ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The distribution of the Devil Fruits happened swiftly.

Gliner and Brad stepped forward, taking the four Devil Fruits that originally belonged to Caesar.

Everyone searched the depths of Cave 140, confirming that there was no treasure left. They exchanged meaningful glances before silently turning to leave, each carrying a considerable haul of treasure.

As they exited the cave, the Golden Lion's ship descended from the sky, hovering over the shoreline. Shiki boarded alongside his followers and cast a sharp gaze at the others.

"In the future, when we meet at sea, we'll be mortal enemies!"

"Ku la la la la…"

Whitebeard grinned but didn't meet Shiki's eyes directly. "I was just about to say that."

"Well, well, well… do you all want to die?"

Charlotte Linlin, standing to the side, eyed both Whitebeard and Shiki with a wicked glint.

Shiki scoffed at her. "Charlotte Linlin… You crazy woman who only cares about making babies and desserts."

"If you want a fight, deal with them yourself. I have an entire world to conquer!"

"Jihahahaha! Let's go, boys!"

With his signature laughter, Shiki's ship lifted into the sky and disappeared into the horizon.

The remaining pirates withdrew their gazes. Among them, Charlotte Linlin gave Whitebeard, Caesar, and the others an indifferent glance before leaping onto Zeus.

Kaido, lacking the ability to fly but sharing a decent relationship with Linlin, jumped on as well.

Whitebeard and Caesar, with an unspoken understanding, walked in a different direction.

Meanwhile, John and the last three remnants of Rocks' crew watched them leave with relief before heading toward the shore.

---

Meanwhile, at Sea…

A fleet of massive Marine warships battled the fierce winds and waves as they neared Hachinosu—Hive Island.

From the deck, the Marines could now directly see the chaotic state of the island.

Pirate ships of all sizes scrambled to flee in different directions. On the beaches and in the port, countless pirates swarmed like ants, desperately trying to escape.

Standing at the front, Fleet Admiral Kong folded his arms, his sharp eyes filled with cold determination. Beside him, Sengoku and several high-ranking officers wore grim expressions.

They had suspected something was amiss upon their approach.

"Their auras… Rocks' remnants—Newgate, Charlotte Linlin, Golden Lion, Kaido—none of them are here," Kong muttered, his brow furrowing.

"They got away before we arrived," Sengoku concluded, his keen eyes scanning the fleeing ships.

Kong's expression darkened. "Don't let any of them escape."

"Destroy these damn pirates!"

With a single command, dozens of warships unleashed their artillery, their cannon fire echoing over Hive Island.

---

A Parting Offer

On the beach, Kaido prepared to part ways with Charlotte Linlin when she suddenly turned to him.

"Well, Kaido… It's time to decide."

"I've treated you like a younger brother for years. Why not join my crew now?"

"Together, let's build a world where all races can live in harmony."

She smiled, extending her arms toward him.

Kaido, however, shook his head.

Charlotte Linlin's expression immediately turned cold.

Caesar's earlier rejection had already irritated her. Now, even Kaido—a long-time ally—was turning her down.

Though she had half-expected this outcome, disappointment still flickered in her eyes.

"I want my own crew. My own path."

Kaido's voice was firm.

Charlotte Linlin's gaze sharpened. "Is that so…?"

"Well, well, well… Then be ready to face me as an enemy."

Her warm demeanor vanished, replaced by the chilling aura of a true yonko.

Kaido didn't flinch. "I'm Kaido."

Linlin chuckled darkly. "Anyway, consider this a parting gift."

She reached into her dress and pulled out a Devil Fruit.

Kaido initially wanted to brush it off—he wasn't particularly interested in Devil Fruits. But the moment he laid eyes on it, his expression changed.

"This is… the Uo Uo no Mi?"

His eyes widened in disbelief.

"I didn't expect you to have this, Linlin."

Years ago, during a raid with the Rocks Pirates, Kaido had glimpsed an illustrated Devil Fruit guide.

And this one… This was the Uo Uo no Mi, Model: Seiryu—a Mythical Zoan that granted the power of an Azure Dragon.

One of the rarest and strongest of all Zoan Fruits.

"I owe you a favor!"

Without hesitation, Kaido grabbed the fruit.

Linlin smirked. "Don't be so quick to promise. This isn't just any favor—it's a big one."

"No matter how big… I'll repay it," Kaido declared.

The Uo Uo no Mi—his dream fruit. What did a favor matter in comparison?

Linlin's laughter rang out. "Remember your words, Kaido."

She tossed him the fruit.

Kaido wasted no time. He took a massive bite.

At that moment, his body underwent an instant transformation.

His already-massive frame stretched and expanded. Muscles thickened.

Then, scales—brilliant blue and shimmering—began to spread across his skin.

In mere moments, Kaido's form shifted from a giant of a man to a colossal Azure Dragon, easily over a hundred feet long.

His serpentine body coiled into the sky, vanishing into the thickening storm clouds above.

Then—

ROOOOOOOOAAAAARRR!

A deafening roar shook the heavens.

Thunder cracked. Lightning streaked across the sky. Torrential rain began to pour.

The skies themselves responded to Kaido's awakening.

Charlotte Linlin watched, amused, as the massive dragon soared through the clouds, summoning storms at will.

Meanwhile, by the shore, Whitebeard and Caesar—who had just arrived—took notice.

Caesar's eyes flickered as he gazed upward, instantly recognizing the Devil Fruit's power.

"The Uo Uo no Mi… Azure Dragon form?"

Whitebeard chuckled. "Ku la la la… That's one hell of a fruit."

Kaido's presence in the sky radiated overwhelming power—his status as a top-tier force in the world was now undeniable.

Brad, a fellow Zoan user, swallowed hard. His Saber-toothed Tiger form suddenly felt insignificant in comparison.

"I didn't know dragons existed in this world…" Gliner muttered in awe.

Just then, the massive dragon's head broke through the storm clouds, its piercing golden eyes locking onto them.

Kaido's voice rumbled through the heavens:

"Caesar!"

"You defeated me before… Let's settle this today!"

"I'll show you who's the strongest!"

With a mighty lunge, Kaido—the newly crowned Azure Dragon—dove down toward Caesar, his battle cry shaking the very earth.

---

[80] Kaido's Awakening—The Rocks Pirates Are No More!

Subscribe to Patreon.com/Akeyno to get 30+ chapters