Issho — the blind swordsman known for his calm strength — adjusted his grip on his bamboo cane, his stance steady but wary.
"I don't believe we've met," he said slowly. "What brings you to me today?"
"I plan to form a powerful pirate crew," Kaito began, his tone firm but not arrogant. "One capable of ending this chaotic age — to destroy the Four Emperors, the Marines, and even the World Government. I want a world where people can live free from fear."
He had read Issho's character well. The blind man valued justice and peace more than the system that claimed to uphold them.
If anyone could understand this dream, it was him.
Issho frowned slightly. "To form such a crew… to sweep across the entire sea and even challenge the World Government itself… that's no small ambition. You're talking about taking on the whole world. Can you truly do that?"
"Of course." Kaito's gaze was steady. "The world has been divided for too long. Eight hundred years of the World Government's rule has rotted its core. You know better than anyone what kind of people the Celestial Dragons are."
He paused, his voice dropping lower.
"Roger's final words sparked chaos across the seas. The Great Pirate Era was born, and the Four Emperors rose from the blood that followed. But the ones who suffer most are the common people — those crushed beneath the weight of this endless war."
Kaito smiled. "It'll be nice to end this cycle. To build a peaceful world where people can live in safety, not under fear or tyranny."
"Such a world…" Issho murmured. His body relaxed slightly, a faint tremor of emotion crossing his calm expression. "Does such a world truly exist?"
"It can," Kaito said. "If we work for it, we can make it real."
He extended his hand. "Join me, Issho. Together, we'll calm these seas and bring peace to the people. Let's do our part."
Issho smiled faintly — the kind of smile that held both sorrow and hope. He stepped forward and clasped Kaito's hand firmly.
"The captain himself invites me — how could I refuse? If it's to end this age of chaos, then count me in."
"Welcome to the crew," Kaito said with a grin.
Issho replied. "But before we set out, I'd like to visit an old friend here in the East Blue."
"An old friend?" Kaito tilted his head. "You have someone here?"
Issho nodded. "Years ago. I recently learned he opened a Kendo dojo in this region. I wanted to see him once more."
"A dojo in East Blue…" Kaito mused, his eyes glinting with recognition. "Don't tell me you mean Koushirou?"
Issho looked surprised. "Oh? You know him?"
"Not personally," Kaito lied smoothly, smiling faintly. "But I've met one of his disciples."
"One of his disciples? Wait… you mean—"
Kaito nodded. "Roronoa Zoro. Member of the Straw Hat Pirates."
Issho chuckled. "Ah, that explains it. One of this year's Supernovas — Koushirou's student indeed."
"So," Kaito asked, "when do we leave?"
Issho adjusted his cane and smiled. "Now. The sooner I meet my old friend, the sooner we can pursue your dream."
"Then let's go."
The two moved quickly toward the port. Kaito used Wood Release to create a sturdy medium-sized ship, and after confirming the direction of Shimotsuki Village, they sailed off at full speed.
---
Onigashima — In the Depths of the Beasts Pirates' Stronghold
Deep within a dark cavern, Queen the Plague and King the Wildfire sat in silence, both wearing grim expressions.
"Kaido'-samas barely alive," Queen muttered, his usual arrogance replaced by fear. "Who the hell could've done this? Who could've beaten Kaido to such a state?"
"It doesn't matter who," King said through clenched teeth, trying to sound calm. "What matters now is finding him and bringing him back to Onigashima. If Kaido dies, the entire Beasts Pirates fall apart."
Despite his cold words, his trembling hands betrayed his anxiety.
"I'm faster," King declared, standing abruptly. "I'll go myself. Stay here and guard the island. If anyone dares to cause trouble, kill them."
He pulled out a tattered piece of life paper, his wings spreading wide. In the next instant, he took flight — transforming into a massive pteranodon that vanished into the clouds above Onigashima.
Queen watched him go, his expression twisting into a mix of fear and fury. "Kaito… what a terrifying monster," he muttered.
Then his tone turned cruel. "Wano's been getting too noisy lately. Time to remind them who rules these lands."
---
Shimotsuki Village — East Blue
The quiet hometown of Roronoa Zoro sat nestled between the hills and the sea. It was a peaceful village, untouched by greed or power.
At its heart stood a large dojo, its wooden sign engraved with four sharp characters: Isshin Dojo.
The bold strokes carried a faint but unmistakable sword aura, a reflection of its master's skill.
Kaito and Issho appeared near the bamboo forest outside the village, the fallen leaves crunching softly underfoot.
Issho pointed ahead. "That's the Isshin Dojo. Koushirou's been teaching swordsmanship here all these years."
"He's still the same, then — calm and detached from the world," Issho said, a rare warmth in his tone.
They approached the dojo quietly.
Inside, several young students were training hard under the watch of an older youth — Reis, one of Koshiro's senior disciples.
The sound of the door sliding open made Reis pause. He turned, his expression cautious. "Who are you? What business do you have here?"
Issho smiled faintly. "I'm an old friend of your master. I've come to see him."
"Master's friend?" Reis blinked, suspicion fading into excitement. "Then… you must be really strong!"
Issho chuckled softly. "Has something happened to your master?"
Reis's expression darkened. "Two days ago, strange creatures started appearing nearby. Monsters unlike anything we've ever seen. Even the local Marine colonel couldn't handle them."
He swallowed hard before continuing.
"Master fought to protect the village and managed to defeat them… but afterward, he went to investigate their source and never returned."
He bowed deeply. "Please… if you're his friends, help find him!"
Issho nodded. "We'll leave immediately. If your master returns, tell him I came by."
"Thank you!"
Issho smiled kindly. "Think nothing of it."
He turned to Kaito. "Captain, I'll rely on you once again."
Kaito waved his hand dismissively. "Don't mention it. We're family, aren't we?"
From Reis's words, Kaito had already pieced things together.
If his instincts were right… this was the work of none other than the Golden Lion.