Chapter 95: The Warrior King

In this Golden Age of Pirates, among the countless pirates as numerous as the stars, the pinnacle is none other than the "Four Emperors."

These great pirates, reigning over the New World, have been active since the era of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger, battling their way to the top. Now, they stand as the pirates closest to claiming the title of Pirate King.

Naturally, countless pirates who set sail in search of the "One Piece" have aimed to usurp the thrones of these Four Emperors.

Yet, none have ever succeeded. Those who challenged the Emperors and had their pride shattered are as countless as the stars.

——But this year, an exception emerged. A new Emperor rose.

That man was once a young crewmate of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger. With his red hair, three scars over his left eye, and a missing arm as his trademark.

"Red-Haired Shanks" – Captain of the Red-Hair Pirates, One of the Four Emperors – Bounty: 3,448,900,000 Berries

Since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, among the many rookies, he stood out with an overwhelming presence. After his legendary duel with the world's strongest swordsman, "Hawk-Eyes Mihawk," he was once defeated by the Emperor "Kaido of the Beasts" in the New World. Yet the world was stunned when he rose again, stronger than ever.

A pirate inheriting Roger's legacy had finally shattered the stronghold of the Emperors and claimed his place among them. It was only natural.

And the other Emperors—"Whitebeard," "Kaido," and "Big Mom"—were no exception.

---

Food must be quick, delicious—and pair well with alcohol.

That’s been my longtime policy, even now, when I cook at least once a week if there’s nothing else going on.

"Here you go~~!! The cutest master chef in history!! Nue-chan’s full course!! Freshly cooked and piping hot!! Dig in!!"

"—Took you long enough."

Carrying a massive spread of dishes in both hands, with the rest balanced on a floating UFO tray, I kicked open the door to Kaido’s room—only to find him already chugging sake straight from the bottle.

"Ugh, you’re already drinking? Couldn’t you wait a little?"

"You drink while cooking too, don’t you?"

"Well, yeah!! I mean—tasting the food makes me wanna drink, and drinking makes me wanna eat!!"

"You’re more wasted than I am..."

I laid out the dishes on the tatami and plopped down cross-legged. No one else was around—today was just the two of us drinking. Not a raucous party, but a quieter session where we’d discuss pirate crew business.

"C’mon, hurry up, cheers, cheers~♪ Mmm! —Pwahh♪ Today’s batch of Sasaki’s booze is extra good!!"

"Not even Wano’s brewers can match him. Impressive—You brought a bunch of nostalgic dishes again, huh?"

"Heheh. Today’s menu is all stuff we ate back in our apprentice days. Look, I even made that spicy meat-and-fish stir-fry with thick sauce you always complain about—so eat it properly this time!"

"It’s ‘cause you make it sweet. Doesn’t pair well with booze."

"Ugh, you’re still saying the same thing after 40 years? Seriously, don’t you get it? Some drinks go better with sweet food! I put thought into balancing flavors, but you always just want heavy, spicy, meaty stuff!"

"You’re the one stuck in the past. What’s wrong with eating what I want? Quit nagging."

"Oh please, if you cooked for yourself, I wouldn’t complain. But you make me cook and then whine about it—so I’ll whine right back. —Pass me that."

"Here. —Hand me that plate too."

"Mmm… …Haaah… …Those were fun times, huh?"

"Where’d that come from?"

I poked at a piece of braised pork while reminiscing. Kaido tore into a skewer and grunted in response.

"I mean, back then, we’d just charge in without thinking, right? After the fight, we’d be half-dead, still bleeding, but we’d just plunder the enemy’s corpses for cash, jewels, treasure—then party, eat, and drink like there was no tomorrow!"

"…Yeah. Back then, plenty of things pissed me off, but at least I didn’t have to think much."

"Right? Now we gotta plan and strategize. Not that I hate it, but…"

"…Wanna kill each other for a bit?"

Kaido’s casual suggestion. Every now and then, one of us would propose it—or some argument would spark an all-out brawl between us. It was fun. But…

"…Even the tastiest food gets boring if you eat it every day. Sometimes you wanna try something different, y’know?"

"You seem to be having plenty of fun. Prancing around as an idol, messing with brats, doing random good deeds… Meanwhile, I’m stuck dealing with Yamato and Musashi’s crap. Even Orochi’s bitching at me…"

"I’m not not having fun… but scheming in the shadows is way more annoying than just punching someone. —Wait, what’s Orochi complaining about now? Musashi rampaging again? Or the usual ‘Kozuki survivors’ nonsense?"

