Wano Country, Onigashima.
As the stronghold of the Beasts Pirates, led by one of the Four Emperors of the New World, this island was once a haven for every member of the crew. Life here used to revolve around a single, familiar rhythm: constant, extravagant banquets.
These wild celebrations echoed through the halls almost daily, always initiated and headlined by Queen, one of the three All Stars and the most adored figure in the entire crew. His flamboyant personality and love for red bean soup made him a favorite among the Beasts Pirates, and the revelry never ceased.
That all changed roughly three months ago. The festive energy that defined Onigashima suddenly disappeared without warning, and with it, Queen vanished as well.
In his absence came a strict directive from Governor General Kaido himself: all feasting was to be suspended, and every member of the crew was to enter a phase of grueling training. From top officers to foot soldiers, everyone was forced into a relentless regime of preparation.
This abrupt transformation sent a chill across the seas. For one of the Four Emperors' crews to drop their usual lawless indulgence and adopt such a disciplined posture was enough to spark alarm throughout the New World.
The Marines in particular were thrown into panic. The moment they received intelligence that the Beasts Pirates were preparing for war, every branch across the Grand Line heightened their alert status.
Yet even as they tried to dig deeper, they found nothing. The upper echelon of the Beasts Pirates, Kaido, the three All Stars, and the Tobiroppo, had seemingly vanished. Not even the most skilled Marine scouts or intelligence agents could determine their whereabouts. The complete silence only made things worse, stoking fears across both pirate crews and World Government nations alike.
Now, three months later, the CP agents covertly stationed within Wano Country finally caught a glimpse of Kaido and his top commanders. From afar, the group looked intact, yet there was something subtly different about them. A tension in their movements, a shift in their presence. Whatever had happened during those lost months, it had clearly changed them.
Inside the vast skull dome of Onigashima, at the topmost attic of the Beasts Pirates' grand castle, the eight highest-ranking members had already assembled.
The three All Stars and the Tobiroppo stood gathered in the familiar room, but the atmosphere had shifted. As comrades who had known each other for years, they all noticed the changes, some subtle, some striking, that had come over each other during the past three months.
"Big bro Queen, did you really lose weight?"
Jack the Drought, the youngest of the three All Stars, eyed Queen's still massive gut with visible skepticism. Despite his cruel reputation toward enemies, Jack was always dutiful and respectful toward his two older brothers, especially in private moments like this.
"Of course I did..."
Queen grinned with pride, a cigar clenched between his teeth, flexing dramatically until his knuckles cracked in a show of bravado.
"I've been training seriously this whole month. Even gave up my precious red bean soup. Boohoo..."
As Queen looked like he might actually start crying, Ulti, the fiery and quick tempered member of the Tobiroppo, rolled her eyes and turned to King, who sat silently at the table like a statue.
"Hey, big bro King, did Kaido not tell you anything? He just made us drop everything and go train for three months with no explanation at all. What the hell was that about?"
Everyone turned toward King. When Kaido gave his mysterious order months ago, King had been the only one who might have been in the know. And though Ulti's way of speaking was brash as always, no one seemed offended. They were used to her outbursts by now.
King gave the briefest shake of his head, his voice cold and calm.
"Don't ask. When Kaido big bro decides it's time to tell us, he will. Until then, just follow the orders."
Ulti scowled and turned away.
"So annoying~. Why so secretive?"
Across the room, Who's Who leaned against the wall, a smirk curling at the corners of his lips as he let out a low, dark chuckle.
"Right now, the whole sea is in a frenzy thanks to us Beasts Pirates... especially the Marines. They're freaking out. Everyone's convinced we're about to start a war with them...!"
Fukurokuju had only meant it as a joke. Even the others present, though often obsessed with combat and known for their brutality, understood that the current Beasts Pirates were in no condition to confront the Marines head on. None of them were arrogant or delusional enough to believe otherwise.
But unexpectedly, a deep and familiar voice echoed through the chamber, silencing every breath in the room.
"That's right. Our Beasts Pirates are going to start a war. A war that will reshape the very structure of this world."
BAM!
In an instant, all eight individuals rose from their seats, each reacting with a mixture of surprise and reverence as they turned toward the man slowly ascending the steps to the throne. Their voices rang out with excitement, respect, and awe.
"Kaido big bro!"
"Kaido-san!"
"Kaido-sama!"
"Kaido!"
"..."
Kaido dropped heavily onto his throne, his massive frame creaking the stone beneath him. Despite the warm welcome, there was no hint of joy on his face as he looked over his eight top subordinates.
He remembered all too well. In the original story, the Beasts Pirates had lost not just because of plot armor, Big Mom's interference, or traitors like Yamato. The rot had started from within. Their collapse had stemmed from betrayal and incompetence, especially among their own forces. Many of their underlings had been defeated by their own comrades. That single fact filled Kaido with deep resentment toward those under his command.
To him, aside from King, the eight before him were nothing more than reckless fools who charged ahead with no regard for tactics or consequences.
With that thought, Kaido's expression darkened and a suffocating pressure filled the room. His voice cut through the tension like a blade.
"I gave you the order to spend three months training seriously. So why... do I not feel even the slightest improvement from any of you?"
His words landed like a hammer blow. The eight were left stunned and speechless. Even Ulti, who was usually uncontrollable and bold, was frozen under the sheer weight of Kaido's fury.
Queen instinctively stepped forward, mouth open to speak, but the moment Kaido's chilling eyes locked onto him, he stopped dead in his tracks.
"If you won't do it on your own, then I'll take matters into my own hands. Prepare yourselves. For the next few months, I will personally supervise you. Be ready to face death."
A wave of cold sweat broke out across every face in the room, save for King. The killing intent radiating from Kaido wasn't for show. When he said "death," he meant it. It was no metaphor or exaggeration. He truly intended to push them past their limits, even if it meant killing them.
Only one among them remained calm. King.
He wasn't just another commander. King had escaped Punk Hazard's lab with Kaido, had stood with him through years of conquest, and helped forge the Beasts Pirates into the monster they were today. He trusted Kaido and understood his mindset better than anyone else. That trust gave him the clarity to speak.
"Kaido big bro, did something happen?"
Whether it was because of King's loyalty or the way the manga had always portrayed him, Kaido liked and respected him the most among the eight. He met King's eyes, and with a grim expression, finally responded.
"The era started by Pirate King Roger is about to end. As my subordinates, I don't want any of you to be left behind in that old era."
His words struck like lightning.
The era started by Roger? The Great Pirate Era? That was the foundation of everything—the reason the Beasts Pirates had risen to power, the reason Kaido had become one of the Four Emperors. If that era ended, so would everything they had built.
Everyone stood frozen, processing the weight of those words.
"What do you mean, Kaido big bro?"
King asked, his voice sharp with urgency and concern.
Kaido didn't respond immediately. Instead, he turned his gaze toward Jack and Fukurokuju, eyes like burning coals.
"Jack, head to the Capital of Flowers and bring me that woman called Komurasaki."