Chapter 252: Nami Captured, Zoro Seriously Injured—The Straw Hats in Dire Straits!
Kaido's massive dragon form seemed frozen in place—
and in the next second,
a jagged wound tore through the scales on his belly, stretching several meters long, blood spraying into the air.
The tornado was sliced apart.
Kaido, realizing it too late, halted his movement.
His enormous dragon body quickly shrank, shifting into his dragon-man hybrid form.
He reached up and touched the thin wound on his chest,
his expression filled with disbelief.
"I was… injured?"
Kaido stared at the blood on his fingers, unable to come to terms with what had happened.
Since being wounded by Kozuki Oden years ago,
he hadn't taken a single injury—especially not in his Azure Dragon form, his strongest defensive state.
"…I apologize for underestimating you all earlier."
Clutching his spiked kanabo, Kaido turned toward Zoro, who was paralyzed by ghostly energy.
"What a savage sword. Tell me your name!"
"Roronoa Zoro!"
Zoro turned with great difficulty, his eyes locked on Kaido's.
"Very well!"
"I'll remember you. Let me end your life with the strongest body in the world!"
Kaido raised his kanabo, now wrapped in Armament Haki, and brought it down on Zoro.
Thunder Bagua!
Zoro barely managed to raise his blade to block,
but the immense force sent him flying.
The roar of wind filled his ears as he plunged into the sea.
Kaido let out a wild laugh.
"Don't die so quickly, brat!
My name is Kaido, Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates!"
"See your own weakness and submit to me.
I'll be waiting for you atop Onigashima above Wano!"
Zoro's green-haired form floated weakly on the sea surface.
He was on the verge of collapse, barely able to drink a healing potion.
But he couldn't even stand.
The waves carried him back to shore, where Kaido shackled him in chains.
"Now, it's your turn."
Kaido turned his gaze toward Nami and Sanji,
both looking furious and helpless.
Though Nami didn't possess a Zoan Fruit,
Kaido was still interested in her abilities—he wanted to take her back to Onigashima as a collectible.
Demonic Acid Rain!
Molten Lava Bottle!
The ground turned to magma, bubbling with molten fire.
Black clouds filled the sky, acid rain falling and blocking Kaido's path.
After casting two massive area-control skills,
Nami quickly picked up the unconscious Luffy and shoved him into Sanji's arms.
"Kaido said he won't kill me or Zoro for now.
Take Luffy and run!
Find a chance to rescue us!"
"But Nami-swan, you—"
Sanji wanted to refuse,
but seeing Nami's firm eyes,
he lifted Luffy and ran.
As her figure faded behind him,
he punched a tree in frustration.
"I can't even protect the woman I love.
What kind of chef am I?!"
Once Sanji was far enough—
Nami forced a smile and said,
"Boss Kaido, I'm willing to submit."
"Not bad."
Kaido nodded in satisfaction.
He slapped shackles on her as well.
"You two—take me to the Game Merchant!"
He hadn't forgotten why he came to the East Blue.
Zoro said nothing, his expression dark.
Nami, smiling nervously, gave him a kick.
"We don't know where the Game Merchant is," she said quickly.
"He only appears after someone defeats a Corrupted Lord."
"I want to become a player. How?"
Nami replied submissively,
"Eat a Contract Fruit and complete its quest. Then you'll become a player."
This was common knowledge in the East Blue.
Even if she didn't say it, Kaido would've found out soon enough.
Might as well appear cooperative and lower his guard.
Then they could escape.
"Do you have a Contract Fruit?"
Nami shook her head.
"The Game Merchant distributes them like Devil Fruits. You need luck to find one."
"Then take me to a big nearby town."
Kaido leapt aboard the Going Merry and sat on the deck.
The two were dragged along in shackles.
They didn't want to go—but they had no choice.
Snore… snore…
Kaido quickly fell asleep.
Zoro and Nami tried to break their chains,
but any movement risked waking Kaido.
As they sailed,
Kaido casually destroyed every pirate and Marine ship in sight,
dragging everyone aboard the Merry.
Some were players, some were ordinary people.
"You're all my collectibles.
Fight to the death!
The strongest among you may become my new officers!"
Kaido was insane.
He didn't care about loyalty.
For him, strength was everything—survival of the fittest.
With Kaido in command, he had countless ways to make the strong obey.
He placed explosive collars on Zoro and Nami's necks.
Hard to believe he carried these things even when traveling.
Grinning cruelly,
he sat atop the deck's highest point and looked down on his new captives.
"As for the losers—"
He tossed out a collar.
BOOM.
The explosion left a crater in the sea.
If that had gone off on someone's neck, there'd be nothing left.
"You two—my best bets.
You'll fight together in every round.
Survive their combined attacks!"
Kaido's laugh was full of malice.
Though huge and brutish,
he wasn't stupid.
He knew the two planned to escape.
If they wouldn't join the Beasts Pirates,
then they'd face his punishment.
He'd learned this trick from Queen—
who liked making slaves in the mines play death matches.
Most submitted after just a few rounds.
Let's see how long these two last.
"You're kidding, right?
How can we fight so many people, Boss Kaido?"
Nami looked around, swallowing hard.
Many of them were players,
including million-berry bounty pirates from the Grand Line searching for Contract Fruits.
One-on-one, maybe they had a chance.
But a group battle? With the rule that they couldn't leave the ring?
There was no way they could hold out.
"Win, and you'll be real officers in my crew.
Lose…"
Kaido didn't finish.
The detonated collar said it all.
Meanwhile—
Usopp and Luffy slowly regained consciousness in Syrup Village.
Sanji sat nearby, face twisted with worry.
He hadn't relaxed at all.
After learning that Zoro and Nami had been captured,
Luffy forced himself to stand.
"I'm going to find Kaido and get them back!"
"We can't beat him."
"I don't care.
I'll beat Kaido and rescue them!"
SMACK!
A punch landed hard on Luffy's face.
Sanji clenched his fist, glaring.
"What's going on with you, Luffy?
Don't tell me you haven't noticed—you've been acting strange."
The Luffy they knew—
he looked like a fool, sure.
But he was actually sharp.
Maybe not book-smart, but full of instinct and wisdom.
He loved adventure.
He dreamed of freedom.
He had the courage and faith to pursue his goals.
He didn't like being lectured,
and he wasn't easily influenced by others.
When surrounded by Marines, he'd run.
When outmatched, he'd retreat—or at least form a plan.
That was why they followed him.
That was why they became the Straw Hat Pirates.
"I… I don't know!"
Luffy, still reeling from the punch, stared blankly.
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