On the vast sea, the massive warship of the Beasts Pirates cut through the waves. This colossal vessel carved a white wake across the azure waters, its beast-headed figurehead gleaming with a metallic sheen under the sun. From the deck came the sounds of intense combat—the clang of metal meeting metal intertwined with furious roars.
Kaidou was engaged in live combat training with his four top Executives. Wielding his enormous Spiked Club, he fought against all four with effortless ease. Each clash of weapons sent brilliant sparks flying, the powerful shockwaves kicking up layers of spray on the sea's surface.
King unfurled his Flame wings, tracing dazzling arcs through the air; Queen employed various Modified weapons, constantly shifting his attack patterns; Bullet's heavy fists tore through the air with a whistling sound, each blow carrying terrifying destructive force; Sebastian relied on his agility to weave through the battlefield, seeking openings to strike.
"Wororororo..." Kaidou let out his signature laugh, the sound echoing across the water. He alternated between booming laughter and deafening roars, honing his subordinates' combat skills through real battle. Though the four Executives coordinated seamlessly, they still found themselves overwhelmed by Kaidou's overwhelming strength.
"Enough. That concludes today's live training," Kaidou suddenly halted his offensive, his Spiked Club cutting an arc through the air that sent all four flying back simultaneously. The Executives crashed onto the deck, leaving deep impressions where they landed.
Queen collapsed directly onto the planks: "Finally over... Someone get me some booze!" His voice was thick with exhaustion and excitement. The surrounding pirates immediately sprang into action, hauling several barrels of fine liquor to where the four Executives lay. Others began cleaning up the battle scars on the deck, repairing damaged wooden boards.
Just as everyone was preparing to rest, a pirate from the crow's nest shouted excitedly: "Boss Kaidou! A pirate ship ahead!" Kaidou narrowed his eyes upon hearing this, his powerful Observation Haki instantly expanding to perceive the distant vessel.
After a moment, a cruel smile twisted Kaidou's lips: "King, Queen, Bullet, Sebastian—how much longer will you rest? We've got work." His voice was low and forceful. "That ship doesn't have many strong fighters. Consider this your test—go plunder them."
The four Executives immediately perked up. Queen gulped down a large mouthful of liquor, his Mechanical arm re-energizing; King spread his Flame wings, circling overhead; Bullet cracked his knuckles, joints popping audibly; Sebastian was already standing by the railing, his gaze sharp as he peered into the distance.
"Remember," Kaidou added, "I expect to see improvement in your skills. I won't intervene in this operation." With that, he turned and walked toward the stern, his massive frame casting a long shadow in the sunlight.
The pirate ship slowly adjusted its course, its bow cutting through the calm sea and churning up layers of white foam. The salty sea breeze, carrying the ocean's distinct scent, brushed against everyone's faces. The four Executives were making their final preparations, the air thick with tension and excitement. The deck echoed with the intermittent clanging of metal—the sound of weapons being polished and inspected; the creaking of ropes being tightened seemed to play a prelude to the impending battle.
As the distance steadily closed, the outline of the other pirate ship gradually came into focus. It was a medium-sized three-masted vessel, its hull painted a deep crimson that gleamed with a dull luster under the sunlight. An unfamiliar skull emblem was painted on its sails, the black design starkly visible against the white canvas.
The pirates on the deck seemed to have just noticed the Beasts Pirates' warship and immediately fell into chaos. Some panicked and scrambled toward the helm, others hastily adjusted the rigging, while a few shouted at their comrades—the entire ship was in an uproar, like a disturbed beehive.
"Running? It's already too late." King stood at the prow, a cold smirk curling his lips. The Flame wings on his back abruptly unfurled, the intense heat distorting the surrounding air as if it might burn through space itself. With a sharp whistling sound, he took to the skies first, streaking across the sky like a blazing meteor, heading straight for the target ship. Flames trailed behind him, leaving a conspicuous trail against the azure sky.
Not to be outdone, Queen nimbly pivoted his portly frame, extending two massive cannons from his back. The barrels gleamed with a cold metallic sheen in the sunlight, their dark muzzles aimed at the distant enemy ship.
"Let me say hello first!" Queen laughed heartily as he pressed the firing button. Two specially crafted shells whistled through the air, tracing graceful parabolas before landing precisely in the sea on either side of the enemy ship, sending water columns soaring dozens of meters high. These were no ordinary shells but Queen's custom-made deterrent shells—the shockwaves from the explosions rocked the ship violently, sending pirates on the deck tumbling like bowling pins, while the masts groaned under the strain.
Bullet stood by the ship's railing, arms crossed, his eyes gleaming with excitement. His robust muscles glistened with a bronze hue in the sunlight, each one brimming with astonishing strength. "These small fries aren't even worth a warm-up," he said, turning to Sebastian with a provocatively raised eyebrow. "Want to bet who can take down more?"
Sebastian didn't respond, merely leaping lightly into the air. His slender figure traced a graceful arc before plunging into the sea with barely a splash, showcasing remarkable bodily control. Then, leveraging the speed advantage of a fish-man in water, he shot toward the enemy pirate ship like an arrow from a bow, churning up massive waves on the sea's surface. His figure flickered in and out of view, advancing significantly each time he surfaced.
Bullet, seeing this, likewise leaped into the sea, his powerful arms cutting through the water as he swam toward the enemy ship. Though his speed was impressive, it paled in comparison to King, who flew through the air, and Sebastian, who was a fish-man. Yet, judging by the excited expression on his face, this did nothing to diminish his enjoyment of the hunt.
Queen, however, showed no intention of swimming in the sea. He stood firmly on the deck, continuously extending various bizarre weapons from all over his body. In addition to conventional cannons, there were homing missiles, explosive shuriken, and even specialized warheads that released toxic gas. Under his control, these weapons struck precise points on the enemy ship, leaving the pirates who tried to fight back scrambling helplessly. Each explosion was accompanied by his signature booming laughter, as if this battle were nothing more than an entertaining game for him.
Meanwhile, the fish-men previously recruited by the rear pirate crew dove into the sea one after another, also swimming toward the enemy ship.
At the same time, King had already reached the airspace above the enemy ship. He circled above the mast, the shadow of his flame wings enveloping the entire vessel. The pirates looked up in terror, watching as he slowly raised his right hand, a dazzling fireball gathering in his palm. With a soft cry, the fireball split into dozens of smaller ones, raining down like a meteor shower. Screams erupted across the deck as pirates who failed to evade in time were instantly consumed by flames.
Sebastian had by then swum beneath the enemy ship. He took a deep breath, dove underwater, and then surged upward, leaping directly onto the deck. His movements were elegant yet deadly—his slender legs kicked away two pirates attempting a sneak attack the moment his feet touched the planks. The unique flexibility of a fish-man lent every motion a sense of power, yet with the fluidity of a dance.
Bullet finally reached the side of the ship, his thick arms gripping the gunwale as he effortlessly hauled himself aboard. The moment he landed, he punched an oncoming pirate, sending the man flying like a ragdoll over ten meters before crashing heavily into the main mast. Bullet cracked his neck, emitting a chilling series of pops, then charged into the crowd of enemies like a human tank. Wherever he passed, pirates were sent flying, and the deck was soon littered with moaning casualties.
The battle quickly became one-sided. The four Executives each demonstrated their unique abilities, swiftly clearing out most of the pirates on the ship. The few survivors huddled in a corner, their eyes filled with terror. King retracted his flame wings and slowly descended atop the captain's quarters, looking down upon the scene from on high. His gaze was icy, as if assessing the value of these captives.