Compared to other islands scattered across the Grand Line, Wano Country's most distinctive feature was the towering walls built along all four sides of its borders. Eight centuries of accumulated rainfall had created a vast inland sea within those walls, and somewhere beneath those dark waters lay the prize that even Crocodile had desperately sought: the ancient weapon Pluton.
Kaido had no intention of landing in Wano Country. He led Kai onward through the sky, and before long, a small island shaped like a massive skull emerged from the horizon.
Onigashima had arrived.
The two divine dragons flew in formation through the skull's gaping eye sockets into the island's interior. Inside the hollow cranium stood a sprawling complex of Japanese-style buildings that served as Kaido and the Beast Pirates' primary stronghold.
Kaido descended onto the plaza before the main structure and shifted back to his human form. Pirates who had already spotted their boss's return came swarming from every direction.
"Boss Kaido is back!"
"Time for a celebration feast!"
The excited shouts filled the air as Kai stood beside Kaido, observing the crew members whose faces radiated fanatical worship for their captain. The Beast Pirates clearly possessed strong internal cohesion and loyalty.
Simultaneously, Kai's dramatic entrance caught the attention of every pirate present.
"Wasn't that kid the giant dragon who flew in with Boss Kaido?"
"That's right! I saw him transform with my own eyes!"
"Looks like Boss Kaido recruited himself an incredible Mythical Zoan user."
"Hmph, not necessarily."
"Yeah, look how pale and scrawny he is. Obviously all show and no substance. How could he compare to these battle-tested muscles?"
Kai paid no mind to the mixture of curious and disdainful stares directed his way. Instead, he focused his attention on two imposing figures emerging from the main building.
Both stood approximately six meters tall and radiated dangerous authority.
The first possessed a perfectly proportioned, powerful build with black wings sprouting from his back and a long sword at his waist. His entire body was wrapped in black leather clothing and pants, while his head was concealed beneath a helmet and mask, giving him the appearance of some dark enforcer. Most striking were the flames that burned perpetually behind his head.
King the Wildfire.
The second figure was rotund and imposing, wearing sunglasses with a golden ponytail cascading behind his head. He was dressed in black and white striped overalls, and his left arm had been replaced with a mechanical prosthetic that gleamed with metallic menace.
Queen the Plague.
Besides these two prominent All-Stars, Kai spotted several other "old acquaintances" scattered throughout the crowd.
Jack, who stood even taller than Kaido himself, wore ivory decorations and sported one ponytail with two braids framing his face.
Sasaki, distinctive in his red mask helmet with a cigarette perpetually dangling from his lips.
Black Maria, dressed as an elegant geisha and gazing at Kaido with obvious adoration in her eyes.
And finally, a pair of horned siblings wearing masks: the sister named Ulti and her brother Page One.
"Perfect timing, King, Queen." Kaido's grin stretched wide as he slammed his massive hand against Kai's back, shoving him directly into everyone's line of sight. "This kid is called Kai. He's the third All-Star I've chosen to join our ranks."
His casual announcement sent shockwaves through the assembled crowd like a stone thrown into still water.
Whether they harbored ambitions for an All-Star position or not, every pirate's gaze locked onto Kai with intense scrutiny.
Damn! You bastard Kaido, couldn't you give me some preparation time? Just announcing it so carelessly like that?
I don't even know proper Haki techniques yet.
Kai felt genuinely troubled. If he'd mastered all three types of Haki, he would have possessed the confidence to secure his position as an All-Star through sheer skill. But as things stood, this felt like being thrown to the wolves without any armor.
Before Kai could voice any objections, Jack, who had long coveted an All-Star position, stepped forward aggressively and shouted: "I refuse! Boss Kaido, I demand the right to duel him! Let the winner claim the All-Star title!"
"The Beast Pirates respect strength above all else! To become an All-Star, you must prove yourself by defeating us!"
"That's right! We need to test his mettle in battle!"
The crowd's energy erupted instantly, voices rising in unanimous agreement.
Kaido appeared thoroughly satisfied with his subordinates' reaction. He turned to study Kai expectantly. "What do you think about that arrangement?"
"No matter how many sheep gather together, they're still just meals for tigers and leopards," Kai replied with deliberate arrogance, his smile sharp as a blade.
