Even the Flying Six, some of the most formidable pirates in the New World, felt an unprecedented, crushing pressure.
Their powerful bodies seemed to bear the weight of a literal mountain, forcing them to bend at the waist as they struggled against the overwhelming, invisible force of their captain's rage.
Beads of sweat dotted their foreheads, their faces pale and twisted in obvious agony.
Yet, despite the torment, they gritted their teeth and forced their heads up to gaze in the direction of the castle's peak.
At that moment, a furious, world-shaking roar echoed from the skull-dome of Onigashima, a sound brimming with a pure, undiluted rage and a bitter, profound resentment.
"DAMN IT! DAMN IT ALL!!!"
"That bastard Whitebeard… using ME as a stepping stone to fame!!!"
"Pirate King?! BULLSHIT! I'LL KILL YOU! I, KAIDO, AM THE ONLY ONE FIT TO BE KING OF THE PIRATES!"
The very air around the island seemed to ignite with his fury, growing hotter, heavier, and more oppressive.
Everyone held their breath, bracing for the inevitable explosion.
Kaido was enraged.
Standing atop Onigashima, he glared out at the distant, mocking sea, his heart consumed by a boundless, world-ending wrath.
For this operation against Whitebeard, he had meticulously planned everything.
He had laid countless traps and obstacles, turning the seas around Wano into a veritable graveyard in anticipation of the old Emperor's arrival.
And yet, to his utter disbelief, Whitebeard never showed up.
All his efforts, all his grand strategies, had gone completely to waste, leaving Kaido with an unprecedented sense of hollow defeat.
What infuriated him even more was the news of Whitebeard's new bounty—a staggering seven billion Berries.
The number was a personal insult, a declaration from the World Government that far surpassed his own 4.6 billion.
It meant that, in the eyes of the world, Whitebeard's strength and influence vastly overshadowed his own.
The humiliation of being so thoroughly outclassed filled Kaido with an unbearable, burning shame.
And then there was the final, most infuriating insult: the Devil Fruit sale.
The Whitebeard Pirates were now offering bespoke Devil Fruit powers to the highest bidder.
His entire crew, the Beast Pirates, was built on the foundation of powerful, rare Zoan fruits.
It was their identity, their greatest advantage.
Now, that advantage had been turned into a commodity.
With enough financial backing, any idiot with a fat wallet could instantly create another Beast Pirates.
His army, his life's work, had been turned into the biggest joke on the seas.
"That damn Newgate," Kaido roared, his fists clenched so tightly that veins bulged across his arms like thick ropes.
"SHOWING ME NO RESPECT AT ALL!" He punched the ground again and again, venting his overwhelming frustration.
Each strike sent shockwaves through the island, his face contorted with a rage and resentment so pure it was terrifying.
His furious, thunderous roar echoed through the entire sky, deafening and overwhelming.
"ALL-STARS! TOBIROPPO! GET HERE NOW!"
Queen, Jack, King, and the Flying Six all shuddered upon hearing the summons.
Without the slightest hesitation, they hurried toward the main hall, not daring to delay even for a moment.
Tension and reverence were written on every face.
They knew Kaido in this state was more volatile than a barrel of gunpowder.
This sudden gathering was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Moments later, inside the great hall, Kaido sat slumped upon his throne, a massive gourd of sake in his hand.
His piercing, bloodshot gaze swept over the assembled commanders before him, radiating an indescribable authority that seemed to freeze the very air in the chamber.
The Flying Six were engulfed by this suffocating pressure, each feeling unbearably uneasy.
Noticing the crushing tension, Black Maria subtly shifted her lively eyes before speaking up, her voice a crisp, clear counterpoint to the oppressive silence.
"Kaido-sama," she began, her tone carefully measured, "regarding the sale of Devil Fruits… there's no rule saying they won't sell to us. We can still purchase them with money, can't we?"
"Hmph!" Kaido snorted, his voice dripping with displeasure.
He took a long, angry swig of sake.
"Whitebeard isn't a fool. Why would he sell something so important to an enemy?"
Who's-Who, seeing the delicate situation, gave a light cough with a sly, calculated look in his eyes.
"Actually," he began, his voice smooth and confident, "we could simply have our subordinates make the purchases. We have countless agents and infiltrated pirates across the seas. That way, no one would ever know their true identities." He seemed to have already devised a plan.
"The Whitebeard Pirates are selling to pirates all over the world. Who's to say some of our people aren't already in line? This way, we can quietly obtain the powers we desire."
At this, the fiery rage in Kaido's eyes suddenly flickered, replaced by a glint of genuine interest.
The frost on his face melted slightly. He had been too blinded by his rage to think so cunningly.
"Interesting," he rumbled. "Go on."
Encouraged by the approval, Who's-Who smirked.
"We can buy large quantities of Devil Fruits—specifically, the most powerful Zoan abilities we can find. We can create an army of mythical beasts the world has never seen. It would be a waste not to take full advantage of this."
Black Maria chimed in excitedly, her voice brimming with a raw longing for power.
"And if we're choosing any Devil Fruit ability we want," she purred, her gaze fixed on her captain.
"Of course, Kaido-sama own would be the strongest! Just imagine… possessing that near-invincible power. Anyone would be tempted beyond reason." Her eyes sparkled, as if she could already envision herself as a mighty dragon.
Hearing this, Queen couldn't help but breathe rapidly, his massive body jiggling with excitement.
"Exactly, exactly! If I had to choose, I'd definitely pick Kaido-sama abilities! With that kind of power, the entire world would bow beneath our feet!"
Jack nodded in gruff agreement nearby.
"That's right. Among all the beasts in the world, Kaido-sama power is the strongest. No one can match him."
King, who had been standing silently with his arms crossed, finally voiced his agreement, his voice calm and absolute.
"And let's not forget, the Azure Dragon is renowned across the entire sea. Once in that state, not only does one's attack power increase dramatically, but their defense also becomes insanely formidable. If we are making a choice," he concluded.
"The Azure Dragon form is undoubtedly the best, most powerful option."
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