Chapter 136: Frenzy

—It was nothing but a long descent.

『—We have a decision~~~!!! The one who claims the final spot in the Best 16 is a member of the “Worst Generation”... Trafalgar Law!!!』

“So Law took the last one. That Diamante guy underestimated him way too much.”

“More importantly, my next opponent is that creepy freak!! Pei-tan, switch with meee!!”

“No way!! Ask Nue-san!!”

Amid the beastly crowd, I looked down at the result of the battle.

One of the so-called “Worst Generation,” the “New Age,” had defeated an executive of the Seven Warlords—a giant-killer victory that ended in an instant and stunned the crowd.

His strength was incredible—hard to believe he only entered the Grand Line a year ago. His growth rate was monstrous. Even after joining the Beasts Pirates, his power kept rising. A promising fighter, both Kaido and Nue had their eyes on him. And rightfully so—he had both the strength and potential for greatness.

But… I understood. He was like me—a “Seeker of Revenge.”

『—And now the Best 16 has been decided~~~!!! Let’s reintroduce our winners and announce the matchups~~~!!!』

He lived each day driven by vengeance, growing stronger—that image overlapped with my own. So I realized it.

He and I are the same… but not entirely.

『“Tobi Roppo” Who’s Who!!! Facing him is the former strongest assassin of CP9… Rob Lucci!!!』

“So the boss cat finally shows up.”

“Heh… Run your mouth all you want. I’ll show you what a difference in class looks like…!!!”

He must have people who look up to him.

『Another member of the “Worst Generation,” the “Surgeon of Death,” Trafalgar Law!!! His opponent: the self-proclaimed greatest swordsman in Wano!! The mad beast causing a ruckus—Musashi!!!』

“Hm… So you’re that…”

“…?”

He… might still have a way back.

『Also from the “Worst Generation”!! A rare pirate and former Navy officer!! The “Red Flag” X Drake!!! His opponent: the self-styled Kozuki Oden!!! The newlywed general of New Onigashima… Yamato!!!』

“Ugh… That intro sucks…!!!”

“…Young Master Yamato, huh.”

But I… have no way back.

『“Tobi Roppo” Page One!!! His challenger: the former Chief of the Patrol Corps!!! Hotei!!!』

“A win here all but guarantees promotion. Sorry, but I’m taking this one…!!!”

“Hmph!! Don’t think it’ll be that easy…!!!”

I even killed those who cared for me.

『“Tobi Roppo” Ulti!!! Her opponent: the undefeated former champion of the deathmatch shows!!! Gran Tesoro dealer… Dice!!!』

“Hmm!? You’re that guy from before…!!! Headbutt meeeeee!!!”

“Ew, gross!!! What are you, a perv!?!”

There’s no turning back now.

『“Tobi Roppo” Black Maria!!! Facing her is the second eldest of the ruling trio of the Kuja tribe!!! Boa Sandersonia!!!』

“Huff… huff… Another tough one…!!”

“Ufufu… You’ve done well to come this far♡ But this is where it ends♡ I’ll finish you off nice and quick♡”

I have no choice but to keep falling.

『“Tobi Roppo” Sasaki!!! His opponent: the former leader of the Oniwabanshu!! Fukurokuju!!!』

“So, a ninja boss, huh. Interesting…!! I’ll use this as a warm-up before I fight Kyoshiro…!!!”

“…I beg you, go easy on me.”

If I don’t grow stronger—if I don’t sink deeper—I won’t survive.

To make my wish come true, I have to win no matter what. Even if I must sacrifice everything. That’s why—

『“Tobi Roppo” Komurasaki!!! Her opponent: the former number-one yakuza of Wano!!! “Sleepy Kyoshiro”!!!』

“……”

“Kh… ngh…!!”

—Even if the opponent is someone who once cared for me—I have no choice but to win.

I have to fight like I’m facing my sworn enemy, draw my blade, and drive it through with full force.

…Just like that time… with Kawamatsu.

“…You still want to go through with this?”

“…I told you, didn’t I.”

On the stage where we’ll finally decide this, he asks again—how many times now—to confirm my resolve. A pointless question. One I’ve answered over and over again for the past twelve years.

“I must do this. Precisely because you are who you are… I’ll accomplish this, even if I have to sacrifice everything.”

“…So your feelings haven’t changed?”

“—Enough already, Kyoshiro.”

Behind the demon mask, my lips trembled—this is why he’s so difficult.

If he doesn’t fight me with everything he’s got, even a victory would be meaningless. There’d be no reason to battle.

So, to draw out his full power, I restated my unchanging resolve, and drew my two blades—swords once wielded by two souls he knew.

“I am a demon. The one who’ll bring an end to this cycle of vengeance and death. I am no longer human. If you won’t fight me seriously… I will cut you down.”

“…!! You’d go that far…!!”

He clenched his teeth and looked at me with worry. Even now. Even with my killing intent aimed right at him. But that concern is long past its time.

And yet… like this, I’ll never be able to surpass him.

“…If you’re really that determined to make me give up—”

So I said it. The one thing I had never said before—the words that would settle everything.

“—Then defeat me.”

“!! That’s…!!”

Kyoshiro’s eyes changed.

So typical. All this time, he refused to raise his blade against his lord’s daughter, but he’ll do it now—if it means stopping me.

I know it’s out of concern for me… but that only makes it more annoying.

“…You won’t go back on your word?”

“Of course not. If I can’t beat you now, there’s no way my wish will ever come true.”

“…Then I accept your challenge.”

Their kindness is no longer something I need.

The willingness to draw your blade against comrades and kin for the sake of your goal—that’s what I admire.

Just doing that… gives me the resolve to strike.

“Very well. But be warned. I’m staking everything here… and I’ll treat you as my enemy. Holding back will only bring death—or something worse.”

“…I will take it to heart.”

Facing Kyoshiro, who now bore the face of a true samurai, I drew my blade.

I shut out the clamor around me. I had no need for scenery. As long as I could see my opponent, that was enough.

Yet even then, I couldn’t erase the presence of the one I sought vengeance against. A sweet, malicious voice called out from above.

『And now!!! Up next—Komurasaki versus Kyoshiro!!! A no-holds-barred samurai showdown!!! Will it be the vengeance-driven lady warrior who triumphs!? Or the loyal yakuza enforcer!? Let the duel begin!!!』

“!!!”

At that signal, I sprinted straight ahead. Kyoshiro came at me just as fast.

Our clash happened in less than a second. The ring of steel was sharp and piercing, a shockwave of air bursting out around us. In the moment of our locked blades, he pushed me back. Instantly, I understood—his strength lived up to the title of Wano’s greatest yakuza, worthy of the name of the Nine Red Scabbards.

