Ayanami Kaito watched calmly as Issho struggled to adjust to his restored sight.
"Let them get used to the light. That reaction you had earlier is normal. Take your time, you'll adapt soon," Kaito said with a gentle smile.
He held out a sealed container. "These are your original eyes. Keep them. They're still part of you."
"Alright," Issho replied respectfully, accepting the container without concern.
He opened his eyes again, much more carefully. The world was still blurry, but shapes and colors gradually became clearer.
Even though the brightness stung slightly, none of it mattered to him.
Two days passed quietly. The group remained nearby while Issho worked hard to familiarize himself with his new vision.
During sunset, the sky was dyed in shades of crimson. Kaito sat by the doorway of the wooden house he had created, watching the last rays fade.
A rare contentment flickered across his face.
"Captain," Issho called softly.
He stepped outside, gazing at the sky with emotion thick in his voice. "This is the sunset… I haven't seen it for so many years. I almost forgot how much I missed it."
"The sunset is beautiful, but it always fades too quickly," Kaito said, his voice faint. He turned toward Issho. "How's the recovery?"
"Perfect. Everything has healed completely. I can fight at full strength anytime."
Issho's lips curled upward unconsciously. His restored sight had lifted a weight from his soul, and the joy was still fresh in his heart.
"Good," Kaito nodded. "Then we attack Kaido's headquarters tomorrow. We can't delay any longer."
"Understood."
The Next Morning
With the faint light of dawn rising over the sea, Kaito and the others prepared themselves, ate a simple meal, and set off toward Onigashima.
Despite lying low the past two days, they kept informed of Kaido's location and movements.
Onigashima loomed ahead, shaped like a massive skull surrounded by mountainous ridges.
The skull itself formed the main gateway, the only direct entrance into Kaido's domain.
Inside the skull, the Beasts Pirates lived and operated.
In the central hall, dimly lit by surrounding torches, Kaido sat heavily upon his throne.
The bandages had been removed from his body. No wounds remained—except for a single massive scar running down his entire torso.
"Where is Kaito now?" Kaido growled, his thunderous voice echoing through the hall.
"They're still in the same area. We're not sure what they're doing," King replied, frowning.
"No need to worry, Kaido sama," Queen added. "Our flying unit is watching them from above. If anything changes, we'll know right away."
Bao stepped forward. "Also, all combat units are ready. The Flying Six, the Numbers, and the elite fighters have returned and assembled on Onigashima. They're waiting for your command."
Suddenly, a trembling subordinate burst into the room.
"Kaido sama! King sama! Queen sama! Bad news! The vivre card of Batman… it just went out!"
"Understood. Leave," King replied coldly.
The soldier fled.
King's expression hardened. "It seems they've begun to move."
A sinister smile twisted Kaido's face as he touched the scar across his torso.
"Good. Very good. So they dare attack my headquarters… I'll make sure they regret setting foot here."
"Sound the order. Prepare for war!" Kaido roared.
"Yes, Kaido sama!" King and Queen responded in unison before rushing outside.
Onigashima Mobilizes
The orders spread instantly through the island.
The colossal war machine of the Beasts Pirates roared to life. Soldiers poured toward the main gate, armed with rifles, cannons, and blades.
Two large turrets stood beside the gate, equipped with the most advanced heavy artillery the Marines had developed.
Beyond the gate, artificial Animal-Type Devil Fruit users stood ready—those with forms resembling rabbits, sheep, and other weaker beasts.
Deeper inside the palace grounds were stronger artificial fruits users—those with the traits of lions, elephants, and other powerful creatures.
Onigashima was in full battle stance.
A lookout peered through his telescope. Suddenly, a dark silhouette appeared on the distant sea.
It sped forward rapidly until its shape became unmistakable.
A massive three-masted ship with several figures standing boldly upon the deck. A pirate flag fluttered in the wind.
"They're here! They're here! The enemy has arrived! Open fire!" the lookout screamed.
The Beast Pirates instantly unleashed a barrage of cannonfire.
From the turrets, two massive blue beams shot out like lances of light.
On the deck, Kaito, Issho, Bullet, and Redfield stood calmly despite the torrent of artillery.
"They're quite enthusiastic. Using their strongest weapons right at the start," Kaito said lightly.
"Captain, should I take care of the attacks?" Issho asked eagerly.
His restored sight gave him confidence, and gratitude toward Kaito burned in his chest.
"No," Kaito replied.
"This may become our headquarters later. Don't damage it."
As he spoke, his black eyes shifted to a deep crimson.
A surge of dark blue energy burst from his body, spreading outward like a tide.
A thick barrier enveloped the entire ship.
Boom—boom—boom!
Cannonballs exploded uselessly against the barrier, creating only faint ripples.
Even the turret beams failed to leave a scratch.
Ignoring the assault, Kaito continued forward, guiding the ship right up to the main entrance of Onigashima.
"Bullet," Kaito commanded.
"Understood."
A wave of overwhelming Conqueror's Haki erupted from Bullet, sweeping across the battlefield like a storm.
One by one, Beast Pirates collapsed, clutching their heads in agony before fainting.
Within moments, not a single guard was left standing.
The front gate of Onigashima fell silent.