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Kaido stared at the tiny pink bundle on the ground. The shock in his eyes slowly melted into something far more dangerous—wild excitement.
Conqueror's Haki.
So pure. So overwhelming.
And it was coming from… a newborn?
Even more absurd than when he awakened his own!
Hic. Kaido let out a drunken burp, but his eyes were sharp now, his mind suddenly clear.
His thoughts drifted to his disappointment of a daughter—Yamato.
Always screaming about being Kozuki Oden.
What a disgrace.
A failure.
But this little thing lying in front of him…
Born with Conqueror's Haki this strong?!
This was the kind of heir Kaido wanted.
A grin split his face, fierce enough to be called monstrous.
"Brat! From today on, you're my son!"
Before Dan could react, Kaido's massive hand reached down. For once, he was careful—lifting the soft, squirming body with surprising gentleness.
"I'll call you… Dan!"
The name rumbled out of his throat like distant thunder.
Dan: "…"
Wait—seriously? Dan?
That's literally my name?!
Is this… fate?
Whatever.
He was alive.
He'd gambled right.
The lunatic actually adopted him—just because of his Conqueror's Haki!
Relief and raw joy coursed through Dan's heart, momentarily drowning out his fear of what came next.
All he could do as a baby was gurgle.
But to Kaido, that sound—mixed with the lingering tear streaks on Dan's cheeks (from pain, not happiness)—looked like a delighted response to his decision.
"Wororororo! Good! I like you already!"
Kaido's grin widened as he decided this little brat was fated for greatness.
He adjusted his grip, then hoisted Dan onto his massive shoulder.
No…
Not high enough.
Kaido thought for a moment, then placed Dan carefully on top of his own head.
Yes.
The dragon's throne—that was worthy of his new heir.
Dan sat there, stunned, feeling the hard, horned surface of Kaido's scalp and the faint rumble of his laughter beneath him.
This was… a lot.
"Hold on tight, brat!"
Kaido bellowed—
And the world exploded.
BOOM!
In an instant, his massive frame turned into a colossal, sky-splitting dragon.
Wind howled. Clouds tore apart.
Dan felt himself spinning through the air, wind screaming past his ears.
But an unseen force held him firmly in place—no risk of falling.
The island below shrank rapidly as Kaido's dragon form soared away.
Destination: Wano Country.
Onigashima.
Inside the great skull-shaped fortress, the banquet hall roared with laughter and music.
The Beast Pirates were feasting.
"Another drink, King!"
"Hey, Queen, you got even fatter!"
"Shut it! This is all muscle!"
The three All-Stars—King the Wildfire, Queen the Plague, and Jack the Drought—each occupied their usual spots.
Nearby, the Flying Six—Who's Who, Black Maria, Sasaki, Ulti, and Page One—were arguing among themselves, the atmosphere rowdy and chaotic.
Then—
CRASH!!!
The ceiling exploded.
Stone and splinters rained down as a massive dragon's head broke through.
Kaido had returned.
"Boss Kaido!"
"The Governor's back!"
The hall went dead silent. Everyone rose, staring in awe.
Kaido transformed back into his human form, landing with a thunderous crash that shook the floor.
And in his hands…
A baby?
"Uh…"
"Is that… a kid?"
"Where the hell did that come from?"
King, Queen, Jack, and the Flying Six all froze, baffled.
Kaido went out for a trip… and came back with an infant?
"Wororororo! Feast your eyes!"
Kaido held Dan high, his booming laugh echoing through the hall.
"From today on, this brat is my son!"
"His name is Dan!"
"And he will inherit the will of the Beast Pirates!"
What?!
Son?
Heir?!
The room erupted with shock.
What about Yamato?!
What's gotten into the boss this time?!
Queen's pudgy face wrinkled in confusion. "Boss Kaido… wait, what? This little guy—"
"Shut it, Queen!" Kaido barked, silencing him with a glare. "This brat is no ordinary child!"
He looked down at Dan, pride gleaming in his eyes.
"Dan! Show them!"
Show them?
Show them what?
Ah.
Right.
Conqueror's Haki.
Dan blinked, then focused.
He reached inward, finding that deep, burning presence within his soul—
BOOM!
A wave of raw, crushing willpower exploded from him, stronger and sharper than before.
The air went heavy.
Cups and tables shook violently.
Crack! Crack!
Weaker furniture split under the pressure.
Only Kaido and King managed to remain steady.
Even Queen and Jack were trembling, faces pale.
The Flying Six looked worse—knees wobbling, some nearly collapsing entirely.
"This—this is—" Queen's eyes bulged, his chins jiggling uncontrollably.
"Conqueror's Haki?!" Jack shouted, horrified.
Even King's usually unreadable face betrayed shock.
This presence…
It was strong.
Insanely strong.
So oppressive it felt—maybe—stronger than Kaido himself at full power.
And it was coming from a newborn.
A monster.
An absolute monster of talent.
Kaido's chest swelled with pride as he threw back his head and roared with laughter.
"Wororororo! You see?! This is Dan! A king from birth!"
The hall went silent again.
Every single pirate stared at the tiny child, awe and disbelief mixing in their eyes.
Then—
"Greetings, Young Master Dan!"
"Lord Dan!"
One by one, they all dropped to one knee—or bowed low—led by the three All-Stars. Even the rebellious Flying Six obeyed.
No one doubted it now.
This child—if he survived—would grow to dominate the seas.
Perhaps even surpass Kaido himself.
Dan stared at the hardened pirates bowing to a literal infant and felt a strange rush in his chest.
So this is what power gets you…
In this world, respect was simple.
It belonged to the strong.
[Ding!Host has begun integrating into environment.Survival Mission Progress: 1/100 days.]
Ninety-nine days left.
Dan glanced at Kaido, who was still laughing proudly, then at the pirates kneeling below.
It had been a dangerous start.
But… maybe things weren't so bad after all.
At least, for now, he was safe.
"..."
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