Seeing that Romu's expression didn't change at all…
Kaido panicked.
He immediately launched into an animated retelling of the time he wiped out the Moss Pirates.
"When those trash pirates fired cannons at you—!"
Kaido was excited.
The first true powerhouse he had ever met after escaping the Vodka Kingdom had been Romu. The sheer dominance of Romu's Devil Fruit ability left an unforgettable mark on the young Kaido.
After joining the Rocks Pirates, Kaido assumed he'd never hear Romu's name again.
Instead—
because of something he had mentioned, Captain Golden Lion Shiki personally went to seek Romu… and got defeated.
That shook Kaido to the core.
And now?
Romu stood right in front of him — newly joined to Rocks just like him… and already a division captain!
To Kaido, who believed deeply in fate, this could only mean one thing:
Destiny.
This was a sign from above.
And he would follow it.
"Captain Romu!"
"You remember now, right?!"
Kaido pointed frantically at himself, full of hope.
Around them, the surrounding pirates stared in disbelief.
Was this really the same Kaido?
The fiercest rookie of their generation?
The hot-tempered powerhouse who fought anyone who looked at him wrong?
Now he looked like an overeager kid begging for approval.
Some pirates in the back were already trying not to laugh.
But Kaido had made up his mind.
No matter what, he was joining Romu's division.
This was the boss he chose.
"Captain Romu… even if you forgot me, I'm still the top rookie of this generation! Taking me won't be a loss!"
Romu rubbed his nose.
Of course he recognized Kaido.
The Oni lineage traits were impossible to miss — towering build, horned head, and that signature kanabo.
Future Emperor Kaido… standing here like an overexcited street punk.
"Yeah… Kaido, right? I remember."
"You're in."
"Report to me after the banquet."
Romu said calmly.
But internally, he was holding back laughter.
Young Kaido's wild curls, tight leather pants, and metal chain accessories looked nothing like the future Beast Emperor.
"What?!"
"You're serious?!"
Kaido froze.
Then exploded in celebration.
He raised his kanabo and started jumping like a giant child.
And just when Romu thought it was over—
thud.
Kaido dropped to one knee.
"Captain Romu!"
"I, Kaido… swear to walk through fire and death for you!"
Romu blinked.
Did this guy just pledge loyalty drunk?
He waved Kaido back up, shaking his head internally.
So Beast Kaido used to be a lovable idiot…
Kaido stood, laughing loudly.
"Wororororo!"
The booming laugh echoed like a battle cry.
The surrounding rookies stared.
They came expecting to laugh at Kaido…
Now he'd actually made it in.
And suddenly—
they all knelt.
"Captain Romu!"
"Let us join your division too!"
The momentum swept the entire gathering.
Even Rocks, watching from the shadows above, showed interest.
Wang Zhi and John scoffed nearby.
"Pathetic. A pirate's pride is worth millions."
Golden Lion snorted.
"Millions? Romu's sitting on Heavenly Tribute gold worth billions."
"You think those rookies are stupid?"
Silence.
They couldn't argue.
Romu looked at the nearly hundred kneeling pirates.
After a moment of thought, he spoke:
"Twenty slots."
"I'm taking twenty."
"After the banquet… you'll compete for them."
No hesitation.
No outrage.
Instead—
excitement.
They stood, saluted, and dispersed, already fired up.
Wang Zhi stared from afar.
"He's… testing them?"
Golden Lion muttered:
"For warriors… earned opportunity is always worth more."
Then his gaze shifted.
Rocks… was moving.
Toward Romu.