Under the watchful eyes of the entire sea, the distance between the Beast Pirates and Ryūjin's group grew shorter and shorter.
Soon, the long-awaited moment finally arrived.
Both sides entered each other's line of sight.
"Ryūjin-san, it's the Beast Pirates."
Nami looked toward the massive pirate fleet in the distance, her expression turning serious as she spoke to Ryūjin, who was casually reading a newspaper in the resting area of the deck.
"I know."
Ryūjin simply nodded and folded the newspaper before standing up.
"Ah…"
Stretching lazily, he walked toward the bow of the ship with an easygoing expression.
He looked entirely relaxed.
As if the person he was about to face wasn't one of the strongest monsters ruling the New World, but some random nobody wasting his time.
Still, Nami, Nico Robin, and Crocodile all wore solemn expressions.
No matter what, this was a Yonko crew.
Not only had Kaidō personally arrived, but the All-Stars, the Tobi Roppo, and several hundred elite subordinates had come with him.
Even if they simply stood there and did nothing, the pressure they gave off was enough to make most people uneasy.
"Is that Demon Eye Ryūjin?"
"He just looks like some ordinary brat."
"This guy has a ten billion bounty? The Marines have to be joking."
"So that's Ryūjin? Doesn't look impressive at all."
The moment Ryūjin stepped onto the bow, voices from the Beast Pirates immediately rang out.
Frankly speaking, he looked nothing like what they had imagined.
There was no overwhelming aura.
No terrifying presence.
He simply looked like an ordinary young man.
"So this is Demon Eye Ryūjin?"
Kaidō narrowed his eyes and stared for a moment before grinning dismissively.
"Seeing him in person really is different."
"Lord Kaidō, someone like this isn't worth your attention."
King stepped forward immediately.
"Let me kill him."
Before Kaidō could even respond, Ryūjin had already stopped at the edge of the ship.
He ignored everyone else completely.
His gaze landed directly on Kaidō.
"Kaidō."
Ryūjin spoke flatly.
"Who gave you the balls to block my ship?"
His tone was indifferent, but the arrogance in his words spread across the battlefield instantly.
Ryūjin had already planned to deal with Kaidō eventually.
The man coming to him personally actually saved him time.
Still, there was a difference.
If Ryūjin went looking for trouble himself, he'd beat someone up, collect his reward, and leave.
But if someone came looking for trouble with him?
Ryūjin wasn't in the habit of tolerating disrespect.
The moment those words came out, the Beast Pirates exploded into outrage.
"How dare you speak to Lord Kaidō like that!"
"You've got a death wish!"
"Who the hell do you think you are?!"
"Lord Kaidō, let me kill this bastard!"
Curses and furious shouting erupted across the enemy fleet.
Ryūjin's expression did not change.
"Ice Release."
A cold glint flashed through his eyes.
In the next second, countless ice needles condensed in the air.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
The attacks shot forward like a storm.
Dense.
Fast.
Impossible to dodge.
"Agh!"
"Ahhh!"
"Damn it!"
Blood splattered across the decks instantly.
Ordinary Beast Pirates had no chance of reacting.
One body after another collapsed.
Some dropped onto the deck.
Others fell straight into the ocean.
Screams echoed nonstop.
Kaidō's expression darkened instantly.
The All-Stars and Tobi Roppo stared with widened eyes.
This bastard started killing people without even giving a warning.
He completely ignored the Beast Pirates' authority.
"Enough!"
Kaidō roared furiously, gripping the railing so hard it nearly shattered.
His killing intent exploded outward.
Whoosh!
A figure covered in flames suddenly rose into the air.
Massive black wings spread open.
King.
One of the Three All-Stars.
With a sharp motion, he thrust both hands forward.
Boom!
Scorching flames erupted across the battlefield.
The intense heat instantly melted Ryūjin's ice needles.
"As expected from an All-Star."
Ryūjin nodded casually.
"You're not completely useless."
"Demon Eye Ryūjin!"
King roared furiously.
Swish!
He drew his sword.
Flames spread across the blade instantly.
With one flap of his wings, King shot forward.
His body tore through the air like a blazing meteor.
The flaming sword came crashing down from above.
Ryūjin looked unimpressed.
The Rinnegan emerged in his eyes.
He raised a hand.
"Shinra Tensei."
Boom!
An overwhelming force erupted.
King's expression changed instantly.
His body lost control completely.
The force dragged him directly toward Ryūjin.
However, King's eyes turned colder.
Since he couldn't resist it…
He might as well use the momentum.
The flames around him intensified.
His speed skyrocketed.