He was stronger than me, even now that I had gained the power of a Zoan-type Devil Fruit. His skill and experience likely outclassed mine too. Our Haki was even. If there was anything I had more of, it was sheer toughness.

I’d always resented his softness. But now that we were fighting, it was clear—I was the inferior one. Pathetic. At this rate, I’d never be able to fulfill my revenge.

“…Is that all you’ve got…!?”

“…!! No…!!”

That’s why—I’ll fight.

If I’m going to kill the strongest, then I need to be stronger than even the Red Scabbards. Probably. If I can’t even reach this level, I won’t be able to leave a scratch.

So—I have to surpass him.

“This is only the beginning… No need to rush… I’ll show you again and again from here on out…!!! My will…!!!”

“…! I see…!!”

Blades crashed again, Haki clashing.

Just for now, I turned my gaze away from my enemy of vengeance—and focused only on surpassing the one before me, one of my own.

---

Top 16. As the battles between the chosen elite began, Delta Island was swept up in even greater frenzy.

The crowd roared at the sight of blood-boiling, flesh-stirring fights. Excitement. Joy. The most primal emotions of any festival were now swirling through the island. Conflict—there’s nothing better for stirring the fighting spirit in people and driving them to a fever pitch.

“Marvelous!!!”

A man who lived by that belief stood at the very center of the island—on the highest tier of the coliseum, the very heart of the madness—grinning as he looked down upon the roaring spectators and the violent spectacle below.

His arms spread wide, he uttered his favorite catchphrase. A rotten “festival maniac” who lived for nothing more than whipping people into a frenzy.

He was also known as the “Worst Instigator of War.” A once-notorious pirate from the era of Roger who was backing and producing this year’s Golden Kagura. A small man with a signature afro.

Captain of the Festival Pirates, ‘Festival Maniac’ Buena Festa

“Marvelous!! Simply marvelous!!! Conflict truly is what drives people into frenzy!!! Don’t you agree!!? Hey… ‘Kaido of the Beasts’…!!! ‘Nue the Chimera’…!!!”

“Wororororo…!!! Yeah, a world without conflict is just plain boring…!!!”

“Well, I guess it’s almost as exciting as one of my concerts!!!”

Festa turned around and called out to two of the biggest names in the world. His guests were monsters—Kaido and Nue, the Governor-General and Deputy of the Beasts Pirates, known as the world’s strongest pirate crew today.

Dangerous and cheerful in equal measure, they were more than capable of killing someone like Festa in a single breath. Yet he neither flinched nor bowed—he spoke to them as equals. Seated in the place of honor in Wano-style arrangement was Kaido, flanked by the top executives—the “All-Stars”: King, Jack, and Joker. Queen sat beside Nue, who was commentating on the match.

Every last one of them was monstrous. Just standing in their presence would make an ordinary person tremble uncontrollably. Together, they had dragged millions—perhaps tens of millions—into hell. Countless countries and organizations had fallen to them. They were the apex of military power in the world—a nest of monsters.

And yet, Festa didn’t butter them up. He stayed true to himself and spoke to them candidly, smiling as he recalled the past, back when they hadn’t yet become legends, and praised them without hesitation.

“Still… never would’ve guessed back then that you guys would go on to break the world!!! Back when you were just rookies on the Rocks crew… And now you’ve outwitted even Whitebeard, Golden Lion… hell, even the World Government…!!! You really pulled it off……!!!”

“Wow, Festa, your eye for talent sucks! We’ve been aiming for the top since our rookie days!!!”

“Brings back memories… I think we first started dealing with you when we were using Keith Island in Paradise as our base.”

“Ugh, those days were rough. Kaido messed up so much it was hard just making a buck.”

“That's in the past. We’re doing things properly now, so it’s fine.”

“Still as crazy as ever, though.”

“Like you’re one to talk.”

The mention of their early dealings sparked a back-and-forth of casual jabs between Kaido and Nue. But this wasn’t a fight. Far from it—it was their usual banter. Decades of being sworn siblings allowed them to speak without restraint. Even the All-Stars didn’t bother intervening at this level of exchange.

Watching them, Festa took the opportunity to steer the conversation again, this time with light humor masking his concern about the future—even as he continued to praise them.

“Looking at the matches so far… they’re all brutal!! Savage!! Unrelenting!! Truly a cast worthy of the world’s strongest army!! But… you’ve still got plenty of ‘enemies,’ don’t you!!? So tell me—are you finally getting close to ‘Laugh Tale’?”

“It’s only a matter of time. We’ve got the power and intel lined up!!”

“We’ve already pinned down where the stones are!! All that’s left is to grab them bit by bit, do the final prep, and… we’ll be there in a year!!!”

“! Hoh…!! As expected……!!”

A concrete timeframe. One year from now, they would reach Laugh Tale—in other words, they were declaring they would seize the One Piece. Festa’s eyes sharpened with admiration.

Had they said that back when he first met them, he would’ve brushed it off as delusion. But now, knowing their strength and reach, it was no longer fantasy. The Beasts Pirates had overtaken the momentum left behind after the Paramount War and were now standing firmly as the most likely successors to Whitebeard—the closest pirates to the title of Pirate King.

Of course, Festa knew it wouldn’t be easy. Not when they had so many enemies all across the world.

“──Lord Kaido!!”

“!”

Suddenly, a group burst into the room—likely low-ranking Waiters from the Beasts Pirates—rushing in to deliver a report. Kaido, Nue, and the All-Stars all turned their eyes on them, sensing something amiss.

“What’s happened?”

“Yes sir!! There are several pirate crews causing a disturbance at the port…!! Also, there’s a message from Apoo…!!!”

“! So they’ve come… Hey, Jack, Joker.”

“Yes sir!!”

“Yeah.”

Kaido nodded without surprise upon hearing the report, calling out to Jack and Joker. Without waiting for specific orders, the two All-Stars turned and headed straight for the door.

Watching them go, Festa couldn’t help but laugh at the sheer brutality of it all. Nue called out to the departing duo with a cheerful tone.

“Good luck, you two~~!! Bring me back a souvenir~~♡”

““Of course. We’ll return shortly.””

“…Something stirring in town?”

“Yeah. But don’t worry—it’ll be over soon ♪ This kind of problem? We’ll handle it.”

“Sending out two All-Stars just to quell some ruckus… you guys are as ruthless as ever.”

“Hmm~ Well, most of the Headliners are gathered here in the coliseum right now. If the Gifter rank can’t handle them, it’s just faster to send out the All-Stars. It’s a festival today—I don’t want anything spoiling the mood.”

“I get it. But doesn’t that leave this place a bit short-handed?”

Festa’s comment was half-joking, but also a subtle probe. Security for this year’s Golden Kagura, the Beasts Cup, was being handled jointly by the Beasts Pirates and a few pirate crews Festa had hired. But ultimately, command rested with the Beasts Pirates. While Delta Island was Festa’s base and had its own security, if a real monster were to cause trouble here, Festa’s forces likely couldn’t handle it alone.