"Both. Normally I wouldn’t care, but he’s so damn annoying I sometimes wanna kill him on impulse. I can endure it for the crew’s sake… but why the hell should I have to put up with Orochi?!"

THUD. Kaido’s fist lightly struck the floor. The whole mansion shook slightly, but it was nothing serious. Wano’s craftsmen (and ours) were top-notch.

"Orochi, huh… He’s fun when he’s in a good mood, but yeah, sometimes he’s so irritating. Wanna plot his murder for later?"

"Yeah… He’s still useful for building up our forces, but once we’re done with him, I’ll crush him. I’ll take Wano’s shogunate for myself—…Wait, no, Yamato’s still hung up on being ‘Oden’…"

"Oh? Thinking of making Yamato shogun? Ahaha!! That would be hilarious!!"

Installing Yamato—who insisted on calling themselves "Kozuki Oden"—as Wano’s shogun was a funny idea. Maybe even a good one. Kaido could be surprisingly creative.

"Might even make that rebellious brat settle down a little… Doubt they’d wanna leave Wano once they’re in charge."

"Ahaha, who knows? But yeah… securing Wano’s forces would be a huge power boost!!"

"Might even break those loyal Kozuki samurai and force them under my command. One step closer to becoming Pirate King…!!"

"More like ‘one tiny step’… Speaking of which, Red-Hair’s an Emperor now. If we’re picking who to crush first, it’s still him, right?"

"Damn right… That red-haired brat… I beat him half to death and threw him into the sea, yet he crawled back up…!! But his crew’s the smallest. If we strike, he’s first."

This was a recurring topic—who to eliminate first. But for now, it remained just talk. Red-Hair’s rise had stirred the seas, but no openings big enough for a decisive move yet.

For now, we could only steadily build our forces.

"Still, we need more firepower. Even if we can handle two factions at once, we’d still have two more battles after that."

"Whether it’s ‘Red-Hair,’ ‘Linlin,’ ‘Whitebeard’s’ old ass, or the World Government—we don’t have enough strength to crush them yet. That’s why Orochi stays. For now."

"We’ve got Jack, Hiyori-chan, and some smaller additions, but… numbers matter. Guess we’ll have to use that move if it comes down to it?"

I brought up the idea I’d suggested before. Kaido’s expression darkened instantly. If anyone else had said it, he’d have roared at them.

"…They’d never agree."

"Oho~? So you’re saying you would if they did?"

"I’m stating facts!! I didn’t say I would!!"

"Ehh… I’d be fine with it. Seriously, Kaido, you’re so picky."

"Tch… Just drop it. Puts me in a bad mood."

"Yes, yes, Governor~ As you command~"

I gave an exaggeratedly deferential nod since Kaido clearly didn’t want to discuss it further. He is the captain, after all. A capable woman like me knows when to play along.

"So, tomorrow’s the expedition!! Can’t wait!!"

"Don’t just ‘so’ your way into it… Just wrap it up quick and get back. Who’re you taking this time?"

"Did you forget already? Joker’s plan. So, Joker, King—since we’re up against numbers—and maybe Komurasaki-chan and some other lively ones to stir things up. This ‘business trip’ is a big deal!!"

"Ah… Right… Fine, whatever… Though, Komurasaki again? Quit spoiling her and look after my brats once in a while."

"Ehh… Yamato never leaves Onigashima anyway, and Musashi’s fine on her own. Leave her be, and she’ll cut down some samurai for us."

"You tell those idiots to listen for once!! That damn son and daughter of mine don’t obey a word I say!!"

"They don’t listen to me either, so it’s pointless~ …But fine, I’ll nag them when I feel like it."

Kaido grunted and took another swig, clearly irritated. The biggest headaches in our crew—well, his crew—were always Yamato and Musashi. Even I get stressed dealing with them.

I’d hoped pairing them with Hiyori-chan might mellow them out, but only Yamato calmed down a little—and even then, she’s back to being difficult. Musashi? No change at all.

So, to blow off steam, I need to get moving sometimes—and with that thought, I happily kept drinking, looking forward to tomorrow.

---

——No matter how high you climb, you can never see the whole world.

That’s what my father, a pirate who once sailed beyond these shores, had told my brother long ago.

"—Komurasaki-sama!!"

"…………Yes?"

"Lady Nue is waiting for you on deck!!"

"…I’ll head there now."

I nodded at the messenger and rose smoothly, leaving my room for the deck.

…Deck—the word alone made it clear. This was a ship. And every man aboard, including the one before me, was not one of the Red Scabbards or a Kozuki loyalist—but a pirate. My sworn enemies.

