Before the Hell Pirates could reach a conclusion from their heated debate, their attention was abruptly captured by a towering plant on the island ahead. Their conversation halted at once.
At the summit of the island's mountain stood an enormous plant trunk, its surface neatly sliced as if cut by a blade of terrifying sharpness. It was unnatural, almost ominous.
This was Lilycon Carnation—the Flower of Life and Death. Its spores or leaves could transform into humanoid entities called "Leaf People," exact replicas of the dead, complete with their memories and abilities.
These Leaf People thrived through the nutrients absorbed via leaves on their heads, channeled directly from Lily. They were immune to fatal wounds, but if Lily ran out of energy, they would wither in an instant.
To survive and maintain her parasitic children, Lily had to constantly devour powerful lifeforms. Even more dangerously, she could possess humans—tempting them into manipulating others, luring fresh victims into her grasp.
But the deadliest trait of all was her mastery of human nature. Pirate crews that stumbled onto the island would be emotionally torn apart—sown with distrust and turned against each other until they were easy pickings.
High above, Melvi Island hovered ominously over Secret Island. Brook narrowed his eyes. If memory served, Lilycon Carnation could even reshape buildings. Her powers bordered on the mythical.
He wondered who Lily had latched onto now. In the original timeline, Omatsuri Baron of the Red Arrow Pirates hadn't shown up yet. Things were different now.
As soon as the Hell Pirates landed, a thunder of music erupted across the island. Drums pounded, gongs rang, and throngs of Leaf People with foliage sprouting from their heads welcomed them with overwhelming cheer.
"Everyone, stay sharp!" Brook warned. "Lily is a manipulator. She can copy faces, memories—even entire personalities. If someone starts doubting the crew, or worse, turns on their own crewmates..."
He gestured with a grin, though his eyes were serious. "Well then, Professor Redfield—our very own King of Lightning—will deliver shock therapy to fix that trust issue."
He raised a hand. "Lily's probably already hiding within someone. Look for a small yellow flower. Split up and search!"
Lily hadn't made her move yet, perhaps spooked by Melvi Island's arrival—or more likely, by the overwhelming aura of Brook and his terrifying companions.
"Tch. It's guys like Golden Lion Shiki who can't suppress their Haki for five minutes. Always puffing their chests and leaking aura like it's perfume," Brook muttered.
"Got it, Captain Brook!" the crew chorused.
Shiki grinned darkly. "If Lily can mimic our crew, then next time we might meet fake versions of each other... So sorry in advance, folks. I'm gonna have to test you. And if you fail... you might get diced."
Kaido and Fisher Tiger exchanged tense glances as Shiki ominously turned their way.
"Gurarara~! I've been itching for a warm-up," Whitebeard Newgate boomed. "If a fake Shiki shows up, I'll enjoy figuring out whether he's the real one—or just another training dummy."
Redfield gave Sky a pointed glance. "True or fake... electrotherapy first. Questions later."
"Actually, you can tell by the leaf on their heads—"
"Don't spoil it, Brook!" Shiki cut him off, eyes gleaming. "Let 'em learn the hard way!"
"Fine, fine. Then consider this a live-fire test," Brook said, waving his cane. "Protect yourselves, and find Lily. Let the hunt begin!"
Brook took Charlotte Linlin, Stussy, and Shakky into the bizarre amusement park that made up the island. It looked like a real resort—filled with games, laughter, food... and hundreds of Leaf People.
Everything felt real. Too real. The illusions were practically indistinguishable from reality. Lily's abilities were terrifying—more powerful than many Zoan-type Devil Fruits he'd seen.
To mold entire scenes and create living replicas with combat capability and memory? That alone made Lily a force worth conquering.
Brook pondered whether Lily was a plant-based Mythical Zoan. After all, there were Fruits like the Forest-Forest Fruit, the Bloom-Bloom Fruit, and the Verdant-Verdant Fruit. Why not the Flower of Life and Death Fruit?
If even the Sun God Nika could be a Mythical Zoan, then a sentient flower spirit wasn't that far-fetched.
"Don't underestimate plant-based Mythical Beasts," Brook whispered. "Even vines can strangle gods."
The crew dispersed with anticipation, unaware that two of their own were already being watched.
A strange man without a leaf on his head smirked in the shadows, watching the crew spread across the island.
He quickly trailed the weakest target: a red-skinned, inexperienced-looking fishman. The poor guy looked like easy bait.
Once they were out of sight, a tiny yellow flower bloomed on the stranger's chest. A spore dropped to the earth, and within seconds, it blossomed into a muscular youth with horns—and a leaf awkwardly perched between them.
The horned clone ran toward the red fishman and barked insults.
"Hey, idiot! Don't go that way! You're weak as hell. Go back to the captain where it's safe. Maybe play in the mud if you're bored."
The arrogance was palpable—as was the resemblance to Kaido.
"What did you say?! Kaido!!" the fishman roared.
"I said you're a loser! What, you deaf now too?" the clone spat, already walking off dismissively.
The fishman clenched his fists. He wasn't going to let that insult slide.
"One step back, they say, brings peace," he growled. "But one more thought, and I'm ready to break your horns!"
Fueled by pride, Fisher Tiger gave chase. Even if he couldn't beat Kaido, he wasn't going to let the crew see him punked.
Far behind, in the darkness, the hidden stranger watched with a sinister grin.
The direction the clone was running?
Straight toward the real Kaido.
