Wano Country, Onigashima.
Ink-black clouds covered the entire island, boiling and rolling endlessly. Lightning occasionally tore through the sky, leaving the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
Inside the central hall, the drunken Kaido behaved like a madman—laughing one moment, crying the next, and occasionally throwing out curses.
The executives below him maintained calm expressions, showing no signs of surprise.
Clearly, they had long grown used to their captain's daily bouts of madness.
Some even assumed the captain wouldn't notice them at this moment and began quietly slacking off.
Jack, wearing two enormous ivory tusks, slowly moved closer to the round figure beside him and lowered his voice.
"Boss Queen, have you seen that so-called Thunder God? Is he really that strong?"
Since he had been stationed on the battlefield with the Red Hair Pirates last time, he hadn't met Leno in person—only seen his photo in the newspapers.
No matter how he looked at it, the guy didn't seem like a powerhouse. How could he have nearly killed Lord Kaido?
Now that the guy had come to the New World, maybe he should find a chance to test him out.
Queen, who had been lost in his own thoughts, was suddenly interrupted. He turned around irritably, his tone unfriendly.
"What Thunder God? Never seen him! Got questions? Go ask King!"
That's what he said aloud, but in secret, he had thoroughly investigated Leno's personal information.
He had no desire to provoke the monster who had nearly killed their boss. More than once, he had silently celebrated the fact that he couldn't fly.
Otherwise, he would have been among those who rushed back for reinforcements last time. If he had encountered that monster then, his fate would definitely not have been good.
He had personally witnessed the miserable state Kaido was in when he was brought back—it was simply unbearable to look at.
Now that this great calamity had come to the New World again, he needed to make preparations early.
The next time he came to Wano, he would make sure to avoid him as soon as possible.
After being brushed off, Jack instinctively glanced toward King, who stood at the very front. After thinking for a moment, he decided not to approach and quietly returned to his position.
King, standing beneath Kaido and wrapped tightly in his outfit, naturally noticed their little exchange, but he ignored it.
At that moment, his thoughts were completely occupied by the information in the newspaper—the man had joined the World Government!
The hatred buried deep within his heart surged uncontrollably, causing the exposed parts of his eyes to turn bloodshot.
The blood feud of slaughter and extinction—he would never forget it for the rest of his life!
Since he had chosen to join the World Government's side, then next time they met, they would be enemies, Thunder God!
Thud.
A crisp sound came from above as a massive wine jug was slammed onto the ground. Kaido's towering body collapsed into the main seat's sofa.
He muttered continuously:
"Wororororo... you bastard, you finally came back to the New World..."
Moments later, as if electrified, he suddenly sat upright and wailed toward the sky.
"You bastard! Joining the World Government—is that you looking down on me?! Boohoo..."
"..."
Watching the gigantic figure crying dramatically above, everyone below silently rolled their eyes.
Here we go again.
In truth, Kaido had grievances he couldn't voice.
He had already planned to ally with Big Mom to eliminate Leno, this unstable factor, first.
But suddenly, the identity of a Celestial Dragon appeared out of nowhere, and the plan died before it could even begin.
Just thinking about potentially being targeted simultaneously by the World Government, the Navy, and adventurers made Kaido feel suffocated.
Now he only hoped that Leno and that old hag would clash sooner rather than later. After she suffered a setback, he would propose an alliance.
He knew well that Leno and Big Mom had conflicts—and not small ones.
As long as the two sides joined forces afterward, whether it was Leno or whatever upheaval might arise across the seas, they would be able to face it calmly.
Meanwhile, unlike the oppressive atmosphere of Onigashima, the mood aboard a massive ship elsewhere was extremely lively.
In fact, the atmosphere on this gigantic vessel was always unusually vibrant.
This colossal ship, stretching tens of thousands of meters, was constructed entirely of gold and pulled forward by two giant island turtles, ensuring smooth and safe navigation.
A town had been built atop it, containing casinos, theaters, hotels, and all kinds of entertainment facilities.
Every building displayed extravagant luxury, shining with dazzling neon lights.
Thus, it was also known as "the world's largest entertainment city"—the Gran Tesoro.
Its owner was none other than the survivor of the "Mary Geoise Incident" and the man who had once sent aid to Leno—Gild Tesoro.
At this moment, inside the top-floor suite of the central tower, Tesoro was leisurely soaking in a hot spring, with the bikini-clad Baccarat beside him.
The two leaned against each other, enjoying a rare moment of warmth.
At a certain instant, Tesoro suddenly opened his eyes and looked toward the floor ahead.
A big-headed subordinate holding a newspaper abruptly emerged from the floor. After approaching him, he reported respectfully:
"Boss, today's newspaper has news you'll be interested in."
"Oh? Really..." Tesoro casually picked up a glass of champagne beside him, took a sip, and reached out to accept the newspaper.
With just a single glance, his entire body trembled violently. His pupils contracted sharply, and the glass slipped from his hand, falling to the ground.
He gripped the newspaper tightly with both hands. His gaze shook violently as his lips trembled.
"Th-this... something like this can really be done?!"
After carefully reading the contents, Tesoro suddenly stood up and burst into manic laughter, his eyes blazing with fervor.
"Hahahahaha..."
"Celestial Dragons... Celestial Dragons can really accept outsiders!!!"
What had been the ultimate goal behind his years of frenzied wealth accumulation? Wasn't it to become a god capable of controlling the fate of others?
He had originally thought this hope would remain infinitely distant, yet reality had proven that someone truly achieved it.
Thunder God—truly worthy of being the man who saved him, once again illuminating his path forward through action.
His years of planning had not been in vain. This time, he too would become one of those lofty World Nobles!
Seeing her boss nearly descending into madness, Baccarat curiously glanced at the newspaper in his hands.
When she saw the contents clearly, she covered her mouth in shock.
"My goodness... that lord actually became a Celestial Dragon!"
Then she realized why her boss was so excited.
Having followed him for years, she believed she understood him fairly well.
Despite his usual contempt—even hatred—toward nobles and the World Government, beneath those outward attitudes lay a deep yearning hidden within his eyes.
Now that Thunder God had succeeded as a precedent, that inner desire could likely no longer be suppressed.
After everything she had experienced, she understood what World Nobles truly represented—the immense power and authority they possessed.
When her eyes caught Leno's photo in the newspaper, she silently clicked her tongue in amazement.
That lord was truly a legendary figure, always doing the unexpected.
...
...