Now, I was one of them.

At the pinnacle of all pirates stood the "Four Emperors"—and among them, the Beast Pirates.

As one of the "Tobi Roppo", the six strongest of the "True Disasters", I’d first set sail beyond Wano two years ago. Since then, my values, my life—everything had changed.

My father’s words had been right. The world was vast.

"…Nue-san. I’ve arrived."

"—Mornin’!! Komurasaki-chan!! We’re almost at the island—you ready for a fight?"

"Of course. I’ll cut down anyone in my way."

"That’s my girl♡"

But even so—no matter how much of the world I saw, few could rival the monsters before me.

Out here, I’d learned how the world worked.

Gold Roger, the Pirate King—the man who’d surpassed even the Emperors of his time, circumnavigated the globe, claimed the "One Piece", and sparked the Great Pirate Era—had died eighteen years ago.

Now, the world was held in a fragile balance by a handful of overwhelming powers, barely avoiding all-out war.

The Marine Headquarters. The Seven Warlords of the Sea. The Four Emperors—this era was defined by titanic forces and those who sought to topple them.

…But true monsters were rare. Once, I’d asked:

"——Ahaha, someone stronger than me or Kaido? Hmm~ …Nobody like that’s left, I think♡"

That had been Nue’s answer when I’d asked.

But then, with an amused laugh, she’d told me about the world’s real monsters.

"Well~ That’s what I’d like to say!! But Komurasaki-chan, you’d be surprised—there are actually quite a few who could give us a fight~~♪"

"…The other Emperors?"

"Mhm. That Red-Hair brat’s gotten strong enough to make me wanna crush him, Linlin—ah, that’s Big Mom—has always been a monster, and Whitebeard? Ugh, he’s ridiculous. Gets mad, and suddenly there’s earthquakes and tidal waves."

The foremost among them were the Great Pirates counted alongside Kaido as Emperors.

According to Nue, Joker (the information broker), and the outside world’s newspapers—the Four Emperors were beings beyond common sense.

Cross them, and terror follows. Let them rampage, and no force can stop them.

The balanced, ironclad crew of the New World’s greatest swordsmen. "Red-Hair Pirates" Captain——Red-Haired Shanks.

—Offend her, and despair. A natural-born monster ruling the strongest family, feared as the "Queen of Totto Land". "Big Mom Pirates" Captain——Big Mom Charlotte Linlin.

—Break their code, and face annihilation. A living legend who once rivaled the Pirate King, hailed as the "Strongest Pirate". "Whitebeard Pirates" Captain——Whitebeard Edward Newgate.

—Their mere existence spells doom. The creature known as the "Strongest Living Being". "Beast Pirates" Governor——Kaido of the Beasts.

Though pirates, they ruled vast territories with such strength that even the World Government dared not move against them recklessly.

"…Could you defeat them?"

"Maybe~ I don’t plan on losing, but they’re strong enough that it’s possible♪ And if we’re just talking about giving us a fight, there are others—like the Marines. Never underestimate them."

"We sink Marine ships all the time without issue."

"Most are weaklings, yeah~ But the three Admirals—Akainu, Aokiji, Kizaru—or Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and especially Garp? The "Hero of the Marines"!! If you ever see his ship, run."

The Marines' supreme combat force, the Admirals, the Fleet Admiral "Buddha" Sengoku, and the legendary "Fist" Garp—Nue had warned that the Navy had no shortage of formidable figures.

"As for the Warlords… Eh, they’re mid. Individually, not much. You’ve met a few, right~?"

The Seven Warlords of the Sea—government-sanctioned pirates. Together with the Marines, they formed one of the two powers that kept the Emperors in check.

A testament to just how overwhelming the Emperors truly were.

"But hey~ No matter what, Kaido’s the strongest!!"

And as Nue said—no matter the organization, in a one-on-one fight, Kaido reigned supreme.

Which meant, to achieve my revenge, I needed to reach at least that level.

Yet here I was—a Tobiroppo.

At best, the Tobiroppo were on par with the Warlords… and among them, I was the weakest.

Still so feeble that many True Disasters eyed my position.

——I had to grow stronger.

"…What’s the objective this time?"

I pulled myself from my thoughts and focused on the coming battle. The island ahead seemed large and prosperous—but already, I could sense hostility.

Seeing this, Nue grinned and began another of her "pirate lessons".

"Listen close, Komurasaki-chan. Holding territory in the New World means planting your flag on every island, every country."

"A… flag?"

The symbol of a pirate ship—the Jolly Roger, emblem of death. This, Nue said, was what truly mattered.