And since most of the Headliners were in the coliseum, only the All-Stars could be deployed. But that also meant reducing the muscle guarding this very room—yet even that wasn’t an issue. Kaido and Nue burst out laughing at the suggestion.

“Ahahaha!!! If anyone’s stupid enough to think this place is undefended and tries to attack, I’ll gladly take them on!!! I don’t mind dumb people!!!”

“Wororororo!!! Nue’s right!!! No need to worry, Festa!!! If anyone dares get past our All-Stars and comes for us—we’ll wipe them out ourselves!!!”

“…Hahaha!! I bet you would!!!”

Festa joined in their laughter. Naturally so—every last member of the Beasts Pirates’ elite was here. Even if most Headliners were currently recovering from matches, anyone who wasn’t mortally wounded would be back on their feet in no time. And even with Jack and Joker gone, King and Queen were still here. Anyone trying to reach Kaido and Nue would have to first get past those two. No easy feat.

The confidence and ease with which Kaido and Nue laughed was justified.

What caught Festa’s attention, though, was how casually they claimed they could “erase” anyone strong enough to outwit the All-Stars. But that wasn’t so far-fetched. Even if someone like Whitebeard in his prime showed up, Kaido and Nue together could probably eliminate him. Even Pirate King Gol D. Roger or the legendary Rocks D. Xebec—beings unmatched in one-on-one combat—likely wouldn’t be able to take on both at once and win.

They were the strongest in the world. The world’s strongest siblings. And that was an unshakable truth.

…But what if that truth were to crumble?

“──Marvelous.”

“?”

Yes—frenzied.

While no one noticed, Festa whispered quietly. If that truth collapsed, it would be thrilling beyond anything else. A festival of utter frenzy.

There’s no such thing as “impossible” in this world. Even things that seem nearly impossible—there’s always some way to make them happen.

And he’d already woven in the method to make that happen… including every last unpredictable element. As he felt the battles erupting before him—and the many unseen events unfolding behind the scenes—Festa smiled at the rising sense of unrest.

“Aa-uu!!”

“Ahhh!! Wait for me, Lord Owari~~~!!”

“! What the hell are you playing around for, Bao Huang!!”

“Tehehe, sooorryyy!! Lady Owari started floating and flying around again all excited!!”

“Ahaha, there she goes again, using her poweerrr to play. You’ve gotta keep her entertained in a sealed room, okay?”

“Make sure she’s locked up!!”

“Understood!! Come on, Lady Owari!! I’ve got some milk over here!!”

“Aa~~ uu~~!!”

“Owari-chan’s such a handful. I wonder who she takes after—oh, looks like the match is about to shift.”

“…Yeah, looks that way.”

Festa glanced briefly at the baby floating into the VIP box. It piqued his curiosity for a moment, but he said nothing. Speaking out of turn could easily get him burned—literally or politically. And honestly, he didn’t care much about that side of things. Whatever anyone else was plotting didn’t matter, as long as he got what he wanted.

“──Let’s see this through to the end…!!!”

First, the match. He’d enjoy watching the clash of monsters. Whether or not there would be time for that… well, if chaos started early, so be it. Festa lived only for frenzy.

---

The match between the Best 16 of the “Hundred Beasts Cup” had grown even more intense than any before, sending the crowd into a frenzy. So far, the results had been more or less as expected.

“Ul-Head Gun—ZUGAN!!!”

“Ahh…!! Feels… so good…!!”

“You’re disgusting!! Just die already!!!”

Match 2: Ulti vs Dice.

Dice had made it this far with unmatched endurance and Armament Haki strong enough to deflect blades—but he couldn’t withstand Ulti’s headbutt, and the match was decided in an instant.

“If it were your sister, maybe. But you’re no match for me. So much for the warriors of Amazon Lily♡”

“Ugh… I’m sorry… Sister…!!”

“Sister Sonia…!!”

“…!!”

Match 3: Black Maria vs Sandersonia.

Despite being a skilled Haki user and a Hebi Hebi no Mi user, Sandersonia was unable to escape Black Maria’s threads. She put up a fight, but the result was a decisive defeat. From the audience, Marigold—who had already finished her match—called out in concern, while Hancock’s face twisted with tension.

So far, the underdogs had all lost. The Tobi Roppo had claimed victory up to this point. Match 4—X Drake vs Yamato—was still ongoing in a protracted battle. In Match 5, the unthinkable happened: Musashi forfeited. Even the rule that prohibited forfeits under threat of punishment couldn’t stop her. After saying a few words, he walked off the stage, and Trafalgar Law advanced to the quarterfinals.

In Match 6, Sasaki swiftly defeated Fukurokuju, and just as that match concluded, the battle between Drake and Yamato finally came to an end. As for Match 7—

“Hah… That all you’ve got after marching in here all fired up?”

“…Hah… Hah…!!”

“Oi oi… You’ve gotta be kidding…!?”

“Could there really be this much of a gap in strength…!?”

Lying in a pool of blood atop the stage was CP9’s most lethal assassin—Rob Lucci.

After a moment of stunned silence, the crowd erupted. Even Jabra and Kaku, who knew Lucci’s strength firsthand, were shocked—the outcome was already practically decided.

When the match began, both immediately entered their hybrid forms, and like felines clashing, they struck each other at lightning speed. Blood spattered—but it was Lucci’s. Who’s Who didn’t have a scratch.

The fight continued, but Who’s Who held the advantage the entire time. Lucci resisted, combining Rokushiki with Haki to land solid hits, and he did manage to injure his opponent—but he was clearly the one struggling.

And that was only natural.

“You’re hanging in there. Not bad. But battles between Zoan-type users aren’t usually decided by matchups. It comes down to how well you’ve honed your abilities—and raw power. If you’re still losing after mastering your fruit… it means you’re just not strong enough!!!”

“Gh…!!”

“Did that piss you off? Face it. With similar abilities, you’re just a downgrade of me. You’re weaker, slower, less durable… Grururu…!!!”

“Guh…!!”

Lucci shifted fully into his beast form—a leopard—and tried to throw him off with speed. Who’s Who responded in kind, transforming as well and waiting to meet him head-on. The power gap between them was more than obvious.

Lucci, a user of the Cat-Cat Fruit: Model Leopard, was dwarfed by Who’s Who, whose Ancient Zoan model was a saber-toothed tiger. That wasn’t just a difference in animal type—their physique itself was proof of the training and strength behind it. Zoan users grow in both power and size the more they train.

