Vane stood at the bow of the King, quietly returning after the clash.

As they sailed into the Wano Inland Sea, the waters calmed once more.

"You beat him?"

Vice Admiral Gion approached, her gaze sharp. After all, King the Wildfire wasn't just any pirate. As Kaido's top commander, even the Marines would need an admiral to bring him down.

"Not exactly," Vane replied. "He didn't fight seriously. I only suppressed him, didn't defeat him outright."

"So it was more of a shutdown than a victory."

"Exactly."

"He's a monster," Gion muttered. "But then again, so are you, Vane."

Just then, Vane looked up.

A massive blue dragon coiled in the sky above them, lightning crackling through the clouds around its serpentine form. It wasn't some prehistoric beast. No, this was a dragon—like something torn from legend.

Eastern mythology brought to life.

Hundreds of meters long, glimmering with power, the dragon's presence alone made the sky feel heavier. The sheer pressure created a silence that even thunder couldn't break.

Kaido of the Beasts had arrived.

"A dragon?"

Esdeath's eyes widened. "Didn't think such things actually existed."

Kalifa was baffled. "Is Kaido a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user? Or is he... something else entirely?"

"I'm not sure," Gion replied, eyes serious. "He might not even be human. There's speculation at Marine HQ—some say he's a natural creature, a true dragon. Others believe he ate a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit. There's even the theory that his fruit gives him immunity to seawater, which would be unprecedented."

Despite being captured numerous times, the Navy had never been able to kill Kaido. He had become a symbol of invincibility—a mystery in the form of the world's strongest creature.

"Is that dragon a Devil Fruit user who turned human—or a human who turned dragon?"

Vane narrowed his eyes. "He's watching us."

From the skies, Kaido's deep voice thundered, echoing through the skies of Wano.

"So you're Vane... the one who beat that old hag?"

His tone held no amusement, only weight. Around Wano, civilians quivered at the sound of his voice. Kaido wasn't just feared—he was worshipped in terror. Just his transformation into a dragon would send lightning through the skies and dread through the hearts of the people.

"What's Kaido up to now?"

Far away, Orochi looked out from his estate. He could see Kaido's massive form even from this distance. Though the visual wasn't overwhelming, the thunder rolling through the sky made him break into a cold sweat.

"Is someone dangerous approaching?"

Orochi frowned. Though he was the official ruler of Wano, everyone knew the real power belonged to Kaido.

Kaido's eyes locked onto Vane. Yet Vane didn't respond.

"The ship's moving. Don't worry about him," Vane said casually.

Gion blinked, surprised by his composure. Only she and Esdeath remained perfectly calm under Kaido's gaze.

"You're not afraid? Kaido's completely insane. Crazier than Big Mom."

"I'm not afraid," Vane said quietly.

"Will you defeat them this time?"

Gion leaned closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "If you can defeat them—the Emperors—I'll consider staying with you."

Vane arched a brow. "Still loyal to the Navy, Gion?"

"I am," she replied honestly. "I've served the Navy since childhood. Justice is everything to me. If you ever become one of those pirates who destroy lives... I won't follow you anymore."

She turned and walked away. Her cheeks, though, were slightly pink.

Vane watched her go, a small smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. Still a little naïve, that one.

Back on Onigashima, Queen of the Plague peered through a telescope, locking eyes on Vane.

"So young! The scum of humanity couldn't even slow him down," Queen cursed.

He looked up at the sky, his eyes landing on Kaido's colossal form. Just gazing at him made Queen feel the urge to kneel.

Yet Kaido didn't strike. He only watched, his serpentine body suspended in the thunderclouds.

Vane stared right back, utterly composed.

"I'm starting to get interested," he murmured.

The ship continued its course toward Wano's coast. Soon, they'd reach the borders of the isolated country.

But getting in wouldn't be simple.

"Queen," Kaido rumbled from above.

"Kaido-sama!" Queen stiffened, suddenly alert.

"Where's King? Did he lose consciousness?"

"I'm not sure! I'll find him right away!"

"And Jack?"

"That idiot disappeared days ago…"

Queen wiped sweat from his brow.

"Should we take action, Kaido-sama?"

"Wait," Kaido ordered, and then without another word, he shot upward into the clouds, vanishing from sight.

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Read ahead of WN on patreon.com/Zphyr_