"A flag is authority. The more feared the crew behind it, the more power it holds."

She pointed to the Beast Pirates’ flag flying atop the main mast. Its meaning was clear even to me.

"The people… other pirates… No one dares oppose that flag."

"Exactly~ Heck, most won’t even come close♪ A flag with enough prestige can shield a whole island from raiders. That’s why flying an Emperor’s flag is the safest bet in the New World—pay the tribute, and you get an army of monsters protecting you♡"

Yes—no one would dare defy the owners of this flag. The twin-horned skull of the Beasts was the very symbol of power and terror. Oppose it, and you’re crushed.

So, logically, the Beast Pirates’ territory should be the safest in the world. Requests for their protection should flood in—yet they didn’t.

And I knew why.

"…But you don’t actually protect them. That’s why no one asks."

"Ahahahaha!! That's harsh, little Komurasaki!! We do properly protect them from outside threats, you know!! We just make them work for us and pay way more money and resources than usual, that's all!!"

When I said that, Nue doubled over laughing. I could tell she found it endlessly amusing to have subordinates who spoke so bluntly… but that was fine. It was just the truth.

The islands under the Beast Pirates' territory were indeed ironclad when it came to defense against external threats.

Each island was entrusted to a top executive or a subordinate crew for defense, patrol, or governance. And across the entire territory, there was a defensive network of UFOs created by Nue’s ability.

And if things ever got out of hand, the Numbers or the Tobiroppo would step in to suppress the trouble—hell, sometimes even an All-Star would make an appearance.

But the residents of the conquered islands were practically slaves. Slaves who produced weapons and supplies for the Beast Pirates. The islands that generated wealth had some degree of freedom, but even they were forced to pay exorbitant sums, widening the gap between rich and poor. And of course, resistance meant being crushed just like any outside enemy.

With that kind of rule, it was no surprise our territory didn’t expand on its own.

"So this is a sales pitch?"

"Exactly. We’re here to politely ask them to fly our flag. Fufufu… Seems like they’re fired up too. This’ll be fun♪"

"...Understood. I’ll give it my all."

That was the reason for this fight.

But no matter the reason, it didn’t matter. I would keep fighting for my own goals.

---

The New World—Prodence Kingdom.

This wealthy nation, a member of the World Government, was known as a powerful country that had won countless wars.

Abundant weapons. Impenetrable fortresses. And beyond them, an even more formidable stronghold.

Hundreds of thousands of soldiers. Skilled commanders. Ministers and strategists of exceptional caliber.

And above all—a strong king.

"—And here we are, just dropping by for a little sales pitch… So why’re you holed up in your fortress, all lined up for battle? Seems like you’re real fired up♪"

"—Enough of your nonsense!! No one here takes your words at face value!! This is the natural response to defend our nation!!"

From the high walls of the Prodence Kingdom’s fortress, a voice rang out, cutting through the sea air. It was Dagama, the kingdom’s strategist, calling down to the pirates below.

Behind him, the king paid no attention—still shadowboxing, as if the enemy didn’t exist.

That man was the ruler of Prodence. A force of nature in his own right.
They called him the "Natural-Born Weapon of Destruction."

The Fighting King—Elizabeth II.

Across the field of tension, locked in a stare with the king, stood one of the Four Emperors' crew.
The Vice Captain of the Beast Pirates.
She was young, sharp-eyed, and dangerous—
They called her "The Phantom Beast" Nue.

“Ahaha♪ Is that your stance? Fine then. Raise our flag! Do it, and maybe we’ll let you live!!”

“We know what your idea of ‘mercy’ looks like, Phantom Beast!! Your reputation says it all! We won’t let you enslave our people!!”

“Aww, so you have heard of me! Must be the cuteness~♡”

"That’s not what I said!!!"

Dagama’s furious retort—almost like a straight-man’s comeback—echoed at Nue’s cheerful gratitude. Both sides’ soldiers were slightly exasperated, but the tension remained unbroken. Nue recomposed herself and declared:

"Fufufu, as long as you pay what’s due, that won’t necessarily happen~~♪ I mean, you do pay the Celestial Dragons their Heavenly Tribute, right? Just give us a bit more than that—in cash, labor, or weapons—and we’ll keep you safe♡"

"Don’t mock us!! You expect us to abandon the World Government for you!?"

"Hmm~? Nah, you can stay with the World Government if you want! That’s your call!! Just raise the Beast Pirates’ flag and pay up, and you’re good to go♪ After that, you’re free as long as you don’t rebel. I’ll even let you buy merch of this irresistibly cute girl, come to my live shows, and—most importantly—I won’t kill you!! C’mon, the more you hear, the better it sounds!! I’m so nice, right~~~♡"

"Wahahahaha!! Damn right!! Nue’s the best!!"