It had been a year since Lucci joined the Beasts Pirates. He’d pushed himself relentlessly, becoming one of the stronger Shinuchi by reputation. But he still couldn’t match Who’s Who, a long-standing Tobi Roppo who had spent years sharpening his fangs within the crew. His ambush was shut down, and when the saber-toothed tiger’s fangs sank in, Lucci cried out in pain.

“…!! Razor Blade!!!”

“Ahh… ‘Rokushiki,’ huh… been a while…!!”

Breaking free from Who’s Who’s grasp in hybrid form, Lucci used a combination of Soru and Geppo to close the distance and launch an assault.

But Who’s Who didn’t flinch. Even as the attack landed.

“Shigan… Madara!!!”

“!!”

A brutal flurry of Shigan strikes with both hands. Who’s Who grit his teeth and staggered slightly from the barrage.

But once Lucci’s assault ended, Who’s Who sneered and spoke.

“…Not bad… but something like Rokushiki? Even us pirates can use that…!!!”

“!?”

Lucci’s eyes widened at both the words and his stance. He quickly activated Tekkai and reinforced it with Armament Haki—but the blow that followed broke through it like paper.

“Shigan… Torafu!!!”

“!!!”

A technique just like Lucci’s—but far more savage. The relentless Shigan barrage tore through Lucci’s torso, sending him coughing blood. Even so, he endured. As a Zoan user, his resilience was still formidable. Keeping his distance, he prepared his next move.

“Rankyaku… Hyoubi!!!”

“Rankyaku… Kokou!!!”

“!!!”

Rokushiki was met with Rokushiki. Their flying slashes collided midair and sent shockwaves flying. Lucci was thrown farther back.

“Looks like I’m better at martial arts too. So this is the extent of the government’s ‘Rokushiki’ masters? Compared to Joker, you’re just a kid playing pretend.”

“…Tch… MAXIMUM RING…!!”

“Huh…?”

But Lucci didn’t fall.

Amid the dust cloud, bloodied and battered, Lucci grabbed Who’s Who with his leopard tail, pressed both fists against his gut, and unleashed Rokushiki’s ultimate technique—empowered with Haki.

“Rokuougan!!!”

“!!?”

A deafening burst rang out like overlapping cannon fire. Who’s Who coughed up blood.

Lucci had poured everything into that one hit. He knew this battle wasn’t one he could win in the long run. His stamina wouldn’t hold out.

That’s why he bet it all on a single decisive blow. It wasn’t a mistake—if only his opponent’s durability weren’t even greater.

“…Heh… not bad…!!”

“!!”

Bleeding from the corner of his mouth, Who’s Who charged in hybrid form and struck Lucci.

“You caught me off guard… that was a good one…!! Now here’s your reward—I’ll end it with one hit…!!!”

It was respect. Revenge. And calculation.

Fighting this guy any longer would only make things harder in later rounds. The Hundred Beasts Cup was far from over. He’d still have to face the other Tobi Roppo.

And at the same time, by forcing Lucci—who fought so hard—into submission, Who’s Who acknowledged him as an “enemy.” This next strike wasn’t from Rokushiki. It was a blow all his own.

“Koou!!! (Tiger King)”

“!!!”

Rob Lucci’s eyes rolled back as he collapsed to his knees.

Who’s Who walked behind him and lit a cigarette. That alone made it clear who had won.

“…So that’s it.”

“H-He’s strong…!!”

“This is the power of the Tobi Roppo…!!”

As Who’s Who relaxed and took a smoke break, the audience trembled. CP9’s top assassin—Rob Lucci—had been utterly overwhelmed.

But it wasn’t that Lucci was weak. Anyone who thought that simply lacked Observation Haki. Who’s Who understood that better than anyone.

“If this had been before my training… maybe it would’ve been a closer match…!!”

“…!!”

He gave Lucci the praise he deserved for lasting this long. Grabbing his still-conscious opponent by the neck like Holdem earlier, he lifted him before returning to his human form.

“Hmph… Seems like after training on that island, someone like you isn’t even a challenge anymore. You’ve trained this past year too, sure—but your Haki’s still shallow.”

『Muhaha! Hey now, don’t go too far!! Don’t kill him!!』

“Tch… I know without you yapping. Go on—get your buddies to patch you up.”

“…Ugh!!”

“But don’t let it get you down. If you change your mind, just say the word. If you agree to be my subordinate… I’ll make sure you’re treated well enough…!!”

As Queen laughed and called out from the stands, Who’s Who tossed Lucci off the stage. Killing him wasn’t necessary—not yet. These shady types still had value. For now.

Besides, Who’s Who’s thirst for blood was directed at someone else entirely. He clicked his tongue and glanced toward another stage—where Match 1 was still underway.

“Tch… Still hanging in there? Damn she’s tough, as always… That damned Komurasaki…!!”

---

The Round of 16 in the Beasts Cup, Match One—Komurasaki vs. Kyoshiro—had devolved into a slugfest.

“Ugh!!”

“Haa… haa… I’d really appreciate it… if you just fell already…!!”

Two Shinuchi, both hailing from Wano. Their battle was primarily a duel of swords.

Komurasaki’s power came from a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit. A beast of legend capable of manipulating flames. And yet, even with that power—

“Still… not yet…!!”

“…Tch… when… when will you fall…!?”

—she couldn’t defeat Kyoshiro.

The greatest yakuza in Wano. A samurai who had risen through the ranks under Orochi’s regime, Kyoshiro’s strength exceeded most expectations. It even rivaled that of the Tobi Roppo.

Of course, his opponent, Komurasaki, held the lowest seat among the Tobi Roppo. Compared to the four who had swiftly ended their matches, or Page One—who had a match against Hotei coming up, and would likely win—it was hard to say exactly where Kyoshiro stood among them.

But when it came to pure ability, Kyoshiro was indisputably superior. The crowd knew it. Even the fighters themselves understood it.

And yet, it was Kyoshiro who looked to be on the ropes. Komurasaki was the one bleeding from every joint, gasping for breath, while Kyoshiro bore only minor cuts and burns. Victory was in sight for him—but even so, he looked to be the one suffering more.

(Why… why must it come to this…!! Lady Hiyori…!!)

Yes. For Denjiro—one of the Nine Red Scabbards—Hiyori was nothing less than his rightful liege.

Hurting her should have been unthinkable. He would rather slit his own belly than lift his sword against her. This situation was something he desperately wished to avoid.

But that was no longer an option. Now, the only path forward was to make her lose.

With that in mind, Kyoshiro turned to the uppermost level of the circular arena and raised his voice.

“Nue-sama!!! Anyone with eyes can see that this match is mine!!! Please, declare it over!!!”

『Hmm? Really? From where I’m sitting, Komurasaki-chan still looks like she can keep going.』

“If this continues, she’ll die!! Please, end the match—!”

『Oh? Are you saying my judgment is flawed?』

“…!!!”

