Chapter 76: Onigashima

Wano Country is one of the most enigmatic nations among the mysterious islands of the New World.

Yet rumors about it spread far and wide—through the Grand Line and across the four seas—whispered as truth. Its samurai’s strength, the existence of ninja, its unique cultural system, and its status as an isolationist nation unaffiliated with the World Government were all well-known.

And now, there was one more reason why approaching it had become even more impossible.

Wano Country was the stronghold of the Beasts Pirates—one of the feared "Four Emperors."

Merely entering their territory was near suicide, but stepping foot into their base, Wano Country? That was as dangerous as walking straight into a beast’s den.

Thus, at present, the number of outsiders entering Wano had dwindled even further, inadvertently achieving the goal of protecting the country from foreign interference.

"—Sister. We’ll be arriving in Wano soon."

"Nue-sama is calling for us. …Sister? What are you doing?"

"Silence!! …Hmm, perhaps I should raise the angle of my gaze slightly higher… Yes, like this…?"

And so, three girls were about to set foot in this extraordinary nation of the New World.

They were former slave sisters from the warrior tribe of Kuja, hailing from Amazon Lily, the Island of Women in the Grand Line.

The youngest, with orange hair—Boa Marigold.

The middle sister, with green hair and a slightly larger frame—Boa Sandersonia.

And the eldest, a raven-haired beauty who, for some reason, was in the ship’s hold practicing a domineering pose—Boa Hancock.

Like the other freed slaves who had chosen to follow them, the sisters were now under the care of the Beasts Pirates. These were the ones who had liberated them—their benefactors. Though they were ruthless pirates, their act of kindness was enough to sway the hearts of many former slaves.

And so, the sisters had pleaded with the Beasts Pirates' Vice Captain, "The Phantom Beast, Nue," to let them begin a new life as pirates, with the goal of growing stronger.

…Yet, Hancock’s bizarre behavior left her two younger sisters bewildered. Just what was she doing?

Unfazed, Hancock noticed their arrival and casually sought their opinion.

"Sonia, Mari. I wish to perfect a pose that exudes superiority. What dost thou think?"

"…I don’t really get it, but… isn’t that too much? You’re practically looking up."

"Your way of speaking is also weird now… But more importantly, why are you even doing this?"

Sandersonia pressed the question again. Hancock finally dropped her pose—which had her staring at the ceiling—and clenched her arm with a grave expression before declaring:

"I… shall change. I shall grow stronger. So that never again shall anyone rule over me…!!!"

"Sister…"

"…"

Her face bore the weight of fierce resolve. The slight paling of her complexion suggested she was recalling past suffering.

But she would face forward. She gritted her teeth, swearing to cast aside those loathsome memories—her own weakness, her own naivety.

"Sonia, Mari… I shall discard all weakness from this moment forth. And that includes… showing leniency toward thee. If thou dost not wish to follow this path, I suggest thou distance thyself from me now. If thou desirest to turn back, speak to Nue, and the two of thee may return ahead of—"

"—Sister."

"!"

Hancock warned that her newfound ruthlessness might hurt them—the sisters who had always been by her side.

So she told them to leave now, while they still could.

But the two girls only stared back at her, unshaken. And Hancock realized—their eyes burned with determination.

"We… are prepared as well."

"Even children in Kuja know this—in these seas, weakness means death. That’s why we aren’t allowed into the outside world until we become proper warriors."

"And yet, here we are. Becoming strong, becoming true warriors… was always the path we chose. So… why would we abandon you now, when you’re striving to reach even greater heights?"

"Strength is beauty… So become as beautiful as you wish, Sister. We’ll grow strong enough to stand beside you."

"Sonia, Mari… Very well."

Hancock swallowed her words, accepting their resolve with a simple nod. Then, straightening her posture with regal grace, she strode past them and out of the hold.

"Nue summoned us, did she not? Something about meeting this 'Kaido'… Let us go."

"Yes."

"Let’s go, Sister."

No thanks were exchanged. Because none were needed.

They were young warriors of the Kuja, the fighting tribe from the hidden island of women in the Grand Line.

They had no fear of vulgar, lust-driven men.

For them, the pinnacle of existence was to be strong, elegant, and beautiful women.

Yet they did not know.

"But, Sister… Isn’t it dangerous to address Nue-sama—and even Kaido—so casually…?"

"We’ve never seen anyone in Kuja as strong as her… And she’s only the Vice Captain? The second-in-command?"

