The setting sun cast its glow as Kaidou sat alone on a protruding rock, his thick fingers gently stroking the Devil Fruit in his hand.
The fading sunlight bathed his bronze skin, enveloping the burly man in a golden halo. He intently examined the fruit's peculiar spiral patterns, feeling the rough texture beneath his fingertips.
"The third one..." Kaidou murmured to himself, his voice rumbling like distant thunder in his chest.
He weighed his trophies with satisfaction, which included two rare Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits. This harvest brought a faint, almost imperceptible smile to his lips. The thought of being one step closer to forming his Ability User Army pleased him greatly.
"King," Kaidou called without looking up, casually tossing the Devil Fruit toward his subordinate standing nearby.
The fruit traced a perfect arc through the air, caught deftly by King. This motion had been repeated countless times between them, executed with seamless coordination. King's movements were crisp and efficient, as if he had anticipated this moment all along.
Kaidou picked up his ever-present flask and took a large swig. The strong liquor dripped down his beard, leaving dark stains on the rock. Setting down the flask, he wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and turned his gaze to King. "How's your ability development coming along?"
A full month had passed since King consumed the Mythical Zoan-Type Bat-Bat Fruit Vampire Form.
Kaidou clearly remembered that moment when he specifically instructed King to prioritize developing what seemed like an insignificant but crucial ability—hypnosis. This Devil Fruit contained numerous powerful capabilities: absorbing blood to heal wounds, stealing others' lifespans, using ultrasonic waves, enhancing strength in darkness, and more. Yet in their current situation, the hypnosis ability was most urgently needed.
As their voyage progressed, the secrets aboard their ship multiplied. The vessel now carried 273 crew members, nearly a hundred of whom were Fish-men recruited from Fish-Man Island, while the rest came from various islands.
Kaidou knew all too well that the World Government's favorite tactic was planting spies within various factions. Byrnndi World had been imprisoned in Impel Down for decades because of spies aboard his ship. Though his own forces remained relatively weak, judging from his previous battle with Admiral Zephyr, the World Government likely regarded him with considerable attention. It was entirely possible that spies had already infiltrated his crew.
"Brother Kaidou," King's voice interrupted Kaidou's thoughts, "I can now use that ability you mentioned. Currently, as long as the target doesn't resist consciously, I can control them."
A glint flashed in Kaidou's eyes as he abruptly stood up, the movement causing the surrounding air to tremble. "Excellent," his voice was deep and powerful, like a rumble from deep underground, "gather everyone here immediately."
Soon, all crew members assembled before Kaidou. The setting sun cast golden rays across the deck, stretching everyone's shadows long. The crew gathered in the clearing below the rock, their murmurs rising and falling like waves, filling the air with an inexplicable tension.
"Captain, have you gathered us to set sail again?" Bullet's booming voice shattered the silence. His towering figure stood out prominently against the sunset, veins bulging on his thick arms.
Kaidou slowly scanned each person present, his deep voice echoing in the sea breeze. "It is time to set sail again." He paused, his gaze sharpening. "But before we depart, there's one more matter to handle."
"What matter?" Bullet pressed, his brow slightly furrowed.
Kaidou replied casually, "Just some safety hazard checks." With that, he gave a meaningful glance to King beside him. King immediately understood, stepping forward with a gaze as sharp as a blade sweeping over the crowd.
"I will now conduct a loyalty check on all of you," King's voice was bone-chillingly cold. "No one is permitted to resist. Those who disobey will die!"
The crew members exchanged uneasy glances, tension spreading through the ranks. Some instinctively tightened their grip on weapons, while others shifted uncomfortably. The sea wind brought waves of chill, yet couldn't disperse the gradually solidifying atmosphere of tension.
King closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he reopened them, his originally black pupils had transformed into an eerie blood-red color.
Invisible psychic waves radiated from him, creating barely perceptible ripples in the air. The crew members froze in place one by one, their eyes gradually becoming vacant. Someone's weapon clattered to the ground, but no one paid it any mind. The entire crew seemed to have been placed under a paralysis spell, with only the sound of sea wind rustling their clothes remaining.
Kaidou stood with arms crossed on higher ground, watching the scene with satisfaction. A cruel smile curled at the corners of his mouth, muscles bulging on his thick arms.
"Found them," King's hoarse voice suddenly rang out. His gaze locked onto two crew members who, though appearing as dazed as the others, had flickers of struggle deep in their eyes.
Kaidou grinned ferociously as he raised his heavy Spiked Club, muscles tensing on his thick arm. Two dull thuds later, only two mangled, bloody remains remained on the ground. Blood slowly trickled along the cracks in the deck, gleaming with a blinding red light under the sun.
"Let this be clear to everyone!" Kaidou's deafening roar echoed across the sea, his thick finger pointing at the two corpses. "This is the fate of traitors!"
As for whether these two were actually spies, Kaidou didn't know - but anyone who dared disobey his orders deserved death.
The crew members gradually emerged from their daze. Seeing the gruesome scene before them, many turned pale, their legs trembling uncontrollably. The air was thick with the heavy scent of blood, nauseating to behold.
King withdrew his blood-red pupils and expressionlessly retreated behind Kaidou. The sea wind swirled across the deck, carrying the scent of blood as the crew remained deathly silent, even their breathing becoming cautious.
"Now, does anyone else want to test me?" Kaidou's low voice carried a threat as his gaze swept over the crowd like a blade. No one dared respond, all keeping their heads bowed low, afraid to meet his eyes.
"Good," Kaidou sneered coldly, turning toward the cabin. "Be ready to set sail before sunrise tomorrow."
Only then did the crew members breathe sighs of relief, though the air remained thick with oppressive fear.
They silently cleared the aftermath, but a deep shadow had been branded in their hearts—the consequence of betrayal was far more terrifying than death. Some secretly wiped cold sweat from their foreheads, while others clenched their fists so tightly that their nails dug deep into their palms. This sudden "inspection" made everyone profoundly understand Kaidou's cruelty and power.
The last glimmer of sunset vanished over the sea, and darkness gradually enveloped the entire ship. Yet the fear in the crew's hearts ran deeper than the night itself.