The endless sea roared beneath the keel of a massive three-masted ship cutting through the waves with incredible speed. On the sun-bleached deck, Kaito held a crumpled newspaper between his fingers, the corner of his mouth lifting into a cold sneer.
"Marine, you really went all out," he muttered, eyes narrowing with amusement. "Trying to roast us alive for the world to see."
A soft chuckle came from behind him.
"This is a blatant trap," Redfield remarked, leaning calmly on his cane. "They want us to walk right into it."
Everyone in the New World knew the rule:
strength equals bounty.
And Marine had just raised Kaito's bounty to five billion Berries, placing him side-by-side with Whitebeard himself. It was a declaration to the entire sea—one meant to turn Kaito and his crew into public enemies while stirring hostility from the Four Emperors.
Even worse, refusing to respond would be seen as an admission that Marine's claims were true.
A trap with three layers.
Classic Marine ruthlessness.
Kaito's experience—sharpened by countless battles—let him unravel Marine's intentions instantly. If anyone weaker had been caught in this, they might hide or deny everything, waiting for the storm to fade.
But Kaito was not anyone.
His strength surpassed the Four Emperors. Even if all four attacked at once, fear wasn't something he understood.
"Marine," he said softly, voice like distant thunder. "I'll show you what a true disaster looks like."
Redfield's eyes flickered. "Captain… do you mean a battle?"
Kaito folded the newspaper, gaze steady.
"After this article, the entire New World is gonna be hunting us. There's only one path forward—a battle fierce enough to shake the world. We prove our power, crush our doubts, and break Marine's strategy in one blow."
Redfield nodded slowly.
"Marine tried to make you a Shichibukai before. You stalled the offer, and now they retaliate. They must've realized letting you join would threaten the balance."
"Exactly," Kaito replied. "They know our strength is beyond their expectations. If I joined the Shichibukai, Sengokunwouldn't sleep again."
Bullet suddenly burst out of the cabin, eyes glowing with excitement.
"Then what do we do, Captain? Are we really going after one of the Four Emperors?"
Kaito waved a hand, calming him.
"Not yet. First, we carve our name into the sea."
Redfield raised a brow. "A pirate name?"
Kaito nodded.
"The Thunder Pirates."
As he spoke, the black in his eyes dissolved, replaced by brilliant violet rings—his Rinnegan. Grey-black lightning crackled around his body, dancing wildly like a living storm. For a moment, he stood like a god of thunder ready to tear apart heaven and earth.
Redfield clicked his tongue.
"A Logia of lightning… it suits you, Captain. But this level of power… it's terrifying."
Bullet stiffened from instinct alone. Even Issho's calm expression tightened as he felt the deadly pressure radiating from Kaito's lightning.
With a sigh, Kaito suppressed the thunder and returned to normal.
"It's only to show you our crew's direction."
Redfield exhaled deeply.
"At this point, even Whitebeard might not match you. Five billion Berries fits."
Kaito raised his hand. Space distorted, tearing open like fragile cloth. From the rift, he retrieved a tightly folded black canvas.
Unfurled, the pirate flag revealed a white skull whose eyes glowed with eerie purple light. Silver lightning coiled around it, wrapping the bones like living serpents.
Redfield nodded with approval.
"This matches the captain well."
"I'll hang it!" Bullet declared, snatching the flag and fastening it at the highest point of the ship's mast.
The thunder-marked skull billowed against the wind, announcing a new era.
"With our name and flag set," Redfield said, "all that's left is the battle you mentioned."
"Correct," Kaito replied. "And our first target is… Kaido of the Beasts."
Redfield froze.
"Kaido? The one you cut in half? He survived?"
"I only tore his body apart. With his Zoan fruit and awakening, it's possible he regenerated. Either way, whether he's alive or not doesn't concern me."
"What I want is his territory—Onigashima, the gateway to Wano. Once Kaido falls, we claim his land and establish our base."
Kaito's gaze sharpened, voice turning colder.
"After that, we eliminate the remaining Emperors, unify the New World, and then seize Marine and the World Government."
Redfield took a long breath.
"Destroying the World Government… that's a monumental ambition."
"We're not doing it alone," Kaito said. "There's the Revolutionary Army."
Redfield blinked.
"Will they join us? Or become enemies?"
"That depends on Dragon's choice, I don't care either ways. We'll visit their headquarters soon."
He paused.
"And while we're at it, we'll let the New World know that the Purple-Eyed Thunder Emperor Pirates have arrived. Anyone who wants to challenge us is welcome."
"Welcome to die."
Half a day later, information channels across the underworld erupted. The pirate flag of the Purple-Eyed Thunder Emperor Pirates spread like wildfire, along with Kaito's infamous declaration—an open invitation for all enemies.
Those who had criticized or doubted Kaito immediately began gathering. Some held bounties as high as seven to eight hundred million Berries, eager to prove themselves.
But before anyone could set out, a new announcement shook the New World.
Ulster Island.
The Thunder Pirates would be waiting for all challengers there.
Three days.
Whoever comes would be killed.
Whoever stay away is a coward.
Ulster was a mid-sized island near Bullet Treasure Island. One half was barren grassland, the other half lush and vibrant like a perfect yin-yang contrast.