Reunion with Kaido

The sky was bright and clear, with blue skies and wispy clouds. A gentle breeze drifted by, but the heat of summer brought with it an oppressive, sweltering air. Even the sea breeze felt stifling, making people restless without reason.

After arriving on Amazon Lily, Kaguya originally intended to meet with Hancock, only to be told by Elder Nyon that Hancock had already departed for the Sabaody Archipelago a few days prior.

Elder Nyon had been worried that if Hancock didn't find Kaguya there, she would realize she had been deceived and react with uncontrollable fury. But now that Kaguya had shown up, she was relieved.

Unfortunately, Hancock had left in such a hurry that she hadn't brought her Den Den Mushi, and there wasn't one installed on the Kuja Pirate Ship either, making it impossible to contact her for the time being.

With no other choice, Kaguya had to set out for the Sabaody Archipelago herself.

On a grand, imposing ship—

Boom!

A figure was sent flying, crashing into the wall with a deafening thud. The impact shattered the wooden panels, splinters flying everywhere.

The man had bright red spiky hair, sharp and narrow eyes, black lips, and a face full of malice. He wore a dark red coat, a pair of goggles on his head, and carried both a dagger and a pistol across his chest.

But now, he looked utterly battered—his face swollen and bruised, his body covered in wounds, limbs twisted unnaturally as if several bones were broken. His dark red coat was soaked in blood.

"Captain Kid!"

His crew tried to rush to help, but a burly, towering figure punched one of them aside with ease, sending him flying to join his captain.

That man's face was chiseled like it was carved from stone, with thick brows and fierce, piercing eyes full of brutality. His face was covered in a full beard, enhancing his wild, savage look.

What stood out most was his monstrous physique—a muscular build so exaggerated it looked like living basalt, radiating explosive power.

He was none other than Kaido of the Beasts.

"Brats like you think you can throw your weight around in the Grand Line? Still dreaming of finding One Piece?" Kaido sneered, chugging from his sake gourd and wiping his mouth. "Don't make me laugh."

Kid raised his bloodshot eyes, gritting his teeth. "Don't you dare insult One Piece... or I'll kill you!"

"Kill me?" Kaido burst into laughter. "You're too naive."

With that, Kaido lifted his leg—as thick as a tree trunk—and stomped hard on Kid's abdomen.

Crack.

A crunch echoed as Kid's chest caved in.

Blood sprayed from Kid's mouth as his eyes bulged.

Looking down at him, Kaido's eyes glinted with cruel malice. "Tell the rest of those idiotic brats from your generation—run while you still can. So far, all they've done is play at being pirates."

Kid's eyes rolled back, bleeding from every orifice, arms limp at his sides, his blood dripping onto the deck. He was clearly on the brink of death.

Is this what a true Grand Line powerhouse is like?

Damn it... am I really that weak?

So frustrating...

Kid's consciousness began to fade. He couldn't even make out the figure in front of him anymore.

But then, a soft and slightly sweet voice rang out crisply—

"Kaido, you're really getting bold, aren't you?"

"Who's there?!"

Kaido's eyes flared with hostility. He spun around and threw a punch the size of a boulder toward the direction of the voice.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion shook the ship as splinters flew and smoke billowed.

The distant cabin wall was instantly blown apart.

Out of the dust descended a graceful figure, stepping out from the debris with a cold smirk. "Looks like I haven't taught you a lesson in so long that you've forgotten who you are."

"Who are you?" Kaido's eyes flared red, muscles tensing like a lion ready to pounce.

"You can't even recognize me? I must not have beaten you hard enough last time."

As the dust cleared and her form became visible, Kaido's pupils shrank. "You..."

Kaguya walked closer, eyes narrowing with a radiant smile. "Surprised? Nervous? Excited? Feeling honored, maybe?"

"I knew there was no way those useless Marines could capture you," Kaido growled, baring his sharp fangs in a menacing grin. "But this works out just fine. Since you came to me—now die!"

With a thunderous step, Kaido shot forward like a cannonball. In a flash, he appeared before Kaguya, raising his massive, muscular arm and swinging it down hard.

"Die!"

BOOM!

A deafening crash rang out as the deck shattered beneath them, wood flying in every direction.

Kaido narrowed his eyes.

There, in front of him, a pitch-black orb like a shell had blocked his blow. It was Kaguya's Truth-Seeking Ball.

Kaguya said coldly, "All these years, and you haven't improved at all. How does a useless brute like you even qualify as one of the Yonko?"

Kaido's fury ignited. Veins bulged on his forehead as every muscle on his body tensed. Gritting his teeth, he roared, "Arrogant brat! I'll tear you to pieces!"

His arm bulged larger, turning a deep, obsidian black as he unleashed another punch like lightning.

"Heavy Cannon!"

A massive invisible shockwave burst out like a tsunami, crashing into Kaguya's barrier.

BOOM!

The impact exploded into a violent tempest, sending waves surging sky-high.

Crack.

Hairline fractures spread across the Truth-Seeking Ball like a spiderweb.

"Is that all you've got?"

A voice like a divine melody whispered in Kaido's ear.

His pupils shrank. He hadn't even noticed her moving behind him.

It was Kaguya's Heavenly Hand Power.

Kaido spun around, throwing a fierce punch.

But it was already too late.