"…Indeed, Nue is… a monster. But I refuse to believe there exists another of her caliber. She seems fond of us, and we owe her our gratitude… But the rest? Those lecherous weaklings among the crew? They deserve neither fear nor respect."

"…Right."

They did not yet understand the New World.

They did not know the Beasts Pirates—the ones who had conquered Wano, an isolationist country not unlike their own Amazon Lily.

They did not know what lurked on Onigashima—monsters far more terrifying than demons.

Still ignorant of the world’s true horrors, they were about to learn of Wano, the Beasts Pirates… and the Four Emperors—beings of another dimension entirely.

And so, their fateful day began.

---

"Tadaaa~♪ This is our headquarters!! Wano Country—Onigashimaaaaaa!!!"

"……!!"

"It’s huge…!!"

"It really is shaped like an oni…!!"

Hancock and her sisters stepped onto the shores of Onigashima’s lake aboard Nue’s ship, the Unknown, surrounded by her crew. As Nue leapt forward with a grin, arms spread wide to proudly introduce the island, the three girls couldn’t hide their awe at the sight of this New World stronghold. The hopeful recruits who had sailed with them were equally stunned—this was the base of one of the Four Emperors.

Meanwhile, the freed slaves who chose not to join the crew were sent to Wano’s Udon district, where they would work and live. Some might eventually be relocated to other islands in the territory, but for now, Udon was their temporary home.

Even so, Onigashima itself was staggeringly vast—far larger than the Kuja Empress’ palace in their memories. The entire island was the castle, a fitting fortress for an emperor.

And swarming across it were pirates—who, the moment the ship arrived, raised their hands and roared in unison.

"NUE-SAMA’S BAAAAAACK!!!"

"NUE-SAMAAAAA~♡"

"Nue-sama has arrived!! Inform Captain Kaido!!!"

"Tch… Such a raucous welcome…!!"

"……!! As expected, mostly men…"

The Beasts Pirates’ cheers at Nue’s return left the sisters taken aback—especially Hancock, who frowned slightly at the overwhelming male presence.

"Yeeeeeaaah!! I’m hooooome!!! The one and only Nue-chan, live and in person~!!!"

"WOOOOOOOH!!!"

Nue, of course, paid no mind to their discomfort, returning the cheers with equal enthusiasm.

As the ship docked, Nue disembarked, followed by Ulti and Page One—and then the three sisters.

A bridge led to a long staircase… but before it, in the plaza, loomed a massive shadow. A man—an enormous, rotund giant. The sisters tensed slightly. It wasn’t just his appearance or gender—even in their still-unrefined Haki, they could sense his strength.

"Mmm~♫ Finally back, eh, Nue-san!! And you brought a couple of brats too♫"

"Oh, if it isn’t Queen. Went outta your way to greet us? How sweet♫"

"BRATS?! Queen, you callin’ my lil’ bro Page One stupid?! You wanna get wrecked?!"

"Knock it off, Sis!!"

The man—apparently named Queen—greeted them with a rhythmic cadence, arms raised in some kind of pose. Hancock and her sisters had no idea why a man would call himself that, nor did they care. Nue played along, though it was clear Queen outranked Ulti and Page One.

"Heard all about it from Joker, Nue-san!! Raiding the Holy Land, slaughtering Celestial Dragons!! And then freeing slaves like it was nothing!!"

"Pretty awesome, right?! Got tons of loot, and I even recorded the whole thing—I’ll show you later!!"

"Man, never thought you’d actually do it… Chaos everywhere. Kaido just laughed his ass off… Oh, and your bounties shot up! Buncha idiots whinin’ about how they shoulda gone too!! Muhaha!!"

"Oho, sounds like a party!! Anyway, is Kaido around? Wanna introduce these new recruits."

"Kaido? Drunk himself into a flight again, probably… New recruits, huh—WHOA!!? Damn, they’re hot!! Names?"

"Hancock, Sandersonia, and Marigold!! Three sisters!! —Not as gorgeous as me, of course!!"

"…………Yeah, sure!!"

"……The hell was that pause? You got a death wish? Need me to ‘adjust’ your brain with a saw?"

"N-N-NO NO NO!!! I mean—it’s just… SO OBVIOUS I got flustered!!! Everyone knows Nue-san’s beauty is the greatest in the world, right?!"

