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Daiki sat alone, lost in thought. He had limited knowledge about these things places like Fish-Man Island and Sky Island were mere legends to him.
Suzu sat nearby, unsure of His Majesty, King Anos's intentions, but she ventured to ask, "Your Majesty, if we go to Sky Island as you suggested, wouldn't we be making ourselves an easy target?"
"Sky Island has always been considered a legend, mostly because no one has reached it in ages. Currently, there are only two ways to get there. The first is through an area below Sky Island called Jaya Island, where an upward current can carry us directly."
"The second way is to enter Sky Island through Hot Air Balloons or Modified Ships. However, that route is unpredictable; it's hard to know when or if we'd ever reach it."
"So, the most convenient and quickest way is to head straight to Jaya and use the island's position above the sea current," Anos explained, closing his eyes as he spoke.
After some contemplation, Daiki asked with curiosity, "Your Majesty, how do you know so much about the Grand Line and even the New World?"
"That's right, Your Majesty!" Suzu echoed, her voice tinged with doubt.
Now it was Anos's turn to feel a bit awkward. Like his two companions, he had rarely left the Tru Kingdom, and whenever he did, one or both of them would accompany him.
Anos leaned back, closed his eyes, and smiled slightly, attempting to brush off the awkwardness. After a moment, he added, "If I wish, I can traverse the entire sea with my eyes closed. So understanding it isn't too difficult."
Suzu still looked puzzled, but Daiki sensed something more.
He knew His Majesty possessed a Devil Fruit with spatial abilities, which made such knowledge and reach seem plausible.
"Do you understand His Majesty's words?" Suzu asked Daiki, her expression blank.
"Yes, I understand. Maybe someday you will, too," Daiki replied, though he chose not to elaborate, admiration gleaming in his eyes.
Anos knew he could only explain it this way. He couldn't very well reveal that he possessed an ability akin to the Eye of God, granting him insights into the entire pirate world, could he? His explanation was just believable enough to satisfy their questions.
Devil Fruits with space-based abilities hold nearly limitless potential, but Anos had yet to reach the highest stage of development for his powers.
The stronger Devil Fruits become, the greater the challenge to awaken their powers, often beyond ordinary imagination.
In the world of pirates, even Logia-type Devil Fruits can achieve a second stage of awakening.
However, despite the long history of his particular Devil Fruit, no one seemed to have attained its awakened power.
The Paramecia-type space Devil Fruit ranks at the top of its class. But for Anos, fully awakening its power remained a distant goal.
"Daiki, I feel like you two are hiding something from me," Suzu leaned in close, almost touching his face as she whispered.
"What are you thinking? Why would we hide anything from you? Don't overthink it just rest," Daiki said, smoothly changing the subject.
"You two, stop whispering and tell me how far are we from our destination now?" Anos asked, feeling a bit bored.
"Hard to say. No small islands or landmarks nearby. It was estimated to be a two-week journey, and it's only been four or five days. We're likely about halfway there," Suzu replied.
"There's one ahead…" Anos began, preparing to mention a small island nearby, but he suddenly sensed something dangerous there far beyond what they could have anticipated.
He sprang to his feet, gripping the railing and gazing ahead, though the small island wasn't yet visible.
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"Suzu, tell Barlow to adjust course to the right and avoid the area ahead," Anos commanded abruptly.
Suzu hesitated for a moment but quickly rose to follow his orders.
Daiki also rushed to the railing, trying to sense ahead using Observation Haki, but his ability wasn't as refined as Anos's, and he couldn't detect anything unusual about the island.
"Your Majesty, what's going on?" Daiki asked, concern evident in his tone.
"Kaido…" Anos muttered, surprised, "What's he doing in the first half of the Grand Line?"
"Kaido?" Daiki echoed.
Noting the tension in Anos's expression, Daiki immediately became alert.
"We've been noticed, Daiki. Tell Barlow to steer west. Don't wait for me," Anos ordered, frowning.
"Your Majesty, are you sure? If you're going alone…"
"If I decide to leave, no one in this world can stop me. Just follow the order. Your main task now is to ensure the safety of this ship."
Anos interrupted, a slight smile playing on his lips.
Anos's confidence wasn't unfounded. With his Devil Fruit's spatial powers, as long as he didn't expose himself, no one could capture him.
"Understood, Your Majesty. I'll ensure everyone's safety onboard," Daiki replied earnestly.
"I hope it's as you said!" Anos smiled.
