In a sea area not far from Onigashima…
Several massive pirate ships cut through the waters toward Onigashima. These were the infamous Beast Pirates.
The recent explosion from the island had already caught the attention of many aboard. "Fire King" King, the strongest and most level-headed of the All-Stars, turned sharply and made his way to the stern cabin, where Kaido sat drinking.
Kaido, gourd of sake in one hand and wiping his mouth with the other, glanced over.
"Something happened on Onigashima."
"What, Yamato again?"
"Doesn't seem like it. That explosion—it sounded like explosive handcuffs going off."
Kaido immediately sobered up halfway. Could it be that his foolish "son" had taken off those handcuffs?
Those cuffs were specially crafted. If they exploded at close range, Yamato could be seriously injured.
As rough as Kaido was with Yamato, he was still his child. He didn't want Yamato to die—especially not from something he had arranged.
With that thought, Kaido smashed the gourd in rage and leapt from the cabin, transforming mid-air into a massive azure dragon and soaring into the sky.
King followed closely behind, spreading his flame-tipped wings and taking flight.
The other crew members on the ship exchanged uneasy looks. Most were Zoan users who couldn't fly, and now that their base was clearly under threat, they were helpless to act.
"Drought" Jack, the most hot-headed of the All-Stars, grabbed a random subordinate by the collar, spit flying as he shouted,
"Hurry up and get the ship closer!"
Yamato stared at Chiga in disbelief. He actually rejected her? Wasn't he the one who encouraged her to go out to sea?
Chiga looked at her with undisguised irritation. This big-breasted airhead actually thought he was interested? He had no interest in inheriting Oden's die-hard fangirl.
But he underestimated how shameless Yamato could be. After hearing his rejection, she lunged at him, wrapping her arms around him and sobbing messily into his clothes.
"No! I've decided on you! Either kill me here, or take me with you!"
Chiga winced. Ace had also once wanted to follow him, but even he hadn't gone this far. Yamato was a few years older than Ace, yet she acted like a child.
As Yamato cried harder in his arms, a thought flickered in Chiga's mind.
"Maybe I should take her with me."
And once that idea surfaced, he didn't reject it.
True, Yamato—like Ace—came from a complicated background, but after his experience at Mary Geoise, Chiga knew the World Government was unusually wary of him. As long as he didn't stir trouble, they'd turn a blind eye.
And Kaido wasn't the Pirate King. So long as Yamato didn't cause problems, they wouldn't make a fuss.
Besides, Yamato was already strong, and honestly, she was pleasing to look at. The only downside was that she'd eat more.
Decision made, Chiga patted Yamato's head and said gruffly,
"Alright, stop crying already. I'll take you with me."
To his surprise, Yamato instantly looked up and gave him a full dramatic face change.
Chiga was truly stunned. This woman changes expressions like a stage performer. Can't she be a little more reserved?
Just as he was about to throw a punch in frustration, a thunderous roar echoed overhead:
"Who dares cause trouble on my island?!"
Yamato's body trembled. She knew that voice too well—it was Kaido.
Her joy vanished in an instant. Eyes full of worry, she looked up at Chiga. Though his face didn't change, as if he hadn't heard the roar, it didn't comfort her. She didn't want him to die at her father's hands.
Sliding out of his arms, she murmured gloomily,
"My father's back. You should go. I guess… I'm destined to stay here forever."
She sounded like a teenager caught sneaking out by her parents.
Chiga looked at her crestfallen face and let out a small sigh. Reaching forward, he flicked her forehead. Ignoring her whimper and glare, he said,
"I believe I told you—I'm more than enough to deal with your father."
"But… you don't know how terrifying he is. You can still escape. Take your woman and go. I'll hold him off!"
"Why aren't you moving?! Don't worry about me—he's my dad. He won't kill me! At worst, I'll be half-dead. If you've got a shred of conscience, come back for me later!"
Chiga rolled his eyes and gave up arguing. Opening a swirling Door-Door Space, he turned to Kalifa.
"Kalifa, take her in. I'll let you out after I'm done."
"Okay, boss. Be careful."
Kalifa didn't waste time. She moved to Yamato and reached for her hand—but Yamato wouldn't budge. She was trying to force Chiga to run away.
With a grunt, Chiga grabbed her by the chest and tossed her inside. Kalifa, perfectly in sync, used Soru to dash in after her.
The space closed behind them.
Inside, Yamato struggled up and pounded on the green, glowing wall.
"Let me out! I want to fight beside you!"
Kalifa placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"You have to trust the boss. If he says he can handle it—he can."
Yamato quieted, surprised by Kalifa's tone. She looked up and found herself being hugged like a child.
Kalifa saw Yamato as just that—an oversized kid throwing a tantrum. Even if Yamato towered over her, mentally she was still a child.
"You're lucky to have met the boss," Kalifa whispered, patting her back. "Leave it to him."
Yamato sniffled quietly in her arms. "What's your name?"
Back outside, Chiga had no clue a touching mother-daughter moment was happening inside his spatial pocket.
His gaze locked on the dark serpentine figure high in the sky.
With a cold snort, he erupted into a brilliant golden light.
His Rinnegan gleamed gold, and four muscular arms sprouted from his shoulders, tearing through his shirt. Golden runes crawled over his body like tattoos.
Most shocking of all—his size. Under the light, Chiga grew until he stood nearly 800 meters tall, rivaling even Kaido's dragon form.
This was the power of the Mythical Zoan Asura Fruit: "(Heavenly Manifestation)". And now, it had clearly awakened.
Kaido, just arriving over Onigashima, was stunned by what he saw.
That kid from before?! Last time it was a purple giant—now it's this? A golden monster?!
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