"Aww~♡ Silly me, misunderstanding like that♡ Gosh, it’s just common sense, huh~♡ Kinda embarrassing, but I mean, it’s true, so what can I do~♡ Guess my cuteness is just universally accepted now♡"

"Damn right!! Muhahaha…"

Queen had been stunned by Hancock’s beauty, but his delayed response to Nue’s remark nearly cost him his life. The moment Nue’s smile vanished, her gaze sharpening, he scrambled to recover—eliciting an immediate, giggly mood swing from her. Everyone present noted the sweat on Queen’s brow and the unspoken rule: Nue was the cutest. No questioning it. To doubt was to invite hell.

"Alrighty then!! Hey, Nue-san!! How ‘bout we discuss the next tour, huh?! Y’know, since we’re hittin’ up the territory this year!! Let’s sort it out before Kaido gets back!!"

"Oh, right. Can’t introduce these three till he’s here… Oh, but we should give ‘em a tour first."

"Leave that to the two grunts over there, Nue-san!!"

"THE HELL?!"

"Compared to you, we’re ALL grunts, dumbass!!"

"Now now, no fighting. Hmm… Well, alright then!! You two handle it!!"

"Huh…?! Wait, Nue-san, we’re—"

"Ulti, Page One, do your best!! I’ll be back later!! —C’mon, Queen, roll out."

"Yeah—WAIT, I DON’T MOVE BY ROLLING!! I WALK!!"

With that, Queen whisked Nue away for "tour planning," leaving behind Ulti, Page One, and the three sisters. Page One sighed, rubbing his temples.

"Why the hell am I stuck babysitting newbies…"

"No choice, mehh. Queen’s whatever, but we can’t ignore Nue-sama’s orders, mehh."

"…True, but drop the damn sheep talk!! What’s with you this time?!"

"Sheep are trendy this year, mehh. No need to be shy, lil’ bro~♡"

"Tch… Whatever. Just hurry up and show us around, you two…"

"I’ll let the ‘big sis’ comment slide, but call me ‘lil’ bro’ again and I’ll rip your tongue out!! The name’s PAGE ONE!!"

Hancock exhaled sharply at his outburst—men really were brutish and crude, even the younger ones.

But right now, she couldn’t even beat these two. The humiliation burned, but she clenched her fists, silently vowing to surpass them soon.

And with that, she followed them into the depths of Onigashima—where true monsters awaited.

---

"──Listen up, rookie. If you’re joining us, there’s a lot you’ll need to learn. I won’t repeat myself twice. No excuses for not paying attention… You got that?"

"I get it, so spit it out already. And quit turning your face toward me every damn time. The last thing I want to see is a man’s mug."

"Tch… That cocky attitude won’t fly for long. Acting all tough when you’re weak as hell—you won’t last here if you don’t back it up. Better watch your damn step…!!"

"Pfft, getting worked up over a rookie just makes you look desperate, y’know? Try chilling out a little—stop biting everyone’s head off."

"Shut the hell up, you!!"

"Who you callin’ ‘you,’ huh?!"

"Sis… I get how you feel, but picking fights right off the bat is—"

"…I know."

The interior of Onigashima. The stone corridors, part mansion and part fortress, still felt like walking through the heart of a mountain, though wooden beams and ceilings peeked through in places.

Beast Pirate crewmembers bustled about, hauling cargo—likely to and from storage. The halls were wide, the ceilings high, built to accommodate carts. But what stood out were the branching paths.

"Quite the maze…"

"Easy to get lost, Sister."

"Rookies always get lost. I’ll show you the basics, but when you do—ask someone."

"Pee-tan got lost just last week, meh."

"Shut it, Sis!"

Following Page One and Ulti, Hancock’s group moved forward, though they barely grasped the route. With no signs—likely to deter intruders—memorization was key. Asking directions was an option, but dealing with men was… unpleasant.

Yet another matter nagged at them. Sandersonia voiced it:

"Those strange men with swords we’ve been seeing… Are they—?"

"Yeah, samurai, meh."

"…Samurai are part of the Beast Pirates?"

Marigold’s turn. They knew of Wano’s samurai—their fearsome strength, how even the World Government dared not interfere. If Onigashima was the crew’s stronghold, did that mean Wano had fallen under their control?

Page One half-dashed that thought:

"Nah. The samurai here serve Kurozumi Orochi, Wano’s shogun."

"…So Orochi’s your ally?"

"Basically. We helped him steal the country. The samurai are his underlings, but treat ’em like crewmates. No disrespect."

"Troublesome. Hard enough keeping track of who’s who."

