New World, Seitan Island.
This was the main base of operations in Kaido's territory.
Three days ago, King had returned, battered and bloodied—yet neither Kaido nor the rest of the crew were anywhere to be found. Whispers of doubt spread among the subordinates on the island. Only through King's iron-fisted discipline did order hold, as he rallied his forces and sent scouts searching for answers.
Now, King stood at the prow of his ship, staring out at the horizon. Behind him, a subordinate hurried up to report:
"King, we've scoured every black market for information, spent a fortune… but there's nothing about Boss Kaido. Should we—"
A murderous aura exploded from King as he shot the man a deadly glare.
"Shut it! If the black market's silent, it just means we haven't paid enough. Bring every last treasure we have. We will find news of Big Bro Kaido—no matter what!"
Shing!
He drew his blade, pressing it coldly to the subordinate's throat.
The man gulped, feeling the weight of King's killing intent. "Y-yes! Right away!"
Shing.
Blade sheathed.
King's voice was icy calm. "Go."
But the rise and fall of his chest betrayed his inner turmoil.
Nothing will happen to him… Big Bro Kaido is Joy Boy, after all… He'll be fine. He has to be…
———
New World, Vassen Archipelago.
A colossal azure dragon plummeted from the sky.
BOOM!
It crashed down in front of the island's largest restaurant.
Kaido dropped the limp Queen from his grip and shifted into human form, waving away the smoke. Dragging Queen along, he stomped into the restaurant, casting a menacing gaze over the crowd.
"Bring me booze! Bring me meat! Now!"
A wave of killing intent, tinged with Conqueror's Haki, swept through the room—half the patrons collapsed on the spot.
This was the New World. Those who remained recognized the infamous pirate, Kaido, whose name had become legend in recent years. The trembling owner scrambled to prepare food, while the rest of the customers bolted, fleeing as far as they could.
Kaido snorted, unconcerned. He seized a barrel of liquor from a server and dunked Queen's head straight into it.
"Cough… cough… cough!"
The harsh burning of liquor and lack of air jolted Queen awake. A massive hand yanked him out by the scruff, and blinking at the harsh light, he found himself staring into the fierce face of Kaido.
Kaido pointed impatiently at Queen's cybernetic arm. "This thing—can it replace organs?"
His aura radiated overwhelming pressure.
Queen stammered, "It can, but it depends on the organ…"
Kaido's breath quickened. "Lungs?"
Queen nodded. "Yes."
Hearing the answer, Kaido fought to suppress his excitement and chugged a deep swig of liquor.
SLAM!
The barrel smashed onto the counter. Suddenly, Kaido burst into wild sobs and laughter.
"WAAAAAAH!! Hahahahaha! Cough… cough…"
His crazed fit ended in hacking coughs. Eyes red, he fixed Queen with a burning stare.
"Join me. I'm trusting you with my lungs. As long as you can make me a set that fits, you can have whatever you want—money, manpower, anything."
Hearing such an offer, Queen finally understood why he'd been captured. He took a deep breath.
"Anything at all…? My experiments require a lot of living subjects…"
Kaido let out a booming laugh. "People? Take whoever you want!" He gestured at the civilians knocked out by his Conqueror's Haki.
Queen eyed the unconscious crowd, breathing heavier. His ambition for his "great experiment" surged uncontrollably.
A twisted smile crept onto his face as he looked up at Kaido.
"Boss."
———
South Blue, Jovinan Island.
Garp's warship was docked at the port. With Chinjao's drill head flattened and no news of Roger, Garp—bored out of his mind—had taken a page from Sakazuki and begun touring the Four Blues.
Today, he was resupplying at the port. Jovinan Island, the last stop before Reverse Mountain, bustled with ships coming and going.
Suddenly, something caught Garp's eye—a tall, lanky figure in a seaside restaurant. Garp narrowed his eyes. Interesting…
Inside, the slender man sat with his chin propped on one hand, swirling a glass of liquor with the other. As he swirled, ice cubes appeared in the glass as if by magic.
Sensing a gaze, the man looked up—meeting Garp's eyes. He frowned, downed his drink in one gulp, and turned to leave.
Garp grinned and leapt from the ship, tailing the stranger into a shadowy alley.
There, the tall figure turned and addressed him.
"Sir. You seem awfully free."
Garp bared his teeth in a wide grin. "Kid, come with me. I've got my eye on you."
The man raised an eyebrow, a frosty mist escaping his lips. "Alaala, I'm not interested in middle-aged men. Ice—"
BOOM!
In a flash, Garp vanished and reappeared right in front of him, smashing him into the wall with a single iron fist.
Picking his nose with his pinky, Garp looked at the crumpled figure struggling to rise. "Ice what?"
Clutching his stomach, the man—Kuzan—stood, cold sweat beading on his brow. For a man with the Ice-Ice Fruit, that was saying something. But this was real sweat… from pain.
He managed to croak, "You…"
Garp chuckled, "Still standing after taking my punch? Not bad. Join the Marines, kid."
Kuzan gritted his teeth and shot back, "Like hell I—" But then he saw Garp's fist rising again, and quickly changed his tune. "Maybe we could… discuss salary and benefits?"
Garp roared with laughter. "Let's talk on my ship! Hahahaha!"
He grabbed Kuzan like a sack of potatoes and carried him off.
———
New World, aboard Sakazuki's warship.
Having just finished training Barrett, Sakazuki summoned Karol. The two returned to the office.
Sakazuki tossed his cloak aside and sank into the sofa, accepting the newspaper Karol handed over.
"All the data sorted?"
~~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~~
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