The bonfire crackled in the night air.
Wald woke from his slumber, and the moment he opened his eyes, he saw Kaido sitting casually on the ground, devouring meat and wine.
"Awake?"
Kaido's voice rumbled. Behind him sat several piled chests of treasure, easily worth billions of Berries.
"Kaido...!"
Wald gritted his teeth, veins popping on his forehead. As soon as he stood up, he moved to attack again. But before he could, a glistening, roasted wolf leg was shoved toward him. Wald froze, instinctively taking the meat.
Then he was overcome with anger and embarrassment.
Kaido laughed heartily. "Stop it, Wald. You should understand the gap between us by now."
Wald's eyes were wide with fury. "I can't beat you, but don't even think about making me submit!"
"You're stubborn, but if your strength and ambition don't match, you'll only bring disaster to your companions, won't you?" Kaido's eyes seemed to be smiling through the firelight. "Just like when you met me."
Wald's face turned grim as he suddenly remembered his crew. "What did you do to them?!"
Kaido waved his hand and took a big bite of meat. "Relax, they're just outside. They should wake up soon. I didn't even tie you up. That's my way of showing sincerity."
Wald's expression softened slightly as he took a serious look at Kaido. He was tall and muscular, with sharp eyes and a demonic face that radiated explosive strength. He looked to be only in his early twenties, yet his power was already far superior to Wald's. It was no wonder the World Government had him heavily wanted even without a pirate crew of his own.
Wald sat down, tore off a large piece of meat, and glared at Kaido. "I won't thank you for not hurting them. My crew is like me—we're sailing this vast sea in pursuit of freedom."
"Freedom?" Kaido's eyes reflected the flames, his expression turning serious. "That's the dream everyone's chasing, isn't it?"
He looked up at the night sky. "I was born in the Vodka Kingdom. At the age of ten, I was already the strongest warrior in the country. But to avoid paying the Heavenly Tribute, the King sold me to the World Government! The moment those ropes bound me, I knew I wasn't free. So, on the way to Mary Geoise, I escaped. Everywhere I went, I saw hunger, disaster, tyranny, and war. Everyone was living under the World Government's oppressive rule."
Kaido continued, his voice low. "Later, I joined the Rocks Pirates. My ideal is also freedom, but my freedom must be fought for with my own fists. If the current order and balance aren't destroyed, true freedom can't exist! Even if it means starting a war, we have to pull those high and mighty World Nobles down from their thrones! But I know one person's strength is limited. So, come and help me, Wald!"
Seeing Kaido's burning gaze, Wald paused, then shook his head and laughed. "What a foolish ideal, trying to take on the World Government..."
Wald recalled his own journey; what he had seen wasn't much different from what Kaido described. He didn't have grand ideals, but hearing Kaido's explanation, he realized how distant "freedom" truly was. And... even someone as strong as Kaido still needed the help of people like him?
Wald said proudly, "Fine! Since you need me that much, I'll help you out! But let's be clear, I'm the Captain!"
"Of course, no problem! As a high-ranking officer of the future world's number one pirate crew, it's normal to have your own subordinates! Hahaha!"
A while later, Wald and Kaido walked out arm in arm, smiling like old friends. Byojack and the others were surprised, but after Wald explained things, they understood. They were straightforward people and unconditionally accepted Wald's decision.
As Wald directed Sebastian and the others to move the treasures onto the ship, Kaido walked over with two Devil Fruits. "I picked these up recently. Wald, you decide who gets them."
Wald was stunned. He's just giving away Devil Fruits like they're nothing? Even the weakest fruit could sell for over 100 million Berries on the black market. While Wald was surprised, he felt Kaido's sincerity and recognition.
"Bastard! Don't think I'm moved by this!" Wald said stubbornly, though his eyes were actually welling up.
People in the pirate world aren't always about "good" or "evil"; many are just simple and direct. Once they make a choice, they stick to it. After some thought, Wald had Gairam eat one. Sebastian was a Fishman, and they needed someone who could still swim if things went south. Byojack was too frail, and Nacho didn't want one.
Both Wald and Gairam ate their fruits. After the initial wave of nausea, they felt a surge of power.
"The More-More Fruit!" Wald said triumphantly. "What a miracle. The moment I ate it, I felt like a 'demon.' The name and the abilities just carved themselves into my mind."
He picked up a stone as large as himself and threw it. "More-More... ten times the size!"
Boom!
The strange power instantly transformed the stone into the size of a castle, crashing down and kicking up a massive cloud of dust.
"Strength, speed... I can change anything inorganic I touch!" Wald's eyes glowed. This fruit was tailor-made for him. "This might not even be the limit of the More-More Fruit!"
Wald clenched his fists, the joints popping. He looked at Kaido, eager for a rematch. "Hey, Kaido, I'm a lot stronger now. If I beat you, I'm the real boss, okay?"
Kaido didn't mind, laughing heartily. "It suits you well. If you want to fight, I'm ready anytime."
Recalling Kaido's Conqueror's Haki, Wald suppressed the urge. The sudden power boost had made him a little overconfident.
They turned to Gairam, who was grinning as he swung his large hammer into the ground.
Crack.
The ground within twenty meters was perfectly sliced into countless cubes. With a command, the cubes moved and collided freely.
"The Cube-Cube Fruit. I ate the Cube Fruit," Gairam said, stroking his hammer handle. "I can turn anything into a cube."
To prove it, he struck a whimpering wild wolf with his hammer. With a soft thud, the wolf became a square block with a "wolf sticker" on the side. The wolf on the cube could still roll its eyes and stick out its tongue. It was bizarre.
Kaido looked on, impressed. "That ability... seems to have a lot of potential."