Chapter 239: Kaido of the Beasts Returns to Onigashima!
Two days later.
It was deep into the night, the sky above like a thick black cloth, with only the bright moonlight able to easily pierce through.
"What terrible winds and waves. If the sea conditions here are always like this, then this country's Isolationist Policy isn't just a political issue..."
Mihawk, wearing a high-quality trench coat that was black on the outside and red on the inside, stood before a railing on the Warship Deck, his sharp, rippling golden pupils like a Falcon's, looking down at the churning waves below.
The five Flying Warships he led had arrived in the Sky surrounding Wano Country, and naturally, he had witnessed the chaotic Sea Area known for having the second-highest risk of landing after Raijin Island.
The Height of those large waves was basically over ten meters each, and the Wind speed had reached the level of a 'storm'.
Facing such an Environment, even a Warship would find it difficult to escape unscathed.
It was no wonder why Kozuki Oden couldn't manage to leave the Sea back then, as even the Whitebeard Pirates nearly suffered the fate of having their Ship destroyed and crew killed.
What was interesting, however, was that no matter how the strong Wind outside blew, these five floating Warships were not affected in the slightest.
Looking closely.
Each Warship seemed to be wrapped in a Flowing Transparent Air Wall. All the strong Wind would merge into this Qi Wall upon contact, having no effect on the Ship's Body itself.
Interestingly, if the Wind force didn't reach a certain level, this Flowing Transparent Air Wall wouldn't become visible.
"It certainly looks terrifying."
Gion, standing behind Mihawk, also watched all of this with a serious Expression. She was already starting to feel the Difficulty of this trip to Wano Country.
About thirty minutes later, all the winds and waves suddenly stopped. Immediately after, a brightly lit Skeleton-shaped Island appeared on the dark Sea Surface in the distance.
"Looks like we've arrived!"
At this moment, a figure with a massive Body Size behind Gion said in a deep, magnetic voice.
"Then please proceed according to the plan, Kaido."
Mihawk ordered without turning his Head, his Expression and tone as calm as ever, possessing some of Lord Imu's aloof demeanor.
"Tch!"
Seeing the Celestial Dragon brat's arrogant Attitude, Kaido snorted in displeasure and leaped off the Warship Deck. He then transformed into a Divine Dragon covered in blue Dragon Scales in the Air, enjoying the gentle bathing of the Moonlight as he headed towards his lair, Onigashima.
"Will he really obey?"
Gion asked, looking worriedly at Kaido's Dragon Body.
"He will, because Kaido has no other choice."
Mihawk understood very well how great the Temptation of the Star Gate and the Multiverse was for someone like Kaido. As long as the Star Gate remained under Lord Imu's control, he could only obediently follow Orders.
However, he didn't want to tell Gion these things.
After all, when it was time for her to know, she would naturally know. There was no need for him to say anything extra here.
On the other side.
When the majestic azure Divine Dragon approached Onigashima within a certain Distance, a black Lightning bolt carrying Gunfire Flash shot out from the Skeleton Island shrouded in Lanterns.
"You really came back, Boss Kaido!"
The person who arrived was over six meters tall, their entire Body, including their face, covered in black clothing. A Mask, gloves, goggles, Helmet, and a double-breasted coat adorned with Skeleton decorations were all present, leaving not an inch of skin exposed to the Air.
But the most striking feature was the Black Feathered Wings supporting his high-speed flight from behind, and the Flame burning at the back of his Head, truly like a Race from Myth.
"Of course I'd come back, what's so surprising about that..."
Kaido heard the concern and relief in King's words, which made him feel a long-lost sense of emotion. Within the entire Beast Pirates, he considered only King and Yamato as family, while Queen and others were merely subordinates.
"How has the Situation on the Island been recently?"
"Not very good, people's Hearts are unsettled, but because we took immediate secrecy measures, Wano Country doesn't know about your Matter, so the Situation is still stable."
