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With the big battle coming soon, the scattered forces of the Beast Pirates gathered at Onigashima. The port was filled with warships, and the lively atmosphere was comparable to the annual Fire Festival.
In the center of the castle plaza, crowds of people gathered.
On the temporarily built ring, two pirates fought fiercely.
"Gahahaha, kill him!"
"Chop off his head!"
The pirates roared wildly, and even many Headliners participated, their eyes filled with excitement and cruelty.
With the big battle approaching, nothing could ignite their fighting spirit more than blood and death. This was also a traditional event for the Beast Pirates.
Wealth, status, fame.
The winner would gain everything, while the dead would be instantly forgotten.
Third floor, corridor.
Daichi watched the battle below for a while, quickly grew bored, and turned to walk toward the banquet hall not far away.
Kaido was gathering his officers for the final pre-battle banquet, also to announce the start of the expedition.
"Worororo!"
From a distance, Daichi heard Kaido's hearty laughter, seeming to be in a very good mood.
As he entered the banquet hall, he immediately attracted the attention of many Headliners, some of whom cast challenging glances at him.
In the past two months, Daichi was definitely the most famous officer of the Beast Pirates, especially his act of blasting Doflamingo out of the banquet hall, which truly stole the show.
This caused many officers to feel jealous and resentful.
"Worororo, it's Daichi!"
Kaido, holding a wine glass, laughed loudly upon seeing Daichi and pointed to the front row. "Come sit here, I'm happy today, so there's no need for too many rules."
The banquet hall instantly fell silent.
The Headliners were stunned for a moment, their gazes immediately darkening.
Although there were no clear rules, the seating in the banquet hall was arranged according to strength. Only the strong could sit near Kaido.
And the spot Kaido pointed to was second only to the three All-Stars! Why give it to a weakling who had just been promoted to Headliner!
Another very important point was that there were recent rumors within the crew that Kaido intended to select the strongest six among the Headliners to form the Tobi Roppo, and they had long been eager to prove themselves.
Seeing Kaido's special attention toward Daichi now, it was clear he considered him one of the candidates for the Tobi Roppo.
If Daichi were strong, it would be understandable, as the crew's rule was to advance based on strength, and there were also strong individuals like Ulti and Who's-Who among the Headliners.
But who was Daichi?
A month ago, they hadn't even heard Daichi's name!
How could they accept this!
The Headliners' killing intent boiled, their eyes full of warning.
Dare to sit there and try!
Daichi felt the surrounding killing intent, a grin spread across his lips, and he walked to the front row, throwing back his cloak and sitting down with a grand air, then bowed his hands toward Kaido.
"Thank you, Kaido."
"Worororo, I said no need for rules today."
Kaido laughed loudly and raised his cup.
"Drink up!"
"Alright!"
Daichi felt very comfortable inside, picked up his wine bowl, and drank with Kaido.
It must be said that having a leader like Kaido was truly great. He had no airs of a leader and was like a good big brother, trying his best to meet the demands of his subordinates.
Of course, the requirement was to have strength!
Daichi put down his wine bowl, wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth, and asked with a smile, "Kaido, you seem so happy today, is there something good happening?"
"Worororo, hiccup~, there is indeed a great happy event worth celebrating!"
Kaido seemed to have drunk a bit too much, hiccupping, and his joyful, wanting-to-show-off expression was somewhat cute.
"Holdem!"
"Kaido!"
Holdem walked out from the Headliner seats. His large body, over three meters tall, looked quite powerful, but what was most striking was the lion's head growing from his waist.
An artificial Devil Fruit user!
Daichi's face showed surprise.
"SMILE?"
"That's right!"
Kaido laughed happily. "Joker's subordinate sent new artificial Devil Fruits, and this time they are real goods! Worororo, Daichi, your luck is really bad!"
"It seems so."
Daichi shrugged helplessly.
Heh, his luck was very good!
Holdem stood in the center of the hall, his gaze fierce as he stared at Daichi, not bothering to hide his killing intent. "Kaido, I want to challenge Daichi, please allow it!"
"Hmm?"
Kaido frowned.
On such a happy day, drinking and celebrating were the most important things. Making a mess of the banquet hall would truly ruin the mood.
But seeing the restless mood of the Headliners, this battle was probably unavoidable.
Kaido looked at Daichi.
"When someone invites you, how can you be a coward?"
Daichi curled his lips, stood up, and walked in front of Holdem, saying calmly, "I'll give you one minute."
"..."
Holdem's eyes instantly became bloodshot, and he angrily drew the famous sword from his waist, striking at Daichi with full force.
"Clang!"
The blade was caught by Daichi!
"How is that possible!"
Holdem's eyes were filled with disbelief. After gaining the lion's strength, his full-power slash was actually caught bare-handed.
Also.
That wasn't a human hand!
"Is this all you've got?"
Daichi asked calmly, his strong body rapidly expanding and growing, with steel-like shell armor appearing on his skin, transforming into a half-human, half-beast monster in an instant.
"Crack!"
Claws shattered the blade!
Holdem retreated in horror, his body shaking uncontrollably.
What kind of monster was this guy!
"Boom!"
The banquet hall door exploded, and Holdem, covered in blood, fell onto the ring in the center of the plaza.
The banquet hall was silent.
The Headliners looked at Daichi, who had returned to human form, no longer with their previous hostility, only shock and lingering fear.
So strong!
Kaido and the All-Stars also looked at Daichi with changed expressions, a mix of surprise, joy, and seriousness.
"Sorry, Kaido."
Daichi faced Kaido, helplessly pointing to the shattered ground outside the door behind him, and the missing door.
"I accidentally destroyed this place."
"Worororo, it's fine!"
Kaido laughed happily.
He hadn't expected Daichi to become a Devil Fruit user. Although he didn't know what the ability was, it didn't matter.
His army was even stronger now!
"Have someone bring more wine. Today we must drink until we drop!"
Daichi returned to his seat, clearly feeling that most of the hostile glances had faded. The effect of showing his strength was quite good.
Fear of power, not virtue—that was a pirate.
After three rounds of drinks.
Daichi toasted Kaido.
"Kaido, for this big battle, I plan to stay on Onigashima!"
"Hmm? Why is that?"
Kaido frowned.
Daichi's strength was considerable, and keeping him on Onigashima would be a waste of fighting power. This battle would likely lead to conflicts with other Four Emperors crews, so the more fighting power, the better.
Daichi explained in a deep voice, "With our Beast Pirates elites all out on this battle, Onigashima's defenses will definitely be weakened. If enemies take the opportunity to attack, it could lead to losses that can't be fixed."
"In the New World, there are countless second-rate fighters secretly waiting for a chance!"
"Also, I received intelligence that Fire Fist Ace, who defeated Hanafuda, has entered the New World. His chosen route may very well pass through Wano Country, and I suspect Fire Fist is targeting your head!"
"Therefore, I intend to remain on Onigashima!"
"I promise you, as long as Yamato-sama and I are here, unless a Four Emperors personally arrives, Onigashima will not suffer any problems!"
Well-reasoned!
Kaido frowned in thought.
What Daichi said was indeed worth guarding against.
Treasures were one thing, but there were even more precious things within Wano Country that absolutely could not be lost.
"Alright, Onigashima is in your hands then!"
"Thank you for your trust, Kaido!"
Daichi smiled.
"Kaido, when you return victorious before the Fire Festival, I will surely prepare a grand gift that will surprise you!"
"Worororo, I look forward to it!"