Layers of heavy clouds blanketed the entire sky.
A ferocious dragon's head emerged from the center of the swirling vortex.
Looking down from above, it was as if a deity was gazing upon the mortal world, exuding an overwhelming pressure.
"K-K-K... Lord Kaido..."
Flame Clouds supported the sailing ship as it slowly ascended. Several Beast Pirates on the deck trembled uncontrollably, collapsing to the ground, their faces filled with extreme shock and terror.
"KAIDO!!!"
Yamato clenched her delicate fists in frustration, feeling a surge of vexation.
She had been so close to true freedom, ready to embark on a new chapter of life and adventure, just like Oden.
Yet, at this very moment, her stubborn, gorilla-like father had returned, catching her red-handed.
Yamato knew her escape plan had failed, and the harshest punishment awaited her.
"Wororororo, Yamato, tell me—which bastard helped you escape Oni Island?"
High in the sky, Azure Dragon Kaido spoke, his voice low and thunderous, brimming with suppressed fury.
"No one helped me, Kaido! I got the key to the Explosion Shackles on my own! They only boarded the ship because I forced them! This was all my doing—no one else is involved!" Yamato shouted back.
She would take full responsibility for her actions and bear Kaido's wrath alone.
"Young Master Yamato..."
The pirates on the deck looked at her with moved expressions.
In the past, they had participated in chasing, bullying, and mocking her... Yet, Yamato held no grudges. Instead of dragging them down with her, she defended them...
"Worororororo!"
Azure Dragon Kaido laughed.
"Haven't I told you time and again, Yamato? No one will ever be your ally! Anyone who helps you must die—that is the iron rule!"
As his words faded, the Flame Clouds supporting the ship suddenly dissipated, sending Yamato and the vessel plummeting hundreds of meters.
BOOM!
Even though they crashed into the sea, the immense impact still shattered the ship, causing it to slowly sink.
Every pirate aboard—except Yamato—was knocked unconscious from the fall.
But it wasn't over yet.
A cross-shaped glow, hotter than magma, lit up the darkened sky.
"HEAT BREATH!!!"
Azure Dragon Kaido unleashed a scorching Dragon Breath, tearing across the sky and sea.
The fiery beam, capable of piercing mountains, engulfed the wrecked ship, blasting it into the depths of the ocean.
"KAIDO!!!" The furious roar of a girl erupted.
Only Yamato could have survived that Heat Breath.
Mythical Zoan-type Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Makami Form—ACTIVATE!!!
Yamato transformed into her "Samoyed" beast form, sprinting across the ocean's surface using the Great True God's freezing properties.
Each step froze the water beneath her feet, creating solid footholds.
"Weren't they your subordinates?! I told you—this was all my doing! They had nothing to do with it!" Yamato snapped.
"Worororororo! Who cares what you said?! The objective fact is they helped you—that alone is enough to sentence them to death!" Azure Dragon Kaido roared with laughter.
The sinuous dragon form writhed among the clouds as several towering tornadoes erupted from the sea's surface, converging toward Yamato.
In her Okuchi no Makami Beast Form, Yamato miscalculated and was caught in the whirlwind, spinning violently before crashing into the wilderness of Kuri.
Boom!
The earth trembled as Azure Dragon Kaido descended from the sky, landing not far from Yamato.
"Yamato, daring to run away after eating the fruit I treasured—that's a grave sin!" Kaido of the Beasts intoned darkly.
"Kaido, I've told you countless times—I never wanted this power!" Yamato rose from the crater, shifting into her hybrid form.
Time seemed to freeze.
The wind swirled, rustling the scattered grass.
In the next instant, two thunderous roars split the heavens.
Kaido and Yamato vanished simultaneously from their positions.
Thunder—
Bagua!!!
BOOM!
Eight Precepts and A-Jian, two pitch-black spiked clubs, clashed midair.
Black and red—two surges of Haki lightning erupted from the impact, ravaging the surroundings.
RUMBLE!
The ground beneath Kaido and Yamato collapsed three layers deep.
Countless shattered rocks were flung skyward, only to be pulverized further by the ensuing shockwaves.
Clang—
A blinding flash of impact erupted, obscuring everything.
...
...
Oni Island.
Dark clouds pressed down ominously.
A thunderous explosion tore through the sky, blasting a massive hole in the ceiling of Skull Hall.
The Azure Dragon descended, transforming back into human form upon the throne.
Thud!
A bloodied, battered figure crashed to the ground behind him.
"Lord Kaido!"
"Lord Kaido has returned!"
"Young Master Yamato has been caught by Lord Kaido!"
The Beast Pirates crowd in Skull Hall erupted in excited shouts.
Gulp—
Gulp—
Kaido of the Beasts raised his gourd and drank deeply.
"Wororororo! Someone tell me—how did Yamato escape? Who unlocked her Explosion Shackles?" Kaido bellowed.
Silence instantly swallowed the vast hall. Not a soul dared to speak. Even the petite secretary Hotei trembled in fear.
"Hey, King. You tell me—who could it be?"
Kaido turned his gaze toward King the Conflagration.
Before King could respond—"It was me," Luo Xia yawned, leisurely stepping forward from the crowd.
"Hey, bro, what are you saying?! This isn't a joke! You'll really die!" Page One's eyes widened in panic as he tried to dissuade him.
Anyone could see Captain Kaido was furious—he would kill without hesitation.
But Luo Xia ignored Page One's warning, casually walking forward until he stood beside the battered Yamato.
"Tsk, you really didn't hold back, huh?"
"That's the price of defying me! Wororororo!" Kaido grinned cruelly. "Now, what was it you just said? Luo Xia, I'll give you one chance to rephrase—was it you who freed Yamato from her Explosion Shackles?"
"Yeah, it was me. Got a problem?" Luo Xia nodded calmly, his demeanor utterly unshaken.
It's over.
Marula.
We're completely screwed.
Page One and the other Beast Pirates collectively sucked in a sharp breath.
They knew Luo Xia was bold—reckless, even. But they never imagined he'd be this bold, this defiant.
Facing an enraged Kaido, he could remain so calm and composed, admitting to a crime grave enough to warrant the death penalty.
At this moment, even without the foresight of Observation Haki, they could all predict what was about to happen.
"Is that guy an idiot? Is his head made of iron too? How could he just admit it like that?" Ulti widened her beautiful eyes, her face filled with disbelief.
"Ah~" Black Maria shook her head and sighed softly. She had actually enjoyed her time with Luo Xia during this period.
"N-no... it's not... it's not anyone else's fault... it's me... I..." Yamato, severely injured, spoke haltingly, trying to clarify.
"Yamato, what comes next is a matter between men. Just shut up and watch quietly!" Luo Xia barked.
Hearing this, Kaido on the throne was momentarily stunned before bursting into laughter.
"Urororororo, it seems I've been too lenient with you, Luo Xia!"
Kaido's tone shifted, his words turning icy.
"It's time you learned the rules of the Beasts Pirates."