"Which is why I’m explaining. Rules included."

At a crossroads, Page One veered right. Hancock’s trio followed, absorbing every word.

For now, they were just former slave girls—albeit with Haki. They prided themselves on being stronger than average grunts, especially since most outsiders couldn’t use Haki. In Amazon Lily, even children trained in it. That disparity bred overconfidence… but some here clearly had it. Underestimating them would be fatal.

"First, the Beast Pirates’ top dog: Kaido, one of the Four Emperors. You know that much, right?"

"Nue told us. Said they’re like siblings."

"…Yeah. Nue’s the Vice Captain. Those two run this place. Cross ’em, and you’re dead."

"Kaido-sama and Nue-sama are both drunk, crazy lunatics, meh."

"Don’t you dare mouth off like this idiot sis!!"

"Who’re you callin’ an idiot!?"

"…………"

Hancock’s group silently assessed Page One’s outburst.

Kaido and Nue. The latter they knew, but Kaido? Another absolute authority. A man, no less—no loyalty owed, his strength unknown.

Hancock’s thoughts crystallized: Outward obedience, for now. Judgment reserved until we meet.

She moved to ask about others—when a nearby conversation cut in:

"—Hah!? Kaido’s not here? Tch… Then Nue. Heard they just got back."

"—Nue’s busy with Queen’s dumbass, planning the next ‘concert.’ Report to me. I’ll pass it along."

"…Nah. I’ll wait for Nue or Kaido. You’re just a All-Star, King. Not worth my time."

"Know your place. That title’s too heavy for you."

"Ugh…"

"…!! Sister, that man—his wings…!"

"And they’re on fire…!?"

"…!! What bizarre men…"

Page One grimaced at the two figures.

Hancock’s group froze, staring.

One man: over three meters tall, clad in a suit-like garb, a demonic mask hiding his face. A sword at his side, tattoos sprawling across his exposed chest.

The other—Sandersonia, Marigold, even Hancock gaped.

Wings. And flames. A towering giant, nearly ten meters, rivaling the earlier "Queen." His face was obscured by a black gas mask, only sharp, slitted eyes visible. But the black wings and roaring inferno on his back stole all attention. He, too, carried a sword.

Both were swordsmen. Their strength? Unfathomable. But one thing was clear: they outclassed Hancock’s trio entirely.

"—King and Who’s-Who? Both back at once? Rare sight, meh."

"! …Bratlings."

"Ulti, Page One. Who’re the three behind you?"

"New recruits. Nue put us in charge of ’em."

"Ah. The ex-slaves from the report…"

“...!”

Faced with the gaze of that fiery man, Hancock and the others instinctively stiffened. He exuded a pressure—one even more intense than that of the man called Queen from earlier. This must be King.

“So, what were you talking about, hmm?”

“It was about the pro-ducts from the territory I oversee. I’d wanted to report directly to Kaido or Nue.”

“Ah, the or-gans, yeah?”

Without even turning to look, the man casually jerked a thumb over his shoulder, gesturing to the mountain of wooden crates stacked behind him. This was Who’s-Who. The crates were all marked with the Beast Pirates’ skull insignia. Coupled with what Ulti had said earlier, Hancock and the others felt a chill race down their spines.

“I’ll pass the report on to Kaido or Nue for you. You just get back to work, Who’s-Who. And Ulti, what happened to the shipment you mentioned the other day?”

“Oh, you mean the leeeaf? I already handed that over to our middleman.”

“I told you to set a few boxes aside for me. We’re running out of stock for torture use...”

Leaf...! Hancock and the others shuddered again. They might be sheltered girls, but they weren’t so naïve as to not recognize pirate lingo. They huddled together, whispering in hushed voices.

“S-Sister... that conversation just now...”

“It’s exactly what you think...”

“Yeah... organ trafficking and drugs... Looks like they’re involved in even filthier stuff than we imagined...”

Their faces had gone pale. This was the underworld of piracy. Even with their experience as former slaves, the dealings of the Beast Pirates were so extreme that just hearing them made their nerves tighten.

Yet for those around them—especially the younger ones like Ulti and Page One—it was business as usual. That in itself spoke volumes. Just like the Kuja were trained as warriors from birth, these people had clearly been raised as pirates from the moment they could walk.

Being one of the Four Emperors meant ruling vast territories across the New World. Everything within those territories was closely tied to the Beast Pirates’ operations. Hancock and the others were witnessing just one glimpse of that reality.