"The World Government’s washed up anyway—you’re better off with us!!"

"Hey, you lot! Now’s your chance!! Raise our flag if you don’t wanna see hell!!"

"Tch…!! As I thought… There’s no reasoning with them…!!"

Dagama gritted his teeth at the Beast Pirates below—at Nue’s one-sided demands and the pirates’ raucous laughter. He had hoped to negotiate, to find some way to repel them, but they weren’t naive enough to allow that—nor were they opponents who followed common sense.

"Do you truly intend to fight!? Our nation boasts 300,000 soldiers!!"

"Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?—Oh, are you saying that’s how many we’re allowed to kill? Ahaha, what a pro, Mr. Strategist!! You’re great at sales pitches!!"

"!!"

Dagama and Provence’s soldiers alike felt a chill at those words.

They had half-expected it, but even threats were useless.

If they didn’t hand over what was demanded, the pirates would slaughter them without hesitation. There was no room for negotiation.

"...Prepare for battle…!!"

"Yes, sir!!"

Dagama ordered the soldiers into combat formation.

Their only options were to fight and repel the invaders—or hold out until the government sent reinforcements.

As the strategist, it was Dagama’s job to devise a plan for that very purpose—but then, a proposal came flying in that would render all such plans meaningless.

"Well then, let’s get this fight started—but before that, since we’re here, mind if I check out a little rumor?"

"What!?"

Nue’s gaze wasn’t on Dagama—but on Elizabeth II behind him.

"They say you’ve got a King Punch—a blow so powerful it could even knock out an Emperor. And that you’re the one who can throw it. That about right?"

"...! That’s—"

"...Damn straight…!! That’s me…!!"

"My king!!"

"Dagama. The way she’s talking, she already knows about my fist… More importantly—what of it, Phantom Beast…!?"

Nue’s accusation was true—but it was a truth Dagama had wanted to keep hidden.

He had planned to feign ignorance, lull them into carelessness, but the king rejected that approach.

In response, Nue smirked fearlessly.

"That King Punch… I’ll take it for you♡"

"!! What!?"

Disbelieving murmurs spread among the soldiers. Had they heard her right?

But Nue repeated herself, this time even more clearly, beckoning with her hand.

"C’mon down. I’ll let you take your best shot♡ If I go down and don’t get back up… then you win, fair and square♡"

---

The battle had reached its turning point from the very beginning—no, even before it began.

As she watched the forces of the Providence Kingdom likely discussing whether to accept the terms or not, Hiyori’s expression beneath her oni mask grew grim.

To begin with—King—

"—What the hell even is a 'King Punch,' ze yo!? Answer me, King!!"

"…………"

…Just as Hiyori had wondered what a King Punch was, Uru-Ti’s blunt question to King about it created an awkward atmosphere.

Everyone around them—herself included—was stunned. Of all the things to ask him right now!? But after a long silence, King finally responded.

"…………When the Providence Kingdom waged war against another country, their king destroyed an enemy fortress with a single punch. The sheer overwhelming force of it even led people to claim it could take down an Emperor. In short… it’s just a rumor."

"Hah!? Just a rumor, ze yo? No way the great Nue-sama would lose to somethin’ like that, ze yo!"

"…That’s not important right now, Uru-Ti. You’re using the wrong sentence endings."

"The hell ya say, Komurasaki!? Ain’t no way, ze yo! Nue-sama taught me this, ze yo!!"

"…………I see."

Hiyori sighed as Uru-Ti snapped back at her. Still an idiot as usual. More than that, she cursed the situation—why wasn’t Page One here? With only herself and Uru-Ti present among the Tobiroppo, she was stuck dealing with this nuisance far more often than she’d like.

…Still, the idea that Nue or an Emperor could be taken down by something like that was dubious.

And if they were taken down, it’d be a problem. She couldn’t allow them to fall in some unrelated battle she had no part in.

That said, it would be worth watching. In battle, identifying weaknesses was crucial.

And if there was ever a time for that, it was now. Both Nue and Kaido, for all their overwhelming strength, had a tendency toward arrogance. The fact that she was still alive was proof enough of that.

If this were Orochi, he’d never let her live. He’d go to any lengths to kill her, taking every possible precaution.

But Kaido and Nue? Of course they wouldn’t. To begin with, external threats barely existed for them—why bother being cautious? Even those two, when facing other Emperors or the World Government, would plan carefully and never underestimate their foes.

