Dressrosa.
In the palace.
"This is the renowned craftsman from Wano Country, Mr. Shimotsuki Kozaburo, who has been invited to your kingdom," a tall man with a large light-blue pompadour hairstyle, wearing a dark blue kimono, introduced the small old man beside him to King Riku.
The old man had his hands in his pockets, his head appearing larger than his body, complemented by a full beard, making him resemble the legendary dwarves.
"As for me, I am a member of the Wano Shogun's personal guard, assigned by the Shogun to escort Mr. Kozaburo... Kyoshiro!"
"Because of my narrow eyes that make me look perpetually tired, I'm also known as the Sleeping Kyoshiro, haha~"
...
King Riku smiled and invited the two to take their seats, instructing attendants to prepare a banquet.
"Hahaha, you've traveled a long way! Please, take your seats!"
During the banquet, King Riku introduced the other guests of honor: "This is my daughter Viola, and that restless little girl is my granddaughter, Rebecca."
Viola had long brown-black hair, her beautiful light brown pupils seemingly possessing some kind of magic as she smiled and nodded in greeting.
As for the pink-haired girl Rebecca, who appeared to be only five or six years old, she paid no attention to the guests, her eyes fixed intently on the exquisite food.
...
Kyoshiro's small eyes shifted between the two beautiful women, and to maintain his rakish persona, he joked: "Princess Viola maintains herself remarkably well, completely unlike a woman who has given birth. Is there some secret to this?"
His words acted like a pause button, causing the banquet atmosphere to freeze.
After waiting several seconds without a response, Kyoshiro laughed awkwardly: "Um... did I say something wrong?"
...
"Don't blame Mr. Kyoshiro for the misunderstanding, I didn't explain clearly enough," King Riku said with an awkward smile. "Rebecca is the child of my eldest daughter Scarlett, and Viola is my youngest daughter."
"Due to special circumstances, Scarlett isn't able to attend the banquet.Since marrying Kyros, Scarlett had lived in the flower fields, disliking the tedious rituals of royalty.
This time, it was only because King Riku wanted to see his granddaughter that he had Kyros bring Rebecca.
...
"Ah... my apologies for the inappropriate remark," Kyoshiro changed the subject, pointing to the silent old man.
"According to your request, we've sent our country's finest craftsman!"
"You should know... the famous swordsmith capable of forging blades ranked among the Great Grade Sharp Blades of Twenty-One Craftsmen..."
King Riku's eyes lit up, and he said urgently: "Could it be that Mr. Kozaburo can forge the Great Grade Sharp Blades of Twenty-One Craftsmen?!"
...
"No," Kyoshiro deliberately drew out the word, then chuckled: "But Mr. Kozaburo is that person's elder brother! When it comes to forging technique, they're equally matched!"
...
Speaking of forging, the previously silent Kozaburo finally spoke, his voice raspy as if he had phlegm in his throat.
"There is still a difference."
"That rebellious fellow excels at forging traditional swords, while comparatively, I specialize in crafting heavy weapons like hammers, axes, and clubs."
"To be frank, I don't possess his level of exquisite craftsmanship, but if your standard is merely at the Good Grade Sword level, I'm confident I can achieve it."
Hearing his words, King Riku wasn't disappointed but instead, his eyes lit up.
"Mr. Kojirou... I wonder if you could forge a greatsword? One like his!"
King Riku pointed at a tall, heavily armored guard standing nearby, gesturing toward the massive two-handed sword at his side.
Kojirou glanced at it and said indifferently, "The difficulty isn't high."
"Excellent!"
...
This grand competition was a tradition in Dressrosa, but awarding weapons to the champion was King Riku's personal arrangement.
That tall guard was none other than his son-in-law, the legendary Colosseum King known for his undefeated streak of three thousand battles—Kyros.
...
Since the dawn of the Great Pirate Era, the increasing number of Pirates had left nations along the Grand Line suffering from rampant plunder.
