Three days later, the Wassermann Sea, New World.
The azure sea shimmered with rippling light under the sun. The massive pirate ship Kaido floated on the water like a moving island. Currently idle, Kaido sat cross-legged in the center of the deck, his burly frame casting a large shadow in the sunlight. The sea breeze ruffled his steel-needle-like black hair, and the Hassaikai hanging at his waist swayed gently with the ship's motion.
"Wororororo..." Kaido let out his signature laugh, his gaze sweeping over King and Queen, who were training on the deck. As the captain of the Beasts Pirates, he deeply understood the importance of nurturing capable lieutenants. After all, the title "Kaido-sensei" wasn't undeserved; the entire pirate world knew how harsh his training methods were.
King and Queen were each holding a giant dumbbell three times larger than themselves, their clothes already soaked with sweat. These specially-made dumbbells were crafted by the ship's carpenter on Kaido's orders, each weighing five tons. They were performing squat exercises, but their conditions were completely different.
King executed Kaido's commands meticulously. Although his black feathers were damp with sweat and his breathing had become labored, he still maintained perfect form. Every squat was as precise as a machine, the angle of his knee bend exact. His golden eyes remained fixed ahead, showing astonishing willpower.
Queen, the already portly fellow, was much more cunning. Although he didn't dare slack off too much under Kaido's watchful eye, his movements were clearly half-hearted. His hips never fully descended during each squat, and he always used his lower back to help him rise. His round face frequently showed expressions of pain, and he muttered under his breath, "This kind of training is literally going to kill me..."
"Persevere!" Kaido's voice echoed across the deck like thunder. "True strength is forged by breaking through one's limits!"
An hour later, Kaido finally nodded in satisfaction. "Enough. Fifteen minutes rest!"
THUD—!
THUD—!
With two heavy thumps, the two, having reached their limits, collapsed onto the deck. Queen gasped for air like a beached fish, sweat forming a small puddle beneath him. King, though equally exhausted, still maintained a shred of dignity, simply lying on his back regulating his breathing.
"Huff... huff... Boss Kaido..." Queen wriggled his fat body, crawling like a worm to Kaido's feet. "I think... I've really hit my limit today... If I train any more... I might just drop dead on the spot..."
"Useless!" King struggled to prop himself up on his elbows, his golden pupils filled with disdain. "Big Brother Kaido, an unambitious guy like this should be thrown into the sea to feed the Sea Kings!"
"Bullshit!" Queen suddenly jumped up as if his tail had been stepped on. "You think everyone's a freak of nature like you? I'm on the path of science!"
Kaido watched their argument, emitting a low chuckle. "Wororororo... Shut up, both of you." He stood up. His height of over six meters forced the two to look up at him. "King, Queen, listen well. In this world, there are only a few paths to gain power: physical combat, swordsmanship, Devil Fruits, science, and the three types of Haki."
He paced to the ship's railing, looking out at the boundless sea. "But no matter which path you choose, physical fitness is the fundamental foundation. It determines your lower limit, while your other abilities determine your upper limit." Kaido turned around, his gaze piercing. "You two have decent foundations, but it's still far from enough."
"In the future..." Kaido's voice suddenly turned serious. He grabbed the Hassaikai planted in the deck; the spiked club left a dent in the floorboards. "...our enemies will only grow stronger. By then, even I might not be able to protect you."
Queen looked at the Hassaikai mere inches away, cold sweat instantly soaking his back. Kaido leaned down, his dragon-like vertical pupils staring intently at him. "Rather than letting you die by someone else's hand..." His voice suddenly turned dangerous. "...I might as well send you off myself, to save myself the embarrassment!"
"B-Boss Kaido!" Queen scrambled backward, crawling and rolling. "I understand! I'll continue training right away! King! Stop pretending to be dead, get up!"
King snorted coldly and stood up. "Coward." But he still assumed a training stance.
"Wororororo... Good." Kaido nodded in satisfaction. "Next is practical combat training. You two attack me together. Of course..." He showed a ferocious grin. "...I'll hit back."
"Wha... what?" Queen's jaw nearly hit the floor. "Boss Kaido, you're joking, right? How could we possibly..."
"Less talk!" Kaido suddenly roared. "If you want to hit others, first learn to get hit! Ready?"
Queen's eyes shifted, and he suddenly put on an ingratiating smile. "Boss Kaido, I... I don't know how to fight..." Before he finished speaking, he abruptly threw a punch at Kaido's abdomen!
THWACK!
Kaido casually swatted him away. Queen flew like a ball, rolling several times across the deck before stopping.
"King!" Kaido looked at his other subordinate.
"Understood!" The black wings on King's back suddenly unfurled, the powerful airflow kicking up dust on the deck. He soared into the air, tracing a graceful arc before his right leg, carrying the sound of tearing air, shot toward Kaido's head.
Kaido merely raised his hand slightly to block the fierce kick. At that moment, Queen, who had just been playing dead on the ground, pulled out a bazooka from who-knows-where and pulled the trigger without hesitation!
WHOOSH—
The rocket, trailing flames, shot straight for Kaido's back. Without even turning his head, Kaido backhanded the rocket away. Simultaneously, he grabbed King's ankle and hurled him at Queen like a hammer throw.
BOOM!
CRASH!
The rocket exploded in mid-air just as King and Queen collided heavily, smashing a large crater into the deck.
Kaido walked up to the two. "King, your attacks are too straightforward. When your strength is insufficient, you must learn to be flexible." He then looked at the disheveled Queen. "Science can indeed boost combat power quickly, but without a solid foundation, even the best weapons cannot unleash their full potential."
"Yes, Big Brother Kaido!"
"Yes, Boss Kaido!"
The two struggled to their feet, but their eyes now gleamed with newfound understanding.
"Continue!" Kaido laughed heartily. "From today on, besides basic training, you will have daily practical sparring sessions. Don't worry..." He flashed a demonic smile. "...I absolutely will not go easy on you! Wororororo..."
And so, for the next ten days, the sound of explosions, impacts, and screams constantly emanated from the Kaido. The crew went from being terrified at first to calmly working around the training area.
Ten days later, when the outline of Shells Town appeared on the horizon, the entire ship erupted in cheers. Even the usually stoic King showed an expectant look, not to mention Queen, who was almost driven mad by the training.
"Finally... finally, we can go ashore..." Queen leaned on the railing, tears welling in his eyes as he gazed at the approaching island.
Kaido stood at the ship's bow, the sea breeze brushing against his powerful physique. He turned and gave Queen an order: "Give each man one hundred thousand Berries as spending money. Arrange for the coating and resupply."
"Wooo—! Long live Boss Kaido!" The crew's cheers reached the sky.
Queen wiped away nonexistent tears. "Don't worry, Boss, leave it to me."
Kaido's sharp gaze swept over every crew member. "Remember, anyone who dares cause trouble on the island..." He didn't finish, but everyone felt a chill.
When Kaido's massive frame was the first to step onto the docks of Shells Town, the entire port instantly fell silent. This monster, over six meters tall, made the wooden planks groan under his weight with every step. Passersby fearfully cleared a path; vendors instinctively shielded their goods.
Kaido took a deep breath of the island air, a mixture of alcohol and sea salt, and revealed a satisfied smile. "Wororororo... Finally, a chance to relax properly."