As both the referee and the authority overseeing the entire tournament, Nue met Kyoshiro’s persistent protest with a cold, beastlike gaze.

Her usual smile was gone. Her eyes were frigid—predatory. Not human. No, her expression betrayed the nature of a creature that didn’t see humans as her own kind.

The underlings watching the match picked up on it, and silence fell over the arena. None of them wanted to ever incur Nue’s wrath. The safest route was always to shut up and read the room, even if she was smiling.

But Nue soon shifted her expression again. Perhaps it was the drop in crowd energy, or maybe her anger simply passed. Or she just felt like it. Whatever the reason, Nue smiled brightly and picked up the mic once more.

『Welp! I guess you might have a point!! So let’s let Komurasaki-chan decide for herself!! What do you think, Komurasaki-chan?♡ If it’s too much, I’ll call it here… but can you still fight?』

“…!! Of course… I can… huff… I’m still… standing…!!!”

“…!! (No…!!)”

『Well, there you have it♡ So if you really want to end the match so badly, Kyoshiro, all you have to do is make Komurasaki-chan say “I give up”! If she says that, you win!!!』

『Ehhhhh!!? C’mon, Nue-san!! You’re gonna let Komurasaki-tan get all busted up again!? I really like her face, y’know! She’s a beauty—give her a break!!』

『Her face is protected by a mask anyway, so who cares? Okay! Settled!! Oh, and obviously, Kyoshiro, just like before—no forfeiting, got it? Not that I think you would.』

『Ehhhhh!!?』

“Ghh…!!”

Kyoshiro clenched his teeth at Nue’s abrupt rule change.

His objection had only backfired. Sure, making her say “I give up” sounded like a valid win condition—but everyone in the arena, including Kyoshiro, knew that was easier said than done.

“Fine then…!!! Let’s continue…!!!”

“…!! You really are… a damn zombie, aren’t you…!!”

“How is she even still moving…!?”

“She’s just stupidly tough… I mean, Komurasaki is… ah, I mean not tough at all!!”

Indeed—Komurasaki’s toughness was infamous throughout the Beasts Pirates.

A spectator voiced their fear. A sentiment many shared.

In terms of raw durability, she wasn’t on par with the All-Stars, or even superior to the other Tobi Roppo.

But the problem was her willpower. Komurasaki, no matter how badly injured, never stopped fighting. Never retreated. Never fainted. Even on the brink of death, she pressed on.

Some said she was simply heading toward death. That her survival was pure luck. And they weren’t wrong. She’d escaped death countless times—but only by sheer chance.

It was that toughness—mental and physical—combined with freakish luck, that earned her the rank of Tobi Roppo.

Many Shinuchi had challenged her before. All of them gave up. Some even held the upper hand, but she wore them down until they lost strength—and then turned the tables. No matter how broken she was, Komurasaki was the last one standing. She never admitted defeat. Until her dying breath, she would keep fighting.

That’s why making her surrender was so difficult. Unless she passed out, it was nearly impossible.

Of course, if he were willing to kill her, that would be one thing—but Denjiro had neither the permission nor the desire to do so. To him, that made this the hardest win condition imaginable.

And losing wasn’t an option either… a dead end on all fronts.

(What do I do…!? If I keep hitting her, she will die…!! My only option is to take a critical blow and lose that way…!! But can I fool Nue…!?)

Denjiro racked his brain. At this point, losing on purpose was the only way—but having studied and infiltrated the Beasts Pirates for years as Kyoshiro, he knew how difficult that would be.

Even if he managed to fake it—if the outcome didn’t amuse Nue, she might not accept it.

The slightest hint of suspicion would ruin everything. He had to either render himself unable to fight… or lose in a way that looked real.

“…You seem awfully relaxed…!!!”

“!!? Komurasaki…!!”

He couldn’t bring himself to call her ‘sama.’ He was still Kyoshiro, the yakuza under Orochi. That fact frustrated him. If he could, he’d rush to protect Hiyori that very moment—but she had explicitly rejected him. He couldn’t reveal his true identity here.

She still glared at him as Komurasaki, filled with fierce determination.

“You keep spacing out like that… but don’t blame me if I take advantage…!!!”

“…Why don’t you just give up already…!? No matter how long you drag this out, you’ll never beat me…!!!”

“You won’t know until you try… You won’t know until the very end…!!! ‘Kappa Style’…!!”

“…!!”

Komurasaki’s Haki flared. Her hybrid form. With her twin swords, she used “Sotomusou”—a technique from the style of a long-departed comrade of Denjiro’s, one Hiyori had adapted herself.

“‘Shinazugawa’!!!”

“!!! …Tch…!!”

Incredible strength. Sharp swordplay. Hiyori was showing her true power at last. For a moment, Denjiro was genuinely impressed—but he quickly regained focus. He couldn’t hold back. He had to win. And just then—he found a way.

(The ocean’s right below…!! I don’t know if I can pull it off, but I’ll destroy the arena and send her into the sea…!!! A Devil Fruit user can’t fight once submerged…!!!)

This special arena was built above the sea. Its stage, surrounded by sturdy walls, was made of reinforced material—but below it was seawater. If he could send her into it, he could win.

A Devil Fruit user submerged in the ocean would be universally recognized as defeated. Even Nue would have to declare it.

With that, Denjiro leapt, raising his blade and pouring all his strength into the strike aimed at both Komurasaki and the stage. The match hadn’t yet caused serious structural damage—but he had no choice now. He would make it happen. That was his resolve.

“…‘Oden… Two-Sword Style’──”

“…!! Wha…!?”

And then Denjiro heard it. No doubt about it.

His fallen lord’s style. That stance. The peerless swordsmanship that even wounded Kaido. The legendary technique.

A technique Hiyori could never have known. He had never taught it to her. Yet she had taken that stance.

Unintentionally, Denjiro faltered for a split second.

And in that instant—Hiyori didn’t miss her chance.

『──“Togen Totsuka”!!!』

"!!!?"

Kozakura soared through the air—then slashed through Kyoshiro's body.

In that instant, the entire audience held their breath.

Waiters, Pleasures, Gifters, Marys… even the Shinuchi, the Flying Six, and the All-Stars were taken aback.

Even Kaido—and Nue—watched with expressions of delight.

And in that moment… Denjiro, slammed into the ground, felt it slowly and vividly.

"This… is…!?"

He tried to speak, tried to summon his strength—and was stunned.

He couldn’t stand.

His hand couldn’t even grip his sword.

He couldn’t continue the fight like this. It was, undeniably, a loss.

But it was a defeat born from an unintentional opening. He should be glad, at least, that Hiyori hadn’t been harmed.

And yet—he was overwhelmed.