Even as a Member Nation of the World Government, the Marines couldn't protect all of Dressrosa's territory, necessitating the kingdom's own military for self-defense.
Knowing he had grown old, King Riku hoped Kyros could become even stronger to better protect the nation.
Thus, he conceived the idea of inviting a master smith to forge a weapon for him.
...
Indeed, from the very beginning, King Riku never believed the championship could be taken by anyone else.
He had only orchestrated this roundabout scheme because he feared Kyros would refuse a private commission from a master craftsman.
...
...
——
"Fufufufufu... He actually came."
"This guy has no idea that every move he makes is under our control, like a puppet on strings!"
Hidden in the shadows, Doflamingo peered at the brightly lit palace, letting out his signature villainous cackle.
Kari cast a cold glance at him but didn't respond.
Doflamingo had grown accustomed to Kari's shifting attitudes.
Sometimes, the guy was a sarcastic jerk with a foul mouth; other times, he was too aloof to utter a single word.
He didn't find it strange—the seas were full of eccentrics, and Kari's minor mental issues were nothing noteworthy.
Not as crazy as me, anyway.
...
"Proceed as planned. I'll take my leave first."
With those words, Kari's form dissolved into a burst of flames and vanished.
The lingering firelight cast flickering shadows across Doflamingo's grim face as he muttered coldly to himself.
"No matter how many times I see it, I still can't figure out that disappearance act of his... Could the rumors be true? Is he really a ghost from that clan...?"
"A ghost seeking vengeance against the Celestial Dragons... How fascinating!"
...
Shifting his gaze back to the kingdom, far in the distance...
The serene figure of Viola seated quietly reflected in his lenses.
Truly... as beautiful as a violet.
——
——
——
Within the Cumulonimbus Clouds 7,000 meters above sea level, the navigable sea formed by 'Sea Cloud' is known as the White Sea.
In contrast, the sea surface at ground level is referred to as the 'Blue Sea'.
Legends speak of a sea of clouds even higher than the White Sea—the purported location of the mythical 'Sky Island'—known as the White White Sea.
...
For those sufficiently powerful, this isn't mere legend.
But a place they can visit at will.
...
Ten thousand meters above the sea, a giant lay reclined in the sea of clouds, amber liquor trickling from the corner of his mouth, flowing down across the cross-shaped scar on his abdomen.
The scent of alcohol mingled with the icy wind, drifting far and wide.
His massive frame, set against the clouds and flickering lightning, resembled a mountain.
This was none other than Kaido of the Beasts!
...
Suddenly, he paused mid-gulp, narrowing his eyes slightly as he gazed downward.
A flicker of flame pierced through the White Sea, ascending against the current like a rising meteor.
The trail of fire grew increasingly distinct, burning the surrounding clouds into flowing golden mist, steaming upward along its path.
...
"How intriguing..."
Kaido murmured softly, his fingers tracing the knot on his gourd.
Crack—
Black and red lightning illuminated the sea of clouds. The mere diffusion of a small amount of Conqueror's Haki instantly solidified the clouds below!!
The originally soft clouds abruptly transformed into a formidable chasm!
Yet the approaching flame not only failed to halt in intimidation but instead surged several times in size, like an ignited powder keg, violently shattering this final cloud barrier!
BOOM——!!!
The moment the flame landed atop the cloud layer, the atmosphere erupted with a deafening roar.
...
From within the flames, Kari's half-kneeling figure slowly rose.
During this process, his burnt white hair regrew, and severe full-body burns revealing carbonized bones visibly healed.
Within mere breaths, Kari stood unscathed before Kaido.
Facing this world's strongest creature, his crimson eyes remained utterly unflinching.
...
"Found you, Kaido."
Kaido threw his head back and took a large gulp of liquor, his voice booming like thunder.
"WORORORORORO!!!"
"So you found me, brat!!!"