Which meant that everything else—every last samurai in Wano, herself included—was simply not seen as a threat to them.

A dragon had no reason to fear ants on the ground. There was no need to go out of its way to crush them.

At most, they were pests in the garden. Leave them to the underlings—or squash them whenever the mood struck. That’s why they weren’t eliminated. Better yet, why not recruit them?

Every year, countless rookie pirate crews reached the New World and entered the Beast Pirates’ territory. Nearly all of them were either crushed and sent fleeing without ever laying eyes on Kaido or Nue… or gave up and raised the Beast Pirates’ flag instead.

Occasionally, Kaido or Nue would personally entertain the newcomers… and surprisingly, the rookies could land hits. Whether testing them like now or simply refusing to dodge—especially Kaido, who made a point of taking every attack head-on.

But none of it worked. If they ever got hurt, it was only when the two of them fought each other. Otherwise? Untouchable. Not a single drop of blood spilled.

And it was precisely because of that absurd durability that they could afford to take hits in battle. Even though dodging or blocking would be effortless.

After years of watching Kaido and Nue, Hiyori had realized one thing: To defeat them, you needed overwhelming offensive power.

"! Hey…!"

"Here he comes!!"

Did this king truly possess that kind of power? And if he did land a hit—what would happen to Nue?

Just seeing that much would make coming here worth it.

"Here you co~me ♪ Did you warm up properly? Get your mental prep in?"

"Before that… I need your word…!! If my punch puts you down for good… the Beast Pirates will never set foot near our kingdom again…!!"

As the fortress gates opened and the king of Providence slowly advanced, parting the soldiers, he kept shadowboxing while delivering his terms. The height difference between him and Nue was comical—more like an adult and a child—but in reality, Nue was far stronger.

In response to the king’s demand, Nue grinned and nodded.

"You’ve got my word!! So go ahead—hit me ♡"

"Consider it done… Don’t regret this…!!!"

Finally, Elizabeth II raised his fist toward Nue. Nue simply stood there, unmoving.

Both armies watched from a distance. The enemy forces were visibly tense, holding their breath, while the Beast Pirates’ crew smirked, already savoring the moment their opponent realized the futility of it all.

"—KIIIIIIIIIIIIING!!!"

"He’s moving!!"

At last, Elizabeth II drew back his fist.

The sheer muscle tension was impressive, but it was still a telegraphed punch—the kind that should only land if the opponent stood still or was pinned down.

"H-hey… This pressure… Feels kinda dangerous…!!"

"It’ll be fine… right?"

Yet Nue didn’t dodge. Even as the ominous aura grew thick enough for them to feel it, Nue merely lowered her stance, completely open. She wasn’t even using Haki.

"!!!"

And then—the king’s fist was unleashed.

"PAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANCH!!!!"

"!!!"

In that instant—the sound of shattering space erupted.

"…!!!"

"Whoaaa—!!?"

"Guh…!!"

"The shockwave…!!"

The very atmosphere was struck.

Everything in its path—even the ground—was gouged out. Pirates who had kept a safe distance were nearly blown back by the aftershocks, struggling to stay on their feet.

The sheer force kicked up a dust storm—no, it was more than that. A flash of light pierced through, as if a massive bomb had detonated. A punch so overwhelming it could’ve leveled a fortress in one blow.

"…Nue-sama…!?"

"……!! There!! Over there!!"

Several dozen seconds later, the dust settled, and the shockwaves finally dissipated.

The first to emerge was Elizabeth II, panting heavily, his entire body drenched in sweat.

And Nue…? She lay sprawled on the ground—right in the path of the punch—flat on her back in a perfect starfish position.

"Wh—WHAAAAAAAAA—!!?"

"Wait, hold up, this is a joke, right!?"

"D-Don’t be stupid!! Nue-san’s a monster with a 3.7 billion bounty!! The only one who can trade blows with Kaido himself!! No way she’d go down like this!! She’s just messing with us… It’s gotta be part of the show!!"

"Y-Yeah, right!! Nue-sama!! We’re plenty shocked already, so you can get up now!!"

The Beast Pirates erupted into chaos, shouting in disbelief. They pleaded with Nue—now battered and motionless—to stop joking around.

But Nue didn’t get up.

"…………"

"N-Nue-sama…?"

"H-Hey… She’s totally laid out, ain’t she?"

"Y-Yeah… She is…"

The crew hesitantly confirmed it. Nue’s eyes were rolled back, her body twitching faintly.

The moment they saw it—the battlefield exploded in shock.