-----------------------
On this Secret island, Lily Carnation could monitor the pirates who had landed using her network of leaf people. Unless someone dug a tunnel and buried themselves underground, they were all under her watchful gaze.
Unseen, a shadowy stranger followed closely, enjoying the spectacle of pirate infighting and betrayal. What he didn't expect, however, was a sudden flash of lightning behind him—gone in an instant.
Elsewhere in the forest, Kaido was swinging his alloy war mace with wild abandon, bored out of his mind. He smashed trees left and right, carving his own reckless "path" through the woods.
He scratched his head. "Why the hell did Captain Brook send us to look for a flower? Wouldn't it be easier if Brother Newgate just smashed the whole island into rubble and let Brother Shiki take what he needed?"
Kaido sighed. "What a waste of time. I've still got to go back and challenge the Diger Pirates! I need to make my name ring out in the Overlord War!"
Not far behind him, Tiger—the hot-blooded red fishman—stormed after what looked like Kaido. But when he reached a dense bush, the "Kaido" he was chasing withered into nothing, crumbling into a single leaf.
Pushing through the foliage, Tiger spotted the real Kaido casually tearing through trees ahead.
"You've got time to be gardening now?!" Tiger growled.
"KAIDO!!! Take back what you said earlier and apologize or I swear, I'll beat you into the dirt today!!"
Tiger's rage was practically steaming off his already red skin.
"Hah?! What're you blabbering about?" Kaido snapped. "I've been right here the whole time! What'd I even say to you?! Why should I apologize?! Screw it—let's go! One-on-one!"
Kaido, the "Beast King," exploded with fury, completely forgetting Brook's earlier warnings. All he could think about now was knocking Tiger flat for daring to question him.
Without hesitation, Kaido slammed his mace into the ground, challenging Tiger with a snarl.
"What courage does a washed-up loser like you have to stand in front of me?!"
"Fine then! If you won't admit it, we settle it the old-fashioned way!"
"Fishman Karate: 3,000-Watt Punch!"
Tiger's fist shot forward, surging with water pressure and the brute strength of a master. Kaido, too cocky to block, took the hit square in the chest—and was sent flying!
Groaning, Kaido picked himself up from the crater. "Damn... maybe I was a little too confident."
Though more naturally gifted than Tiger, Kaido was still younger by a year and had trained less. Even a monster like him couldn't tank that hit without consequences.
Still, he laughed through the pain.
"Not bad. You actually managed to hurt me. But if that's all you've got, it won't cut it!"
He cracked his neck, already healed thanks to his absurd endurance. Picking up his war mace again, Kaido grinned dangerously.
"You're getting a lesson for that, senior or not."
Tiger, now second-guessing, narrowed his eyes.
"You really didn't see me earlier?"
Kaido squinted. "Nope! But whatever's going on, let's beat the crap out of each other first. Whether you get electroshock therapy later ain't my business."
Kaido wasn't stupid—he knew exactly what Tiger meant now. But he still had a punch to avenge and a "loyalty test" to perform. If he beat Tiger and turned him in to Redfield, the so-called "Thunder King," that'd be two birds, one lightning bolt.
"Kaido! Let's not do this! Look, I'll let you rough me up in private, okay? Just—don't tell Captain Brook!!"
Tiger finally realized he'd been duped. If Brook found out how easily he'd fallen for an enemy's illusion, he'd be sentenced to the dreaded "IQ Restoration Program"... complete with daily electroshock therapy.
Kaido smirked and pulled out a sound shell.
"Everything you say can and will be used against you in court," he said smugly. "You'll be tried by Captain Brook and executed by the Thunder King!"
Tiger froze in horror.
"You're recording me?! Are you serious?! What kind of crewmate does that?! You'll have no friends left at this rate!"
Kaido just laughed.
"I learned this from Brother Newgate. He's got Brother Shiki wrapped around his finger right now. And Brother Newgate? He learned it from Captain Brook. So if you're saying I'm insidious, you're actually insulting the captain!"
Tiger's jaw dropped.
"Don't tell me... You planned this just to stop being the youngest member of the crew?! You're trying to make me call you 'big bro,' aren't you?!"
Kaido leaned close, pressing his war mace against Tiger's shoulder.
"Say the word, and we're brothers from now on. I'll protect you like family. Refuse… and you'll get a full week of Redfield's 'lightning enlightenment.' Who knows, maybe you'll become a top-tier powerhouse after all."
Tiger paled.
This guy... He's not reckless at all. He's a fox in beast's clothing!
From afar, the shadowy stranger watched the horned brute and the red-skinned fishman shouting but not actually fighting. His patience was wearing thin.
Usually, a little misdirection was enough to sow chaos—but this crew was frustratingly resilient.
He turned to leave, planning to spread his seeds of conflict elsewhere.
Then—
BOOM!!!
The island trembled violently. Even the little yellow flower in his arms broke out in cold sweat. Whoever these people were... they weren't ordinary pirates. They were monsters.
---
On the other side of the island—
"Hahaha~! Newgate, my bad! I thought it was really you. I was wondering how a fake could punch that hard."
Golden Lion Shiki was giddy with success. He'd been lying in ambush all day and had finally slashed the "shame of Yinbei" into pieces.
"Gurarara~! Who told you I only had one Yinbei?"
Whitebeard crossed his arms and spun his massive cloak, revealing a whole collection of music shells strapped to it like a bootleg CD vendor.
Shiki's grin vanished. His face turned the color of storm clouds.
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