"The strong survive, the weak die. I'll 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, coated in Haki, slammed down. It crushed the world-ending fire dragon made of magma, sending it plunging into the abyss. Magma erupted from the ground, swallowing Kaido's body whole.
"Huff… huff…"
Kaido woke up with a start, gasping for breath. His chest heaved violently. On Onigashima, he had accepted the challenge of the Worst Generation. He had fought battle after battle, finally facing a decisive match against Straw Hat Luffy, who had awakened his Devil Fruit.
He had beaten that persistent brat many times, but the kid was like a cockroach. He kept climbing out of the abyss to bare his fangs. His subordinates were wiped out, Linlin was forced off the battlefield, and he was finally defeated. He realized then that the boy must be the Joy Boy of legend.
He should be dead, but now… his skin felt firm. He didn't have a single injury.
"I'm still alive?"
Kaido gathered his senses and looked out the window. He saw towering buildings, a tide of pirates, and a giant skull-shaped rock in the middle of a distant street.
Hachinosu.
Kaido's eyes narrowed. He remembered this place. He was invited to join the Rocks Pirates at fifteen. Because he was the youngest and weakest, Golden Lion Shiki and the others used to boss him around. Those six years on Rocks' ship were a stain on his life.
Later, Kaido had challenged Whitebeard many times. Even knowing Whitebeard was old and sick—and that winning would be hollow—he wanted one last fight before the old man went to Marineford to rescue Ace. But Red-Haired Shanks had stopped him.
Then his New Onigashima project in Wano was crushed by Straw Hat. His dream of conquering the world with violence had shattered.
These memories felt so distant. Kaido covered his face. His dark hair fell through his fingers, and his brow furrowed into a gloomy expression.
"Urorororo! One bad thing after another. If being defeated by Joy Boy is my destiny, then I'll tear that destiny apart myself!"
He stood up and put on a blue shirt. His massive frame almost touched the ceiling. He picked up his kanabo, Hassaikai, and closed his eyes. He could hear the cheers of pirates outside.
In his mind, he saw Roger in shackles on the execution platform. He saw Shiki's dismal end after the Edd War. He saw Whitebeard die at Marineford. He saw Patrick Redfield fighting tens of thousands of Marines alone, refusing to surrender. He saw Kozuki Oden smiling even as he died.
Fragments of the past flooded his mind. Kaido opened his eyes with a ferocious smile.
"A future without all of you is just boring! How lucky… to return to this era of legends. In this life, I'll compete with all of you again!"
A powerful aura erupted from him like a tidal wave. The stone room shook, and fine cracks appeared on the walls. In the distance, a blond man sunbathing on a rock opened his eyes and frowned.
"That unusual Haki just now… was that…?"
Kaido pushed open the door and walked into the sunlight. Hachinosu was exactly as he remembered. A competition was in full swing. In the arena, two strong pirates were arm-wrestling while the crowd cheered. Kaido shoved his way through.
"Hey! Who's the idiot looking for a fight?!" someone shouted. But when the pirate turned around and saw Kaido's terrifying face, he froze and started sweating.
"Are you talking to me?" Kaido asked. His gaze was sharp, carrying the weight of a man born to lead.
The pirate stammered, unable to speak. Others in the crowd started whistling.
"Kaido's here! Go on, show us what you've got!"
"Is that the rookie monster who can already fight the commanders?!"
The Rocks Pirates were growing fast, and new members joined every day to prove themselves. Even though Kaido was young, he was already famous.
The winner in the arena watched Kaido with intense eyes. He had recently joined the crew and defeated several pirates with high bounties. He was tired of people comparing him to "Monster Rookie Kaido."
"You're Kaido, right? How about a match?"
The pirate was in his thirties and very muscular. Kaido looked him over and sneered.
"Come on then."
The man grabbed a greatsword and charged. With heavy footsteps, he leaped high and swung the blade down with all his might. Seeing Kaido stand still, the man laughed. "I won!!"
But Kaido just moved.
"Raimei Hakke!!"
His kanabo, coated in Conqueror's Haki, crackled with crimson-black lightning. The blow smashed directly into the man's face. He went flying, crashing through several buildings until he disappeared in a cloud of dust.
The area went silent.
"It's been a long time, this body," Kaido said with a nostalgic smile.
This body was strong, but it wasn't as tempered as his previous one. Still, he knew how to use all three types of Haki perfectly. He wouldn't have to take any shortcuts this time. His Conqueror's Haki was tied to his spirit, and after a lifetime of ruling and fighting, it was just as powerful as it had been at his peak.
Once he adapted this younger body to the Conqueror's Haki coating, he'd be ready. Whether it was Roger, Whitebeard, or Rocks, he could take them all on.
"Anyone else who wants to try, step up! I'll take on all of you!"
Kaido scanned the crowd. Everyone looked away, terrified. He sneered. "Hmph. A bunch of weaklings."
He walked to the harbor, took a small boat, and set sail. Shortly after he left, Edward Newgate appeared at the dock, watching the boat disappear on the horizon.
"That Haki… was that really Kaido?"
Current Year: Marine Calendar 1484 (The eve of the God Valley Incident). Ages: Kaido (21), Big Mom (30), Whitebeard (36), Roger (39), Garp (40).