"The strong survive, the weak die. I will rule the world from Wano Country! What kind of world will you create, Straw Hat?!"
"Shut up! I'm going to create a world where everyone can eat their fill!!"
The giant fist, imbued with Haki, slammed down, violently crushing the world-ending fire dragon cloaked in magma, sending it plunging into the abyss!
Magma erupted from the ground, engulfing Kaido's body.
— — — — — —
"Huff… huff…"
Kaido woke up with a start, gasping for breath, his chest heaving violently.
On Onigashima, he resolutely accepted the challenge of the New Generation Supernovas, endured several consecutive battles, and finally fought a decisive battle with Straw Hat Luffy, who had successfully awakened his Devil Fruit.
He had defeated that naive and persistent brat many times, but the brat was like an unkillable cockroach, climbing out of the abyss again and again to fight him, baring his fangs.
His subordinates were all wiped out, Linlin forcefully withdrew from the battlefield, and he himself was ultimately defeated in the decisive battle with Straw Hat Luffy, realizing that this brat must be Joy Boy from destiny.
He should have died, but now… his skin was firm, without a single injury.
"I'm still alive?"
Kaido came to his senses and looked out through the window.
Towering buildings, pirates like a tide, scattered Rocks, and a giant skull-shaped rock standing in the center of the distant street.
Hachinosu Island.
Kaido's eyes suddenly narrowed, as if recalling some unpleasant experiences.
He was invited to join the Rocks Pirates at fifteen, and because he was the youngest and weakest, Golden Lion and the others often teased and bossed him around.
His six years on Rocks' ship could be said to be a stain on Kaido's life.
So much so that later, Kaido challenged Whitebeard many times, even knowing that Whitebeard was old and critically ill, and that winning would be dishonorable, he still wanted to fight Whitebeard one last time before rushing to Marineford to rescue Fire Fist Ace.
But Red Hair Shanks stopped him.
Later, the New Onigashima project in Wano Country was also stopped by Straw Hat, and his ambition to conquer the world with violence was completely shattered.
Such distant memories… Kaido covered his face, his dark hair falling through his fingers, and vertical lines appeared on his forehead, making him look particularly gloomy.
"Urorororo, bad things keep happening one after another. If being defeated by Joy Boy is my destiny, then I will personally tear apart this damned destiny!"
He stood up, put on a blue shirt, his tall frame almost touching the ceiling.
He picked up his kanabo, Hassaikai, and closed his eyes, the boisterous cheers of pirates in his ears—
He seemed to see Roger in shackles, being led to the execution ground.
He saw Golden Lion's dismal end in the Edd War.
He saw Whitebeard meet his end in the Marineford War.
He saw Redfield fight to the death against tens of thousands of Marines, refusing to surrender.
He saw Kozuki Oden smiling even in death.
Scene after scene from the past converged into a massive amount of memory fragments flooding his mind. Kaido opened his eyes, a ferocious smile on his lips.
"A world without you all in the future is utterly boring!"
"How lucky! To let me return to this era of shining stars once more. In this life, I will compete with all of you!"
A powerful aura spread from him, like surging waves, making the stone room shake violently, and fine cracks appeared on the walls.
In the distance, a blond man enjoying a sunbath on a coastal rock opened his eyes and frowned: "That unusual Haki just now was…"
Kaido strode towards the door, pushed it open, and walked straight into the sunlight.
Outside, the clamor was like a tide.
Hachinosu Island was still the same as in his memory, with a competition underway.
In the arena, two strong pirates were arm-wrestling, and the surrounding crowd cheered and applauded, making it very lively.
Kaido pushed through the crowd, flowing in.
"Hey, who the hell is so blind, are you looking for death?!"
Someone coldly shouted, turning around only to meet Kaido's ominous face, instantly freezing in shock, sweating profusely.
"Are you talking to me?"
Kaido's gaze was sharp, his long-standing aura as a superior terrifyingly intimidating.
The person stammered in fear, unable to utter a single word.
More people whistled and jeered: "Kaido's here! Go, Kaido, let everyone see your strength!"
"Is that the rookie monster who can fight alongside the commanders at such a young age?!"
The Rocks Pirates had been continuously recruiting and expanding their forces in recent years, with new members joining every day, gaining fame through competitions.
Although Kaido was young, he was already well-known.
The winner in the arena looked at Kaido with burning eyes.
He had only recently joined the Rocks Pirates, but had already defeated several pirates with bounties in the tens of millions, accumulating considerable fame.
These days, people often compared him to Kaido, and the name "Monster Rookie Kaido" had almost worn his ears raw.
"You're Kaido, right? How about it, dare to have a match?"
The male pirate was in his early thirties, with a very muscular and explosive physique, his muscles bulging with ferocious veins.
Kaido scrutinized the other party, a sneer twisting his lips: "Come on!"
As soon as his voice fell, the opponent sneered and grabbed a greatsword, charging forward with heavy "thump, thump, thump" footsteps.
When he got close, he leaped high, forcefully bringing his greatsword down!
Seeing Kaido motionless, the man seemed to have already envisioned Kaido falling, and laughed triumphantly: "I won!!"
However, what answered him was—
"Thunder Bagua!!"
Conqueror's Haki coating!!
Boom!!
Kaido swung Hassaikai, and the rod, imbued with crimson-black Haki, unleashed its power, directly smashing the man's face!
The man's body flew backward uncontrollably, crashing through several buildings along the way, sending up clouds of smoke and dust.
The scene was silent, people too stunned to speak.
"It's been a long time, this body."
Kaido smiled nostalgically, the residual Haki on Hassaikai crackling like lightning.
Although this current body was far superior to ordinary people, there was still a significant gap compared to his previous life's tempered physique.
Fortunately, he was proficient in the use of all three types of Haki, and there was no sense of hindrance when using them. Compared to his previous life, he could avoid many detours.
Especially Conqueror's Haki, a power related to one's spirit. Perhaps due to his previous life's status as a leader and countless battles, his Conqueror's Haki was no less powerful than during his peak in his previous life.
As long as he practiced a few more times to gradually adapt this body to Conqueror's Haki coating, whether it was Roger, Whitebeard, or Rocks, he would have the confidence to fight them!
"One by one, and anyone else who dares, come on up!! I accept your challenge!"
Kaido looked at the crowd, and those who met his gaze quickly lowered their heads, fearing being chosen by Kaido.
Seeing no one step forward, Kaido sneered: "Hmph, a bunch of weaklings."
With that, he pushed through the crowd and walked straight to Hachinosu Island's port, acquired a small boat, and sailed directly out to sea.
Soon after Kaido left, Edward Newgate, with golden hair, appeared at the dock, gazing deeply at the small boat that had already departed.
"That unusual Haki just now was Kaido?"
— — — — — — — —