The ever-changing tides of the pirate world always catch people off guard. At the dock of Sabaody Archipelago, the once bustling crowd suddenly fell into an eerie silence. All eyes converged on the massive pirate ship slowly approaching the shore.
"Hey, hey, hey... this is no joke. Why would such a big shot suddenly come to Sabaody Archipelago?" A fisherman wearing a tattered straw hat whispered, his fishing net slipping unconsciously from his hands.
"Could they be planning to get a Coating at Sabaody Archipelago to go to Fish-Man Island?" The tavern owner nearby trembled slightly while wiping a glass, the clear clinking sound echoing as it touched the counter.
"What kind of day is this? One big shot just left, and now another arrives immediately." A young man in a marine uniform hid in the shadows, fine beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Right? Could something big be happening again recently?" Several merchants huddled together, whispering among themselves. One suddenly lowered his voice: "Could it be related to that incident from before?"
With heavy footsteps, Kaidou's imposing figure appeared on the deck. Sunlight reflected off his bronze skin with a metallic sheen. His signature Demon Horns cast menacing shadows under the sun, causing the crowd on the dock to instinctively step back.
Kaidou paid no attention to the commotion around him - he had long grown accustomed to such reactions. Ever since earning the title of "King of Beast ," he caused this kind of stir wherever he went. He descended the gangway with steady steps, each footfall making the wooden dock groan under the strain.
"Wait, white hair, brown skin, and black wings... this couldn't be...?" A scholar wearing a monocle suddenly widened his eyes, his notebook falling to the ground with a thud.
"No mistake, it's that race!" A pirate covered in scars licked his lips excitedly nearby, his right hand unconsciously reaching for the flintlock pistol at his waist.
"Haha, this is worth a fortune in Berry just for providing information!" Several bounty hunters exchanged greedy glances, one of them already quietly dialing a Den Den Mushi.
"If we could capture him and sell him to the World Government, we'd be set for life." A slave trader in lavish clothing had coins practically shining in his eyes.
King stood behind Kaidou, his black wings slightly folded. He keenly sensed the greedy gazes surrounding him - these looks were like countless blades trying to skin him alive. His expression darkened, his right hand unconsciously tightening around the long sword at his waist.
"Hmph—!Kaidou snorted coldly, his violent Conqueror's Haki surging through the entire dock like a tidal wave. The air seemed to condense with tangible pressure as those with ill intentions collapsed one after another, their eyes rolling back. Iron nails on wooden crates groaned under the strain, several barrels suddenly burst open, red wine flowing across the planks like blood.
"King, pay no mind to these people. If you want, you can execute them directly." Kaidou's voice was deep and powerful, like muffled thunder rolling through clouds.
King took a deep breath, his black wings slightly unfurling: "Thank you, Brother Kaidou, but that won't be necessary." Such trash isn't worth my effort!"
Kaidou nodded with satisfaction, his burly arm patting King's shoulder. "You should know you're my brother. I'll back you up no matter what happens."
A flicker of warmth passed through King's eyes as he nodded solemnly. The simple motion made his black feathers tremble slightly, refracting strange lusters under the sunlight.
The group continued advancing toward the town center. The streets of Sabaody were narrow and winding, flanked by wooden buildings of varying heights. The air carried a mixed scent of sea brine and alcohol, occasionally punctuated by the smell of gunpowder.
"Look! That's...!" A drunken pirate stumbled out from a tavern, but before he could finish his sentence, his eyes rolled back and he collapsed to the ground.
Kaidou had precisely controlled his Conqueror's Haki - this targeted intimidation technique was something he'd developed out of boredom during his voyages. Now within a range of several dozen meters, he could accurately render targets unconscious.
"Thirty-seventh," King counted under his breath, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness. The greed on this island far exceeded his expectations. In just a few hundred meters, so many people had successively tried to make a move against them.
