The sky was streaked with glowing red clouds as the sun dipped toward the horizon, casting a warm amber light over the mountains. A gentle sea breeze drifted through the trees, filling the hills with a tranquil energy that could ease even the most restless heart.
Carrying a full-grown elk over his shoulder, Kaos made his way down the mountain path. After three years on Goat Island, he'd grown familiar with the neighboring town and its people.
He'd never once revealed his powers or the stash of gold hidden deep in the mountains. Instead, he kept up his persona as a rugged hunter, trading wild game for daily necessities. His cabin sat halfway up the mountainside — a good ten-minute walk from the town at the base.
"Yo! Kaos, another elk today? This one looks huge!"
As he strolled through the village streets, several townsfolk greeted him warmly.
"Just got lucky today," Kaos replied with a bright grin, nodding at familiar faces.
He didn't bag game every day. Sometimes he'd go two or three days with nothing, or come back with just some wild chickens or rabbits. He'd crafted the perfect cover — a completely ordinary guy, scraping by with honest work.
And he'd committed to the bit.
Truth was, with his current strength — and the help of three apex predators — he could clear the entire forest of big game in a week. But restraint was part of the act. No need to raise eyebrows.
The village folks were kind, too. Some would bring him vegetables, rice, or daily essentials. In return, Kaos would occasionally share fresh meat or rare herbs he found in the mountains. It was a cycle of give and take, and life had settled into a peaceful rhythm.
He brought the elk to the village butcher — a burly man with a terrifying face, who, despite appearances, was warm-hearted and fair. He ran the local meat stall and handled all of Kaos's kills for a decent price.
After selling the elk, Kaos wandered down the street and headed to his favorite spot: Tiester's Udon Noodle Shop, run by an old married couple who had practically adopted him.
"Uncle Tiester! Same as always — extra chili and green onions!"
He flopped down on a wooden stool, shouting into the kitchen.
"Got it!"
Uncle Tiester didn't even have to come out — he recognized Kaos's voice immediately.
On the table, a fresh copy of the World News lay folded open. Kaos picked it up, flipping through its pages.
For three years, this had been his window to the world.
The famed News Coo — the world's news-delivering seagulls — made sure even remote islands like Goat Island stayed updated. As long as there were people, there was news.
Today's headlines were wild:
> "Red the Aloof Patrick Redfield and Admiral Sengoku battled for five days straight in the New World. A medium-sized island was destroyed before Redfield escaped."
> "Iron Fist Garp clashes with the Roger Pirates on the Grand Line. Outcome unknown."
> "Whitebeard Edward Newgate sighted in the New World, engaged in conflict with the Golden Lion Pirates led by Golden Lion Shiki."
> "Fleet Admiral Kong personally injures Kaido, who barely escapes with his life."
> "Big Mom Charlotte Linlin's Totto Land continues aggressive expansion."
> "World Destroyer Douglas Bullet annihilates a Marine base. Admiral Black Arm Zephyr moves in!"
> "Navy's three rising Logia stars — Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan — have captured multiple pirates with bounties exceeding 100 million."
> …
There were more. Dozens of names — some familiar from the future, others new even to Kaos. All of them rising stars in a world on fire.
Back in Luffy's era, a 100 million bounty would be worth maybe 300 or 400 million due to inflation and political games. But in this era, bounties meant power — raw, undeniable strength.
In the future, bounties were more about crimes — slaughtering innocents, destroying kingdoms — but right now? A high bounty meant you were strong. Simple as that.
"Damn… this world's a damn warzone."
Kaos leaned back, absorbing it all. The news was already weeks old — some reports even a month behind — but it was enough to paint the picture.
The seas were crawling with monsters.
Some of these names — Roger, Whitebeard, Redfield, Shiki, Kaido, Big Mom, Garp, Sengoku — were already making history. Others, like Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, were just beginning to shine.
The Yonko, Shichibukai, Revolutionaries, and Underworld Emperors didn't exist yet. The balance of power was still forming. The World Government remained the unchallenged overlord, and the Celestial Dragons up in their gilded Holy Land still lived in decadent, drunken ignorance.
The Great Pirate Era hadn't started yet.
Kaos had laid low for three years.
It was time to step out and stir things up.
Back on Earth, he'd been a nobody — invisible in a sea of people. But whenever he saw celebrities on TV, trust fund brats rolling around in luxury cars, or moguls commanding attention wherever they went...
He wanted that.
To live high. Loud. Unapologetic.
And no one could stop him.
He had the main character script in his hands now. If he didn't use it to turn the world upside down, what was the point?
Even if he got his legs broken or died halfway through, he'd walk this path. And not just walk it.
He'd strut.
He'd roar.
He'd make the world notice.
You have to flaunt it. Always. That's the rule.
No compromise.
He wasn't just going to be a rich man.
He was going to be the King of Swag.
---
After finishing his udon, Kaos returned to his cabin halfway up the mountain.
Goat Island was located in the Grand Line, after all. Every few months, merchant ships would dock here to trade goods — and occasionally, pirates would show up instead.
By his estimates, the next ship would arrive in three to four months.
He planned to board one and head out into the world. No fixed destination. Just the journey.
His one core goal: Get stronger.
Once he had enough strength to guard his future wealth, he'd claim the title of World's Richest Man — no one would even remember the Pirate King.
Roger's so-called "One Piece" might have kicked off an era, but One Piece only represented wealth, fame, and power — things Kaos would already possess.
Heck, Roger might have needed something extra just to make the treasure seem worth chasing.
Kaos? He'd have the real deal.
And if he got bored?
Maybe he'd moonlight as a Yonko. Or snag a spot among the Shichibukai just for fun.
To one day say, "I'm not interested in money. I've never even touched money," with a straight face — now that was the ultimate flex.
He knew it was a double standard.
He didn't care.
It felt awesome.
---
Night fell.
There wasn't much to do after dark on the mountain, so Kaos continued training. His body ached, but the thought of soon setting sail — of entering a world where life and death danced on a razor's edge — reignited his will.
Suffering now was just an investment in tomorrow.
And that tomorrow?
It looked golden.
Three or four months.
That's how long he had left to master the Six Powers… or at least awaken one of the Haki forms.
Even just one would be worth it.