On Onigashima
Kaido, having reverted to his normal form, lay silently on the ground, gazing up at the dull gray sky, lost in thought.
Chiga had deactivated all his enhancements. He walked slowly toward the defeated Yonko and looked down at him.
"Anything else you want to say?" he asked calmly.
Kaido struggled to lift his head and glanced at Chiga. With a grunt, he replied,
"Do you know Joyboy?"
"I know a little," Chiga answered.
At those words, Kaido's expression shifted. A flush of excitement crossed his face as he asked,
"Are you Joyboy?"
In his eyes, Joyboy symbolized the strongest. Now that he, the so-called "strongest creature on land, sea, and air," had been defeated by this young Marine, Kaido was convinced—this man had to be Joyboy.
But Chiga simply shook his head.
"No. But I think he really might exist. You'll just have to wait a few more years."
"Heh... is that so? Then I guess I won't live to see it…"
Kaido closed his eyes. Defeat was defeat. Better to die with dignity, as a Yonko should.
Chiga looked at him and sighed softly. Honestly, back on Earth, Kaido had been the one Yonko he admired the most.
If Kaido had killed Momonosuke back then, Chiga might have even become his biggest fan.
Shaking his head, Chiga raised a hand cloaked in Destruction Armament, preparing to end Kaido's life quickly.
Suddenly, a shadow flashed by.
It was King. Awake now, he dropped to his knees and slammed his forehead into the ground.
"Do whatever you want with me! Just spare the Captain!"
Kaido opened his eyes, glaring at his subordinate with complicated emotions.
"King! Get lost! I don't need you to beg for me!"
But King didn't budge. He remained kneeling, loyal to the end.
From inside the Door-Door Space, Yamato's voice echoed out.
"Can you spare my father's life? I—"
Before she could finish, Chiga blocked the transmission.
Inside the space, Yamato stood frozen, staring out at the scene. Kalifa placed a comforting hand on her back.
"You can't interfere with the boss's decision. Didn't you used to hate Kaido? What changed?"
Tears welled in Yamato's eyes. She turned and choked out,
"But he's still my father…"
Outside, Chiga remained silent, his fist still raised midair. He wasn't in the mood to kill Kaido anymore.
For one, he didn't particularly hate him. He had no interest in the Azure Dragon Fruit either, so there was no point.
Besides, his mission was just to inquire about the Ope Ope no Mi. Killing Kaido would only serve as a gift for the Five Elders—and Chiga had no desire to please them.
Lastly, Kaido had helped him master Conqueror's Haki infusion, allowing him to unlock the full potential of Destruction Armament. That alone was worth sparing his life.
With a sigh, Chiga lowered his fist and floated into the air.
King immediately kowtowed again, crying out,
"I am truly grateful!!"
Kaido stared in shock. He hadn't expected Chiga to spare him. Of course, it was good to be alive, but being spared by your enemy left a bitter taste.
He roared at the man in the sky,
"My life's already yours! Why don't you just take it!?"
Chiga gave a faint smile.
"I can take your life anytime. Consider this a reward for helping me master Conqueror's Haki infusion."
"Nani!?"
"Oh, and Kurozumi Orochi's dead. Wano will be in your hands for now. Treat the people well."
With that, Chiga's body burst into purple lightning and vanished.
Kaido and King were left staring at the sky. After a moment, King got up and moved to help Kaido.
Kaido slapped his hand away.
"I can stand on my own!"
"Yes, Captain."
Kaido rose in silence, then stared into the clouds.
"Captain, about Wano Country…"
"I don't have time to rule any country. Find someone suitable. And remember what he said—treat the people right. I don't want to owe him anything."
"Yes! Oh, and Yamato left with him. What should we do?"
"Leave her be. That Marine's stronger than me. Following him is the best thing that brat could do."
"Yes!"
"When did you become so agreeable!? And don't ever beg for me again. I don't need that kind of help!"
"Yes!"
"…"
---
Above a certain sea area
A thunderous boom split the sky as Chiga reappeared among the clouds, a deep frown etched across his face.
He'd just received a signal from the Flying Thunder God kunai he left with Makino.
Foosha Village?
It had always been safe… But things were clearly spiraling away from how he remembered.
---
East Blue – Forest outside Foosha Village
Makino stood protectively in front of Ace, clutching the Flying Thunder God kunai in one hand and the child in the other. Her eyes burned with fury as she stared down Shanks, who scratched his head awkwardly.
"Makino, I just came to see Luffy. No need to get so worked up," Shanks said with a sheepish smile, one hand resting on Luffy's head.
"Hmph! I don't care! You obviously snuck back here for some shady reason! I've already called someone. He's very strong—you better run while you can! Luffy, get over here!"
But Luffy refused. He mumbled,
"Shanks taught me a lot of fighting moves. I want to learn more!"
Ace, standing beside Makino, added,
"Luffy, come here. Aren't you afraid Big Brother Chiga will come and deal with you?"
"Big Brother Chiga? Who's that?"
"…The guy you called 'swirly eyes.'"
"Ohhh! That guy!"
The image of Chiga's Rinnegan flashed through Luffy's mind. He shuddered but still puffed out his chest in front of Shanks.
"Hmph, I'm not scared of him! I'm gonna be King of the Pirates!"
The words had barely left his mouth when an invisible force slammed into him, launching him backward into a tree with a thud.
Shanks stared, stunned, as Chiga appeared next to Makino out of thin air.
Chiga didn't even look at him. His gaze was fixed on the unconscious Luffy as he muttered coldly,
"Want me to cure your 'King' delusion again?"
Luffy didn't respond. His eyes had turned into spirals—he was out cold.
---
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