Chapter 2 – One Year Left … Before I Have to Give Kaido a Grandchild!
The air turned solid, as if the entire hall had been cast in iron.
Inside the grand banquet hall of Onigashima, time seemed to stop.
The only sound left was the crackling of fire from the braziers, its glow stretching Kaido's massive shadow across the stone walls.
Those ice-blue dragon eyes stared down sharply at Akira.
Haoshoku Haki rolled out like a living force, shaking the floor, making the very air thrum.
Even the sake gourds along the wall began to vibrate and hum.
"Do you truly think…"
Kaido's voice rumbled like thunder born from a mountain's heart—deep, heavy, and cold.
"…that my daughter isn't worthy of you, human?"
He took a step forward.
The ground trembled. The air itself groaned as though about to explode.
Akira stood straight, still smiling faintly, though his mind spun like a storm.
This question… is a death trap!
If he said "unworthy," Kaido would crush his skull with that spiked club.
If he said "worthy," it meant accepting the marriage—
and two years from now, he'd become Luffy's target practice!
His smile stiffened.
"Ah… Boss, your daughter, Lady Yamato, is an extraordinary woman—her beauty is truly unmatched in this world."
Kaido's expression softened slightly; the piercing dragon eyes narrowed, and the oppressive aura eased a little. He seemed pleased by the compliment.
"But—"
The instant that word left Akira's lips, the temperature around him dropped by several degrees.
The tension froze once more—
[Ding!]
A familiar mechanical chime echoed in his ears.
[Beginner Package successfully opened!]
Akira's eyes nearly watered.
Finally! You're here, you lazy system—like an old man who shows up after dodging debt for months!
Please, please let this starter pack have something that can get me off this cursed island!
[Congratulations, Host! First Reward Unlocked — Armor of Will!]
[Passive Effect: For every ten seconds of battle, Host accumulates one layer of Will Core. Upon release, each layer permanently increases the Host's physical limit by 1%. The longer the battle, the stronger the Host—no maximum cap!]
Akira froze for three full seconds.
Armor of Will?
A skill that endlessly reinforces my body the longer I fight?
He forced his face to stay calm, but inside, laughter burst like fireworks.
So the longer I fight, the tougher I become? Keep stacking that, and I'll surpass Kaido himself!
But the laughter quickly died.
Wait… I'm supposed to escape, not become the next monster of the Beasts Pirates!
Kaido's pressure still rumbled through the air.
"Akira," the giant's voice echoed, "but what? Speak clearly."
Akira took a breath and forced a polite smile.
"It's just… Boss Kaido, I feel that I'm the one unworthy of Lady Yamato.
Her talent, her strength, her spirit—they're unmatched! There hasn't been anyone like her in a hundred years."
"Hm?" Kaido's low growl returned, the pressure spiking again.
"Then if you respect her so much—why not agree?"
Akira scrambled for an excuse. "I… I actually—"
Kaido's brow loosened slightly, as if giving him a chance.
But before Akira could weave a safe lie—
[Ding!]
[Congratulations, Host! Second Reward Unlocked — Divine Manifestation Technique!]
[Effect: Allows the Host to freely alter body size. Current Stage I — all attributes (strength, speed, endurance) doubled. Next stage progress depends on physical growth; the stronger the body, the faster the evolution.]
"…What?"
Akira blinked.
This pairs perfectly with the Armor of Will—they complement each other!
He reread the description, eyes widening.
Stage One already doubles my size and stats?
Slowly, his gaze drifted toward Kaido atop the throne—an eight-meter-tall giant of muscle and stone.
Then to Yamato—the horned, three-meter-tall warrior woman who loved breaking everything she saw.
The corner of Akira's mouth twitched.
If I'm two meters and can grow to four… proportionally, that's not too bad.
For a moment, his resolve to flee wavered.
With this ability, I could actually stand eye-to-eye with Yamato… I wouldn't look small anymore. System, are you trying to make me marry her on purpose?
A faint smile tugged at his lips—
—but it vanished when Kaido's roar exploded beside his ear like thunder.
"AKIRA—YOU HAVEN'T ANSWERED ME YET!"
Akira jolted, face tightening.
"V-very well, Boss! I accept the honor, but I only fear that Lady Yamato might—"
BOOM!
A violent explosion tore through the side of the hall.