The blow had carried such force it left him unable to stand. A strike laced with Haki… with unwavering will… brought tears to Denjiro’s eyes.

(Hiyori-sama…!! So this is how strong your will for vengeance has become…!!!)

He felt it.

That terrifying resolve.

Hiyori could see nothing but revenge now. She was utterly consumed by the belief that she had to complete it with her own hands.

She had cast aside her everyday life, her friends, her comrades, her family, peace, even the future—everything—for the sake of gaining “power.”

There was no defeating her. Not like this. Not against this strength. Not alone.

And yet… she was being led to make that decision of her own free will.

By whom? And for what purpose?—The answer was obvious.

"You did great, Kozakura-chan♡"

"Haa… haa…!!"

From the sky, the source of all evil descended.

The “Demonic Beast Nue.” One of the Kurozumi Clan’s top weapons alongside Kaido—one of the very figures who destroyed Wano. The monster who had Hiyori kill her comrade Kawamatsu, and who still led her down the path of vengeance.

That creature now landed beside Hiyori, praising her bloodstained form—while looking this way.

So—utterly—hateful.

Even as Kyoshiro, a Shinuchi, Denjiro couldn’t help but glare with hatred. Nue began slowly approaching. Strangely, as the enemy drew near, strength welled up inside him. He knew he shouldn’t—but even so, he could still grip his sword. If he could just thrust it forward—

"And now… good work—De-n-ji-ro♡"

"!!? Wha… what…!?"

The blood drained from his face.

She had called his name. Not his false one. Not his alias meant to deceive… but his true identity, exposed.

"Did you really think I didn’t know? Fufufu, too baaad♪ I~ already knew~ that♡"

"…!! Guh…!!"

"Nope! Too slow♪"

"Gah…!!"

She crushed the hand that tried to grip the sword beneath her foot. It wasn’t the strength of a girl, no matter how she looked. No matter how hard he struggled, he couldn’t move—her pressure was like a vise crushing him. Her movements seemed light, but they weren’t at all.

And as she crushed his chance to counterattack, Denjiro turned to Hiyori. His disguise—something that should never have been discovered—had been exposed. The only one who could’ve known… was Hiyori. As he looked to her panting figure, wondering if she had betrayed him—

"Nue… san…!!"

"!!?"

—No. No, it wasn’t Hiyori-sama!!!

Denjiro instantly understood. Her expression was filled with pure shock.

It wasn’t the look of someone who had expected Nue to know his identity. Or perhaps… it wasn’t strange for her to have suspected it, but she was surprised to learn it was truly known. It wasn’t Hiyori. They shared the same goal of vengeance, if not the same means—she wouldn’t have revealed it.

So who did?

"Humm-humm~♪ With that, the match is officially over. The winner is Kozakura-chan! And now… for a little intermission entertainment—a special execution show for our traitor, Kyoshiro～～～～!!!"

"…Eh?"

"A traitor…!?"

"No way!! Boss Kyoshiro!?"

The announcement sent the arena into an uproar. No one could believe the claim that Kyoshiro was a traitor. Pirates of the Beasts Pirates who had served alongside him for years, as well as Orochi’s loyal samurai and ninja, all broke into cold sweat. Kyoshiro had lived all this time as a model of loyalty to Orochi—that’s why they were stunned.

And the one who was most shocked, rushing out of the waiting room and onto the stage, was—

"Whoa whoa, you’ve gotta be kidding, Nue-san!! Kyoshiro’s a traitor!? No way—that’s gotta be some mistake!!! I can’t believe it!!!"

(…! Sasaki…!!)

One of the Flying Six of the Beasts Pirates. Sasaki. A close friend with whom Kyoshiro had built a relationship for the sake of gathering intel.

Amid the crowd’s commotion, Sasaki—though a little flustered—stood his ground, telling Nue without fear that she was wrong. It was proof of his unwavering trust in Kyoshiro. But Nue, merciless as ever, pressed the truth. After briefly glancing at Sasaki’s face, she seemed to consider her words carefully.

"…Sorry, but he really is a traitor, Sasaki—or maybe I should say, he was never on our side to begin with?"

"That can’t be true!! Kyoshiro’s been loyal to Orochi from the start!! What proof do you even have, Nue-san!?"

"Hmm… sorry? I didn’t realize your friendship was so real. I was gonna let him roam a little longer, but yeah—no doubt about it, Kyoshiro’s the ‘enemy’—right!!"

"!!"

"!? What is that…!?"

"Wait a second… that crest on his back…!?"

As Nue delivered the final line, she yanked down Kyoshiro’s robe to expose his back. The video Den Den Mushi broadcasting the match sent the image across the arena.

And what it showed was—a crest of a bird encircling a ring.

The samurai of Wano, as well as the Beasts Pirates who had long made Wano their base, recognized it instantly. The crest of the Shogun’s family. The daimyo of Kuri. The man who wounded Kaido. And then, Nue revealed Kyoshiro’s true identity.

"The crest of the Kozuki Clan…!?"

"—That’s right. This is the crest of the Kozuki Clan. And the one bearing it on his back is none other than… one of the Nine Red Scabbards—Denjiro!!!"

"…!! You mean… one of the Scabbards survived…!?"

"Kyoshiro is…!!"

"……!!"

There was no denying it now. No excuse, no defense could undo this. Even if he argued he wasn’t Denjiro, that crest on his back was proof of betrayal.

"Well, the crest alone doesn’t prove he’s Denjiro, but… you get it now, right? Kyoshiro is a vassal of the Kozuki Clan. He’s been hiding among us all this time, waiting for a chance to strike us down."

"…Is this for real, Kyoshiro?"

Sasaki stared at the crest, fists clenched, and asked with a serious expression.

But Denjiro, no longer Kyoshiro, said nothing. All he could do was grit his teeth and silently apologize to his comrades for being captured.

And seeing him stay silent, Sasaki seemed to understand. His expression shifted—from one of sorrow to burning anger, as he glared at Denjiro.

"…I see… I’ve been a damn fool…!!! You were playing me this whole time…!!!"

"Honestly, I think Denjiro deserves some praise for fitting in so well. Without me, no one would've figured it out."

"…Why… how did you find out…!?"

"Hmm~ I wonder~? Why do you think~? Bet you’re curious, huh? But I’m not telling!!! …Anyway, enough about that!!"

Denjiro asked how she found out, but Nue only responded with a childishly cruel smile. Then, after a slight pause, she casually pulled out a weapon from somewhere—a trident, her weapon of choice—and pressed it to Denjiro’s neck.

"Now then, it’s time for your execution… but! I’ll give you one last chance! If you swear loyalty to us not as Kyoshiro, but as Denjiro—I’ll welcome you into our fold!! I’ll overlook your past and your years of hiding!!!"

"……!!"