Just then, a burly pirate suddenly leaped down from a second floor, a giant axe gleaming coldly in his hand. Surprisingly, he had withstood Kaidou's Conqueror's Haki.
"Hahaha! Lunarian Race..." The pirate's wild laughter cut off abruptly. Without even turning his head, Kaidou backhanded him away. The unfortunate man shot through three walls like a cannonball before finally embedding himself in a weapon shop's signboard, eyes rolled back in unconsciousness.
"Boss Kaidou, something big happened!" Queen's distinctive voice suddenly came from the street corner. He came running breathlessly, his round body bouncing like a ball on the cobblestones, waving a newspaper in his hand.
Kaidou stopped walking, his massive shadow enveloping Queen. "What's got you so flustered?"
Wiping sweat from his forehead, Queen pushed up his fogged-up glasses. "Boss Kaidou, look at this newspaper. The news says the wife and child of Admiral Black Arm Zephyr - the one who fought you before - were killed by pirate retaliation a few days ago!"
A sharp glint flashed in Kaidou's eyes as he took the newspaper. The front page bore a striking headline: "Shocking! Admiral's Family Brutally Murdered by Pirates on Coste Island!" The accompanying photo showed Zephyr's resolute face, though now his eyes were filled with grief.
"Wororororo..." Kaidou suddenly burst into laughter, the sound vibrating through the surrounding windows. "The World Government cripples itself! The Navy just lost another Admiral!"
Pushing his glasses up, Queen asked confusedly, "Boss Kaidou, are you saying the World Government was behind what happened to Black Arm Zephyr?"
Kaidou's laughter faded, a cold light flashing in his eyes. "Even if it wasn't directly orchestrated by World Government personnel, they're definitely involved. Otherwise, how would some random pirate have the capability to obtain information about an Admiral's family?"
King nodded thoughtfully. "Indeed, an Admiral's movements and family information are top secret."
"Oh right!" Queen suddenly slapped his forehead. "Boss Kaidou, there's your latest bounty notice in the back. This time, after we escaped from Black Arm Zephyr's hands, your bounty has increased significantly!"
Kaidou flipped to the back page of the newspaper, where a fresh bounty poster caught his eye:
[King of Beast Kaidou - Bounty: 540,000,000 Berry - Dead or Alive]
"Wororororo..." Kaidou burst into laughter again, the sound waves making the roof tiles tremble. "540 million Berry, not bad!"
Surrounding pirates crowded around to congratulate him, their eyes gleaming with admiration. While this amount might not be considered top-tier in the New World, in the first half of the Grand Line, it was absolutely terrifying.
"Queen, how are the coating arrangements coming along?" Kaidou asked as he put away the bounty poster.
Queen thumped his chest confidently: "Don't worry, Big Brother Kaidou, I've already arranged for the ship to be coated. We should be ready to depart in about two days."
Two days later, as the sunset dyed the sea golden, Kaidou's pirate ship had completed its coating. A giant bubble enveloped the entire vessel, refracting rainbow colors in the evening light.
King stood on the deck, now dressed in a full-body black outfit that even carefully concealed his wings with special fabric. He had specially ordered this from a tailor shop on the island. Though it was somewhat restrictive for movement, it was better than dealing with greedy stares throughout the journey.
"Still not comfortable?" Kaidou approached him, his massive frame casting a long shadow across the deck.
King shook his head: "It just seems ridiculous. These people are weak as ants, yet they always covet what they shouldn't have."
Kaidou gazed at the gradually receding Sabaody Archipelago, a cold smile curling his lips: "When your name resounds across the seas, these ants will naturally learn respect."
The pirate ship slowly descended, the coating making faint crackling sounds under the water pressure. As the last rays of sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, the entire vessel had completely submerged, heading toward Fish-Man Island.
Only a few ripples remained on the sea surface, soon smoothed over by turbulent waves. Sabaody Archipelago returned to its usual bustle, though the docks now hosted dozens of unconscious people and several walls in need of repair.