On the rugged coastline of the volcanic island, the sound of crashing waves was drowned out by the excited voices of the Beasts Pirates' elite officers.
Sasaki, the Armored Division Commander and the protagonist of this particular moment, stared at the remote control in his hand. His expression was one of pure reverence as he looked up at his Governor-General.
"Alright, Sasaki," Kaido rumbled, gesturing toward the ocean. "Don't keep us waiting. Take a look at the Sea Beast unit I have entrusted to you."
"Yes, sir!"
With trembling fingers, Sasaki pressed the central button on the device.
The sea immediately began to churn violently. Massive bubbles rose to the surface as if the ocean floor itself was erupting. Then, with a deafening splash, three colossal figures breached the surface.
Three giant Sea Kings rose from the depths, towering over the gathered pirates.
The creature in the center was a massive, cow-like Sea King, the same species Kaido had inspected earlier in the laboratory. Flanking it were two others: one resembling a gigantic, armored seahorse, and the other a feline beast with scales instead of fur.
These were not ordinary monsters of the deep. Their bodies were a grotesque but impressive fusion of biological muscle and cold, gleaming metal. Cybernetic plating covered their vital areas, and mechanical enhancements were visible along their spines and jaws.
Even though the All-Stars and Tobi Roppo were powerful warriors who generally did not fear Sea Kings, the sheer scale of these modified beasts—looming like small mountains of flesh and steel—left them in awe.
Kaido looked at the weapons with satisfaction.
"These are the 'Sea Beast Weapons' manufactured by Queen," Kaido explained, his voice carrying over the roar of the surf. "From today onwards, their deployment is entirely up to you, Sasaki. You must find capable subordinates to train and control them here on this island. Remember, choose only those who are absolutely trustworthy."
Sasaki nodded heavily, his eyes fixed on the mechanical marvels. "I understand."
"Subsequently, all Sea Beasts manufactured by Queen's lab will be sent here to your command," Kaido continued. "However, you must understand that Sea Kings are different from the Sky Walkers. Due to their enormous size and biological complexity, the modification process is slow. By my estimation, this unit will maintain a maximum strength of about 20 beasts. Their primary purpose is not open warfare, but secret infiltration, underwater transport, and sneak attacks."
The executives immediately understood the strategic value. A unit of cyborg Sea Kings capable of moving freely beneath the ocean surface, undetected by Marine radar, was the perfect tool for covert operations.
"Among the Tobi Roppo, your authority over these weapons is absolute," Kaido said, staring directly at Sasaki. "However, you still answer to the All-Stars and myself. If you have any technical questions regarding their control or maintenance, go directly to Queen on Onigashima."
"I understand, Big Brother Kaido!" Sasaki shouted, clenching his fist against his chest. "Please leave it to me. I swear I will train these beasts well and sharpen them into the deadliest blade of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Mm. I believe in you."
Having settled the matter of the naval unit, Kaido turned his gaze toward the siblings, Ulti and Page One.
"The manufacturing of the Artificial Devil Fruits—the SMILEs—has finally entered the right track," Kaido announced. "Next, I will entrust the command of those Gifted soldiers to you, Ulti. Page One, as her brother, you will temporarily assist her in training these new ability users. Queen is currently buried in his research, so the formation of your specific warship unit will have to wait."
Page One shook his head vigorously, his messy hair flying.
"Please rest assured, Father! I don't mind the delay. I will definitely help my sister train the Gifters properly."
"Pay-Pay!" Ulti squealed happily, lunging forward to wrap her arms around her brother's neck in a suffocating hug. "That's great! We get to work together again!"
"Sister! Get off!" Page One's face flushed red with embarrassment as he struggled weakly. "Don't be so rude in front of Father!"
Despite his verbal protests, Page One made no real effort to push her away. Kaido laughed heartily at the sight, the sound echoing off the cliffside.
He then turned his attention to the tall, masked figure standing nearby.
"Who's-Who," Kaido addressed him by his alias. "How have your subordinates been arranged during this time? Have they slacked off in their training?"
Who's-Who grinned beneath his helm, exuding confidence.
"Rest assured, Lord Kaido. My men are sharp. If you have a mission, simply say the word, and I will not let you down."
"Very good. You must have heard the news about that upstart, Blackbeard, hunting down ability users to steal their powers," Kaido said, his eyes narrowing. "Although we now have the ability to manufacture SMILEs, true Devil Fruits remain incredibly valuable resources. Some specific abilities are too useful to ignore. Go find Queen; he has compiled a list of targets we need to acquire."
"No problem," Who's-Who replied smoothly. "As soon as I return to Onigashima, I will retrieve the list from Lord Queen."
