Boom!!
Amid a deafening roar and howling shockwaves, the spiraling blast of Hakoku slammed directly into the Island Eater.
Its terrifying penetrating power barely slowed as it tore straight through the enormous Sea King's body, leaving behind a massive hole.
The ocean churned violently.
Before the Island Eater even had the chance to retaliate, it let out a pained cry.
Its gigantic body crashed heavily back into the sea.
Moments later...
It was dead.
"I hadn't even thought about looking for you..."
"But I never expected you'd deliver yourself right to my doorstep."
Looking at the Island Eater's lifeless corpse floating on the sea, Kaito casually sheathed his golden saber.
He then leaped into the air.
Landing atop the giant carcass, he activated the power of the Munch-Munch Fruit.
A circular opening appeared in the center of his palm.
Squatting down, he pressed his hand against the Island Eater's body.
An overwhelming suction immediately erupted from the opening.
The enormous Sea King's body rapidly dissolved like flowing liquid, pouring into the hole in Kaito's palm.
In less than half a minute...
The colossal Island Eater had completely disappeared.
Without another glance, Kaito stepped lightly back onto the shore.
"Captain."
"Lunch is ready."
Robin descended from the sky with Phantom Wings spread behind her.
She wasn't the least bit surprised by Kaito devouring the Sea King.
Instead, she smiled as she explained why she'd come.
"So it's time to eat."
"All right."
"Let's head back."
Kaito stepped forward naturally, wrapping an arm around Robin's slender waist.
After greeting Dorry and Brogy...
The two returned together to the War Pirates' encampment.
Following an enormous lunch centered around freshly prepared dinosaur cuisine...
Kaito walked out of the dining area and onto the deck overlooking the shore.
Robin followed closely behind.
"Captain."
"We've already captured the number of beasts you requested over the past few days."
"What should we do next?"
"Continue capturing more..."
"Or move on to the next step?"
Kaito looked mildly surprised.
"We've already caught enough?"
After thinking briefly, he nodded.
"Good."
"Gather everyone."
Robin nodded before immediately leaving to carry out his orders.
Not long afterward...
Tens of thousands of members of the War Pirates assembled along the coastline.
Robin.
Law.
Lafayette.
Smoker.
Zoro.
Sandy.
Neferpitou.
Dorry.
Brogy.
Every officer stood together before the gathered army.
Standing at the front...
Kaito swept his gaze across everyone.
"You've all worked hard over the past several days."
"Thanks to everyone's efforts..."
"We've successfully captured enough beasts."
"So next..."
"I've prepared a major event for the War Pirates."
"A Grand Tournament."
"A Grand Tournament?"
The gathered pirates looked at one another in confusion.
Even Robin and the other officers were caught slightly off guard.
Kaito calmly explained.
"That's right."
"The Grand Tournament is exactly what its name suggests."
"A massive competition."
"It's also something I've specifically planned for our pirate crew."
He paused briefly before continuing.
"Since setting sail..."
"Everyone has grown stronger."
"But everyone's progress has been different."
"Some people have improved dramatically."
"Others..."
"Not nearly as much."
"One purpose of the Grand Tournament..."
"...is to ensure that those who've worked hardest receive the positions they deserve."
"Those capable of moving up..."
"Will move up."
"Those who fall behind..."
"Will naturally move down."
"Our crew hierarchy begins with ordinary members."
"Then comes Team Leader."
"Then Squadron Captain."
"Then Brigade Captain."
"And finally..."
"The officers."
He looked across the crowd.
"No position is permanent."
"If you stop improving..."
"Someone stronger will replace you."
"That includes me."
"As captain."
"If someone one day defeats me..."
"They'll become the new captain."
Kaito's words immediately stirred the entire crowd.
But he wasn't finished.
"The Grand Tournament has another purpose."
"It will also determine resource allocation."
"For example..."
"The body modifications."
"The beasts we've captured all possess different levels of strength."
"Using stronger beasts naturally produces greater improvements."
He continued.
"And Devil Fruits."
"We've collected quite a few Devil Fruits during our journey."
"Those Devil Fruits..."
"Will also become rewards."
"The distribution order begins from the top."
"The officers choose first."
"Then Brigade Captains."
"Then Squadron Captains."
"And finally Team Leaders."
Advancement opportunities.
Resource allocation.
These were both essential for any pirate crew that hoped to continue growing stronger.
This...
Was Kaito's reason for establishing the Grand Tournament.
The promotion system would proceed step by step.
Beginning with the lowest level...
Every squad would hold internal matches.
Including the current Team Leader.
The final winner would become the new Team Leader.
Afterward...
The Team Leaders would challenge the Squadron Captains.
The winner would become the new Squadron Captain.
Then came the Brigade Captains.
Finally...
The officer positions themselves.
"There's one more thing."
Kaito continued.
"I'm also restructuring the officer system."
"From now on..."
"Our officers will be divided into two ranks."
"The Four Heavenly Kings."
"And..."
"The Eight Guardians."
"In total..."
"There will be twelve officer positions."
The gathered pirates immediately became even more attentive.
"Of course..."
"I understand that some people excel more at individual combat than leading large groups."
"So..."
"I'm also creating a new rank."
"Officer Candidate."
"This rank sits between Brigade Captain and Officer."
"Officer Candidates report directly to the captain."
"They'll receive treatment equal to Brigade Captains..."
"But they'll possess independent combat authority."
After explaining the Grand Tournament...
Kaito also finished introducing the new organizational structure for the War Pirates.
Officers represented the crew's highest level.
Naturally...
The system surrounding them required even greater planning.
Whether it was creating healthy competition...
Or making the crew easier to manage...
A clear structure was essential.
"The Grand Tournament..."
"Sounds pretty interesting."
"So the Four Heavenly Kings and Eight Guardians are the officer positions..."
"I definitely want one."
"There are only twelve seats."
"The competition's going to be brutal."
Once everyone fully understood the rules...
The atmosphere instantly became heated.
Who didn't want a higher position?
Who didn't want access to better resources?
The Grand Tournament was an opportunity no ambitious pirate could afford to ignore.
Even Robin...
Even Lafayette...
Both quietly looked toward the others with renewed fighting spirit.
Some wanted to protect the officer positions they already held.
Others...
Wanted to climb even higher.
Especially...
The prestigious seats of the Four Heavenly Kings.
Every team consisted of ten members.
Now that the War Pirates numbered well over ten thousand...
There were thousands of individual squads.
After announcing the tournament...
Kaito immediately divided Little Garden into one hundred separate arenas.
Each would host battles simultaneously.
"You're no match for me!"
"Get off the stage!"
"You think that's enough to beat me?"
"The Team Leader position is mine!"
"I won!"
"Who's next?!"
Beginning with the Team Leader selection matches...
Hundreds of arenas erupted into fierce battles all across Little Garden.
Some emerged victorious.
Others suffered defeat.
The winners stood proudly with their heads held high.
The losers lowered theirs in disappointment.
The entire island...
Had become one enormous battlefield.
The Grand Tournament had officially begun.
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