Nue’s offer struck directly at Denjiro’s pride. To betray the Kozuki Clan—and swear allegiance to her.

Even for Denjiro, who had lived as Kyoshiro, Orochi’s most loyal underling, it was unthinkable. She wasn’t asking for Kyoshiro’s loyalty—but Denjiro’s.

It was something he could never accept. So without even needing to reply, he instead voiced a question.

"Why… why have you… kept Hiyori-sama alive…!!? You kill me, but let her live…!! Why!?"

"Hmm… so you're refusing by answering with a question? In that case, I guess I’ll just show you hell."

"Enough of that…!! Answer me…!! Why are you keeping Hiyori-sama alive!!?"

Among the upper ranks of the Beasts Pirates, it was already common knowledge that Kozakura was Hiyori. Denjiro had long since been informed by Hiyori herself. She had even told him Kawamatsu was dead.

But he couldn’t understand it. If they were going to betray her eventually, why keep her alive all this time? If they killed them both, that would make more sense.

That question wouldn’t leave him. He didn’t care what happened to himself. But Hiyori… she had to be saved.

"…Not like I owe you an answer, you know? But… sure. Consider it a little parting gift for the afterlife."

To Denjiro’s surprise, Nue actually seemed willing to answer. She leaned in close to his ear, narrowed her eyes, and—

"That said, it’s really nothing special──I just enjoy a bit of investing. Been into it lately. There’s a thrill in both success and failure... either way, I win♪"

"! Investing... you say...!?"

"Yup. I mostly invest in people♡ In Hiyori-chan’s case... well, I doubt it’ll happen, but on the off chance she makes a dramatic comeback and rises up to our level, that’d be entertaining. And if she fails──I get to kill her and enjoy that instead, right?"

"...!!!"

Fujiro’s face flushed with rage at the word “investing,” already outrageous enough on its own, and then further twisted in frustration at her words soaked in malice. In the end──to Nue, this was all just a game. She was toying with Hiyori for amusement.

"In the end, I’ll kill her either way. But look, isn’t it more satisfying to kill someone after an epic struggle than to just snuff out someone weak? It’s way more fun to stomp out someone who’s clawing at you with everything they’ve got, desperate to kill you, rather than some rando you’ve got no beef with♡"

"You...! You would do all this to Lady Hiyori for that...!?"

"That’s what it means to be a pirate. Real pirates are honest about their desires and don’t care what anyone else thinks. You know that, don’t you? Even your precious Oden was like that. Heir to the shogunate of Wano, the fool lord of Kuri. And──the greatest pirate of all♡ Kaido and I both adored Oden. We remember him very well!!!"

"Don’t you dare speak like you knew Lord Oden...!!!"

Fujiro snarled through clenched teeth at Nue’s words──but he didn’t outright deny most of it. He knew what pirates were like. He knew what Oden had been like.

But these two were beasts, and more than anything, his enemies. He had no intention of debating what was right or wrong at this point. He didn’t want to persuade anyone. He simply wanted to deny their twisted ego with one of his own. He wanted to avenge someone he loved.

And in truth, Nue likely understood that feeling well. She truly understood Oden, even cherished him──and yet was still determined to trample everything he left behind. Just like Kaido.

"I like fools... Roger... Whitebeard... Oden... that man, too...!!! All of them were reckless, selfish, burning with everything they had... and completely foolish...!!!"

Nue loved those with strong wills.

That was all there was to it. A pure sentiment. Her malice was just one face of her, merely a means to that end. She adored them like a lovesick girl, and yearned for them like a beast awaiting its destined rival.

She craved to be the target of overwhelming passion. She wanted to clash with strong-willed people, and do something with that fire. Whether she paid them respect and laid them to rest, or shattered their dignity and crushed them into the dirt──for Nue, it was the same. All just a matter of her desire, and how it aligned with her ambitions in that moment.

A pirate is free, bound by nothing. They act on desire and enjoy both saving lives and committing atrocities. If someone gets in the way of their ambition or pleasure, they’re eliminated. If they’re useful, they’re spared──that’s what it means to be a true pirate. That was her code.

"Hiyori-chan still has a chance to become a fool. But you two... well, I don’t think there’s any hope left. We don’t need your strength anymore, and time’s up.──So killing you here for fun ends up being a profitable investment, don’t you think?"

"Worororo... Kyoshiro... what a shame. If you were a bit stronger, I’d have let you live. But losing to the likes of Komurasaki? That level of strength will never be enough to take us down...!! If you won’t serve under us, then there’s no choice──you die...!!!"

In this world, fools are the strongest. That was Nue’s personal belief──those who deviate from all reason and possess overwhelming willpower are the strongest of all.

That’s why she never bent. Alongside Kaido, she delighted in trampling weaklings however she pleased.

"Don’t worry. Your precious, precious Hiyori-chan... we’ll take good care of her and savor every last bit at the end♡ We’ll even make her a grave, throw her a funeral, cry some tears♡──Well, if she turns out useless halfway through, we might just kill her on a whim, ahahahaha!!!"

"...!!!"

"............!!"

Blood trickled from Kyoshiro’s mouth. Hiyori, at the edge of her strength, had dropped to her knees on stage and stared at him in shock. She likely hadn’t imagined Fujiro would be killed here and now. She had prepared herself, but watching someone so close to her die... it rattled her to the core. Even if it was the second time.

Nue and Kaido’s laughter caught on, and now even the audience had begun to grasp what was happening, joining in with gleeful laughter. Fujiro could only await execution. But that wasn’t the end of the cruelty.

"Sasaki!!"

"!"

Nue called out to Sasaki, who had been silently watching Kyoshiro up close. Then, from her UFO, she dropped several weapons and torture tools onto the stage.──That alone made it obvious what was coming. And that it was allowed.

"I’ll let you do it. I’m sure you’ve got a lot of feelings about Kyoshiro. You were best friends, weren’t you? So I’ll give you the honor of torturing him──along with Ko・mu・ra・sa・ki・cha・n──and then killing him."

"!! Hey!! Why drag Lady Hiyori into this too!?"

Sasaki was ordered to handle the torture and execution──but Komurasaki was included as well, prompting Fujiro to cry out. Nue simply shrugged.

"I mean, Sasaki’s her next opponent anyway. And Komurasaki-chan... doesn’t look like she can fight anymore. So I thought this’d be the perfect chance for some extra training. Same difference, right? Komurasaki-chan’s not gonna forfeit the match, is she?"

"...Y-yes..."

"Lady Hiyori!! You mustn’t──Ugh!!?"

Fujiro tried to stop her after seeing her nod, but his words were cut off by a sharp shock to his back.──Sasaki had stomped on him.

"Oh, I see how it is... You and Komurasaki both, playing me for a fool...!!──Hey Nue, so long as I don’t kill Komurasaki, I can hurt her as much as I want, right?"