Just as he finished speaking, a massive stone hurtled toward Abby.
The rock was nearly as large as the entire ship. Standing on the bow with unwavering calm, Anos waved his hand casually.
A blue light shield appeared in front of him, intercepting the stone. Upon impact, the stone vanished only to reappear about 500 meters away from the ship, crashing heavily into the sea.
The rest of the crew, bewildered, could only follow Anos's orders, steering the Tempest off the course toward Mariejois as directed.
After handling the boulder, Anos vanished from the ship and reappeared on the island, confirming his suspicions. Before him stood an immense figure, as he had anticipated.
Towering over him was a burly, black-haired man with long, dragon-like horns, a beard reminiscent of a dragon's, and a dragon-scale tattoo on his left arm. Bare-chested, Kaido exuded an overwhelming sense of power.
"Uuhahahaha... I never expected an insect to show up here!" Kaido's gruff voice rumbled as his intimidating aura pressed down on Anos.
"Mr. Kaido, I mean no disrespect. We were just passing by" Anos offered a polite bow, enduring Kaido's oppressive presence.
The island was not especially large, and Kaido stood alone, suggesting he was either waiting for something or protecting a hidden secret.
Anos couldn't fathom encountering one of the Four Emperors of the New World here.
As he observed Kaido, he noticed fresh scars and clear evidence of recent, severe injuries.
"Boy, having the guts to stand before me, Kaido, earns you my respect, but it doesn't grant you a reprieve from death. I didn't plan on anyone discovering this place, so... the only way to keep it hidden is to ensure you never leave."
Kaido's intense gaze bore into Anos as he delivered this chilling proclamation, his voice filled with menace.
With a powerful punch, Kaido obliterated the hill where Anos had been standing.
Though Anos managed to dodge swiftly, he realized Kaido's immense strength was nothing to take lightly.
Facing such a formidable foe, even Anos found himself troubled. While he possessed spatial abilities and had honed his combat skills, Kaido's might far exceeded his own.
Seizing the opportunity, Anos used his spatial ability to teleport and launch a punch at Kaido.
Kaido effortlessly blocked, and their Haki clashed Kaido's emanating black and Anos's a distinctive blue.
The impact generated a shockwave that rippled across the island, sending seawater surging outward.
Kaido's eyes briefly flashed with surprise, recognizing Anos's rare Haki strength.
"Boy, I didn't expect you to be this strong. I'm surprised to see someone like you in the first half of the Grand Line!" Kaido's sinister smile widened, making his expression even more menacing.
"Mr. Kaido, I apologize if I intruded. I didn't realize you were here. To make amends, we're willing to offer a thousand barrels of fine wine."
Anos continued respectfully, fists clenched yet maintaining composure.
He needed to buy time to allow the Abby's crew to escape to safety, knowing he couldn't match Kaido's strength.
After exchanging blows, Kaido suddenly erupted into a violent cough, showing signs of serious injury.
It was unclear who had managed to harm him so gravely.
Seeing Kaido's condition, Anos remained cautious, well aware of the Four Emperor's legendary strength.
Even with Kaido weakened, Anos doubted he could deal significant damage.
"Boy, do you think I believe your flattery? But I like your nerve, but I didn't expect a kid like you would even know me," Kaido sneered, eyes sharp as he studied Anos, his intent clear.
As Kaido spoke, a figure suddenly lunged at him from the side. Multiple powerful blows struck Kaido's back, gouging into the ground with immense force.
Kaido didn't flinch, standing as though the attacks hadn't affected him at all.
"Daiki, fall back!" Anos shouted anxiously.
The attacker, now visible, was a wolf-human hybrid with a blue mane, blood-red eyes, and long, sharp claws.
He emanated a faint blue aura and stood ready to face Kaido.
"Mr. Kaido, I apologize. This is my subordinate, Daiki. Please excuse his rashness."
Anos hadn't expected Daiki's arrival.
"Uuhahahaha, the Zoan-type Mythical Wolf Fruit – Silver Moon Wolf model! Impressive. I didn't expect someone of your calibre to be here on the Grand Line. You two, join me from now on!" Kaido said, grinning at the duo.
Anos took a deep breath as Daiki joined him. "Why are you here? I told you to get them to safety," he said in a cold tone.
"Barlow has already evacuated them. I was concerned about Your Majesty's safety, so I came here," Daiki replied, eyeing Kaido with vigilance.
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