“Can’t spare any for you right now—I’m in the middle of a job Nue-sama assigned me. Tell my subordinates if it’s urgent.”

“Fine, later’s good enough... prioritize Nue’s assignment.”

“......”

“Let’s go.”

Page One turned to leave the room where King and Who’s-Who stood, moving onward. Hancock and the others followed, realizing from the fact that their names weren’t asked—weren’t even noticed—that they were regarded as irrelevant.

“...Who were those two just now?”

“Yeah. That was King of the Lead Performers, and Who’s-Who of the Flying Six. Lead Performers are our top-ranking officers. The Flying Six are the six strongest of the Headliners.”

“So the Headliners are the officers here?”

“Pretty much. That’s the chain of command. Also, all of our officers are Devil Fruit users... Speaking of which, Nue mentioned you lot are ability users too.”

“Ohhh? What kind of powers you got, hmm?”

“...The Mero Mero no Mi.”

“The Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: Anaconda.”

“The Hebi Hebi no Mi, Model: King Cobra.”

“...‘Mero Mero,’ huh? Never heard of it, but sounds like a Paramecia. The Hebi Hebi ones are Zoan types, then. I see... if all of you are users, no wonder Nue-sama treats you special.”

That part they could understand. Nue clearly was giving them special treatment.

They were newcomers, but despite that, they were being personally guided by officers like Page One and Ulti. That much attention could only mean they were highly favored. There were still questions on their minds—like the classifications of Devil Fruits—but what mattered more than anything was... power. And position.

“If... we become strong enough to defeat the Flying Six or the Lead Performers... could I become one myself?”

“...Huh?”

“S-Sister!!”

Both Sonia and Marie panicked. That bold, presumptuous remark—daring to imagine not just Who’s-Who, but even King and Queen within her sights—could be seen as insulting to the organization itself. No wonder they were alarmed.

—But unexpectedly, Page One and Ulti simply snorted in response. They weren’t even angry.

“Heh... sure. If that happens, then that’s what you’ll be.”

“...You’re not angry? A rookie just claimed she’d take over your ranks, you know.”

“No reason to be mad. Our crew runs on strength. Didn’t you see earlier? Who’s-Who’s aiming to become a Lead Performer himself. He doesn’t give a damn about offending the current ones.”

“It’s a merit-based system. If you’re strong, doesn’t matter if you’re new.”

“She’s right. Even if we’re still kids by age, we’ve earned our positions because we’re stronger than the average fighter. That wouldn’t fly in most crews. But with Kaido and Nue, all that matters is power...!!”

Page One and Ulti accepted the brazen statement without flinching. The Beast Pirates were a meritocratic crew through and through. Both of them had risen from being trainees.

Even outsiders like Who’s-Who had climbed to the Flying Six simply through strength. No one objected. His strength spoke for itself.

That fact sent a quiet shiver down Hancock’s spine. The Kuja were a warrior tribe as well—those strong enough became pirates, and the strongest of all ruled as Empress.

Because of that, they couldn’t fully condemn such a system as barbaric or crude. Strength was beauty. Combat was justice. A structure where the strong stood above the rest... was not unfamiliar. For those born of the Kuja tribe, it felt oddly natural. As it should.

Which is why, even with a light sheen of sweat on her palms, Hancock could still wear a fearless smile as she said:

“Then earning a position should be quite simple, shouldn’t it...?”

“...You’re a cocky one, aren’t you? You must think pretty highly of your own power... but don’t get too full of yourself. Around here, Devil Fruit users and Haki masters are a dime a dozen. If you go picking fights with the tobiroppo or the Lead Performers, you’ll just end up dead.”

"All the Headliners are Devil Fruit users and can use Haki, meh. And thanks to what we stole from the Holy Land this time, we’ve got even more new ability users now, meh… Oh, speak of the devil."

“Hmm…? Someone’s coming? But from where…?”

“──Are you the new recruits!?! Then it’s time for a proper greeting!!”

“!!?”

Ulti noticed the presence immediately, but Hancock and the others didn’t.

They heard a woman’s voice from extremely close by, and all of them looked around—but there was no one to be seen.

“Where are you looking, huh!? Up, I said! U-P!! Up!!”

“Up…?”

The three looked up. But all they saw was the ceiling. No shadows, no sign of a person. They tilted their heads in confusion.

“…Down.”

“Down…? ──!!”

“!!? Is that…?”

“Could it be…?”