"Mm. Jack, Enel," Kaido shifted his focus to the two powerhouses. "Next, I have a specific mission for the two of you."
Jack's eyes narrowed in focus, and Enel's expression perked up with interest.
"Big Brother, please give us your instructions," Jack said seriously.
"Among the prisoners who escaped from the World Government's Impel Down recently, there is a dangerous old man named Byrnndi World," Kaido explained. "He holds the Moa Moa no Mi—the More-More Fruit. That ability allows the user to amplify the size and speed of objects, which is critical for our future military plans. Find him and bring him back to me. Jack, you will take the lead on this hunt. It is a good opportunity to verify the results of your training."
Kaido paused, glancing at the lightning man.
"As for you, Enel... the Marines are also hunting Byrnndi World. It is highly likely they will dispatch an Admiral to clean up the mess. If that happens, your job is to hold off the Admiral. Can you handle that?"
Enel, who had initially thought he would be relegated to a support role, lit up with excitement. Sparks danced across his shoulders.
"No problem at all, Big Brother," Enel grinned, his eyes manic. "Preferably, I hope they send that 'Yellow Monkey', Kizaru. Our last encounter was... unsatisfying. I would love a rematch."
Kaido nodded, accepting the confidence, before turning back to the trio of Tobi Roppo.
"Ulti, Sasaki, Page One. I also have a target for the three of you to hunt: Gild Tesoro."
Page One, being the youngest and perhaps the most socially aware, reacted the quickest.
"Father, are you talking about the 'Golden Emperor'?" Page One asked, surprised. "Rumor has it that he controls nearly 20% of the world's circulating Berries. He is easily the wealthiest man in the world."
"That is exactly right," Kaido grunted, crossing his massive arms. "The expansion speed of the Beasts Pirates has been too fast recently. We are burning resources. Between Queen's research, the production of SMILEs, and the fortification of Wano, we are running at a massive deficit. Even with the gold we took from Skypiea's Shandora, the treasury is draining."
The gathered executives nodded in understanding. They knew the reality of their situation.
Currently, the Beasts Pirates were in an awkward financial position: all spending, no earning. The Weapons Factories and Seastone processing plants in Wano had been temporarily shut down or repurposed, cutting off their main revenue stream. Meanwhile, the new territories they had conquered were not yet stable enough to generate tax income.
And for an organization like the Beasts Pirates—especially with a lead scientist like Queen who spent money like water—being broke was a strategic liability. It would be embarrassing for the rulers of the New World to be stumped by a lack of currency.
"Understood, Father," Page One said, his expression hardening. "We will secure the funds. I swear I will capture Tesoro."
"Mm. There is one more thing regarding that mission," Kaido added. "There is a woman who stays by Tesoro's side. I have forgotten her specific name, but intelligence reports she is a 'lucky human' who ate the Raki Raki no Mi—the Lucky-Lucky Fruit. Her ability to manipulate probability is very interesting. Bring her back alive as well and deliver her to Queen."
"Understood, Big Brother Kaido!" Sasaki shouted, eager to prove himself after receiving the Sea Beast unit. "I will capture that woman personally!"
"Worororo! I naturally believe in your strength, but there is no need to rush blindly," Kaido cautioned. "Wait until Who's-Who clarifies the intelligence on their location and security before you act. Until then, your main focus should remain on training and mastering your new powers."
Having arranged the combat missions, Kaido finally turned his gaze to the last two individuals: Vinsmoke Reiju and Charlotte Pudding.
"Reiju, Pudding. Next, I have a mission for the two of you. This mission concerns the very foundation of our future."
Hearing the gravity in his tone, both Reiju and Pudding straightened up, looking slightly nervous.
"As you both know," Kaido began, "to cope with the coming war that will engulf the seas, the Beasts Pirates will form a formal alliance with the Big Mom Pirates. We intend to establish a massive, unified nation. However, the location for this new empire has not yet been determined."
Kaido looked at them with expectation.
"I am entrusting this matter to you. Pudding, you can communicate directly with Linlin. I want the two of you to scout and select an island suitable to become the capital of our dual-pirate nation. Once selected, I entrust the construction and design of that island to you. What this nation looks like in the future is entirely in your hands."
The weight of the request settled on them. They were being asked to build a kingdom for two Emperors. However, they did not shrink back.
"Understood, Lord Kaido," Reiju said firmly, her professional demeanor taking over. "Please leave it to me."
"Yes!" Pudding chimed in, her three eyes shining with determination. "Lord Kaido, Sister Reiju and I will find the perfect island. We will build it into the most beautiful paradise on the sea!"
"Worororo!" Kaido threw his head back and laughed, the sound shaking the trees. "I knew I could count on you. Go forth! The future of the Beasts Pirates is in your hands!"
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