"UUUUWAAAAHH—!!? NUE-SAMA’S DOWN!!"

"THAT PUNCH WAS INSAAAAANE!!?"

"SO THE RUMORS WERE TRUE!!?"

"WE’RE IN DEEP SHIT NOW—!!"

"No way…!! Lies, ze yo!! No way Nue-sama would lose, ze yo!!"

The Beast Pirates wailed in near-desperation, while the Providence Kingdom’s soldiers erupted in triumphant cheers.

"WOOOOOAH—!!? HE TOOK DOWN AN EMPEROR’S RIGHT HAND!!?"

"THE LEGENDARY KING PUNCH LIVES UP TO ITS NAME!!"

"LONG LIVE THE KING!!!"

"VICTORY IS OURS!!!"

……This can’t be happening.

Hiyori stood frozen, watching the chaos unfold.

Yes, the King Punch had been terrifying. The sheer force of it was monstrous—even the shockwaves alone could’ve knocked out anyone too close. It did live up to its reputation as a blow that could fell an Emperor.

But even so… for Nue to go down this easily?

"GAHAHAHA!! Well then, Beast Pirates!! Time to honor our deal and GET THE HELL OUT OF MY KINGDOM!!!"

"…!"

Hiyori clenched her teeth, a storm of conflicting emotions raging inside her. By all rights, she should be rejoicing—her enemy had been struck down. But the sheer absurdity of it left her numb.

As fury, frustration, and sheer disbelief warred within her—King, standing beside her, finally spoke.

"Honestly… that woman…"

"GAHAHAHAHA!! Well then, 'Wildfire' King!! As the next in command, I trust you’ll give the order to retreat!!"

"…Yeah. I’ll give you this—you did well. Knocking her down is no small feat."

"King-sama!!?"

The crew gaped at King’s composed response—praising the man who had just felled Nue.

"THE HELL, KING!? WHY THE HELL ARE YOU PRAISING THE GUY WHO DID THAT TO NUE-SAMA, ZE YO!?"

"…? I don’t know what you’re thinking, but a deal’s a deal!! Even pirates wouldn’t dare break a promise made between commanders, would they!?"

"…Tch… Yeah. Sure."

King scoffed, nodding—but then his eyes flicked sideways toward Nue.

"If she stays down, we’ll leave… buuuut if she doesn’t… then there’s no need, right?"

"You—!! Damn you…!! So this is how pirates play!? Then we’ll just have to—"

"Owch… Uuuuuuuugh…"

"!!?"

The instant that familiar, singsong voice echoed across the battlefield—every soldier, pirate, and king froze.

Disbelief. Awe. Dread.

Only one man remained calm—King, who simply called out to the figure now rising from the dirt, spitting blood but very much alive.

"…You okay, Nue-san?"

"Aahhh… That really got me… Haven’t felt pain like that since the last time Kaido hit me… Cough Ughhh, my stomach’s all messed up… Someone, gimme some water~~"

"R-Right away!!"

"It’s been a while… since I’ve seen you go down like that."

"N-No way…"

The color drained from the Prodidence soldiers’ faces as hope twisted back into despair.

Because despite taking the King Punch head-on—

Nue was standing.

"Here’s your water!!"

"Thanks~… Gulp… Pwah!! Ahhh, that hits the spot~~ Man, that King Punch really lives up to the hype… ♡ 'Fells an Emperor'—not just empty words, huh? I was gonna ask you to change it if it was too weak, but nah, this’d definitely work on one~!"

"Y-You monster…!!"

"Fufufu~… Seriously, though, that was fun! Been a while since I enjoyed myself like that~ ♡ Would that count as a KO in boxing? Not really up on the rules, but—anyway! Since you gave me such a good time… it’s only fair I return the favor, right!!?"

After taking a swig from the canteen, Nue handed it back—then cocked her fist.

"Calling it a 'Queen Punch' would be confusing… So how about a 'Nue-chan Punch' instead!!?"

"!!"

"! PROTECT THE KING!!"

"R-Roger!!"

"—Battle stations. The moment Nue-san swings back, we move."

"Yes, sir!!"

As Nue wound up her fist, spinning it playfully, both armies snapped into combat readiness at their commanders' orders.

The soldiers of Providence Kingdom desperately surged forward to shield their king, Elizabeth II—but it was a futile effort, only adding to the carnage.

"Infinite adorableness—~~~ 'Nue-chan'... 'PAAAAAAAAAANCH'!!!"

"!!!"

"GYAAAAAAAAAAAA—!!?"

