Above Onigashima
The wind roared fiercely across the night sky, scattering thick storm clouds over the colossal floating island. The sound of thunder blended with the bellow of a dragon — a massive beast with azure scales, blazing eyes, and fangs that exhaled scalding steam.
Before that mythical creature floated a young man wearing a straw hat, standing effortlessly upon a stream of pure Haki. His gaze was steady, but his tone… utterly carefree.
"Just wanna ask a few questions. I kinda got lost," Luffy said, as casually as if he were asking for directions in the middle of a street market.
Kaido said nothing.
Information? This brat had crossed the sky, smashed part of the fortress, and terrified half of Onigashima… for information?
Kaido's eyes narrowed, a grin of scorn curling between his fangs.
"Very interesting!"
His beastly pupils contracted — and then he opened his jaws, unleashing a torrent of fire so hot that the very air screamed. The flames spread in a blazing cone, painting the sky in shades of red and gold.
Luffy dodged the attack with a simple step, as if he had just shifted aside to avoid a puddle.
"Attacking me outta nowhere? You drunk or something?" he asked, frowning.
In a blink, he appeared before the dragon's head and threw a punch.
BAM!
The impact echoed like thunder. A crimson streak of Haki flashed outward like a spiderweb of lightning, splitting the clouds for an instant — a brilliant flare that illuminated all of Onigashima.
Down below, pirates froze in shock.
"W-Who's fighting Kaido-sama!?"
"Wait… that hat— That's Straw Hat Luffy!?"
Among the onlookers, a tall, imposing woman with sharp curves and a silver hannya mask stared in disbelief.
"…That's Luffy?" murmured Yamato, eyes wide.
"P-Princess Yamato!" a terrified subordinate shouted. "Don't go near them! You'll get hurt!"
But Yamato ignored the warning. Gripping her massive club, she sprinted toward the thunderous clash.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
In the sky above, the battle raged on.
Each strike from Luffy thundered through the heavens, while Kaido roared like a force of nature, his scales humming with raw power.
Then came an earth-shaking crash.
Kaido plummeted from the sky, smashing into the ground and leaving a massive crater. Stones and smoke flew everywhere.
Amid the dust, his body began to shrink — the dragon fading, replaced by his massive human form, muscles rippling, scars gleaming, and his aura as suffocating as ever.
Luffy landed lightly, bending his knees to absorb the impact. As he lifted his gaze, he spotted Yamato watching him from afar. Even with the mask and her white kimono hugging her frame, her beauty was impossible to conceal.
'She's tall… maybe two and a half meters?' Luffy thought, scratching his chin.
"Luffy, Straw Hat!" Yamato's voice rang with pure excitement. "I've been waiting for you! Please, take me with you! Let me join your crew!"
Luffy blinked. "…Huh?"
But before he could respond, Kaido rose with a booming laugh.
"Bahaha! That one hurt, Straw Hat! It's been a long time since someone made me feel pain like that!"
He rubbed his head, still grinning. "Thanks to your punch, the booze wore off!"
Luffy grinned back. "You're welcome. You hit my fist pretty hard… try not to drink so much next time."
Kaido's brow twitched. This brat's mocking me?
But instead of anger, Kaido burst into laughter.
"I like you, kid! How about joining me, huh? I could make you the second strongest man in the world!"
Luffy stared for a moment.
The World Government hated him, the Marines wanted his head… and now every Yonko seemed desperate to put him on their team.
Big Mom wanted to marry him to one of her daughters.
And now Kaido, after taking a punch that split the heavens, wanted to recruit him.
Work for someone else?
Not in a million years.
"I'm just here for some info. I'm not interested in—"
Before he could finish, Kaido charged forward, his club sparking with crimson and black lightning.
"Got questions? Then ask with your fists!!"
But before the strike landed, a figure darted through the air — Yamato.
She intercepted the blow with her own club, the impact detonating like an explosion that shook the ground.
CRASH!
The clash lasted only an instant — and Yamato was sent flying like a missile, crashing into a wall of stone.
"What do you think you're doing, Yamato!?" Kaido roared.
"Luffy, Straw Hat! Go on ahead! I'll catch up!" she shouted, standing even as blood ran down her arm.
"Who are you?" asked Luffy, though he already knew.
"I'm Yama— No! I'm Kozuki Oden!" she declared with burning conviction. "Ace's friend! I saw the broadcast of the Marineford War! Please, take me away from here!"
Luffy scratched his head. "Oden's been dead for over ten years. And I dunno… you look more like a woman to me."
He smirked. "Kaido's daughter, huh?"
Kaido's face twisted in barely contained rage, and Luffy nearly burst out laughing.
His own daughter inheriting the will of his enemy — it was almost poetic.
"Stay out of this, Yamato!" Kaido barked.
Luffy crossed his arms, ready to enjoy the show… but then a familiar sound interrupted.
Puru puru puru… puru puru puru…
Luffy pulled a Den Den Mushi from his pocket.
"Nami?"
"Luffy!!" cried a frantic voice from the other end.
He blinked. "Sandersonia?"
"Luffy! You can just call me Soni— Wait, no time for that! Hancock's sick!"
"Sick?" he frowned. "What happened?"
"It's the curse of Amazon Lily… the Love Sickness! Luffy, where are you!? If you don't come soon, my sister's going to die!"
The voice trembled.
"Put Hancock on," Luffy said.
After some fumbling and shuffling, a weak, honeyed voice spoke.
"Luffy..."
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"I'm… fine~" she answered dreamily.
'Doesn't sound fine at all,' Luffy thought, sighing.
He didn't have an Eternal Pose for Amazon Lily. How the hell was he supposed to get there?
"Rest for now. Get some sleep. I'll be there soon," he said, then hung up.
He pocketed the Den Den Mushi and looked back at Kaido, who was watching him with an amused grin.
"Kaido, give me a copy of your sea chart," Luffy said bluntly. "I have to leave immediately."
Kaido let out a deep, rumbling laugh.
He had heard every word of that call.
(End of Chapter)