Ainz stood on the cliffside of a remote island, gazing out over the vast ocean of this new world. The sea breeze ruffled his long cloak as he stood silently, contemplating his next move. His floor guardians stood nearby, patiently awaiting his command. In this world, souls didn't provide the same mana boost as they did in Nazarick. That was the first anomaly he noticed. But now, he had a new thought forming—an idea that would give him immense power without relying solely on the resources of his own world.
"A force," he muttered to himself. "I need a force strong enough to dominate this world… But who would be worthy?"
Demiurge stepped forward, ever the diligent servant. "My lord, this world is already filled with powerful factions. Perhaps it would be easier to dominate the most chaotic ones—those who already inspire fear."
Ainz's glowing eyes narrowed behind his skeletal face. "Yes… the pirates. They are a lawless force, easy to control once you show them overwhelming power."
Shalltear Bloodfallen, always eager for conflict, grinned as she spoke, "The strongest of the pirates must be this 'Kaido' we've heard of. They call him a 'Beast.' Would he be worth controlling, my lord?"
Ainz thought for a moment. "Kaido... the so-called 'Strongest Creature.' He commands the Beast Pirates, doesn't he?"
"Indeed, my lord," Albedo chimed in. "With your power, subduing him would be effortless. And once you have him under your command, the rest of this chaotic world will fall in line."
Ainz nodded slowly. "Yes… but there's more potential here than just the Beast Pirates."
The wind whipped through the trees, and Ainz's skeletal fingers flexed as an idea crystallized in his mind. "Impel Down… the infamous prison of this world. The worst criminals are held there. Each of them with untapped potential. If I could release them—no, if I could control them—then I'd have a true army."
The guardians exchanged eager glances, but it was Demiurge who asked the question on everyone's mind. "How would you control such a volatile group, my lord? Surely their loyalty cannot be bought so easily."
Ainz smiled—a subtle, dangerous smile. "It doesn't need to be bought. I'll offer them something no one else can: power. They will crave it, just as they crave freedom. And through my magic, I will bind them to my will."
---
Later That Night, At the Beast Pirates' Stronghold
On the other side of the ocean, within the thick mists surrounding Onigashima, Kaido stood on the balcony of his fortress, his towering form casting a long shadow under the moonlight. He downed a jug of sake in one swig, letting out a deep, guttural laugh.
"These weaklings can't even challenge me anymore," Kaido growled. "The Marines, the pirate, all of them… not even worth the fight."
King, his right-hand man, stood beside him. "There's been a lot of movement in the New World lately. Some say a powerful new figure has arrived."
Kaido scoffed. "Hmph. They're all the same. It doesn't matter who it is. I'll crush them just like the others."
But just as he finished speaking, the air around the island grew thick and heavy. A dark, oppressive presence seemed to descend, as if the sky itself was pressing down on the fortress.
Kaido paused, narrowing his eyes. "What… is that?"
Suddenly, from the shadows, a voice echoed—calm, measured, and undeniably powerful. "Kaido of the Beasts. You have been chosen."
---
Meanwhile, Back With Ainz and His Guardians
Ainz stood in a darkened chamber, surrounded by his floor guardians. In front of him, a shimmering portal rippled with an ominous energy. He had cast his most potent spells, manipulating the very fabric of this new world's energies. This portal would allow him access to Impel Down.
"Demiurge," Ainz said, his voice echoing with power. "Once I enter this prison, I will bring every dangerous soul within it under my control. Ensure the others are prepared."
Demiurge bowed low. "As you command, my lord. What should we do with Kaido and his Beast Pirates in the meantime?"
Ainz's glowing eyes flared. "I will take them as well. But first, let's test how much they value their so-called strength."
With a wave of his hand, Ainz activated the portal. It pulsed once, twice, and then stabilized, revealing the dark corridors of Impel Down. As Ainz stepped through, the oppressive energy of the prison greeted him, filled with the anger, fear, and desperation of the world's most dangerous criminals.
"They'll be perfect tools," Ainz muttered to himself. "All I have to do is give them a reason to follow me."
---
At the Party in Impel Down
Deep within the infamous prison, the warden and guards were caught completely unaware as the portal opened within their secure walls. Alarms blared, but it was too late. Ainz had already arrived, surrounded by his most loyal guardians.
The prisoners could sense the shift in power immediately. There was a collective intake of breath as the aura of death seemed to fill the air. Ainz's imposing figure walked through the cold corridors, his red eyes glowing from the darkness.
"Who's that?" whispered one of the prisoners.
"I don't know, but he's not a Marine… and he's not a pirate either," muttered another.
Ainz stopped in front of the cell holding one of the most dangerous criminals—someone who had been locked away for crimes too heinous to speak of. With a flick of his hand, Ainz dissolved the barriers of the cell, the heavy door swinging open effortlessly.
The prisoner inside, a massive figure covered in scars, stepped forward cautiously. "Who… are you?"
Ainz's voice was calm but held an undeniable authority. "I am Ainz Ooal Gown. And I offer you power beyond anything you've ever imagined."
The prisoner's eyes widened. "Power? What's the catch?"
Ainz's smile widened beneath his skeletal face. "Loyalty. Swear yourself to me, and I will give you the strength to crush anyone who stands in your way."
---
Back in Onigashima
Kaido was not easily rattled, but this time, he felt a twinge of uncertainty. The voice that echoed through his halls wasn't just another challenger—it was something else entirely. He could sense it in the air, the same feeling of raw, incomprehensible power that only the most ancient beings exuded.
And then, as quickly as it came, the presence vanished. But the warning was clear. Someone was coming for him.
"King," Kaido growled. "Double the defenses. Whoever this bastard is, he's going to regret coming after me."
King nodded. "Understood. But should we find out who it is first?"
Kaido grinned, his sharp teeth gleaming in the dim light. "No need. I'll just crush them when they get here."
---
Back With Ainz
Ainz's plan was in motion. With the most dangerous criminals of Impel Down under his control and the looming threat of Kaido's forces in the distance, the pieces were falling into place. He would soon have an army of powerful pirates, criminals, and beasts, all bound to him by fear or by the promise of power.
But his mind was already on the next phase—taking the souls of the dead and empowering them in ways this world had never seen. His ambitions reached far beyond Kaido or the pirates. He was already thinking about how to bring the greatest warriors from both worlds under his banner, creating an unstoppable force.
As he prepared to leave Impel Down, he gave one final command to Demiurge. "Ensure that the prisoners are ready. We move to take Onigashima next."
Demiurge bowed. "It will be done, my lord."
Ainz turned toward the portal, stepping back through it into his dark dimension. "Soon, the real conquest will begin," he whispered to himself.