Page One muttered “down,” and when they looked—there she was. A tiny person, barely thirty centimeters tall. Dressed in red clothes and a matching hat, with a tail and two small horns, the tiny woman looked up at them, clearly furious.

『Beast Pirates "Tobiroppo" – Doute – Bounty: 98,000,000 Berries』

“So you finally noticed, huh, you blockheads!! Ignoring the great Doute-sama—what guts you’ve got!!!”

“A dwarf…!?”

“Seems like it…”

“She’s adorable…”

Hancock, Sonia, and Marigold all reacted the same way, surprised. It wasn’t their first time seeing dwarves—they had seen dwarf slaves before—but they were still rare enough to draw attention.

And this one, named Doute, wasn’t alone. She had brought along several other dwarves. Since Doute was just slightly taller than the rest, it was easy to tell she was their leader—and apparently a Headliner, too. That was their assumption, and as if to confirm it, the other dwarves immediately began chattering in reaction to Hancock and the others.

“How could you ignore Doute-sama like that!? That’s so mean, newbies!!”

“But it’s kinda understandable since Doute-sama’s lie went off perfectly again!!”

“Doute-sama’s the most infamous liar in the entire Tontatta Tribe!!”

“That’s right!! I’m the wickedest one in the Tontatta Tribe!! Fooled you, didn’t I!? It wasn’t up—it was down!!! ──Oh, and there’s a hundred berries on the ground over there!!”

“What!? Where!?”

“That’s mine!!”

“No, it’s mine!!”

“Wait… I don’t see anything!?”

The dwarves all began frantically searching the floor around them at Doute’s sudden declaration. Watching them, Doute broke into a smug smile.

“──It was a lie!!!”

“Ehhhhh!!?”

“No way… it was a lie!?”

“She tricked us again!!! That’s our Doute-sama!!!”

“Doute-sama’s the greatest liar in the world!! We’ll do our best to live up to her example!!”

“…A lie…?”

Hancock murmured, not quite sure what to make of their exchange. The moment she did, the dwarves all snapped their heads up to glare at her.

“You think it was a lie, don’t you!?”

“It wasn’t a lie!! Doute-sama is the best liar in the Beasts Pirates!!”

“That’s right!! And as proof, even her laugh is a lie!! Isn’t that right, Doute-sama!?”

“Wha—!? Uh, y-yeah, that’s right!! Hah, ha—Uu-so, uso, uso, uso…!!”

“Listen to that!! That’s Doute-sama’s laugh!!”

“That’s our Doute-sama!!”

“U-uso, uso, uuuuso… T-This is just how I laugh naturally…!”

(That’s obviously a lie…)

Seeing Doute force an awkward, fake laugh with a twitching smile and a blue face, both Page One and Hancock silently commented in their minds. The dwarves, however, remained completely convinced and continued to praise her. It made one question whether she was really strong or not—but as a confirmed Devil Fruit user and Haki wielder, there was no denying her actual strength.

“What are you doing, Doute, meh?”

“! Oh, r-right!! Thanks for asking!! I was just hauling in lumber from outside, that’s all!! Are you showing the newbies around over there!?”

“Nue-san told me to… Kaido-san wants them to be shown around before he returns.”

“I see!! Well then, I’ll be off!!—Or not, I won’t be off!!”

“Ehh!? You’re not leaving!?”

“──That was a lie!!!”

“Ehhhhh!!? Another lie!?”

“She tricked us again……!!!”

And so, with that same old back-and-forth, Doute and the group of dwarves scurried off beneath Hancock and the others’ feet, disappearing down the corridor. Unsure of how to even react to what just happened, Hancock paused, then confirmed:

“…She’s a Headliner too, isn’t she.”

“…She may not look like it, but she’s strong. Come on, let’s keep moving.”

“Next stop’s the mansion, meh.”

The air was still a bit light-hearted as they climbed the stairs and emerged into a large, open courtyard. Hancock gave her honest impression.

“So we’ve finally reached something resembling a building…”

“This place is used for banquets and such. It’s basically a courtyard, but from here, everything’s pretty accessible. Even the hall where you’ll meet Kaido is just ahead──”

“Gyaaaaahhhhhhh!!!!”

“!!?”

"—Huh!? A person!?"

“What the hell!? Scared the crap outta me!! Who the hell blasted someone all the way down here!? I’ll beat ‘em to death!!”

