On a bright, sunny morning, golden sunlight spilled onto the sparkling sea, reflecting dazzling light.
In the azure sky, several seagulls soared freely, now diving to skim the waves, now circling higher. The ship of the Beasts Pirates sailed smoothly through the waters of the North Blue, the sounds of training chants drifting across the deck.
"Keep running, all of you! Anyone who dares slack off, my club has no eyes!" Kaido's booming voice echoed across the deck. The burly pirate captain stood at the bow, supervising a group of boys undergoing physical training. His towering figure cast a long shadow in the morning sun, his kanabo, the Hassaikai, resting casually on his shoulder, emanating an intimidating aura.
Ever since Rosinante gained the power of the Chiyu Chiyu no Mi, Kaido's training for the crew had become even more rigorous. The youths on the ship now included the fourteen-year-olds Kyros and Carue; the ten-year-olds Inuarashi, Nekomamushi, and Doflamingo; the nine-year-olds Enel, Rosinante, and Vergo; and the eight-year-old Pica. Besides these youngsters, the only other officers on board were Sebastian and Diamante.
Hearing Kaido's roar, the somewhat exhausted line immediately quickened their pace. Rosinante's healing ability allowed Kaido to ramp up the training intensity without restraint, which had earned Rosinante a bit of resentment from everyone—even his own brother, Doflamingo, was no exception. After all, being hit by Kaido's club was no joke.
"Mr. Kaido, they've been training for a long time. Shouldn't they rest?" Homing cautiously suggested. After spending this time together, he had gauged Kaido's temper, knowing the captain was strict but not unreasonable.
Kaido turned his head, his gaze sharp. "Homing, on these seas, strength is everything. Training must never slacken. As long as it doesn't kill them, train them to the brink of death!" As he spoke, he keenly noticed Rosinante's movements slowing. Without a word, he grabbed the Hassaikai and hurled it.
"Ah!" Rosinante yelped, barely dodging the flying weapon.
"Rosinante! Don't think I can't see you! Keep running!" Kaido's bellow immediately snapped the boy back to attention, and he threw himself back into the run. The other boys, seeing this, also dared not slack off, quickening their pace one after another.
An hour later, Kaido finally called a halt. The utterly exhausted youths collapsed haphazardly across the deck, gasping for air. Urea, now fully recovered, came over with towels, carefully wiping the sweat from each person—from Doflamingo to Rosinante to Vergo, missing no one. Her movements were gentle and practiced, clearly having taken care of these children for some time now.
"Kaido big bro, how much longer are we staying in the North Blue?" Enel asked between pants. They had been roaming these waters for nearly a month, visiting four islands.
Kaido stroked his chin in thought. "Originally wanted to see if we could run into the Kingdom of Germa. Since there's been no sign for so long, forget it. We'll head straight for the South Blue, then return to the New World."
"Great! We're finally going back!" Enel jumped up excitedly, then asked curiously, "But why go to the South Blue?"
"The Kingdom of Sorbet has a few quite capable talents," Kaido explained. "If we can recruit them, the Beasts Pirates' expansion plans can advance more quickly once we return to the New World."
The people Kaido referred to were Bartholomew Kuma, Ginny, Emporio Ivankov, and others. These powerful warriors should be adults by now and had not yet joined the Revolutionary Army. If he could bring them under his banner, he could immediately gain a batch of reliable combatants, unlike kids like Enel who still needed years of nurturing.
At Kaido's command, the pirate ship changed course, heading for Reverse Mountain. The North Blue and the South Blue were far apart, but with his flight ability, Kaido could directly carry the entire ship over the Red Line and into the waters of the South Blue.
With a concrete goal now, the ship's speed increased directly. Along the way, the pirate ship encountered several other pirate vessels, but upon spotting the Jolly Roger of the Beasts Pirates, those ships very tactfully kept their distance. Kaido's fearsome reputation had already spread throughout the North Blue; no one wanted to provoke this monstrous man.
After ten days of sailing, the ship finally neared Reverse Mountain. Kaido directly transformed into his Azure Dragon form. His massive draconic body shimmered with a blue-green luster under the sunlight, his whiskers flowing in the wind, his majestic dragon eyes sweeping over the crew below. This spectacular sight once again drew gasps of awe from those on board, especially the Donquixote family, Pica, and Vergo, who were seeing Kaido's beast form for the first time, all looking up at him with admiration.
Homing, Urea, Doflamingo, and Rosinante looked towards the direction of the North Blue with complex expressions. The two years in the North Blue were a memory the Donquixote family would never forget. They had experienced a fall from heaven to hell, only to find a new home on this pirate ship.
Kaido used his Flame Clouds to envelop the pirate ship. With a draconic roar, the entire vessel lifted into the air, flying towards the Red Line. The boys gripped the railings tightly, watching the sea surface shrink below with a mix of fear and excitement.
"Hold on tight!" Kaido's voice came from the dragon's mouth. "We're crossing the Red Line!"
As they climbed higher, the temperature began to drop. Urea hurriedly brought out the prepared thick clothes and distributed them to the children.
Doflamingo stood at the bow, his eyes gleaming with excitement behind his sunglasses.
"Is this what flying feels like?" Rosinante murmured to himself, experiencing this unprecedented sensation with both fear and wonder.
As the ship flew over the highest point of the Red Line, everyone was stunned by the sight before them. On one side was the familiar North Blue, on the other the unfamiliar South Blue. Two completely different seas unfolded on either side of the Red Line, a breathtakingly magnificent spectacle.
Kaido began a gradual descent, adjusting his angle, carrying the ship in a smooth glide down towards the surface of the South Blue. When the hull touched seawater again, it sent up a huge spray. Kaido reverted to his human form, landing steadily on the deck with a satisfied smile.
"Welcome to the South Blue, boys!" Kaido announced, spreading his arms. "A new adventure awaits us!"
The boys cheered, even the usually steady Kyros breaking into a smile. The ship adjusted its course, sailing towards the Kingdom of Sorbet. The sunlight was still bright, the sea breeze still gentle, but everyone knew the journey ahead would be full of unknowns and challenges.
Kaido stood at the bow, his gaze fixed firmly on the distant horizon. The Beasts Pirates' conquest had only just begun, and the South Blue would become the new starting point for their rise to power.
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