In the Beast Pirates, playing the humble underdog was the most useless approach imaginable. The creed here was crystal clear: only the strong could dominate everything and everyone!
"Wororororo! Little ones, let's have ourselves a magnificent battle!"
Kaido laughed with pure satisfaction, raising his kanabo and pointing toward the skull's exterior.
"YEAH!!!"
The pirates roared their approval, fanaticism written across every face. The chance to make their mark had finally arrived!
Outside Onigashima's skull fortress, hundreds of pirates with aspirations for an All-Star position formed a complete circle around Kai. Their eyes burned with ambition and desperate hunger for advancement.
Kaido, Queen, and King positioned themselves at the skull's eye sockets, settling in to enjoy the entertainment unfolding below. To them, this battle that carried the determination and dreams of hundreds of pirates was merely a brief diversion from their otherwise monotonous existence.
"Kaido-san, do you believe Kai can emerge victorious?" King crossed his arms, his voice completely devoid of emotion or concern.
"That sort of outcome doesn't particularly matter either way." Kaido waved his hand dismissively. "If he dies, it simply means he was too weak to deserve the position."
He only required a subordinate capable of bearing the name and responsibilities of an All-Star. As for the specific identity of that individual, he remained completely indifferent.
In the plaza below, Kai's body rippled and expanded, instantly transforming into his emerald dragon form as he launched himself into the air above the gathered crowd.
When it came to group battles of this scale, beast form was definitely the optimal choice for maximum durability and impact!
"Really now, there are simply too many of you to count."
Kai's voice boomed down from above like rolling thunder, each word carrying otherworldly authority.
The moment he finished speaking, storm clouds gathered in the sky with supernatural speed. Lightning crackled between the dark layers while cold winds began swirling ominously between heaven and earth, transforming the battlefield's very atmosphere.
"Oh? He can actually manipulate weather patterns?" Queen pushed up his sunglasses, his small eyes sparkling with genuine scientific curiosity and wonder.
King also abandoned his initial contempt, not because he suddenly considered Kai particularly formidable in combat, but because this ability possessed enormous strategic value for their operations.
Whether for massive construction projects or naval warfare scenarios, such a crew member would provide invaluable support capabilities. With just a few seconds of consideration, King could envision dozens of practical applications for Kai's powers.
"Kaido-san, we should ensure his survival," King's voice dropped to a low, firm tone that carried absolute conviction.
"Wororororo! That kid might not necessarily lose this confrontation."
Kaido grabbed the enormous sake gourd from his waist and drank deeply, clear liquid flowing freely down the corners of his mouth as he observed the developing chaos.
Below in the plaza, the pirates witnessing the dramatic weather transformation began exchanging uncertain and suspicious glances. Creating such an impressive atmospheric display? They had only witnessed this level of environmental manipulation from Boss Kaido himself.
Could it possibly be that this newcomer possessed similar capabilities?
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!" A burly middle-aged pirate brandished his sword overhead and bellowed: "How could anyone match Boss Kaido's strength! Boss Kaido is completely invincible!"
"That's exactly right!" The surrounding pirates responded with unanimous agreement and fervor.
"It's nothing but empty bluffing! Take this!" The middle-aged pirate coiled his legs like springs, launched himself through the air, and brought his blade down in a vicious slash aimed directly at Kai's serpentine body.
Dozens of other pirates followed his example, raising various weapons and charging forward to attack the hovering dragon.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
The continuous sounds of metal striking against something far harder rang out across the battlefield like a discordant symphony.
The bloodthirsty grins plastered across every pirate's face froze completely in that critical moment!
The scene of torn flesh and flowing blood they had confidently expected simply refused to materialize before their eyes.
Instead, the enormous recoil from their weapons left their hands numb and bleeding from split skin, while only the faintest white scratches appeared on Kai's dragon hide. Even those superficial marks were fading at a visibly rapid pace.
"Have you had quite enough fun yet?"
A low, oppressive voice descended from above like the rumble of distant thunder, carrying an undercurrent of barely contained power and menace.
Kai's massive dragon head slowly lowered until it hung directly over the crowd, his ancient eyes indifferently sweeping across the faces now twisted with shock, horror, and dawning realization of their complete miscalculation.
"Now then... it's my turn to play."
"Twister!"