Just as Page One and Ulti were about to cross the plaza, a thunderous crash erupted—and from above, a man came crashing down through the upper wall, slamming into the ground before them, bloodied and barely conscious. He looked like a pirate. But why he was falling like that, covered in blood, was anyone’s guess.

Ulti immediately snapped, but Hancock and the others turned their attention to the upper level where the sound had come from. What just happened? They had no way of knowing.

“! —Hey, sis! Don’t!!”

“Hmm? What’s got you so panicked, Pe-tan? You’re acting like—ahh, I see what this is about.”

But the Beasts Pirates present did understand. There were only a handful of people capable of launching someone through the walls of a castle. And only one who would actually do it without hesitation.

All signs pointed to the same individual. A massive shadow loomed over the plaza, growing larger by the second.

“!!!”

“!?”

Then—with a thunderous crash—the figure landed. Hancock and the others could only stare in stunned silence.

Before them stood a giant of a man, holding a spiked kanabo soaked in blood.

Two large horns rose from his head—just like the ones on the Beasts Pirates’ jolly roger. A tattoo snaked around his left arm. A jagged scar marked his right abdomen. His body radiated raw, brutal strength.

He was nearly ten meters tall. Overflowing with Conqueror’s Haki and an overwhelming presence. They all knew exactly who this was. Page One muttered the name.

“...Kaido-san. What the hell happened? Who’s this guy...?”

“Huh? Page One, Ulti...”

“Kaido-sama!! Welcome back, meh!!”

“Yeah... Right, Nue said she came back... after killing those Celestial Dragon bastards... Damn it, I should’ve gone too...!!!”

—Kaido of the Beasts.

One of the Four Emperors, rulers of the sea in this era of piracy. The pirate feared as the Strongest Creature Alive stood right before them.

Everything about him radiated danger—he looked more monstrous than any man Hancock had ever seen.

Hancock and the others instinctively froze, faces pale. But they had no reason to be ashamed.

Most who stand before Kaido for the first time react that way. Few ever lay eyes on a true emperor of the sea, but when they do, even the strongest pirates feel their resolve crumble—or abandon hope entirely.

“What’s got you all riled up...?”

“Listen to this shit!!! That bastard couldn’t even deliver his cut, went off on his own, and then had the gall to lose to one of Linlin’s underlings before crawling back here...!!! I’m pissed... Losing to one of that old hag’s crew...!! I ain’t letting this slide—I’m gonna kill him!!!”

“Yeah... looks like he’s from her fleet, alright...” Page One said, glancing down at the pirate passed out and rolling around in the dirt, eyes white.

Hancock and the others still couldn’t move. Even Page One, who should’ve been used to this, looked subtly tense. And those who knew him could tell exactly why—Kaido was drunk.

Within the Beasts Pirates, it was common knowledge. A drunk Kaido was terrifying.

When sober, you could reason with him. But when drunk? He acted on impulse. Sometimes that meant executing his own men, or laying waste to entire territories in a fit of rage.

The fact that he’d gone off alone was already a red flag. The fact that he was still drunk even after coming back was even rarer.

Maybe that pirate had said something that ticked him off further—whatever it was, Page One now seriously resented the poor fool for making things worse. What a damn pain...

Yet amidst all that, one person showed zero fear of the drunken Kaido, and had the nerve to snap back.

“You drunk, meh? Kaido-sama?”

“You idiot!! I ain’t drunk!! —Hic!”

“You’re totally drunk!!”

“—Hey! Sis!!!”

Page One panicked and tried to rein Ulti in. Please don’t provoke him, his face screamed.

Hancock and the others jumped instinctively, then gawked at Ulti in shock.

“Huh...? Who’re they?”

“Oh... (Thank god, he’s not mad) They’re the newbies.”

“Newbies...?”

“!!”

Kaido’s eyes snapped toward Hancock and her group, and a chill ran down their spines.

It felt like being stared down by a sea king—or worse. An instinctual fear tore through them.

They understood. If Kaido decided to kill them right now, they wouldn’t even have the chance to resist.

This man was a monster, through and through. Hancock and her sisters had thought Nue was a terror beyond comprehension—but Kaido was something else entirely.

Nue was a mystery—an enigma cloaked in unease. But Kaido was the embodiment of fear itself. Violence and destruction, walking in human form.

And now that was sizing them up. They focused every ounce of their nerves on him, waiting. The silence stretched, long and unbearable, until Kaido finally spoke.

A simple, almost casual comment.

“Oh right... Nue mentioned bringing ‘em in... but where the hell is that damn Nue!?”

