Just as Rocks was getting carried away in his arrogance, a voice suddenly rang out:
"Looking like that, you'd better not insult the Azure Dragon."
"Nani?"
Rocks froze for a moment — and the next instant, a golden flash pierced straight through his waist. Taking advantage of the moment, Kaito broke free and escaped.
But instead of attacking Rocks, the first thing Kaito did upon emerging was to raise his head and look toward the sky.
Because that voice just now... it was far too familiar.
When he looked up, he saw Kaito himself — standing high above in the air.
Seeing him, a rough smile spread across Kaito's broad face.
"You're finally back... "
Rocks, meanwhile, crashed heavily to the ground. A gaping, terrifying hole now marred his midsection — if not for his sheer bulk, a normal man would've been split clean in half.
He tried to use his blue flames to heal himself, but this time, they had no effect at all.
He was dumbfounded. Even injuries inflicted by Conqueror's Haki could be slowly healed by those flames — so how could they fail now?
Struggling to his feet, Rocks also looked up toward the sky. The moment his eyes met Kaito's form above, they widened in pure shock.
Without the slightest hesitation, he activated the power of his Warp-Warp Fruit and vanished on the spot. It was so fast, so clean, that everyone watching was left dumbstruck.
Even Kaito couldn't help but silently give him credit for that reflex — there was nothing shameful about it. Those idiots who knew they couldn't win but still stood around trying to talk tough were already long dead and forgotten.
Once Rocks fled, his remaining subordinates instantly turned into clowns.
Kaito's name was already known across the entire pirate world — there wasn't a soul who didn't recognize it. The small fry all collapsed to their knees, trembling in terror.
Only Ochoku and Silver Axe, those two thick-headed fools, still thought about resisting. They tried to take advantage of the distraction to launch a sneak attack on King and the others — only for Kaito to glance at them once.
With a single look, both of them exploded into bloody mist, becoming dust of the old era.
Two warriors whose strength surpassed even the rank of an Emperor's deputy — gone in an instant.
The shock hit King and the others hard. Staring blankly at the two fading clouds of blood, they murmured,
"So this... is the power of the King?"
...
Turning his gaze back, Kaito smiled at Kaido and said,
"A little embarrassing, huh? You almost ended up in someone's stomach."
Anyone else daring to mock Kaido like that would've been smashed into pulp on the spot — but facing Kaito, he only scratched his head awkwardly.
"That Fruit of his... it's tricky. I got caught off guard..."
The members of the Beasts Pirates were so stunned their jaws nearly hit the ground.
King swallowed hard — he'd followed Kaido longer than anyone, yet this was the first time he'd ever seen the man like this.
But Kaido himself didn't think it shameful at all.
If there was anyone in the world he truly respected — someone who made him feel awe deep within — it could only be Kaito.
Only Kaito could make him willingly call someone "King." Even the once-acclaimed Pirate King, Roger, had never earned that.
So in front of Kaito, Kaido really did seem... almost cute.
Kaito chuckled softly at the sight.
"I heard you've become the King of Wano? Isn't that a bit beneath you?"
"It's not bad," Kaido replied. "These days, life's hard for pirates anyway. Hardly anyone still has a country as their own territory. Oh— and I'm not a pirate anymore!"
"Heh, no need to be so nervous. Relax. I still prefer that loud, arrogant side of you."
Kaido, ever straightforward, immediately hoisted his kanabo onto his shoulder and tilted his chin up.
"Like this?"
"...Perfect. Very nice."
But then, hesitation flickered across Kaito's face.
"Aren't you going after Rocks? Leaving him alone might come back to bite us."
Kaito's lips curved into a faint smile.
"No rush. Let him run for a bit longer."
...
After several consecutive teleports, Rocks finally returned to his lair — Hachinosu.
His teleportation worked similarly to the Flying Thunder God Technique — he could instantly travel to any location he'd marked, though distance still had limits. Otherwise, he wouldn't have needed several jumps to make it back.
The island had once belonged to Ochoku, but after his defeat and submission, it naturally fell under Rocks's control.
He dropped heavily onto a sofa, and a beautiful woman immediately appeared with drinks and food — including a tall stack of cherry pies.
Ever since inheriting the habits of his body's original owner, Teach, Rocks had developed a taste for them. He grabbed a pie and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing greedily.
After swallowing, he took a deep swig of wine, trying to calm his still-pounding heart.
The woman beside him, a smile full of flattery on her face, leaned close and traced circles on his belly with her finger.
Rocks closed his eyes, enjoying it — but after a moment, he suddenly spoke.
"Alvida, has Aramaki returned yet?"
Alvida shook her head.
"Aramaki-sama followed your orders and went to Alabasta."
"Then get in touch with him — now! Tell him to come back immediately!"
Rocks shoved her away irritably, making her stumble.
But Alvida didn't dare show even a hint of displeasure. She had personally witnessed Rocks devour a living man whole.
Obediently, she fished a Den Den Mushi out from her clothes and placed a call — but after a long while, there was no response at all.
Rocks's expression darkened.
Normally, he wouldn't have cared — he knew Aramaki's strength. Even facing a Marine Admiral, the man wouldn't be easily defeated. Maybe he just hadn't had time to answer.
But now things were different.
Kaito was back — and he had spatial powers. If Alabasta requested help from Marine Headquarters, who else but Kaito would respond?
And if Aramaki met Kaito... well, Rocks didn't even have to think to know the outcome. His grave would already have weeds growing on it.
What he didn't know was that when Kaito appeared before him, Aramaki had already been dead for quite some time.
The more Rocks thought about it, the worse it felt. He suddenly shot up from the sofa, muttering,
"No... this place isn't safe anymore. I need to move!"
Behind him, Alvida froze, her face draining of color as she pointed a trembling finger.
"Lo... Rocks-sama... behind you..."
A hand settled gently on Rocks's shoulder.
His whole body trembled as he slowly turned around — and came face to face with Kaito's smiling expression.
"Going somewhere?"