Three years vanished like smoke in the wind, and the calendar now read 1517 in the Sea Circle Calendar.
High atop Onigashima's skull dome, Teacher Kaido's brutal special class was in session once again.
"Wororororo! Come at me, Kai!"
Kaido's maniacal laughter shattered the heavens as his Hassaikai carved through the air with a deadly whistle. The weapon descended without mercy, its surface wrapped in black-red Haki so intense it seemed to twist reality itself.
Kai refused to yield even an inch. His dragon claws transformed to pitch black in an instant, with equally violent black-red Haki spiraling around them like living serpents.
"Thunder Bagua!"
"Dragon Claw!"
Two explosive battle cries tore through the sky like thunder itself.
The next heartbeat brought collision!
But their weapons never actually made contact!
An invisible barrier materialized between kanabo and claw, violent Haki energies clashing with such intensity that they created a point resembling a miniature black hole.
Materialized Haki lightning erupted outward, raging in all directions like the wrath of gods.
The earth beneath them surrendered like fragile parchment, instantly torn into countless ravines and gullies that spider-webbed across the battlefield.
Concentric rings of air pressure exploded outward with the two warriors at their epicenter, shattering boulders and sending debris flying like deadly projectiles wherever the shockwaves passed.
Then something even more miraculous occurred.
The torrential Haki emanating from both Kaido and Kai shot straight into the heavens, and the thick cloud layer blanketing the sky was directly blasted open with a massive hole.
The clouds rapidly dispersed with the opening as their center, fleeing like startled birds.
The very sky split apart.
In the distance, Jack and the others who dared not approach the battle's epicenter watched in reverent silence.
Violet gazed upward at the torn heavens and whispered in amazement: "No matter how many times I witness it, the sight still shocks me to my core! Is this truly something humans can accomplish?"
Jack crossed his massive arms and snorted with cold pride, his eyes blazing with absolute devotion: "That's Kaido-aniki and Kai-aniki for you. Isn't it only natural they can achieve such impossible feats?"
Yamato, who had been cleared from the battlefield early for her own safety, endured Kozuki Hiyori's gentle bandaging while declaring with stubborn defiance: "Someday, I'll master Conqueror's coating as well!"
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
Several more thunderous roars echoed from the battle's center.
Two black shadows continuously crossed and separated like deadly dancers in an eternal waltz.
"Wororororo! Your punches are growing soft! Have you already reached your pathetic limit, kid?!"
Kaido stood leaning casually on his kanabo, his massive frame covered with various wounds that only seemed to fuel his battle lust. His entire being radiated the intoxicating joy of combat.
Kai bore similar wounds, each breath bringing searing agony through his battered ribs. As Kaido had observed with typical brutal honesty, his stamina reserves were rapidly approaching their limits.
"Teacher, let's settle this with one final decisive move," Kai smiled through gritted teeth.
"Just what I was hoping to hear!"
Kaido's mouth twisted into a savage grin that promised violence.
Haki lightning condensed to its absolute extreme once again coiled around Hassaikai like hungry serpents.
The next instant, Kaido's colossal form vanished from his position!
"Daiitoku Thunder Bagua!"
I'm going to die!
Kai's pupils contracted to pinpoints as his entire vision became consumed by that kanabo wrapped in countless twisted lightning bolts, the weapon seeming ready to crush space itself into nothingness.
In that terrifying moment, a crimson character spelling "death" seemed to materialize above his head!
"Hold the line!"
Kai suddenly raised both claws, crossing them defensively in front of his body as every muscle in his frame tensed like steel cables. Pitch-black Armament Haki flooded over his entire form like a protective tide.
BANG!
An impossibly muffled, earth-shaking sonic boom erupted!
Unimaginable impact force launched Kai through the air like a cannonball.
His eyes rolled back as blood streamed from his mouth and nose, creating a crimson trail through the sky as his entire body disappeared into the distant horizon like a falling star.
"Wororororo! Absolutely exhilarating!"
Kaido's wild laughter echoed through the clouds with pure satisfaction.
He glanced with obvious pleasure in the direction of Kai's dramatic exit, transformed into his majestic beast form, and leisurely flew back inside the skull dome's protective embrace.
