The sunlight in Dressrosa remained brilliant, yet the kingdom's streets were now shrouded in a suffocating gloom.
King Riku himself walked at the forefront of the procession, leading the way for Kaidou of the Beasts Pirates. The king, renowned for his benevolence, now hung his head low, each step taken with unusual heaviness. Soldiers of the Royal Guard, holding spears, cleared the path for these infamous pirates under the king's orders.
The streets were crowded with onlookers, their faces etched with fear and confusion.
Among the crowd, the young Karuri stared fixedly at King Riku's subservient back, the fury in his eyes nearly boiling over. "What kind of king is this!" he muttered through gritted teeth, suddenly grabbing Kyros beside him. The usually quiet youth was gripping the sword at his waist so tightly his knuckles had turned white.
"Hey, what are you doing?" Before Kyros could react, Karuri dragged him forward, rushing to stand before Kaidou.
A Royal Guard soldier immediately raised his spear, shouting sharply, "You brats! Get back!"
But Karuri paid no heed. He took a deep breath and bowed deeply to the towering figure. "Lord Kaidou! Please allow us to join the Beasts Pirates!" His voice trembled, yet it was remarkably loud. Feeling Kyros resist, Karuri pressed hard on his friend's back, forcing him to bow as well.
"Wororororo..." Kaidou let out his signature laugh, eyeing the two audacious youths with interest. "Why do you want to set sail?" His voice rumbled like thunder through the streets, causing the very air to vibrate.
Facing this legendary pirate directly, Karuri finally realized his impulsiveness. His legs began to shake, and his words stumbled: "Be...because staying in this poor country, we...we can see every day of our future...it's...it's all the same..."
"With just you two?" A youthful yet arrogant voice cut in. Enel, standing beside Kaidou, looked them over disdainfully, golden pupils flickering with electricity. "The Beasts Pirates isn't a dump for trash."
Kaidou didn't respond immediately. His gaze lingered on Kyros for a moment. Though still young, Kaidou recognized the boy who would become the Colosseum Hero in the future. As for the other one, he must be Karuri, who died young in the original story.
"We...we're strong!" Karuri was sweating profusely in his urgency. "I can take on four or five adults, and Kyros can handle over a dozen!"
"Yahahaha!" Enel laughed exaggeratedly, the golden scepter in his hand crackling with electricity. "Four or five? Over a dozen? Are you telling jokes?" His laughter was full of mockery, making Karuri's face flush bright red.
"That's enough, Enel." Kaidou slapped the brat on the head, stopping his mockery. He turned to the two youths: "Though your skills are unimpressive, this courage is commendable. Join as apprentices for now." This decision made the surrounding Beasts Pirates members show surprised expressions, after all their captain was known for being strict.
Karuri was so excited he became incoherent: "R-really? Thank you so much, Captain!" He eagerly pulled Kyros to stand behind the Beasts Pirates' formation. Kyros remained silent throughout, complex light flickering in his eyes. He glanced back at King Riku's retreating figure, then looked at the frightened citizens around them, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
Karuri excitedly followed behind the Beasts Pirates, frequently looking back at Kyros with proud eyes. "See? I told you this was an opportunity!"
He whispered, his face brimming with unconcealed joy, "Following these important figures, we're bound to make names for ourselves!" His gaze swept over the fierce-looking pirates, already fantasizing about his future impressive appearance.
Kyros remained silent, his eyes fixed on King Riku's back ahead. The king was barely maintaining surface composure, but Kyros could tell each step was taken as if treading on thin ice. "Hey, why aren't you saying anything?" Karuri nudged him with an elbow, voice tinged with dissatisfaction, "Aren't you happy?"
Kyros finally spoke, his voice so low it was almost inaudible, "I'm just wondering why King Riku would do this." His gaze swept over the terrified citizens lining the streets, a trace of pity rising in his heart.
"Hah?" Karuri sneered, his eyes full of disdain, "Why else? He's scared! Look at those soldiers - they can't even hold their weapons steady. How could they possibly stand against Kaidou?" He patted the short sword at his waist, proudly puffing out his chest, "Things are different now - we're part of the Beasts Pirates!"
Kyros didn't argue back, but his expression grew increasingly complex. He had admired how King Riku had faced the Beasts Pirates for his country earlier, yet now he himself was a member of the Beasts Pirates. This shift in identity left him feeling disoriented, as if trapped in an absurd dream.
"Let's move out!" Kaidou's deep voice echoed through the air, his massive frame casting a shadow that enveloped King Riku.
This monster standing over seven meters tall created an invisible sense of oppression just by being present. King Riku nodded slightly, his gaze involuntarily lingering on the two youths who had just joined the Beasts Pirates. Karuri and Kyros stood behind Kaidou, their faces still showing mixed expressions of excitement and unease.
"Yes." King Riku withdrew his gaze, responding respectfully before turning to continue leading everyone toward Green Bit.
During this brief pause, sudden commotion erupted from the crowd. "Mr. Kaidou! Please let us join the Beasts Pirates too!" Dozens of Dressrosa's poor citizens pushed through the crowd, their eyes shining with desire. Having witnessed Karui and Kyros being accepted, they could no longer suppress their inner impulses.
"Stop them!" King Riku's guards were well-prepared, immediately forming a human wall in front of Kaidou. But the frenzied crowd continued surging forward, plunging the scene into chaos.
The impoverished people in tattered clothes had eyes shimmering with a mixture of despair and hope. For them, joining a powerful pirate crew might be their only chance to change their fate.
A cold smirk curled at the corner of Kaidou's lips, his golden vertical pupils flashing with disdain.
"Wororororo..." His laughter exploded across the square like muffled thunder. "Do you think I'll take any trash that comes along!" Before his words faded, an invisible pressure suddenly erupted. Conqueror's Haki swept through like a tangible shockwave, instantly knocking out all the excited commoners. Even the guards blocking the front fell one after another, leaving only King Riku and a few stronger guards barely standing.
"Is... is this the captain's power?" Karuri's eyes widened, his voice trembling slightly from shock. He never imagined a person's presence could reach such a terrifying level. The surrounding air seemed to solidify, making even breathing difficult.
Kyros was equally astonished, his grip unconsciously tightening on his sword. Though he knew Kaidou, with a bounty exceeding 800 million Berries, possessed extraordinary strength, witnessing this power that subdued enemies without fighting exceeded his imagination. Dozens of people had fallen without any warning, without even a chance to resist.
Kaidou withdrew his Haki as if nothing had happened. "Continue leading the way, King Riku." His tone was as casual as if discussing the weather. This nonchalant attitude made it even more frightening, as if the unconscious people were nothing but insignificant ants in his eyes.
"Yes." King Riku suppressed the shock in his heart. As a king in the New World, he naturally recognized this as the legendary Conqueror's Haki. He quickly directed the remaining guards to care for the unconscious civilians, then reorganized the team to lead Kaidou's group toward Green Bit.
Though brief, this commotion left a deep impression on everyone present.