In the Land of Wano, deep within the Beasts Pirates' stronghold, Kaido sat cross-legged, his abdomen tightly wrapped in thick layers of bandages. He was tearing into a massive slab of roasted meat, each bite shaking the table with his sheer power. His left hand instinctively reached for his sake gourd only to grab nothing but air.
A grimace twisted across his face as he grumbled, "King, it's been three days already. I'm almost healed. Hand over the sake."
The Wildfire's tone was cold and unyielding. "There isn't a single drop left."
Kaido's brows twitched. For a moment, the beast within him stirred rage threatening to erupt but his body was still weak from his wounds. He let out a low growl, more frustration than fury, and sank his teeth into the meat again, tearing it apart as though it had wronged him personally.
That battle… the one against Eli Winters.
After being struck down and gravely wounded, Kaido had barely managed to flee, dragging his bleeding body through the stormy skies back to Wano. Thunder rolled across the heavens as his dragon form cut through the clouds, only to crash into the Beasts Pirates' headquarters like a falling meteor. The impact shook the entire mountain fortress, dust and debris scattering everywhere.
When the smoke finally cleared, his subordinates stared in disbelief. The invincible Kaido their captain, their so-called immortal monster was drenched in blood.
Gasps spread through the ranks like wildfire. Kaido, the man they believed could never fall, was slumped on the ground like a wounded beast.
The crew rushed to him, panic written across their faces. Kaido, still exuding his overwhelming presence even while bleeding out, recounted the battle in a few curt words. When they learned he'd been defeated by a single young man, every pirate froze.
Jack, hot-blooded and reckless as ever, slammed his weapon to the floor. "What?! You were beaten by some punk? I'll find him myself and tear him apart!"
But before he could storm off, King stepped in front of him, his fiery wings spreading wide. "Don't be stupid. You'd die before you even got close. Go train, brat."
Jack's fists clenched, but King's icy glare silenced him. Deep down, even Jack knew the truth if Kaido had lost, then he had no chance.
The ship's doctors worked tirelessly, checking every inch of Kaido's wounds. After hours of tense effort, the head physician finally reported to King. "Lord Kaido's life isn't in danger. His body is… extraordinary. The wounds are already healing. But there's something strange an unfamiliar energy lingering in the injury. It's slowing the recovery. I can try to remove it, but until then… he mustn't drink."
King frowned. He knew what that meant. Convincing Kaido to abstain from sake was like telling the sea not to have waves. So, he resolved to stay by Kaido's side, guarding both his health and his temper.
Three days passed. Kaido sulked, deprived of drink, when a trembling underling burst into the room clutching a still-warm newspaper. He wordlessly handed it to King, bowed, and fled.
King's golden eyes flicked across the headlines and his expression darkened instantly.
"Those bastards…" he hissed. The front page of the World Economic Journal was a direct insult to the Beasts Pirates. Bold letters mocked their defeat, while vivid illustrations portrayed Kaido's fall. Every word dripped with ridicule.
Kaido, noticing King's silence, asked gruffly, "What's got you scowling like that?"
King tossed him the paper. "Morgans published this trash. He glorifies that brat Eli Winters calls him a match for an admiral and paints you as a failure."
Kaido read without a word. When he finished, he chuckled. "So that's how it is."
There was no rage, no outburst only a smirk curling on his scarred face. "Let them talk. The sea remembers power, not ink and paper. If they want to laugh, let them. Words don't kill monsters."
Then he rose to his feet, towering and fearsome once more. His voice thundered through the chamber. "If they want to mock us, then let them pay in blood. Kill anyone who dares whisper my name with disrespect. Remind the world who rules these seas!"
King bowed slightly, fire flickering in his eyes. The slaughter would begin soon.
Far away on Totto Land's Cake Island, the matriarch of the Big Mom Pirates, Charlotte Linlin, was cackling amid mountains of sweets.
Her son, Katakuri, stood before her, holding a newspaper. "Mother, reports confirm it. Kaido was defeated in the North Blue by a man named Eli Winters. He's suspected to be a spatial Devil Fruit user."
Big Mom's laughter shook the walls. "Mamma-mamma! Kaido lost? To some no-name brat? How pathetic! So much for the Beast Emperor!"
Katakuri's expression remained serious. "He's not ordinary. Before fighting Kaido, he fought Admiral Aokiji to a standstill using only Haki. Then, with his space ability, he pierced Kaido through the chest."
Linlin's eyes gleamed with intrigue. "Mamma-mamma… such a man would sire strong children indeed! If he ever reaches the New World, invite him to my tea party. I must meet this Eli Winters myself."
Katakuri sighed quietly. "As you wish, Mother."
Elsewhere, beneath the boundless blue of the Grand Line, Dracule Mihawk sat alone in his tiny coffin-shaped boat, reading the same paper.
When his sharp eyes fell upon the name Eli Winters, his lips curved. "A swordsman, is he?"
A flicker of battlelust flashed in his golden irises. "Interesting. Don't disappoint me, boy."
Rising to his feet, Mihawk unsheathed Yoru, the Black Blade. Its dark edge shimmered under the sunlight. With a single stroke, he sliced through the sea itself. Waves parted cleanly, propelling his boat forward like a spear through the ocean.
Those who happened to witness the sight could only stare in awe before the raging wind sent them flying. None dared curse their misfortune. After all, who but Mihawk could carve the sea with a sword?
Meanwhile, on the massive whale-shaped ship Moby Dick, the Whitebeard Pirates were in full celebration. Laughter echoed, tankards clinked, and barrels of sake rolled across the deck.
Edward Newgate Whitebeard himself sat in the center, his laughter booming. "Gurararara! Drink, my sons! Let the sea hear our joy!"
Flames streaked across the sky before transforming into a man with pineapple-shaped hair Marco the Phoenix.
"Old man," Marco said, his voice grave, "news from the North Blue. Kaido fought Eli Winters… and lost."
Silence fell.
Vista slammed his drink down. "Impossible! Kaido? The same man who once rivaled you?"
Curiel frowned. "Are you sure, Marco? Where did this come from?"
"Morgans' newspaper. And it's been confirmed by Marine Intelligence."
Murmurs rippled through the crew. But Whitebeard only laughed again, the sound deep and unshaken.
"Gurararara! What's wrong, my sons? You afraid of a single man?"
The crew roared back, "Never! We are the Whitebeard Pirates!"
Whitebeard raised his jug high. "Then keep laughing! Let the world tremble if it must. We are what we are unshakable!"
Confidence, pure and absolute, radiated from him.
At Marine Headquarters, the news stirred little reaction. The Fleet Admiral had already issued orders Eli Winters and his companions were not to be targeted.
But in the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, the Five Elders argued for hours. One of them demanded Eli's elimination, fearing his growing strength. Yet others countered that he'd done the Navy a favor by crippling Kaido. In the end, they achieved nothing deciding only to watch and wait.
The world buzzed with talk of Eli Winters. But aboard his ship, far from the chaos, Eli and his crew sailed on undisturbed.
Their course was set. The sea was vast. And adventure ever waiting.
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