Kaido, in his Divine Dragon Manifestation, was very satisfied upon hearing this and laughed, "Let's go, head back first. I have something to discuss with you and Queen!"
"Okay."
King naturally had no Opinion. In his eyes, Kaido's return was all that mattered.
Meanwhile, below on Onigashima, Queen, who had also sensed it with Observation Haki, was leading nearly a thousand Beast Pirates Crewmates surging out of the Skeleton's wide-open mouth, gathering at the main Entrance/Exit under the rows of terrifyingly large teeth.
This place truly gathered all the Characteristics of Wano style.
Elaborately carved bridges intersected over water pools, Oni Statues on both sides spouted Fresh Water, two Fox Statues stood facing each other like greeters, large parasols hung with Lanterns, and on the right stood a Giant Katana that seemed to pierce the Heavens and three Myo'o Banners.
Basically, every place one saw was a beautiful Scenery, except for the large Skeleton, said to be the Head of a Demon Race, which looked a bit scary. Coupled with the fact that it was surrounded by mountains on all sides with only one Entrance/Exit at the front, it gave off a strong sense of oppression.
"Captain is back!"
"Hahahaha, I knew Boss would be fine!"
"Exactly, exactly, how could a mere Impel Down possibly trap Boss Kaido!"
All the Beast Pirates Crewmates looked up worshipfully at the massive Dragon Body in the Night Sky. In their Hearts, Kaido was the freest existence on The Seas.
No matter how arbitrary he was, no one or any Influence/Power could control him.
The key was that these guys, who were usually lawless and liked to cause Chaos, had been incredibly stifled these past few days. Under King's strict Orders, everyone had to stay on Onigashima and were not allowed to go to Wano Country for activities.
This was equivalent to being forcibly sealed in a Residential Area!
Furthermore, the internal facilities now were far less rich and complete than they would be twenty-four years later.
For example, there was no Yūkaku established by Black Maria, which is a place like a brothel. So, to find Women, they could only go to the Flower Capital. No wonder they were so stifled!
"Disperse, Queen, King, come with me!"
However, Kaido didn't pay much attention to these subordinates, ordering them down with a cold Attitude.
Honestly, he now looked down on these thousand or so people.
After being trapped in Impel Down and hearing the grand vision painted by that Man in Black, he finally understood the vastness of the Universe and the infinity of Space-Time.
What was the Beast Pirates, what was Wano Country, the Grand Line, the Pirate King? They were nothing but Ants, mere dust.
Kaido had seen the light, awakened, realizing how ridiculous his previous goals were. Now, his Heart held the infinite War of the Myriad Worlds.
Soon, the three arrived at the fifth floor of Onigashima, which was considered Kaido's room. Basically, no one entered casually, except for this white-haired little Loli with bare little feet, wearing a miko outfit.
"Father!"
"You're finally back, Father!"
The four-year-old Girl cried out, pulling open the wooden door, and leaped with all her might towards Kaido, who had just returned to his Human Body Size.
Seeing this, the latter revealed a kind Smile like a loving Father, no longer caring about discussing serious Matters. He held his daughter in his arms with his strong, thick arms.
"Hahahaha, silly daughter, Old Man just went out to play for a few days and enjoyed the Scenery of that so-called World's Greatest Prison!"
It must be said that the father-daughter relationship between the two was indeed very harmonious and close at the moment. King and Queen on the side were not surprised by this, as Kaido only showed this Expression when facing Yamato.
"Alright, alright, I'll eat with you later. Now Old Man has something to talk about with them. You go out and wait first..."
"Okay, be quick!"
Yamato puffed out her little cheeks and jumped down sensibly on her own.
Her little feet quickly stepped on the tatami mats and left, closing the door behind her.
Seeing this, the kind Expression on Kaido's face changed as quickly as the Climate on the Grand Line.
He changed from an ordinary Father back to the Captain of the Beast Pirates.
"King, Queen, what I'm about to say contains no element of joking. Listen carefully. Let's start with how I was captured and taken to Impel Down..."