Kaido looked at the stubborn little boy before him and suddenly burst into a hearty laugh: "Wororororo... Interesting!" His deep, booming laughter echoed through the dilapidated room, shaking dust loose from the ceiling.
With that, Kaido turned and strode out, his massive frame nearly filling the doorway. He tossed a remark over his shoulder without looking back: "Kid, if you're not scared, bring your family and follow me. For those words you just said, I'll let your family have a proper meal."
Doflamingo and Rosinante's eyes both lit up. Doflamingo immediately threw down the wooden stick he was holding, rushed to the bed, and helped his weakened mother, Urea, to her feet. "Mother, we're going to eat. Once you eat, you'll get better," he said urgently, turning to shout at his brother, "Rosinante, help me!"
"Right," Rosinante hurried over to help support their mother.
Standing to the side, Homing hesitated. "Dofla, that man..."
"You idiot!" Doflamingo snapped his head up, flames of anger burning in his eyes. "Look at what you've done to us! Do you want to kill Mother now too?"
Homing was stung by his son's words and fell silent. After a moment, he whispered, "Then I'll go with you. If we die, we die together as a family."
These words slightly softened Doflamingo's tense expression. Even though his father's stubbornness had brought them to this wretched state, his mother's earlier words still echoed in his ears—they were still family.
Homing picked up the sickly Urea and, with his two sons, quickly chased after Kaido. Kaido's figure was almost disappearing around the street corner, forcing them to break into a jog to keep up.
Soon, the group followed Kaido to the port. A massive pirate ship lay anchored by the shore, its black hull gleaming coldly under the moonlight. Kaido easily leaped onto the deck and looked back at the family.
Originally, Kaido had intended to tow Green Bit through the Calm Belt, but considering the slow speed of dragging an entire island, he had temporarily left Green Bit within the Calm Belt, planning to retrieve it on his return to Wano Country.
Homing stood before the ship, staring at the unfamiliar pirate vessel, his heart filled with conflict. But seeing Doflamingo and Rosinante already boarding without hesitation, he took a deep breath and finally made up his mind to follow.
On the deck of the pirate ship, Kaido sat upon his throne crafted from dragon bone, his thick arm propping up his cheek as he observed with interest the few kids Enel had brought. Trebol, Pica, Diamante, and Vergo stood in a row, their faces still bearing traces of childishness.
On the other side of the deck, the Donquixote family was wolfing down a lavish meal.
Two years. Two whole years without a decent meal. Now that they finally could eat properly, of course they would eat their fill. Only the ill Urea could lean weakly against a chair, sipping small mouthfuls of nutritious meat broth.
"So you're Pica? Eight years old?" Kaido's low voice rumbled across the deck. He narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing the "little giant" standing over three meters tall.
"Yes, but I'll be nine next month," Pica answered in his signature, high-pitched voice.
"Pfft—HAHAHAHA!" Enel suddenly burst into laughter. "Kid, what kind of voice is that?!" Even though he'd heard it once before, hearing such a sharp voice come from this hulking figure still made him crack up.
THUD!
Kaido backhanded him with a heavy fist. Enel shot away like a cannonball, slamming hard into the ship's railing.
Reforming from lightning back in his spot, Enel clutched his swollen cheek, muttering to Kaido, "Kaido big bro, you..."
"Enel. Don't mock people who might become our comrades," Kaido said to him.
Enel didn't dare say another word.
Nearby, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi hurriedly stiffened their expressions, fearing they'd be next.
Pica's eyes shone; his favorable opinion of Kaido shot straight up.
"You're Vergo, also eight?" Kaido turned to another boy, his gaze landing on the piece of tofu stuck to his face.
"Nine. I'm nine already," Vergo replied steadily.
"Hmm," Kaido nodded in satisfaction. "You two have the makings of good martial artists." He turned to Kyros and Carue, who stood to the side. "From now on, they are apprentices of the Beasts Pirates. You two are in charge of them."
"Yes, sir!" the two responded immediately. Kyros stepped in front of Pica, while Carue stood beside Vergo. In unison, they said, "Newbies, you're under our care from now on."
"This... this... Lord Kaido..." Trebol tremblingly raised a hand. "They... they are my..."
"What?" Kaido slowly turned his head, staring directly at Trebol. "Are you defying me?"
A single glance was enough to make Trebol's legs shake like leaves in a storm. "N-no... I wouldn't dare..."
"Good," Kaido withdrew his gaze. "Now you have two choices: join the Beasts Pirates, or leave immediately." His tone held clear impatience, especially when he looked at Trebol, his eyes not bothering to conceal their contempt.
Trebol and Diamante exchanged a look. They knew perfectly well that Kaido was far less interested in them than he was in those two kids.
Diamante gritted his teeth and stepped forward. "Lord Kaido, I am willing to join the Beasts Pirates." Even if he wasn't valued highly, facing a great pirate with an 850,000,000 Berries bounty, this opportunity couldn't be passed up. He believed that with his Hira Hira no Mi ability, he would eventually win Kaido's favor.
"Diamante, you..." Trebol looked at his companion in disbelief. They had agreed to find a child with potential, groom him into a king, and then enjoy wealth and status as the "king's benefactors."
"I choose to leave," Trebol finally decided. He knew that even with a Devil Fruit power, given his frail physique, on a pirate ship like the Beasts Pirates where strength was paramount, he would only ever be at the bottom, never at the top.
"Fine," Kaido nodded. "Leave the Ito Ito no Mi behind before you go."
Trebol's body stiffened. Trembling, he pulled the precious Devil Fruit from his robes, carefully placed it on the deck, and then walked to the railing without looking back. As he jumped off the ship, he cast one last glance at Diamante and the others, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
The sea breeze swept across the deck. Kaido toyed with the Ito Ito no Mi in his hand. Honestly, this Devil Fruit wasn't all that powerful; what was strong was the original user, Doflamingo, who had truly elevated the String-String Fruit to an art form. Even though Doflamingo wouldn't be eating this fruit now, his methods of developing it could serve as inspiration for whoever did.
***
Dive deeper into the story with 30+ advance chapters, available now on Patreon!patreon.com/CNBLUE
If you're enjoying the novel, please consider leaving a review. Your support is crucial and helps the story grow immensely. Thank you!