Golden Lion was dead, and the Flying Pirates were completely disbanded.
Kai kept his promise, releasing all captured Flying Pirates members. Most chose to return to the seas seeking new opportunities, but a small portion, disheartened, decided to remain on the island where their captain rested eternally, spending their remaining years there.
Indigo and Scarlet were among the latter.
"These are all my research results from these years."
Following Golden Lion's final instructions, Indigo transferred mountains of accumulated laboratory data, research materials, and various peculiar IQ serum samples to Kai. His tone was calm yet carried a hollow sense of relief.
He no longer needed these things. With the captain dead, he had no heart to continue researching IQ plants.
Kai nodded, signaling his subordinate pirates to carefully transport these precious spoils of war.
Meanwhile, he pulled out his Den Den Mushi. He needed to contact Kaido. Without the strongest transporter present, he couldn't haul such a massive island back to Wano.
While Kai thoroughly looted Golden Lion's legacy, news of Golden Lion's death had already stirred massive waves across the seas.
Regardless of how much his later years' strength had declined, his name itself represented a legend and history.
Marineford
Marine Headquarters building, Fleet Admiral's office.
"Golden Lion is dead! Such major news, and our Marines have to learn about it through the World Economic News?!"
Fleet Admiral Sengoku angrily waved the newspaper, harshly rebuking the intelligence Vice Admiral standing before him like a common soldier.
The goat on the desk stopped chewing paper in fright.
"That's enough, Sengoku."
Nearby, the calm Vice Admiral Tsuru set down her teacup, speaking to ease the atmosphere. "You can't entirely blame him. You and I both know Shiki's Float-Float Fruit ability. Finding his trace in the sky is like finding a needle in a haystack. Moreover, our Marines don't have systematic air force capabilities."
Vice Admiral Tsuru, you're my savior! The intelligence Vice Admiral was internally grateful, bowing his head even lower.
"Sigh. Go back."
Sengoku sighed deeply, wearily waving his hand.
He understood this logic perfectly well. But comparisons hurt. Morgans could obtain firsthand intelligence while their official organization learned belatedly, which was truly frustrating.
Tsuru didn't dwell on intelligence issues, turning her gaze to the photo in the newspaper showing Kai's relaxed expression.
"So, regarding this Natural Disaster Kai, do we need to take further targeted action? It seems he defeated Golden Lion without much effort."
"Raise his bounty by 400 million."
Sengoku frowned, pondering briefly before reluctantly stating, "As long as he doesn't openly attack World Government allied nations or commit other extreme actions, we'll let him be for now."
He couldn't afford to keep one or even two Marine Admirals' combat power tied up tracking one elusive, powerful pirate. High-end combat power was too scarce.
Tsuru nodded, tactfully skipping this heavy topic and chatting about lighter matters.
"Speaking of which, Zephyr's still sharp as ever. That Luffy kid has even started actively fighting pirates lately. Garp was thrilled hearing this news."
"Yeah, so thrilled he spent three straight days gorging on my rice crackers celebrating!"
Sengoku rolled his eyes. Because Garp ate all his rice crackers!
Discussing this grandfather-grandson pair, Sengoku felt both angry and amused.
"Luffy's finally on the right path."
Tsuru, who never participated in rice cracker wars, smiled. "Recently, Zephyr took him and some students to East Blue, dismantling a pirate crew called 'Arlong Pirates' and rescuing an oppressed village."
Recalling the battle report details, Sengoku's face showed relief.
As the grandson of Marine hero Garp, Luffy's every move after joining the Marines naturally drew attention from these old friends. Of course, Luffy's stubborn behavior was equally notable.
If not for Garp's influence plus Luffy's fundamentally good nature, just being a simply stubborn child, the Marines would have expelled him long ago.
Fortunately, when Garp forcibly handed Luffy to Zephyr for instruction some time ago, it accidentally worked out. Not only had Luffy's mindset changed, but Zephyr's seemed to have shifted too.
Moreover, Luffy's amazing combat talent displayed in battle pleasantly surprised them. Not every twelve-year-old could contend with a 20-million-berry bounty pirate.
New World, somewhere at sea
Moby Dick.
"Pops, look at today's news."
Marco handed Whitebeard, who was receiving IV treatment, a copy of the World Economic News.
"Gurararara. What interesting news again?"
Whitebeard took the newspaper, his massive body sitting slightly straighter. When he saw the headline, his hearty laughter slightly subsided. "Oh, so that Shiki guy got taken out."
Another remnant of the old era is gone.
He gazed at the vast sea, a barely perceptible loneliness flashing in his eyes.
Totto Land, Cake Island
"Ma ma ma ma!"
Charlotte Linlin stuffed a massive cake into her mouth while complaining indistinctly. "That old lion really regressed. Actually got killed by some upstart brat who just emerged!"
Red Force
"Golden Lion died too?"
Shanks set down the newspaper, picking up his wine bottle and taking a somewhat sentimental swig.
He vividly remembered that earth-shattering Edd War battle. In a blink, this man who once contested with Captain Roger had also fallen.
Nearby, Beckman carefully cleaned his gun, seemingly unconcerned, though battle intent flashed in his slightly narrowed eyes.
Grand Line
An island recently returned to sea by Golden Lion. Kai's group was taking a brief rest here.
"Kai-aniki, you made the front page!"
Sanji waved a freshly published newspaper, running over excitedly.
Morgans moved fast. Kai silently praised him.
"But, strange."
Sanji leaned closer, pointing at the newspaper photo puzzledly. "There doesn't seem to be your new form here."
"I specifically asked Morgans about that." Kai explained.
Ability awakening should naturally stay hidden as long as possible. Surprises bring maximum benefits. It was a trump card, however small.
