Just as Rocks was getting carried away, a voice suddenly rang out.
"With that appearance of yours, you'd better not insult the Azure Dragon."
"Nani!?"
Rocks froze for a moment. The next instant, a golden light pierced his waist, and Kaido seized the opportunity to break free.
But instead of attacking Rocks, the first thing Kaido did upon escaping was tilt his head upward. That voice was far too familiar. The moment he looked to the sky, he saw Uchiha Chiga hovering above.
A rare smile tugged at Kaido's rough, massive face.
"You're finally back… King!"
Rocks, however, collapsed to the ground, a gaping hole torn through his waist. Had his body not been so thick, he would have been split clean in two.
He quickly tried to summon his blue flames to heal the wound, but to his horror, they failed. Even injuries inflicted by Conqueror's Haki could be healed eventually—yet this time, nothing happened.
Shaken, Rocks pushed himself up, his eyes widening as he too looked skyward and saw Chiga.
Without hesitation, he activated the power of the Instant Transmission Fruit. His figure vanished on the spot—so quick and decisive that even Chiga silently praised his reaction.
There was no shame in it. Only fools lingered to posture before an enemy they could not defeat. Such fools had long since vanished from the seas.
The moment Rocks fled, his men were left in shambles. Chiga's name carried weight across the entire world. Terrified, the small fry collapsed, their legs trembling as they knelt before him.
Only Wang Zhi and Silver Axe, stubborn as ever, attempted a desperate strike. They charged when King and the others were stunned. But before their weapons even landed, a single glance from Chiga reduced them to dust, erasing them from history.
Two men, stronger even than the average Emperor's first mate, wiped away in an instant. The shock left King and the Beasts Pirates pale. They could only stare at the lingering blood mist, murmuring,
"Is this… the power of a King?"
Chiga shifted his gaze to Kaido and smirked.
"That was close. You nearly ended up in someone's stomach."
If anyone else mocked him, Kaido would have swung his kanabo without hesitation. But in front of Chiga, he only scratched his head, embarrassed.
"His Devil Fruit is strange. I wasn't paying attention and got caught…"
The Beasts Pirates were stunned. King, who had followed Kaido the longest, had never once seen him like this.
Yet Kaido felt no shame. In this world, there was only one man who inspired true respect from him—Uchiha Chiga. Not even Roger, once called Pirate King, could command that reverence.
Before Chiga, Kaido willingly bowed his pride.
Chiga chuckled at his awkwardness.
"I hear you're the ruler of Wano now. Isn't that beneath you?"
Kaido hoisted his club over his shoulder, his tone straightforward.
"It's fine. Being a pirate isn't easy anymore. Having Wano as my territory is enough. Besides, I'm not a pirate now."
"Heh. Don't be so stiff. I preferred your arrogance."
Kaido straightened, his grin returning.
"How about this?" He swung the kanabo onto his shoulder with a familiar swagger.
"Better. Much better," Chiga said with amusement.
But Kaido's grin faded, replaced with hesitation.
"King, shouldn't you chase Rocks? Leaving him free is dangerous."
A smile tugged at Chiga's lips.
"Let him run. He won't get far."
---
Meanwhile, Rocks teleported repeatedly before arriving at his stronghold, Hachinosu Island.
His ability worked like the Flying Thunder God Technique, teleporting only to marked locations within limited range. That was why he needed multiple jumps to arrive.
The island had once been Wang Zhi's domain, but after his defeat, Rocks claimed it. Dropping heavily onto a sofa, Rocks exhaled.
A beautiful woman rushed forward, offering food and drink, including a towering stack of cherry pies.
The habits of the body's former owner, Teach, had influenced him. Rocks tore into a pie, devouring it greedily, then gulped half a bottle of wine. Only then did the frantic beating of his heart settle.
The woman leaned closer, drawing circles on his chest with her finger, her smile fawning.
Rocks closed his eyes, enjoying it. But his voice suddenly cut through the room.
"Alvida. Has Aramaki returned?"
She shook her head quickly.
"Aramaki-sama is still in Alabasta, following your orders."
"Then contact him! Tell him to return immediately!"
Rocks shoved her aside irritably. She stumbled but dared not complain. She had seen firsthand how he devoured men alive.
Obediently, she pulled out a den den mushi to call. Yet no matter how long she waited, there was no response.
Rocks' expression darkened. Normally, he wouldn't have cared—Aramaki was strong enough to face even a Marine Admiral. But now things were different.
Chiga had returned. With his spatial powers, he could strike anywhere at any time. If Alabasta had called the Marines, it was likely Chiga himself who would answer.
Aramaki against Chiga? The thought alone was enough. His grave would already have flowers.
The longer Rocks thought, the more uneasy he grew. He suddenly rose, muttering,
"No. Even this place isn't safe. I need to leave—"
But Alvida's trembling voice cut him off.
"Rocks-sama… behind you…"
A hand pressed down on his shoulder. His body froze, trembling. Slowly, he turned.
Chiga stood there, smiling.
"Where are you planning to run?"
---