“—Right here!!!”

"! Nue-san…!!"

"Kyaa♡ It's been, like, so long, Nue-sama!!"

At that moment, a small shadow came flying down from above.

The one who landed in front of Kaido was none other than Nue.

Seeing her, Hancock and the others unconsciously let out a breath of relief. It wasn't just because she was someone they knew—someone who had helped them. It was also because they understood what it meant to have someone who could speak to Kaido on equal footing. For the first time, they could relate to the crew of the Beasts Pirates.

"Hey, Nue!! What the hell’s with these brats!!?"

"They’re new blood!! It’s the three sisters—Marigold-chan, the youngest, Sandersonia-chan, the middle child, and the eldest, Hancock-chan!! All of them already use Haki at their age, and they’ve got Devil Fruit powers too! I figured I’d introduce them since they’ve got potential!!"

"! Worororo…!! I see… yeah, I thought they had some fire in their eyes…!! Especially that black-haired one…!!!"

"!! …I'm Hancock."

She almost slipped into formal speech—but swallowed it down. Everyone they’d met here so far didn’t seem like the type to serve or obey anyone. And now Hancock understood why.

But she couldn’t back down. If she did, that would be the end—she’d be dominated.

They had sworn never to be ruled again. Especially not by men.

So, pressing down her trembling hand, Hancock met Kaido’s gaze head-on and gave her name.

Seeing that, Kaido grinned, lips curling upward.

"Wororo… Hancock, huh. I’ll remember that name. If you’re strong, you’re more than welcome."

"Hancock-chan’s gonna be really strong!! That’s why I’m personally training her!! And one day, she’ll lead her own pirate crew and join our ranks!! Isn’t that a great plan?♡"

"You’ve got a whole country too!? Are you royalty or something!?"

"Amazon Lily!!"

"! Ohh… that Amazon Lily, huh… not bad!! If that’s the case, do as you please!! Worororo!!! You’re welcome here!! Wanna drink!? Let’s throw a party!!"

"…I appreciate the offer… but I’m not in the mood for that right now…"

"Tch, no fun!! Worororo!!! But hey, we got new recruits! That’s something to celebrate!! Oi, Nue!! Let’s drink!!"

"Drink, drink~!! Party time, party!! A power-up celebration party!!!"

"Eh!!? Nue-san!! We just had the Golden Kagura feast the other day…!!"

"Idiot!! Pei-tan!! What kind of pirate doesn’t drink when they want to!? That’s nonsense!!"

"Ugh, I’m sorry…!! —Hey! Get the banquet ready!! Orders from Kaido-san and Nue-san!!!"

"Yes ma’am!! We’ll prepare it right away!!"

"Fufuun!! Tonight we’re watching the footage from my guerilla concert in Mary Geoise and I’ll be debuting my new song~~♫"

"Nue-sama’s new song!! It’s divineeee!! Too divineee!!"

"…………"

“W-What do we do, Sister…?”

"I-It’s turning into a party, isn’t it…?"

"……Looks like there’s no escaping it."

As Kaido and Nue suddenly fired up the preparations for a banquet, Hancock and her sisters realized that avoiding the drinking was no longer an option. Their faces turned grim.

They had no choice but to treat this as another trial on the path to becoming stronger under the Beasts Pirates. If they were going to be here for a year or two, they’d have to get used to it. Hancock now understood—Kaido was at least as much of a monster as Nue. Avoiding contact would’ve been ideal, but that was already off the table. Thanks to Nue introducing them and Kaido remembering her name, there was no turning back.

From now on, Hancock and her sisters would grow stronger here, under the Beasts Pirates. That resolve hadn’t wavered. Compared to their time as slaves, this was still a better life. And so, wedged between Kaido and Nue, they took part in the banquet.

––Though Hancock and the others didn’t yet know.

––That the true terror of the Beasts Pirates had only just begun.

––And that soon, due to a single comment, an unprecedented disaster would erupt—something none of them could’ve foreseen.

And that comment was…

“Now that I think about it, everyone here’s siblings, right!? Let’s have the top three drink together!!”

“‘Eldest’…? Oi, Nue, you’re the little sister, aren’t you!!? If we’re going by oldest sibling, that’d make me the top!!”

"…………Huh?"

"…………The hell did you just say?"

––And that was when Hancock and the others learned:

The most terrifying disaster within the Beasts Pirates…

…was a sibling quarrel between the “Beast” and the “Monster.”