New World - Wano Country.
...
"Finally done, King!"
"Even with your physique, you got injured this badly. That Kari really went hard on you!"
Queen's plump hands held tweezers as he unwrapped the thick bandages layer by layer from King's body.
The exposed skin still bore some burn marks, resembling intricate patterns.
King stood up and stretched, turning his head coldly: "Don't talk nonsense!"
"He was helping me. Otherwise, how could I have escaped under the siege of the Admiral and the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Hehehe, our years of friendship can't compare to your first meeting with him~ Getting angry after just one comment~"
Queen walked to the workbench, took a bottle of medicine and threw it to King: "For treating burn scars. Apply it for one or two months."
King, who had just caught the medicine bottle, put it down upon hearing this.
"Not needed, and..."
King frowned slightly, speaking in a deep voice: "I can sense an unknown power within these scars. Perhaps Kari intended to teach me the mysteries of flame through this!"
...
...
Queen shook his head helplessly. Since King's return, he had heard similar statements more than once.
Things like 'Kari did this for my own good,' 'Although he didn't say it directly, his every action was teaching me how to use flames,' 'Truly worthy of being the legitimate inheritor of the Lunarian Tribe, both mysterious and powerful!'
It made even Queen feel tempted to capture that Kari and study him thoroughly.
If King's body was already this strong, how much more powerful would a purer Lunarian than King be?
...
"The boss is back. He asked you to see him once you've recovered. He has some questions for you."
"I understand."
...
——
After changing into his black armor, King arrived at Kaido's palace on Onigashima and found Kaido reeking of alcohol.
Kaido was leaning sideways on his throne, holding a large wine jar marked with the character 'Heaven' in one hand while covering his navel with the other, snoring thunderously.
King maintained a bowed posture, his silver-white hair hanging down, wings neatly folded behind his back, standing quietly in attendance.
After an unknown amount of time, when the snot bubble from Kaido's nose burst, this peerless beast slowly opened his eyes.
...
"Burp... You're better now, King."
"Thank you for your concern, Mr. Kaido."
After examining King up and down to confirm his right-hand man had fully recovered, Kaido spoke in a low voice: "Was the journey interesting? How was that guy?"
King looked up, pondered for a moment and said: "My apologies, I couldn't bring him back. He seemed resistant toward me... Perhaps he thinks I'm unworthy of being his tribesman."
Kaido on the throne straightened up slightly, the drunkenness in his eyes fading as a dangerous curve appeared at the corner of his mouth:
"What an arrogant fellow. But being able to escape from that situation shows he has some capability."
"I didn't call you here for his matter..."
"Uchiha... such a special surname, the natural enemy of your tribe. Had you really never heard of it before?"
King shook his head helplessly: "I've been in the research facility since I can remember. If not for the researchers telling me, I wouldn't even have known I was from the Lunarian Tribe."
After a pause, he added, "One thing is certain - he truly deserves the title 'God's Natural Enemy'!"
"An unbelievable growth rate, and those scarlet eyes that seem to see through everything."
"What's even more terrifying... this guy possesses Conqueror's Haki equal to what Mr. Kaido had in his youth!"
...
"I know all this. The newspapers would practically report how many times he peed per day as a child if they could."
Kaido lifted his gourd and took a large gulp, sparkling droplets of liquor splashing around.
"What interests me is his ability!"
"The Ancient Zoan Dog-Dog Fruit - don't you think it resembles a certain Devil Fruit?"
King thought for a moment, recalling that taboo on Onigashima...
"Are you referring to... Young Master Yamato?"
...
"Exactly... that kid's Devil Fruit ability is too similar to the Mythical Zoan Great Serpent God that Yamato consumed!"
"I want to know whether that kid developed an Ancient Zoan to that extent, or if it's actually another Mythical Zoan!"
"King, you've seen it with your own eyes. Tell me your judgment."
As everyone knew, Kaido had a certain obsession with Zoan-type ability users, with one of his dreams being to form a pirate crew entirely composed of Zoan-type ability users.
...
"I've checked the Devil Fruit encyclopedia - it's an unrecorded fruit with no previous ability users in history."
"Both Queen and I are Ancient Zoan users, but I feel his Devil Fruit ability surpasses ours at the same stage in terms of explosive power, recovery, and even defensive capability."
"Moreover, he has ice-based abilities like Ice Hunt and the large-scale ice attribute power that blocked Marine cannon fire..."
"To be honest, I've seen Young Master Yamato use her abilities, and in terms of Devil Fruit power alone, I believe Uchiha Griffin's ability is stronger!"
"Though I'm uncertain whether this is due to the Devil Fruit ability itself or his special racial bonus."
...
"Racial bonus..." Kaido grinned widely: "Even if he's the last descendant of some ancient race, can his bloodline compare to Yamato, who is the child of an oni?"
"Two such similar individuals - Devil Fruit abilities, age, bloodline, both having awakened Conqueror's Haki..."
"I'd really like to see them fight to the death!"
"That would definitely... be interesting!! Wora wora worarararara!!!"
Kaido's eyes gleamed with excitement, his wild laughter shaking the walls.
...
...
"With all due respect, the current Young Master Yamato is absolutely no match for that Marine."
King's expression turned somewhat grave as he said: "I believe he will grow into a fearsome enemy. If possible..."
"I hope you can eliminate him early!"
...
The laughter in the palace abruptly ceased.
Kaido leaned forward, his scarlet pupils fixed on King, the terrifying pressure rolling over like tidal waves.
"What are you worried about, my failure?! King!"
Just as King was about to succumb to this aura and couldn't help but kneel, the oppressive feeling quietly faded away.
Kaido leaned back in his chair, tilting his head back to drain the gourd of liquor.
Thud—
The liquor gourd fell to the ground as Kaido's face began to distort, gradually transforming into a dragon.
"Roger is dead! Whitebeard is old! Linlin is playing house games! Only I remain!"
"Taking action while the opponent is still weak... I've grown tired of that!"
"King! Believe in me with your entire being!"
"Follow behind me! On the path to becoming the King, we have no rivals!!"
ROAR!!!
The massive azure dragon form swam through the palace before bursting out of the great hall moments later, igniting the night sky over Onigashima.
"The new year's Fire Festival Night! Has begun!!"
"Revel! My men!!!"
The azure dragon's maniacal laughter echoed through the night sky as countless lights illuminated below, with crowds shouting in response.
...
...
King stood for a while before suddenly letting out a relieved smile.
Worrying that Kaido couldn't handle his enemies... was utterly ridiculous!
Among all living creatures, Kaido was the strongest!!