The sword descended with terrifying force.
Yet Ryūjin merely shifted slightly.
The slash brushed past his shoulder harmlessly.
Missed.
Completely.
Before King could react—
Ryūjin grabbed him by the throat.
The battlefield froze.
King's body burned with raging flames.
But they did absolutely nothing.
Ryūjin's chakra naturally blocked the heat before it could even touch him.
"Mmph!"
King struggled violently.
He used every ounce of strength he had.
Nothing worked.
No matter how hard he fought, Ryūjin's grip never moved.
"What?!"
"No way!"
The Beast Pirates stared in disbelief.
King.
One of the Three All-Stars.
Reduced to helpless struggling in Ryūjin's hand.
Like prey.
Like he weighed nothing.
Swish!
King swung his sword again desperately.
But Ryūjin casually flicked a finger.
Clang!
The sword flew away instantly.
King's entire arm went numb.
His face stiffened in shock.
"How…"
"What kind of strength is this?"
Even Kaidō couldn't casually deflect his attacks like that.
This level of physical strength was absurd.
"RAAAH!"
King roared.
His Devil Fruit activated.
Bones shifted.
Muscles expanded.
In moments, he transformed into his Ancient Zoan form.
The Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Model: Pteranodon.
His strength increased drastically.
Yet…
Nothing changed.
Ryūjin still held him effortlessly with one hand.
King's heart nearly sank.
Even in his strongest form, he couldn't break free.
"How is this possible?!"
King could hardly believe it.
He opened his mouth.
Boom!
A sea of flames erupted toward Ryūjin.
Yet before they even reached him, chakra fluctuations blocked the attack completely.
The flames couldn't touch him.
"What kind of monster is this?!"
"Even Lord King's strongest form is useless!"
Cold sweat soaked the Beast Pirates.
Some had already started trembling.
"So this is Demon Eye Ryūjin…"
Even Kaidō's expression changed.
"No wonder he's worth ten billion."
"Kaidō."
Ryūjin glanced toward him.
"Anything else?"
"Let King go."
Kaidō's voice turned cold.
Normally, Kaidō didn't interfere in his subordinates' battles.
But this situation was different.
The gap between King and Ryūjin was absurd.
If this continued…
King would die.
"When he attacked me, every move was meant to kill."
Ryūjin looked at Kaidō like he was stupid.
"And now you want me to let him go?"
"You serious?"
Crack!
Without another word, Ryūjin tightened his grip.
King's neck snapped instantly.
His body froze.
Then went limp.
Dead.
Silence.
Complete silence.
Nobody moved.
Nobody spoke.
King…
Was dead?
Just like that?
The strongest All-Star.
A monster feared across the seas.
A man rumored to rival Admirals.
Killed effortlessly.
Nobody could process what they had just witnessed.
"King…"
Kaidō's face darkened completely.
His expression twisted with fury.
King had been one of his most loyal and capable subordinates.
And now?
He died without dignity.
Without resistance.
Ryūjin casually let go.
King's corpse dropped into the sea like trash.
That sight pushed the Beast Pirates even further into rage.
Whoosh!
A figure dashed forward across the ocean.
Queen.
Despite his size, he moved surprisingly fast.
He recovered King's body and returned immediately.
Setting the corpse onto the deck, Queen stood behind Kaidō.
His eyes stayed locked on Ryūjin.
He didn't dare move recklessly.
Ryūjin had already proven something.
Other than Kaidō…
Nobody here stood a chance.
"Demon Eye Ryūjin…"
Kaidō's voice turned dangerously low.
He picked up his kanabo.
"You better kill me today."
"Because if you don't…"
"I'll kill you right here."
Ryūjin looked at him lazily.
"Kaidō."
"Since you wish to die,"
"I'll gladly help you out."
Crackle! Crackle!
Purple lightning erupted around Kaidō's kanabo.
"Thunder Bagua!"
Boom!
Kaidō launched himself into the air.
His enormous body moved with shocking speed.
The lightning-covered kanabo came crashing downward.
The pressure alone made the air tremble.
Behind Ryūjin, Nami and Nico Robin instinctively stiffened.
Every muscle in their bodies tightened.
That attack alone was enough to make breathing feel difficult.
Yet Ryūjin's expression remained unchanged.
Swish!
Using the Body Flicker Technique, he disappeared.
In an instant, he appeared directly in front of Kaidō.
A Rasengan had already formed in his hand.
Not an ordinary one.
A Six Paths level Rasengan.
"Rasengan."
Without hesitation, Ryūjin slammed it directly toward Kaidō's kanabo.