Near Hachinosu, on a remote, verdant island, the air was thick with the scent of ancient trees and mist. Giant vines stretched between peaks like suspension bridges, and waterfalls thundered into deep pools. A rainbow arched across the mountain gorge, but the peaceful scenery was about to be shattered.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The earth trembled as Kaido rampaged through the forest like a humanoid beast, ruthlessly crushing trees and rocks. Seeing a herd of wild animals fleeing, he leaped into the air, raising his club high. His eyes gleamed with a cold light.
"Kongo Kabura!!"
Crimson-black lightning tore through the sky, striking the ground with a deafening blast. The resulting soundwave leveled everything within a hundred meters. Kaido stood before the scorched crater, the Conqueror's Haki crackling around his club with a sharp, zapping sound.
He glanced at a massive rock wall kilometers away. He began to run, the scenery blurring into a green streak. In seconds, he was at the foot of the cliff. He swung his club, rupturing the air.
"Raimei Hakke!!"
Unparalleled power surged forth. The Conqueror's Haki, flowing like lightning, shattered the mountain face and tore through the stone like a blade of death. Boulders rained down as the entire mountain collapsed.
"No matter how many times I see it, the destruction of Haki coating is a beautiful sight," Kaido said with a proud grin. He unhooked a sake gourd from his waist and took a long swig.
Suddenly, his expression shifted. He sensed a familiar, powerful aura through his Observation Haki.
"Linlin? Is she here to get me? It looks like the God Valley war is finally starting."
A flash of madness crossed Kaido's face. He remembered the brutality of that battle from his previous life—the God's Knights, the Rocks Pirates, the Roger Pirates, and Garp the Fist all clashing in one place. That was when Linlin had stolen the Fish-Fish Fruit for him. She had wanted to start a new crew together after Rocks fell, but he had left without a word.
"Linlin really went soft as she got older," he muttered, thinking of her mistakes during the war at Onigashima.
Out at sea, a pirate ship approached the coast. Standing at the bow was a young woman in a light pink dress and a white sun hat. She was tall, slender, and strikingly beautiful with curly pink hair. This was Charlotte Linlin in her prime—a natural-born monster.
"Linlin, that's Water Island ahead," Streusen said, putting down his telescope.
Beside her floated two Homies created from her Soul-Soul Fruit. Zeus, the white cloud, drifted nervously while Prometheus, the sun, crackled with fire.
"Mama, that brat Kaido actually made you come all this way? He's got no respect for his seniors," Prometheus grumbled.
"Mama-mama!" Linlin laughed, striking a heroic pose. "Kaido is like a younger brother to me. I won't have you talking smack about him."
She still held onto the dream of building a world where all races could live together. When Kaido first joined the crew, she had taken him under her wing. Maybe it was because they were both "monsters," but they shared a bond strong enough to create a combined attack that only the Giants could normally master.
As the ship docked, Linlin was surprised to find Kaido already waiting. He looked even more muscular than before.
"Long time no see, Kaido. You've definitely gotten stronger," she said with a smile. It had been three months since he left Hachinosu.
Kaido's face remained grim. "Cut the small talk. If you're here in person, something big is happening."
"You're so boring," Linlin teased, not at all offended. "Those Devil Fruits we stole? The World Government took them back. The Celestial Dragons are holding a 'hunting game' on God Valley in the West Blue, and those fruits are the prizes."
The list of fruits was legendary: the Fish-Fish Fruit, the Paw-Paw Fruit, the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, the Float-Float Fruit, the Blood-Blood Fruit, and the Dog-Dog Fruit.
Kaido was determined. He needed the Mythical Zoan Azure Dragon form, but he'd take the others too if he could.
"Let's go," Kaido said, jumping onto the deck. He sat down and immediately started eating a mountain of food provided by Streusen.
"Hey! That dessert is mine!" Linlin shouted, though she joined him in the feast anyway.
Hours later, they arrived back at Hachinosu. The port was a forest of masts. Whitebeard, Shiki, Silver Axe, Ochoku, Captain John—countless pirate flags fluttered in the wind.
"They're finally here?" Whitebeard muttered, narrowing his eyes.
"Making us wait... they've got no manners," Shiki said, puffing on a cigar.
"Two more competitors," John noted, chugging sake.
Ochoku sneered. "This isn't a war for brats."
"Hahahahaha!"
Suddenly, a wave of Conqueror's Haki swept over the harbor like a tsunami. The sea churned, and colossal waves rocked the ships. Even the legends felt the pressure.
"Rocks..." Shiki's voice went hoarse.
"Listen up!" Rocks D. Xebec shouted from the darkest ship in the center. "The World Government stole my treasure. We're going to take it back! Whoever grabs a Devil Fruit gets to keep it!"
Rocks laughed with such arrogance that the ocean itself seemed to boil.
"Hey! Who are you calling your subordinates?!" Whitebeard, Shiki, and the others yelled back in unison. They hated being lumped together under his name, but their protests were quickly drowned out by the roar of thousands of pirates cheering for war.