"You've got to be kidding me, they've been fighting for two days and two nights, and there's still no winner?"
"At this rate, the entire island will be sunk!"
"Don't get close to them, the aftershocks of their battle alone are more than we can handle!"
"..."
On the deserted island, charred marks were visible everywhere, and shocking ravines torn by sword energy crisscrossed the landscape.
After a few breaths, the battle finally ceased.
The pirate fodder looked at each other, then hesitated before walking towards the center of the island.
Hearty laughter echoed, and then they witnessed a scene that left them dumbfounded.
The two individuals who had just been fiercely clashing, showing no regard for each other, were now arm-in-arm, looking like the best of friends.
"Tee-hee-hee-hee! It's been years, Kaido, and your strength hasn't diminished at all!"
"You're not bad yourself, Silver Axe!"
The two exchanged a smile, then laughed in unison: "In that case, the alliance is formed!"
"As long as our goals are aligned, there's no such thing as superior or inferior! Whoever takes down their opponent first gets the treasure and manpower, agreed?"
"That suits me perfectly!"
Thus, on this day, two former Rocks Pirates members formed an alliance.
By the time the whole world and the Marine found out, it was already a month later...
Back on Winter Island, Kaido immediately gathered his subordinates and Hanafuda for a meeting.
Hanafuda noticed that Kaido's subordinates were all notorious figures in the New World—Wald, Roya, Hiber—and their bounties were all higher than his.
As he observed them, Wald and the others also scrutinized him with appraising eyes.
The atmosphere in the room was tense.
But Hanafuda had always been arrogant, and he met their challenging gazes without fear.
Besides, Kaido himself had said that he was Kaido's right-hand man, clearly a rank higher than any ordinary executive.
Kaido seemed oblivious to the tense atmosphere, waving his hand and laughing heartily: "Everyone, sit down. This is Hanafuda, and from now on, you're all brothers! Hey, Hanafuda, introduce yourself to them!"
Hanafuda smirked, his expression haughty: "My name is Hanafuda. My hobby is collecting Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit. But just now, I've added another hobby: becoming 'Boss Kaido's' right-hand man!"
"Damn it, a mere newcomer wants to be Boss Kaido's right-hand man? How presumptuous!"
"We all speak with strength here. If you want to climb above us, you'll have to prove you have what it takes!"
No sooner had Hanafuda finished speaking than someone immediately voiced their displeasure from the crowd.
Over the past year, in addition to main executives like Wald, Hiber, Roya, and Bullet, several other pirate Captains had also become executives.
While Wald and the others didn't explicitly express their dissatisfaction with the newcomer, their eyes held a hint of amusement, clearly intending to show Hanafuda that this crew operated on fists and strength.
"Since everyone works under Boss Kaido, we're all comrades. However, I'm a kind-hearted person, so if anyone is dissatisfied, I can accept a challenge..."
Hanafuda spread his hands, surveying the crowd, his gaze finally settling on Hiber and Roya, then he grinned: "I mean, anyone."
"Hmph! Newcomer, it's time to teach you the rules here!"
A burly man, broad-shouldered and wearing a wide pirate hat, stepped forward, his chest bared and a patch of dark chest hair.
He was Davila Bod, the Sea Kings Hunter, with a bounty of one hundred million Berries.
He held a massive trident in his hand.
Hanafuda sneered, stepping directly into the training ground behind the mountain to fight him.
After dozens of rounds, Hanafuda seized an opportunity, swinging his hardened chain-mace to send Bod flying.
Several others successively stepped forward to fight Hanafuda, but all were eventually defeated by Hanafuda using his chain-mace and black scythe.
Hanafuda let out a few triumphant laughs. After several bouts, he was slightly out of breath, sweat beading on his forehead.
It had to be said, Kaido had many capable subordinates. Even though he had defeated these people, Hanafuda didn't underestimate them.
Instead, he quite respected them inwardly.
He was a newcomer, and for a newcomer to command respect in such a situation, he had to establish his authority. This was the quickest and most direct way to make everyone remember him.
Hanafuda was enjoying the fight, his battle spirit blazing, and he decided to test the strength of Kaido's main executives.
So, he turned his gaze towards Roya.
As if by the innate sense of an Ancient Zoan, the moment Hanafuda locked his gaze on Roya, Roya also put down his wine glass and looked at Hanafuda with an amused expression.
Sparks seemed to fly in the air.
"Let's have a match, newcomer."
Roya stood up, picking up a black scythe beside him: "Speaking of which, it's quite a coincidence; I also like this type of weapon."
Roya was two years older than Kaido and had been active on the seas for nearly five years. In terms of experience and seniority, he was Hanafuda's 'senior.'
Without further words, the two stood in the arena. A gust of wind suddenly blew, stirring up dust.
Almost simultaneously, both moved abruptly!
In an instant, the two closed the distance and engaged in a fierce battle.
Piercing clashes rang out continuously, sparks flying!
Hanafuda had impressive physique. His chain-mace and black scythe exchanged attacks, imbued with overbearing and formidable power.
As the chain-mace swung down, it created whooshing sounds, smashing the ground into pits and ruins.
Roya, seasoned in battle and accustomed to grand scenes, held his scythe with both hands, enduring Hanafuda's smashing chain-mace and black scythe. The flagstones beneath his feet shattered, yet his face was incredibly excited, laughing heartily, indicating Hanafuda's strength was good.
After hundreds of rounds, both Hanafuda and Roya were somewhat out of breath, with no clear victor.
Hanafuda smiled sternly, directly transforming into his Tyrannosaurus Rex human-beast form!
"A Zoan… Ancient Zoan?"
Roya's heart trembled, then his face lit up with joy. Shrugging his shoulders, he also entered his Carnivorous Horned Dragon human-beast form.
"This form, you really are an Ancient Zoan too!!"
Hanafuda's eyes filled with boundless excitement, scorching flames spreading in his pale golden pupils. He let out an excited roar, taking heavy steps to charge at Roya.
Roya stood firm, meeting Hanafuda's attack with his formidable physical body, emitting a loud crash like two large ships colliding!
But that brute force still pushed him back step by step, flagstones exploding, a transparent wave of air spreading out, and a gully was plowed into the ground beneath his feet!
Roya and Hanafuda grew more excited as they fought. This physical clash was a romance unique to men!!
Several hours later, the two lay in the snow, laughing heartily, their chests heaving.
"I acknowledge your strength, Hanafuda!" Roya said with a smile.
Hanafuda was panting like an ox, yet there was no trace of fatigue on his face: "As expected of Boss Kaido's capable executive, Roya, you are the strongest opponent I've met besides Boss Kaido!"
Roya looked at the falling snow, smiling faintly: "Is that so… Welcome to our crew!"
——
In this book, Hanafuda (20 years old) is 4 years younger than Kaido and 6 years younger than Roya.