Kaguya's delicate white hand was already pressed against his chest.

"Shinra Tensei."

Boom!

A string of deafening explosions rang out as Kaido was sent flying like a cannonball. He crashed through four pirate ships before finally coming to a stop.

"Truly pathetic," Kaguya said coldly.

But at that moment, a figure suddenly burst from the wreckage like a bolt of black lightning. In the blink of an eye, Kaido appeared before Kaguya, arm raised high, grinning savagely as he brought it crashing down.

"Too naive!"

Boom!

Wood splintered and shockwaves rippled through the air.

When the dust cleared, the pirate ship had been split in two. But the deck was empty—Kaguya was nowhere to be seen.

Kaido froze, eyes narrowing. He spun around and immediately threw a punch behind him.

Boom!

The shockwave exploded like a tsunami, roaring through the air and sending massive waves crashing.

"So you actually learned something this time."

Through the swirling dust, a sweet and melodic voice echoed. Kaido's eyes narrowed as Kaguya appeared, effortlessly catching Kaido's massive fist with one hand. The stark contrast between his bronze, boulder-sized fist and her delicate fingers was shocking.

Impossible.

Not only did Kaido's expression turn grim, but everyone on the pirate ships around them stared in disbelief.

Someone could stop Kaido's full-powered blow... with one hand?

What kind of joke was this?

Wait a minute—

The onlookers suddenly noticed something: the silver-white hair, the stunning, peerless beauty, and her elegant presence, like an orchid blooming in a secluded valley.

Could she be—

Eyes widened. Jaws dropped.

Could she be the legendary strongest warrior, Kaguya?

Only she could stand so confidently before Kaido, mocking him with her words, not even taking him seriously. Even Whitebeard would tread cautiously.

But wasn't she captured by the Navy and set for execution next month?

What was she doing here?

"You haven't grown at all these past years. You should crawl back to the pigsty and play with your kind," Kaguya sneered with icy disdain.

Kaido's face turned beet red. Veins bulged on his neck, and his nose flared like he was ready to breathe fire. He snarled through gritted teeth, "Don't get cocky! I'll make sure there's nothing left of you!"

His body suddenly swelled, muscles bulging grotesquely. A dark hue spread across his skin—the mark of Armament Haki.

Kaido crouched like a lion about to pounce, then stomped down. The deck beneath his feet collapsed as he shot forward like a lightning bolt straight at Kaguya.

Boom!

"A brawn-over-brains beast. No matter how much power you have, you're still a mindless animal," Kaguya murmured, lifting her head. In her eyes, a swirling galaxy began to form...

Tsukuyomi.

When Kaido saw those icy cold eyes, a sudden tremor ran through him. His mind went blank. By the time he regained awareness, he found himself in a strange realm.

The once-blue sky had turned a blood-red hue. The whole world was cloaked in a dim, crimson light, eerie and sinister. Even the drifting clouds looked as if they had been soaked in blood.

Time seemed to have stopped. The waves froze mid-crest. The sea breeze vanished. The pirate ship and its crew looked petrified, motionless, eyes wide with expressions of shock still frozen on their faces.

What the hell is this?

Kaido tried to move, but his body was bound. No matter how much force he exerted, he couldn't break free. When he looked down, his pupils contracted sharply.

At some point, he had been tied to a cross.

"Don't waste your energy."

A melodious voice rang out as a graceful figure appeared in the void.

"Is this your ability?" Kaido's eyes flashed with fury. He scoffed coldly, "You think this alone can hold me? You foolish brat."

"Only fools remain unaware of the danger right in front of them," Kaguya said with a mocking smile. "Having a monkey brain in that thick skull of yours must be rough. You're just an idiot."

"I'll tear you apart!" Kaido roared, veins bulging with rage.

"Sorry, but I'll have to decline such a rude request," Kaguya replied.

With a flick of her hand, a black-and-red sword materialized in her palm. Her lips curved into a devilish grin. "Now, let me show you a little taste of paradise."

She plunged the sword into Kaido's chest.

Spurt.

Blood gushed.

Kaido's eyes bulged as pain erupted through his chest and slammed into his mind.

"How... is this possible..."

His pupils shrank.

"Surprised that your mighty body could be pierced so easily?" Kaguya beamed. "I told you, this is my world. Haven't you realized that yet?"

She slowly withdrew the sword. A stream of crimson blood slid down the blade and dripped to the ground.

"Your world..." Kaido felt a terrible premonition rise in his gut.

"That's right. This world belongs to me. Time, space, everything here is under my control," Kaguya said playfully. "Fascinating, isn't it?"

"Cut the crap!" Kaido roared. "You think this fake illusion will fool me? I'll rip you to pieces!"

He began to thrash violently, arms bulging with power. Clang! Clang! He rammed against the cross. But no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break free of the wooden frame—something he would normally shatter with a single punch.

"Why can't you just sit still and let me stab you a few times in peace?" Kaguya sighed. "You're making things really difficult."

Kaido's face turned red with fury, his jaw clenched tight. Veins bulged across his forehead as he growled like a wild beast, thrashing with all his might—but it was all for nothing. He was like a cornered animal.

"Honestly, don't be so tense," Kaguya smiled brightly. "The real show is just getting started."

She swung her sword again.

The black-and-red blade sliced through the air, stabbing into Kaido once more.

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