Looking at the monster who had leaned in close,
Kaido's face twitched uncontrollably.
Isn't this contrast a little too extreme?!
Just moments ago, this guy looked like he wanted to eat him alive—
and now he'd suddenly turned into a worried, heartbroken father?!
"Don't be scared."
"The Holy Master is actually very gentle."
Ron explained with a smile as he leaned back in his chair and started petting the cat in his arms.
He liked moments like this.
No need to deliberately guide customers into emotional confessions.
With this many people around, a few casual conversations, a couple of drinks—
Sooner or later, someone would find common ground.
And then he could just lie back and wait for the rewards to roll in.
Kaido's eyelid twitched again.
Gentle?
Which part of him looks gentle to you?!
With a bitter smile, Kaido took a sip of his drink and spoke quietly:
"Calling it 'education' might be a stretch."
"I just beat him."
"Later I gave up and tied him up on Onigashima."
The Holy Master's eyes instantly lit up.
"Tying him up works?"
Kaido nodded.
"Not really. It just makes him behave a bit."
"I locked explosive cuffs onto him."
"If he tries to break free, the bomb will blow his entire body into nothing."
"Of course… he doesn't know that yet."
"If he did, he'd probably try to kill me."
The tavern fell silent.
That was… brilliant.
A perfect example of fatherly love and filial piety.
The Holy Master looked as though he'd just received divine enlightenment and instinctively glanced sideways at his idiot son.
The Demon Dragon stiffened immediately, full of alarm.
"Old bastard, what are you thinking?!"
"If you do that, I'd rather die!"
The Holy Master chuckled reassuringly.
"Relax. I won't do that."
Only then did the Demon Dragon relax.
But seeing the meaningful smile on his father's face,
he felt an ominous chill crawl up his spine.
No… something bad is definitely going to happen someday.
I need to stay alert around this old freak.
"Honestly, your son isn't that bad."
"With mine, we can't talk for more than two sentences before throwing punches."
Kaido gulped down another mouthful of alcohol and sighed deeply.
"What's worse is…"
"He somehow found a diary left behind by one of my old enemies."
"And after reading it, he started calling himself that man's name—
Kozuki Oden!"
"I'm suffering!!!"
Whether it was pent-up frustration or emotional overload,
Kaido suddenly burst into loud sobs mid-sentence.
The Holy Master patted his shoulder in comfort.
"Don't be sad."
"I'm not doing much better either."
"My idiot son only started talking to me recently."
"Before that, we fought nonstop for two and a half years—no sleep, no mercy, real killing intent."
The more he spoke, the more miserable he felt.
Tears slid uncontrollably down his cheeks.
In the end—
Two massive men wrapped their arms around each other, crying their hearts out and sharing their suffering.
The scene was… indescribably beautiful.
So beautiful that Ron and the others couldn't bear to look straight at it.
Slap.
The Demon Dragon covered his face with one hand.
"This is too embarrassing."
If I had a choice,
I'd rather not have this father at all.
Watching the two men cry together, Rayleigh sighed softly.
"Sigh… being a father isn't easy."
Ron asked curiously:
"Do you know who Kaido had his kid with?"
Rayleigh shook his head.
"No idea. After the God Valley incident, I never saw her again."
"Probably Linlin."
"Linlin?" Ron raised an eyebrow. "You sound awfully familiar. Were you involved?"
Something felt off.
Very off.
Rayleigh smiled bitterly.
"Let's not talk about it."
"Back then, Linlin was… airtight."
"Not just me—plenty of famous pirates lost their way."
Ron: "..."
I think I just learned something I really shouldn't have.
At that moment, the Holy Master released Kaido, pulled out a spray bottle, and handed it over.
"Brother."
"This thing can temporarily ease parent–child conflicts."
"Just spray your son once, look pitiful, and no matter what you ask, he'll listen."
The Demon Dragon's eyes lit up instantly, and he reached out reflexively.
Just as his fingers were about to touch the Soft-Heart Spray,
he was slapped straight out of the tavern by his father.
Kaido wiped his tears and asked hesitantly:
"Does this thing really work?"
Before the Holy Master could answer—
Gray Wolf put down his work, strode over, jumped up, and slapped Kaido on the head.
"Are you questioning this king's inventions?!"
Kaido turned around and looked down at Gray Wolf, who stood with hands on hips, glaring up at him.
A surge of rage exploded in his chest.
Doflamingo being arrogant is one thing—
but you, a damn mink, dare jump in too?!
And then—
Before he could move, a familiar blade rested against his neck.
Aizen said calmly:
"You'd better think carefully before acting."
"Otherwise, you might not even know how you died."
Kaido's mind raced.
In a flash, he twisted open the Soft-Heart Spray and sprayed it straight into Aizen's face.
Pfft.
Feeling the mist hit his skin,
Aizen frowned and instinctively prepared to strike.
Kaido immediately broke into loud sobs:
"My life is miserable!"
"My son won't listen to me!"
"I got betrayed by Doflamingo!"
"And now even a wolf dares to hit me!"
Clatter.
Kyōka Suigetsu slipped from Aizen's hand and hit the floor.
He looked at Kaido with softened eyes.
"You're… truly pitiful."
"I'll let it go this time."
"Don't do it again."
Kaido's eyes went wide in disbelief.
This thing is THAT effective?!
With this in hand, wouldn't even Doflamingo be helpless against him?
Gray Wolf snorted proudly.
"See how amazing this king's invention is?"
Kaido nodded furiously.
"Amazing!!"
Gray Wolf huffed, pulled out the antidote he'd made earlier, and sprayed Aizen once.
In the next instant, Aizen returned to normal.
He looked confused.
"What did you just spray me with?"
"My behavior just now… was revolting."
Gray Wolf explained the Soft-Heart Spray's effects again, wearing a smug expression.
Aizen felt a tidal wave of shock crash through his mind.
This… can be invented by hand?!
This was even more outrageous than manually completing the Hōgyoku.
"Come on, back to work."
"Help me find a hammer and an electric saw."
Gray Wolf dragged Aizen back to their workstation.
Watching their backs, Kaido said sincerely:
"Thank you."
The Holy Master waved dismissively.
"No need. Just return it after you're done playing with it."
At that moment—
The tavern's bell rang.
Ding—
As the door slowly opened,
a terrifying aura instantly flooded the tavern.
Ron looked up from behind the bar.
A man in black armor stepped inside—
his gaze cold, his expression utterly merciless.
Something was very wrong.
Very wrong indeed.
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