In stark contrast to the frigid encounter between Admiral and archaeologist, Kaido found himself aboard one of Doflamingo's merchant ships surrounded by an atmosphere that could only be described as pure fanaticism.
The Donquixote Family subordinates who had witnessed the Sky Screen's revelations now looked upon the Yonko with religious fervor. Their original loyalty to Doflamingo paled beside the opportunity to serve someone destined to become Joy Boy himself. The Beast Pirates' terrifying future performance had carved an indelible image into their hearts—what incredible fortune to follow such an apex predator.
Kaido drowned himself in the ship's liquor supply, though alcohol failed to quiet his restless spirit. He believed absolutely in his future strength, but the path to claiming Joy Boy's legacy remained frustratingly opaque.
"King," Kaido slurred, addressing his right-hand man. "How do I obtain Joy Boy's power? Give me something to work with here."
The Lunarian understood his captain's desperate drinking. Kaido of the Beasts hadn't experienced significant strength gains in recent years—his age and power had reached their natural peak. Without achieving some breakthrough, his physical decline would mirror Whitebeard's gradual weakening. Time was running out.
"Joy Boy connects to the Sun God," King replied carefully. "Perhaps extended sun exposure might unlock dormant abilities? Some technique involving sun energy?"
Kaido stared at his first mate in disbelief. "..."
The suggestion was so absurd it actually sobered him slightly. Better not to ask for advice if this was the quality of input he'd receive.
Setting aside Joy Boy's mysteries for now, Kaido's thoughts turned to more immediate concerns. The Kozuki name had resurfaced in the Sky Screen, bringing memories of Oden's son flooding back. When he'd held young Momonosuke by the throat, the boy had declared Kozuki Oden the greatest samurai even while facing death. Kaido had underestimated that particular brat's resolve.
As the True Shogun of Wano, Kaido recognized his failure to completely eradicate the problem. Allowing such a future threat to mature would inevitably lead to the multi-faction siege shown on the Sky Screen. Onigashima needed to prepare for what was coming.
Even after his future self had tested Kozuki Momonosuke and offered him the shogun position, the boy had refused with that self-righteous expression of paternal vengeance. Kaido couldn't surrender the Shogun title to anyone—doing so would make him an unfilial successor to the legacy he'd built.
No matter how much Yamato might rebel, she remained his flesh and blood. Abandoning his own daughter to install another man's son as heir exceeded even Kaido's capacity for pragmatic cruelty.
Even if Kaido suffered some mental breakdown and agreed to Momonosuke's succession, the internal dissent within the Beast Pirates would tear Onigashima apart. The power structure he'd personally cultivated would fragment, and he couldn't risk losing his three All-Stars over such foolishness.
"Kozuki Oden," Kaido growled, draining his final bowl of sake. "Since your son shares your stubborn streak, recruiting him serves no purpose. I'll send Momonosuke to reunite with your family."
The murderous aura radiating from the Yonko made the surrounding air feel heavy and oppressive.
King nodded grimly, their thoughts aligning perfectly. "The moment he appears in our territory, I'll personally witness his execution. We'll clear every obstacle from the Beast Pirates' path."
Kaido intended to control Wano Country indefinitely—the Kozuki bloodline required complete extinction to secure the Beast Pirates' future.
Momonosuke had a sister whose whereabouts remained unknown. That loose end demanded attention as well. Kurozumi Orochi could handle the search—if he proved incompetent, then replacing the shogun would become necessary.
While the two strongest Beast Pirates floated somewhere on the distant seas, unaware that their home base buzzed with unprecedented activity, one individual remained thoroughly miserable amid the general enthusiasm.
"Queen, you despicable bastard—launching a sneak attack," Who's-Who gasped as the massive All-Star pinned him to the ground. Having one of the Calamities personally handle his punishment was almost an honor.
Queen had remained at headquarters while Jack the Drought sailed out on territorial inspections, making the plague-wielder the supreme authority on Onigashima. Everyone present had to obey his commands.
"Who's-Who, you ungrateful piece of trash," Queen snarled, grabbing the former CP9 agent's head and slamming it against the stone floor. "The Beast Pirates took you in when no one else would, and this is how you repay that kindness?"
Infected with Queen's specialized virus, Who's-Who couldn't even access his Armament Haki. His weakened state left him completely defenseless against the systematic beating. The face beneath his signature mask quickly turned purple and black as Queen's torture continued relentlessly. His nose shattered during the abuse, blood streaming across his features in red rivulets.
The remaining five Tobiroppō gathered to witness their colleague's punishment, showing no sympathy for his plight. Each secretly calculated how Who's-Who's elimination would create advancement opportunities within their ruthless hierarchy.
The Beast Pirates respected only strength and advocated survival of the fittest—unlike other crews burdened with complex regulations and arbitrary rules. This philosophy had forged them into the most formidable Yonko crew on the seas.
Black Maria, the blonde woman whose lower body resembled a massive spider, watched the brutal scene with obvious arousal. The sight of masculine suffering triggered something primal within her twisted psyche.
"Resistance today means inevitable rebellion tomorrow," she purred, adding psychological torture to Queen's physical abuse. "Keeping you among the Beast Pirates creates unnecessary risk. Even when Lord Kaido returns, he won't spare a proven traitor. You'll die in complete despair, Who's-Who."
The broken man attempted to defend himself through bloodied lips. "I would never betray Lord Kaido," he wheezed, coughing up dark blood that stained the floor. "The World Government considers me a defector—Onigashima is the only sanctuary I have left."
"Then what if Lord Kaido truly becomes Joy Boy?" Black Maria's question struck like a venomous fang. "What will you do then?"
Who's-Who's reaction was immediate and violent, his composure cracking under the psychological pressure. "Lord Kaido cannot be Joy Boy! That Luffy ate the Nika Fruit—he's the real Joy Boy! You've all been deceived by that damn screen!"
His pathetic display drew mocking laughter from the assembled Tobiroppō. Even while being tortured, he refused to acknowledge the truth about their captain's destiny. Who's-Who's stubbornness had become genuinely amusing.
"Lord Kaido has obtained the Sun God's power," Black Maria moaned ecstatically, her arousal reaching new heights. "Such incredible strength—I'm blessed to serve him personally."
As one of Kaido's regular bedmates, she took Who's-Who's denial as a personal insult. Her suggestion carried lethal finality.
Queen initially planned to sentence Who's-Who to hard labor in Onigashima's quarries, but Black Maria advocated for immediate execution. Death would solve the problem permanently while conserving food supplies for more loyal subordinates.
As Lord Kaido grew stronger, the entire Beast Pirates crew would benefit from his ascension. The Sky Screen had revealed Who's-Who learning advanced Armament Haki techniques, only to teach them to CP0 enemies later. Such active collaboration with hostile forces demanded the ultimate punishment.
If Who's-Who could master new Haki applications, then every other Tobiroppō deserved the same opportunity. In a world where strength determined everything, who could refuse the chance to become more powerful?
Would the regular fighters and foot soldiers eventually learn these solar techniques as well? The prospect of universal empowerment filled the Beast Pirates with unprecedented fanaticism, creating an atmosphere of religious devotion.
Though Lord Kaido hadn't yet claimed Joy Boy's legacy, every crew member believed absolutely in his inevitable success. The Beast Pirates' glorious future stretched before them like a golden sunrise, and their faith burned with the intensity of a thousand suns.