Stone walls shattered, dust and debris filling the air.
Everyone turned in shock.
Through the smoke strode a tall figure with long white hair, wearing a Hannya mask, gripping a massive spiked club.
"I won't marry him!!"
Her voice thundered through the hall, each word cracking the air.
"Y-Yamato-sama?!" Jack gasped.
"Kaido!!"
Yamato glared furiously at her father.
"I am Kozuki Oden! My life and my marriage are mine to decide!"
Akira could only stare, mouth agape.
This… wasn't in the script! I haven't even refused yet, and it's already turned into a family brawl?!
Yamato's aura flared, but Kaido's face darkened like a brewing storm.
"You ungrateful brat! Do you have a death wish?!"
"I'm doing this for your own good!"
"Akira is the smartest man in the Beasts Pirates! This marriage benefits everyone!"
Kaido's roar crashed like thunder.
"I don't care!!" Yamato screamed back.
"I won't marry anyone!"
Kaido's fury deepened.
The ground beneath him split apart as he lunged, kanabo raised high.
"RAIMEI HAKKE!!!" (Thunder Bagua)
Black and crimson lightning burst forth, tearing through the air.
"Yamato-sama!" King called out lowly, but none dared to interfere.
Yamato roared in defiance, lifting her own weapon.
"Ice Fang!!"
A surge of freezing wind swept the room. Her body shifted into her hybrid Oni form, and two monstrous forces collided mid-air.
BOOM!!
Black lightning and blue frost exploded together, ripping the ceiling apart.
A cyclone howled through the hall, flinging tables and chairs like toys; the grand feast became rubble.
The clash of Haoshoku Haki knocked subordinates unconscious one by one. Even the Three Calamities staggered back several steps.
Akira stood still, arms crossed, watching silently.
"What a lovely father-daughter relationship. Thunder Bagua must be their morning greeting."
"If I actually become Kaido's son-in-law, I won't live a single peaceful day."
"Foolish child!!" Kaido bellowed again, his body morphing into his human-dragon form, scales glimmering across his skin.
"Conqueror of Three Worlds — Ragnaraku!!"
The strike was far stronger than before, thunder and Haki ripping through the air.
Yamato tried to block—but the blow smashed straight through her guard.
"Ugh—!!"
Her club flew from her hands as her body shot across the hall like a cannonball, slamming into a stone pillar. Blood spilled from her lips.
"Kaido… I… won't give up…"
She staggered, then collapsed heavily—
right at Akira's feet.
He stared down at the unconscious woman for a few seconds.
"…A wedding gift I'll definitely never forget," he muttered flatly.
Kaido reverted to human form, gulped from his enormous gourd, and strode forward.
Each step echoed like a war drum, cracking the floor beneath.
Without even glancing at his fallen daughter, he looked straight at Akira.
"Akira."
The young man straightened instantly and bowed.
"Yes, Boss!"
Kaido approached, grabbed Yamato's limp body with one hand as easily as lifting a sack of rice.
"This is my daughter," he said coolly. "I'm entrusting her to you."
Then, without warning, he tossed her straight at him.
Crash!
Akira nearly toppled, struggling to catch her heavy frame.
For a moment, it felt less like holding a woman and more like restraining a wild beast.
"Take her with you." Kaido drank again, eyes sharp.
"Heal her wounds. And if possible—tame her."
He straightened his back and roared with laughter.
"I want to hold a grandchild as soon as possible!!"
Silence blanketed the room.
King rubbed his temples, Jack froze, and Queen let out a weary sigh.
All three looked at Akira with pure sympathy.
They knew—once he took Yamato home, peace would no longer exist for him.
Akira gazed at the muscular woman in his arms—her shoulders broader than his, her breath heavy and ragged.
He exhaled long and deep.
Oh dear system… can't you, just once, give me something that actually helps me escape?
[System Warning: Please cherish this rare fated encounter, Host.]
Akira stared blankly. Fate? Fate my ass!
Kaido downed another drink and burst into thunderous laughter that shook the entire island.
"Wororororo! Akira! From this day forth, you're my son-in-law! Show me what you're made of!
You have one year! Just one year! I want to hold a grandchild before the next winter comes!!"
Akira stood there, holding his unconscious giant fiancée, staring into the distance.
Inside his head, only two words echoed over and over—
It's over.
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