On the vast expanse of the sea, the giant warship of the Beasts Pirates was riding the waves. This behemoth cut a white wake across the azure waters; the beast-head figurehead at the bow gleamed with a metallic sheen in the sunlight. Intense sounds of combat echoed from the deck—the clang of metal clashing intertwined with roars.
Kaido was engaged in practical combat training with his four key officers. Wielding his massive spiked club, he fought one against four with ease. Every weapon clash produced dazzling sparks; powerful shockwaves stirred up layers of spray on the sea.
King unfurled his flaming wings, tracing brilliant arcs through the air. Queen employed various modified weapons, constantly shifting his attack patterns. Bullet's heavy fists carried the sound of tearing air, each blow containing astonishing destructive force. Sebastian darted through the battlefield with agile movements, seeking openings to attack.
"Worororo..." Kaido let out his signature, booming laugh, its sound echoing across the sea. He alternated between hearty laughter and deafening roars, constantly honing his subordinates' combat skills through real sparring. Though the four officers coordinated well, they still seemed overwhelmed in the face of Kaido's overwhelming strength.
"Alright, that's enough practical training for today," Kaido suddenly halted his offensive. His club traced an arc through the air, simultaneously knocking all four back. The four flew backward, leaving deep marks on the deck.
Queen collapsed directly onto the deck. "Finally over... bring me some wine, now!" His voice held exhaustion and excitement. The surrounding pirates immediately sprang into action, carrying several barrels of fine wine and placing them near the four officers. Other pirates began cleaning up the marks left by the battle on the deck, repairing damaged planks.
Just as everyone was about to rest, a pirate in the crow's nest suddenly shouted, "Boss Kaido! A pirate ship ahead!" His voice was tinged with excitement. Hearing this, Kaido narrowed his eyes slightly. His powerful Kenbunshoku Haki instantly expanded, sensing the distant vessel.
A moment later, a ferocious grin spread across Kaido's lips. "King, Queen, Bullet, Sebastian. How much longer do you plan to rest? We've got work now." His voice was low and powerful. "That ship doesn't have many strong fighters. Consider this your test. Go and plunder it."
The four officers immediately perked up. Queen gulped down a large mouthful of wine, his mechanical arm recharging with energy. King spread his flaming wings, circling in the air. Bullet cracked his knuckles, producing a crick-crack sound. Sebastian was already standing at the railing, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant ship.
"Remember," Kaido added, "I want to see your strength has improved. I won't intervene in this operation." Having said that, he turned and walked toward the stern, his colossal frame casting a long shadow in the sunlight.
The pirate ship slowly adjusted its course. The bow cut through the calm sea, churning up white foam. The salty sea breeze, carrying the ocean's distinctive scent, brushed against everyone's faces. The four officers made their final preparations. The air was thick with tense excitement. The clanging of metal rose and fell on the deck—the sound of weapons being cleaned and checked. The creaking of tightened ropes seemed to play an overture for the impending battle.
As the distance closed, the silhouette of the other pirate ship gradually came into focus. It was a medium-sized three-masted sailing ship, its hull painted a deep red that glimmered darkly in the sun. On its sails was painted an unfamiliar skull emblem, the black pattern starkly visible against the white canvas.
The pirates on its deck seemed to have just noticed the Beasts Pirates' warship, immediately falling into disarray. Some ran panic-stricken toward the helm; others fumbled with the rigging; yet others shouted at their companions. The entire ship was in an uproar, like a disturbed beehive.
"Run? Too late now," King stood at the bow, a cold smirk on his lips. The flaming wings on his back suddenly unfurled. The intense heat distorted the surrounding air, as if threatening to burn through space itself. With a sharp shriek of tearing air, he took to the sky first, shooting toward the target ship like a blazing meteor. Flames trailed behind him, starkly visible against the blue sky.
Not to be outdone, Queen deftly turned his plump body. Two massive cannons extended from his back. The barrels gleamed with a cold metallic luster in the sunlight; their dark muzzles aimed at the distant enemy ship.
"Let me say hello first!" Queen laughed, pressing the firing button. Two specially made shells shot forth, tracing graceful parabolas through the air. The shells landed precisely in the sea on either side of the enemy ship, sending up water columns dozens of meters high. These weren't ordinary shells, but Queen's custom-made deterrent bombs.
Bullet stood by the railing, arms crossed, excitement gleaming in his eyes. His muscular physique shone with a bronze sheen in the sunlight, each muscle bulging with incredible power. "These small fries aren't even worth a warm-up." He turned to Sebastian, raising a challenging eyebrow. "Want to see who takes out more?"
Sebastian didn't reply. He simply leaped lightly, his slender figure tracing a graceful arc through the air before plunging into the sea. The entry caused almost no splash, showing incredible body control. Then, leveraging the speed advantage Fish-Men possess in water, he shot toward the enemy pirate ship like an arrow from a bow, churning up massive waves. His figure appeared and disappeared, covering a large distance with each surfacing.
Seeing this, Bullet also jumped into the sea. His powerful arms cleaved through the water as he swam toward the other ship. Though his speed was fast, compared to King flying in the air or Sebastian, a Fish-Man, he seemed relatively slow. However, judging by the excited expression on his face, it didn't diminish his enjoyment of the hunt in the slightest.
Queen, meanwhile, showed no intention of swimming. He stood firmly on the deck, continuously extending various bizarre weapons from different parts of his body. Besides conventional cannons, there were homing missiles, exploding shuriken, even special warheads that released poisonous gas. Under his control, these weapons accurately struck various parts of the enemy ship, keeping the pirates trying to retaliate constantly on the run. Each explosion was accompanied by his signature boisterous laughter, as if this battle were just an amusing game to him.
Then, the newly recruited Fish-Men on the pirate ship also jumped into the sea, swimming toward the enemy vessel.
Meanwhile, King had already reached the airspace above the enemy ship. He circled above the masts, the shadow cast by his flaming wings enveloping the entire vessel. The pirates looked up in terror to see him slowly raise his right hand, a dazzling fireball coalescing in his palm. With a soft cry, the fireball split into dozens of smaller fireballs, raining down like a meteor shower. A chorus of screams immediately erupted on the deck; pirates who couldn't dodge in time were instantly engulfed in flames.
Sebastian had by then reached beneath the enemy ship. He took a deep breath, dove underwater, then surged upward, leaping directly onto the enemy ship's deck. His movements were elegant yet deadly. The moment his long legs touched the deck, they kicked away two pirates attempting a sneak attack. The unique flexibility of Fish-Men made every motion both powerful and fluid, like a dance.
Bullet finally reached the side of the ship. His thick arms grabbed the railing, and he easily vaulted aboard. The moment he landed, he punched away a charging pirate. The man's body flew over ten meters like a ragdoll, crashing heavily against the main mast. Bullet cracked his neck, emitting a spine-chilling crick-crack sound, then charged into the enemy ranks like a human tank. Wherever he passed, pirates were sent flying; the deck was soon littered with moaning wounded.
The battle quickly became one-sided. The four officers, each displaying their unique abilities, soon cleared out most of the pirates on the ship. The few remaining survivors cowered in a corner, eyes filled with terror. King retracted his flaming wings, slowly descending to land atop the captain's cabin, looking down upon everything from his height. His gaze was cold, as if assessing the value of these captives.