "You passed. You can now choose to join the Hunter Guild."
But Lucci had other plans. "I want to challenge you."
Leno grinned. "Alright."
Without hesitation, Lucci transformed into his Zoan, Cat-Cat Fruit - Leopard Form, rushing at Leno with full force.
But Leno was faster.
Before Lucci could strike, Leno blocked his knee effortlessly, anticipating the attack with his sharp dynamic vision, beyond the speed of sound.
Then, with one swift motion, Leno grabbed Lucci by the ankle and slammed him into the ice.
Boom!
The ice cracked beneath the impact, and Lucci was knocked out cold.
Leno stood victorious with a single, devastating move.
----------------
+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
Unlock exclusive access to more fanfic chapters and support my work by joining me on Patreon! Your support helps bring your favorite stories to life