As they conversed, Kai's Den Den Mushi began ringing incessantly.
Answering, it was almost uniformly congratulations from various partners.
"Fufufufu, congratulations, Kai! You really did something incredible! Even legendary Golden Lion fell to you! The underworld is singing your 'Natural Disaster' name everywhere!"
"Kai, when will you visit the Pleasure District? I can't wait to hear your firsthand account of battling Golden Lion~"
The accolades from Golden Lion's accumulated notorious reputation over the years weren't empty. Defeating him brought substantial prestige gains.
Three days later
An unnamed small island, at a towering seaside cliff edge.
The setting sun half-sunk, dyeing the horizon and boundless sea warm orange-red, the sparkling waves rippling with golden light. Occasional long seabird cries drifted from afar, gentle sea breezes rustling through grass.
Everything was peaceful and serene.
A newly built simple earthen grave stood quietly here with a stone tablet briefly introducing Golden Lion's life, his relic greatswords hanging above.
Clashing with this serenity was Kaido's massive figure sitting cross-legged before the grave.
"Worororo, Shiki, you bastard, how could you just die like this! It's all because you were too weak! So easily defeated!"
Receiving news and hurrying over, he cried shamelessly, using massive palms to wipe flowing tears and snot while continuously pouring liquor down his throat, alcohol mixed with tears soaking his tangled beard.
Kai's group watched quietly from a distance.
"Hey hey, is this real?"
Ace's eyes widened, barely believing what he saw. He lowered his voice, elbowing nearby Zoro. "That's Emperor Kaido."
Did the mighty Pirate Emperor have such an emotional side? He had thought monsters like Kaido only knew life-or-death struggles.
Kai crossed his arms, explaining flatly. "They were once crewmates."
Though Rocks recruited Whitebeard and others through forceful methods, due to Rocks' personal charisma, relations among the crew weren't terrible. Some camaraderie remained.
Of course, this friendship only manifested as brief mourning after death.
After crying awhile and draining his gourd of liquor, Kaido showed no further attachment, standing unsteadily and leaving without looking back.
"Worororo, brat, heard you awakened your fruit?"
Drunken laughter heavy with alcohol rang out as intoxicated Kaido stared at Kai, eyes openly showing battle intent. His massive body leaned forward slightly, bringing suffocating pressure.
"Want a battle wagering Beast Pirates?"
Beast Pirates' "might makes right" iron law permeated top to bottom. Even as captain, he remained ready to accept challenges from stronger individuals!
Kai didn't evade this sensitive, dangerous topic. He raised his head, fearlessly meeting Kaido's gaze with calm yet firm tone. "Wait until I return from my journey."
Having finally reached the Grand Line, he didn't want to rush back to the New World. Perhaps after this journey, World Government and Marine attention would truly focus on him, bringing unprecedented pressure.
He must seize this relatively "free" time to properly experience the sea's scenery.
"Woro, a journey? Worororo, interesting! I'll wait for your return!"
Hearing this, Kaido showed no displeasure or urgency, only releasing deafening laughter before continuing to stagger toward the coast.
Reaching shore, Kaido transformed into his Azure Dragon form, soaring skyward. He flew above Rusukaina Island, manipulating flame clouds to forcibly drag it from the sea surface.
Kai had already transferred all IQ plants, research data, and valuable spoils to this island. Kaido could take it all at once.
Except...
Heavily intoxicated, Kaido couldn't even maintain stable flight posture, his massive dragon body swaying crookedly, causing the huge Rusukaina Island below to shake and bump violently, seemingly ready to fall anytime.
"Don't make me wait too long." The Azure Dragon released a loud, drunken hiccup, spewing sparks and alcohol fumes before diligently pulling Rusukaina Island away.
"Wait, hey!"
Kai cupped his hands like a megaphone, shouting loudly. "Wrong direction! Wano is west!"
"Hm? Really?"
The high-altitude Azure Dragon dazedly swished his tail, clumsily turning his massive body and trailing island in midair.
"Wrong, that's south!"
Kai facepalmed, correcting again.
After several nerve-wracking corrections and adjustments, drunk Kaido finally found west (probably) and slowly disappeared beyond the horizon.
"Like that, can he really safely bring the island back?"
Ace watched dumbfounded, jaw nearly hitting the ground.
"Besides trusting him, we don't have other options."
Kai shrugged helplessly.
The pirate world had no prohibition laws. Moreover, even if it did, given Kaido's personality and strength, he would simply ignore them. For him, even really crashing into something would probably just feel like hitting a slightly harder speed bump.
After Kaido's heart-stopping aerial transport performance completely vanished from view, Kai clapped his hands, attracting his companions' attention with a long-awaited smile.
"Rayquaza, prepare to set sail again! First stop: Twin Capes!"
Kai decided to completely retrace the entire Grand Line.
Coming to this magnificent world without walking the Straw Hats' path? That couldn't be called visiting properly.
The Grand Line held too much he wanted to witness personally and touch with his own hands.
He wanted to know if Crocus had rescued Brook, lost in the Florian Triangle. He wanted to explore what Alabasta Kingdom's Queen Lily's letter said. He wanted to gain friendship from Little Garden's two giant pirates.
He also wanted to recruit Drum Kingdom's Wapol and Skypiea's Enel. He even more wanted to obtain Water 7's Pluton blueprints.
All of this, he wanted to experience.
"Yay!"
Bonney was first to raise her hand in response. Traveling sounded wonderful.
Other companions' faces showed eager smiles. Perhaps that desire to witness the world's diverse wonders and cultures was already carved into their DNA.
"Then, let's go!"
Kai laughed heartily, waving orders.
Fortunately, their current position wasn't far from Twin Capes, requiring minimal backtracking.