When consciousness finally returned to Kai, morning sunlight was already streaming through familiar windows.
Staring at the well-known white ceiling above him, Kai released a weary sigh: "So it's like this again, is it?"
"I still have such a tremendously long way to go in my growth."
After three grueling years of relentless effort, he had successfully mastered both Conqueror's coating and internal destruction techniques.
In terms of pure skill, he could now hold his own against Emperor-level opponents, but his fundamental physical attributes still fell frustratingly short of their monstrous standards.
Stamina and Haki reserves both required significant improvement.
Not to mention that Kaido still hadn't even bothered using his future sight abilities.
Yamato's delighted voice suddenly filled the room: "Oh! Kai, you're finally awake!"
Kai considered his options for a moment before declaring: "Yamato, let's go to sea."
Yamato didn't hesitate for even a heartbeat: "Sounds absolutely perfect!"
This wasn't some impulsive decision born from post-battle delirium.
After three years of intensive training, Kai believed he now possessed sufficient ability to protect himself in the wider world. Even if he encountered legendary experts at the level of Whitebeard or Charlotte Linlin, victory might elude him, but escape would certainly remain possible.
The time had come to venture forth and test himself against the strong fighters roaming the seas.
As for Wano Country itself...
After three years of careful governance, the political environment had achieved remarkable stability and no longer required his and Yamato's constant presence to maintain order.
Even the most stubborn Kozuki remnants had grown significantly more compliant following that historic sword dedication ceremony.
Many samurai had even openly emerged from hiding to surrender voluntarily.
Ready to transform intention into action, Kai immediately sought out the perpetually tipsy Kaido.
Of course, he also possessed legitimate reasons for this particular expedition.
"Artificial Devil Fruits?"
Kaido's brow furrowed with obvious interest: "The same type that Kozuki Hiyori consumed?"
He harbored no opposition to using his own lineage factor for creating Devil Fruits.
Even if they shared identical abilities, he would definitely remain the strongest among all Azure Dragon fruit users!
But where would they locate scientists proficient in such specialized knowledge?
They couldn't simply assault the government and kidnap Vegapunk himself.
If such an approach were feasible, he would have pursued those ideas three years earlier.
No matter how arrogant Kaido's nature, he understood that compared to the World Government's resources, the Beast Pirates remained merely a somewhat troublesome opponent.
Once they crossed the World Government's established red lines, those bureaucrats would genuinely mobilize their full military might for total war.
That scenario would spell the Beast Pirates' complete annihilation.
Kai smiled with obvious confidence: "Kaido-san, do you recall Queen's origins?"
"MADS!"
Kaido experienced sudden realization. If that legendary organization was involved, genuine talent in this field might actually exist.
Kai nodded and explained with leisurely confidence: "Vinsmoke Judge, a genius scientist specializing in genetics. Lineage Factor research was pioneered by Vegapunk and Judge, leading their joint research team."
"Moreover, he's currently developing artificial humans, which could dramatically enhance our lower-level military capabilities."
The more Kaido absorbed these details, the more his excitement grew, as if visualizing an entire army of artificial Azure Dragon fruit users materializing before his eyes.
When that glorious day arrived, wouldn't his dream of orchestrating a world-spanning war finally be within reach?
Kaido waved his hand with characteristic grandeur and immediately approved Kai's ambitious proposal: "Then proceed with full authority. I'll eagerly await your triumphant news."
Later that day, Kai gathered his closest companions in a private meeting room.
"We're traveling to North Blue!"
Yamato raised both hands and cheered with unbridled enthusiasm, bouncing like an excited white-haired dog desperate for adventure.
She had grown thoroughly tired of remaining confined within Wano Country's borders for years.
"What are your individual thoughts? This expedition might require several months. If time permits, I'm planning to tour all Four Blues comprehensively."
Kai studied Jack, Ulti, and Page One with careful attention.
As Flying Six members, each carried significant responsibilities. Brief excursions would probably pose no problems, but extended journeys presented entirely different challenges.
As expected, all three shook their heads in polite refusal.
Over these three transformative years, the Beast Pirates had conquered numerous territories, but conquest represented merely the beginning. Those lands still required these crucial mid-level officers to oversee and properly digest their new acquisitions.