Nue's fist slammed into Elizabeth II, his massive frame hurtling backward with a shockwave that blasted straight through the fortress, scattering destruction in its wake.

This wasn't some meticulously charged, hour-long-prepared killing blow like the King Punch—just a casual, Haki-infused strike.

Yet its devastation was every bit its equal. No setup, no openings. Just pure, monstrous physicality—a beast's raw fury unleashed.

"T-The king!!"

"The fortress—it's been pierced...!!?"

"Send rescue teams, NOW!!"

"How can we fight... a monster like this...!!"

That single punch—showcasing Nue's absurd strength, endurance, and regeneration—hammered despair and terror into every last soldier of Providence Kingdom.

As Elizabeth II lay sprawled beyond the shattered fortress walls, vomiting blood with eyes rolled back, Nue turned her bloodshot, predator's gaze toward the pale-faced troops.

A grin split her face as she delivered the final verdict:

"This sea only needs one 'King'... old man. ♡"

---

The carnage that followed was brutal.

Yet Hiyori thought to herself—this must be an everyday occurrence somewhere in the world.

"Don’t falter!! We outnumber them!!"

"First through Tenth Divisions, hold back the 'Beast Pirates'!!! Eleventh to Fifteenth, focus on 'King'!! The rest of you, follow mine and the generals' orders as needed!!"

"Y-yes, sir!!"

The weak die. Killed by the strong. That is the natural order.

As Hiyori watched the weaklings before her, she thought—Ah, how pitiful.

"Take down that armored warrior!!"

"—How unfortunate."

"…!! What!?"

Clad in golden armor, an oni mask, and a crescent-moon helmet—she, one of the Tobi Roppo, regarded the soldiers surrounding her and spoke.

"If you suffer so much because of your weakness… then allow me to save you—by killing you."

"!!"

"Gyaaahhh!!?"

"You bitch…!! How dare you slaughter our comrades…!!"

She cut down the weak, and those who mourned them rose in fury.

A righteous anger. But if they were weak, it meant nothing. If they were weaker than her, their resolve would never bear fruit.

For her own goals, she would cut down all the weak. Yes—she had sworn it upon the two swords at her waist.

"—Metsu Namugawa!!!"

"Guaaaahhh!!?"

She slashed through and sent countless soldiers flying.

Their numbers were vast. But that only made it better training.

Those stronger than her were already trampling over tens of thousands on this battlefield.

"She’s charging in alone!! Surround her and crush her with shields and spears!!"

"…How foolish, the wisdom of the weak."

If she faltered against numbers like these, she would never achieve her goal, no matter how many years passed.

So, to speed things up, Hiyori unleashed her power.

"Crush her—!!!"

"!"

"!? She jumped!!?"

"Too fast…!!"

"What the hell is that form…!? Some kind of beast we’ve never seen!!"

"It has scales!!"

"Is that… a horse…?"

Taking on her beastly form, Hiyori—now far swifter—slipped through the encirclement and accelerated further, skewering enemies with her horns and flames.

Her form was that of an Animal Zoan, but no ordinary one. Rarer even than a Logia—a Mythical Zoan.

"Tobi rppo of the Beasts Pirates—'Onimusha' Komurasaki. Bounty: 329,100,000 Berries."

"Weaklings, place your hopes in the next life and end this one… Homura Kasen: Flame Song Immortal!!!"

"!!!"

She charged forward, burning enemies in her flames.

That alone felled many—but it still wasn’t enough.

Before this slaughter ended… she would gain as much experience as she could.

Time was already running short. UFOs spawned by Nue were descending from the sky, King was incinerating countless foes from above, and Joker had already infiltrated the fortress, seizing control from within while the enemy forces were distracted outside.

It was only a matter of time.

"P-please… I don’t wanna die… spare me…!!"

"…Then why are you so weak?"

"! No—"

The weak were beneath her notice. Pleas for mercy never reached her ears.

If they wanted to live so badly, they should have submitted from the start. They shouldn’t have become soldiers. Shouldn’t have fought.

Then they wouldn’t have had to die—with that thought, she reverted to her human form and brought her blade down upon the weakling.

"Gyaaaaahhhh!!!"

"…How tragic, the fate of the weak."

Alone, she murmured to herself.

—And on that day… in just two hours of battle, the Kingdom of Providence fell, becoming territory of the Beasts Pirates.

---

—But immediately after…

"Hey, Nue!! Your damn UFO just vanished!! What the hell are you doing!?"

"Ah…"

—On the day Prodidence fell, the Beasts Pirates' vigilance slipped just slightly, leading to a squabble between Kaido and Nue.

But it was nothing worth worrying about.