"As long as she doesn’t end up with lasting damage that keeps her from fighting, sure! But hey, even if she does, she’ll heal eventually. There are recovery methods. So it’s fine!! This is just Komurasaki-chan’s training to get stronger!!!"

"...Heh... You hear that, Kyoshiro──or should I say, Fujiro... Before I make you pay for betraying me, I’m gonna show you how pissed off I am by tearing Komurasaki apart first...!!!"

"!!? Stop it... Sasaki...!!! Guh!!?"

"You think you can still play the best friend? Don’t make me laugh...!! No point holding back anymore...!! This rage of mine needs a release...!!!"

Sasaki transformed into his hybrid form and stepped away from Fujiro, looming over Hiyori. She was trying to stand, staggering to her feet with her sword in hand──but there was no way she could put up a real fight in that condition.

"Don’t take this personally. Like Nue said, unlike that traitor over there, you’re still one of us...!! And since we’re comrades, you get it, right? No hard feelings, no matter how badly this goes...!!!"

"...Of course. That’s only fair...!!!"

"Yup yup, being comrades is just the best!!! Of course, if Komurasaki-chan can fight, she’s free to resist! If she manages to beat Sasaki, we’ll treat her to all kinds of yummy food later as a reward!!!"

『Whoaa~~!!! What a shocking twist for Komurasaki-tan!!! It’s brutal, but that’s how it is!!! No forfeits allowed!!! As long as you’re still breathing, you fight in the Beasts Cup!!! If you wanna challenge us, you better be ready for long, grueling battles!!!』

"Gyahaha!! This is rich!! Komurasaki’s still gonna fight!!"

"The execution show’s gonna be wild too!! Betrayal is a・no・go!! That’s our iron rule!!"

"UOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"

The crowd’s roar thundered across the arena. For them, a fight between Tobi Roppo or a traitor’s execution were equally entertaining.

And Queen’s words weren’t wrong either. This one-on-one tournament format──a nonstop series of battles──was the perfect test for anyone aiming to challenge a Calamity. The true Calamities could keep fighting, no matter how beaten down they got. As long as they weren’t dead, they’d get up again and keep going, ready to fight for Kaido and Nue. That’s what a Calamity was.

In that sense, Komurasaki was both the most suited and least suited for that role. She had no loyalty to Kaido or Nue, but she had now risen to her feet and was facing Sasaki with her sword drawn. Maybe kneeling earlier had been to recover even slightly. After all, Animal-type Zoans had high durability and recovery.

"And now we reach the quarterfinals!!! Well, technically there are still some round-of-16 fights left, but whatever!!! SASAKI VS KOMURASAKI!!! A full-on clash between Tobi Roppo!!! And don't miss the brutal execution show starring traitor Kyoshiro a.k.a. Fujiro!!! This is what happens when you cross us!!! Don’t go anywhere♡"

『There aren’t even any channels to change to though!!!』

"Gyahahahaha!!!"

And with that, Nue stood atop the stage where Sasaki and Komurasaki were waiting, delivering the pre-battle spiel as Queen chimed in with a snappy retort. The crowd burst into laughter, while Komurasaki and Sasaki readied themselves, clashing auras flaring with Haki. Kyoshiro, overcome with despair and rage, wept silently.

Amidst it all, Nue raised her mic high and declared the start of the match──

"──Alright then, Sasaki vs. Komurasaki!!! Let the match begi—………!!!"

"...Hm?"

"Huh?"

『Ehhhhhhhh!!? You’re not gonna say it!? What’s wrong, Nue-san!!!』

"…………(This presence…!!)"

──She couldn’t say it.

The crowd, caught mid-cheer, faltered awkwardly. Queen jumped on the missed cue and threw in a quick jab, but Nue simply looked upward, her expression tinged with suspicion──as if sensing something.

(...Kid? Killer? Hawkins?──No, not them.)

Nue shot down each possibility internally. Those three from the Worst Generation—Kid, Killer, and Hawkins—Kaido, Nue, and the Calamities had already known about their presence on the island.

Moreover, Nue had already detected several powerful individuals scattered across the area using her Observation Haki. While not perfectly accurate, her haki’s range was immense, blanketing the entirety of old Wano, the whole of New Onigashima, and the nearby seas. She could easily perceive everything on Delta Island, and even detect presences within several hundred kilometers of the surrounding waters.

However, Observation Haki couldn’t discern specific identities. It could differentiate strength levels among nearby beings, but when multiple powerful auras overlapped, it became impossible to distinguish them clearly. Even when power levels were distinct, unless you knew the individuals personally, identification was out of reach.

And what Nue had just sensed now──was none of the figures she already knew were present. It was someone who surpassed all of them──someone even stronger.

"...Aha♡"

In that moment, Nue understood, and a bright smile spread across her face. Her gaze no longer registered Hiyori or Fujiro at all.

Their bait had worked better than they’d dared hope──they had drawn in a fool far beyond their wildest expectations.

---

A few minutes before Nue was certain of her scheme’s success, an unusual event was unfolding deep underground.

"Ugh...!!"

"Hah... hah...!!"

"Damn it... what the hell is going on...!?"

The underground was Festa’s hideout—an area largely unknown and uninvestigated by the Beasts Pirates.

Using Festa’s invitation and information from the informant Apoo, Kaido and Nue had lured the three members of the Worst Generation there, intending to trap them all at once.

But in that underground lair, bloodied and battered──only five remained conscious.

Kid. Killer. Hawkins. Apoo. And──Jack.

Though Apoo had attacked the three, even “Calamity” Jack was wounded all over.

However, those wounds weren’t inflicted by Kid and the others. During the battle between Jack and Apoo against Kid’s crew, Jack had held the upper hand, defeating most of Kid’s men and putting them on the brink of annihilation.

But the ones who completely destroyed Kid’s forces, along with Jack and Apoo themselves──were a tall, dark-skinned man, slightly smaller than Jack.

"──That’s enough. The path is cleared...!!!"

That man sank Jack and the others beneath the earth, then headed for the surface.

His target wasn’t small fry──he sought to become the “World’s Strongest.”

To surpass the current strongest in the world and become the greatest pirate no one else had ever managed to be.

The stage for that battle was set. Preparations had been made by those who had joined forces as a vanguard.

All that remained was the challenge. Trusting only in his own strength, the man who once caused the “Galzburg Tragedy,” made a name for himself in the Roger Pirates, and escaped Impel Down──a legendary pirate.

"Ka ha ha ha ha...!!! For the title of World’s Strongest... this is the fight...!!! The Beasts Pirates...!!!"

──The man known as the “Demon’s Successor”──Douglas Barrett.

A man who had spent twenty years amassing power in hell──had finally emerged onto the main stage.