Kaido arrived at Onigashima, led by Kurozumi Higurashi. Gazing from afar at the island composed of pitch-black reef, Kaido felt that the name "Onigashima" was remarkably fitting.
Not just because of the island's uncanny silhouette — a nearly natural formation resembling a horned oni's skull. But also because the island's environment looked like a hellish land born from an undersea volcanic eruption.
Aside from the black rocks that looked hot enough to scorch feet, there was virtually no other scenery to be found.
This made Kaido wonder whether any other life existed on this island at all.
In terms of appearance and atmosphere, Kaido was quite satisfied. But the barren, empty environment of the island was much harder to accept. This only made his gaze toward Kurozumi Higurashi grow increasingly displeased.
This old hag — just because she had another old geezer's ability protecting her, she thought she could act with impunity. If he really wanted to deal with her, Kaido had his ways.
He could simply use the energy of his Bolo Breath to burn them alive. Kaido didn't believe that barrier could block heat too. Even if it could, he could always knock the old fossil unconscious with Conqueror's Haki first, then smash them to pieces.
With so many ways to kill them, Kaido found himself in no rush to act.
If he was truly unsatisfied, he could always wait until meeting Kurozumi Orochi, then deal with all of them in one fell swoop.
The ship slowly docked.
Kaido had spotted the purple-haired man with a face as wide as a millstone while still on the vessel. He now realized that Orochi had made some modifications to the island's finer details, making it at least somewhat livable.
But what drew his attention far more than any of that was Kurozumi Orochi himself.
Kaido narrowed his eyes. He could sense the power radiating from Orochi — this man's strength was unexpectedly impressive.
'First Kozuki Oden, now this Kurozumi Orochi. Looks like that old hag wasn't lying — Wano's samurai really are strong.'
In truth, Orochi already possessed strength no less than the All-Stars of the Beasts Pirates from over thirty years later. He had even mastered advanced Ryuo — the power of internal destruction. At the same time, he was both a Zoan Devil Fruit user and a master swordsman.
But for Orochi, this was the ceiling of his potential.
Due to the limitations of his own innate talent, it would be exceedingly difficult for him to grow any stronger.
For Kaido, however, this level of strength was actually perfect. If Orochi were as powerful as Kozuki Oden, Kaido doubted he could keep him under control.
At this moment, Kaido wanted nothing more than to recruit Orochi into his ranks.
His scheming was so transparent that even Ren all the way in Inazuma could probably hear it. If he truly took Orochi in, it wouldn't just mean gaining a capable subordinate — it meant obtaining Wano Country itself.
But Orochi had no idea what Kaido was plotting. His own frame was considerably larger than in the original story, making his millstone-shaped face look somewhat less disproportionate. But compared to Kaido, he still paled in comparison.
"Are you Kurozumi Orochi?"
Kaido looked down at him, literally using his nostrils. He'd originally considered using his power to make Orochi submit, but decided against it after a moment's thought.
Kaido glanced at the samurai following behind Orochi — each and every one of them was elite. They were likely all at least at the level of master swordsmen.
Kaido wasn't afraid of them. He simply didn't want these men to offer only superficial obedience. That would be meaningless.
"Lord Kaido, I've long admired your reputation."
Kurozumi Orochi paid no mind to Kaido's arrogant demeanor, but nor did he lower his own posture.
After all, the two were merely partners in cooperation. Orochi had no need to play the sycophant as he once had with Kozuki Sukiyaki.
"The people of Wano are far too ignorant. I can only host a banquet for you on this remote Onigashima. Please forgive the humble setting."
Rather than diving straight into business, Orochi extended a hand and gestured an invitation.
This left Kaido, who had very much wanted to complain, momentarily unable to say anything.
"The venue may not be grand, but the wine and beauties are second to none."
Orochi led Kaido and his entourage deeper inside. Kaido's followers perked up at the mention of wine and women — their eyes practically glazed over, drool forming at the corners of their mouths.
The group followed behind Orochi, walking into the massive, hellish demon skull formed of rock. The island's interior turned out to be hollow — something that surprised Kaido.
The interior appeared to be fully equipped, already transformed into a strange yet functional structure. It wasn't nearly as dismal as Orochi had made it out to be. This reinforced Kaido's impression that Wano's national power was genuinely formidable.
The cavern's interior blazed with light. The warm amber glow rising from below seemed to illuminate the demon skull's cranium.
Walking further in, Kaido finally grasped just how spacious Onigashima's interior truly was.
"This Onigashima can comfortably accommodate up to ten thousand people without feeling crowded," Orochi stated. In fact, the great hall alone could hold several thousand for a banquet, with room to spare for the towering Numbers — proof enough of Onigashima's scale.
Not to mention the various rooms throughout Onigashima, including even a pleasure district and bathhouse.
After touring the island with Orochi, Kaido felt reasonably satisfied.
Then Orochi led them to the most lavish room of all.
At the far end of the room stood two enormous chairs, clearly reserved for Orochi and Kaido. Both sides were lined with banquet tables laden with food. The aroma of the dishes and sake made the pirates' throats work involuntarily.
"Please, take your seats."
Orochi said casually, then settled into one of the two most honored positions alongside Kaido.
He clapped his hands, and the sound of melodic strings immediately drifted from behind the folding screens. A Wano-style shamisen began to play, lending the scene a distinctive charm.
Then, courtesans slowly emerged from behind the screens, performing dances for their guests. These women were courtesans Orochi had summoned from the Flower Capital's pleasure district.
What surprised Orochi was that Kaido seemed particularly fond of this atmosphere, actually bobbing his head and swaying along with the music.
"Lord Kaido, how do you find the entertainment?"
Kaido nodded, but he wasn't so easily distracted by such indulgences. He quietly sampled some food and drink, then filled the large red bowl Orochi had specially prepared with sake and gulped it down.
"Glug glug —"
After heroically draining the bowl that was bigger than most people's bathtubs, Kaido let out a belch.
Then he spoke:
"Kurozumi Orochi, let's just get straight to the point about our cooperation."
[
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