New World, a certain island.
A group of pirates stood by the coast, nervously looking out at the turbulent sea.
"Why aren't they here yet? Didn't they say they were close?"
"They should be soon! Lord Roa has no reason to deceive us!"
"So many days have passed, could Boss Kaido be alright?"
"He'll be fine. Isn't his Vivrecard intact?"
The pirates talked anxiously.
"They're here!"
Suddenly, a pirate shrieked.
The pirates collectively looked up, gazing at the distant sea.
A dark, oppressive cloud was approaching.
No, that wasn't a dark cloud; it was a swarm of colossal snails. When they gathered, they formed a shadow that crushed all waves on the sea!
The pirates instantly broke into a sweat.
"Is that Lord Roa?"
"It should be, right?"
Didn't Boss Kaido say that Lord Roa also had only a few members, which is why they decided to form an alliance?
Meanwhile, Roa, standing on the back of a giant snail, had already seen the pirates on the coast.
Returning from the North Blue had saved a lot of time compared to before.
The giant snails were much faster than ordinary ships.
Crossing the Calm Belt was a bit troublesome, though.
The Sea Kings probably thought these giant snails were a buffet, as the monsters lurking in the deep sea emerged in groups, like middle schoolers rushing for food.
This annoyed Roa greatly, forcing him to maintain his Conqueror's Haki throughout the journey to ensure their safe passage.
It was fortunate that the Germa Kingdom didn't lack black mist, otherwise, returning to the New World would have required heading to the Red Line, letting the snails climb over it to cross the Calm Belt.
Seastone plating needs to be put in place soon, otherwise, traveling anywhere will be inconvenient.
But where would the seastone come from?
Is there a country in the New World that has a lot of seastone and also plenty of minerals to supply a weapons factory?
Is there?
Yes, there was.
"It certainly looks like the Beasts Pirates."
Dylan put down his telescope. "But to ensure it's not a Marine ambush, Boss, let's have Bullet check it out first."
There was also the possibility that the Beasts Pirates were coerced by the Marines to lure Roa here for a trap.
"I have no problem."
Bullet looked at Roa's back.
"No need,"
Roa smiled. "Brother Kaido is smarter than everyone thinks."
Many people thought Kaido was a brute.
Who would have thought he was a cunning old fox who never rejected schemes and tricks?
He wouldn't give his phone number to someone he didn't absolutely trust.
And.
Roa had already seen it.
There were no other negative emotions on the pirates at the coast.
Just anxiety and nervousness, no malice.
The snails soon stopped at the coast, and Roa took the lead, leaping from a snail's head.
"Lord Roa! You've finally arrived!"
The pirates, dressed somewhat like Giants, excitedly welcomed him.
Roa glanced at them.
Just a bunch of no-names.
Not a single recognizable name.
Brother Kaido, seeing you suffer so much makes me relieved.
No wonder he was so eager for talent in the future; those who have suffered are different.
"All the treasure has been prepared for you!"
One could say the Beasts Pirates were very quick on the uptake; treasure chests were immediately brought before Roa.
After opening the chests, the entire coast seemed to brighten a few shades; they were filled with gold, silver, and jewels.
Brother Kaido still has a substantial fortune.
Roa nodded slightly.
Although he didn't plan to invest much money in developing the military industry, who wouldn't like a freebie?
"Also,"
The pirates respectfully offered Roa two open small boxes containing two Devil Fruits with spiral patterns. "These are two Ancient Zoan Devil Fruits that Boss Kaido cherished: the Dinosaur-Dinosaur Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Pteranodon Model, and the Dinosaur-Dinosaur Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Brachiosaurus Model. Lord Roa, please accept them!"
Roa's expression became a bit strange.
King's and Queen's abilities?
I wanted to say this when I read the manga in my previous life: was it really necessary for those two to eat these two Devil Fruits?
King relied entirely on his racial abilities to fight, and Queen relied on technology.
Especially King, his ultimate moves were all performed in human form; the Devil Fruit ability was purely for show.
Brother Kaido, you're a bit unscrupulous in trying to form your Beasts Pirate Crew.
"How could I impose?"
Roa said, feigning modesty, and motioned for Dylan to step forward and take the two Devil Fruits.
The Beasts Pirates, however, genuinely breathed a sigh of relief.
Lord Roa's willingness to accept meant he was willing to help save Boss Kaido!
Just as the pirates were about to speak, Roa turned to Dylan and said, "What do you think? Are you interested this time?"
Dylan had previously said he preferred a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
Dylan thought for a moment and said, "Pteranodon Model, Boss, can I have this fruit?"
"Of course."
Roa was very generous.
What's a mere Ancient Zoan Devil Fruit?
With permission, Dylan solemnly took the Pteranodon Model fruit from the box and, without hesitation, took a big bite.
The taste of the Devil Fruit made Dylan's brow furrow slightly, but only for a moment. The next instant, his brow smoothed out.
"So, this is what it feels like to be a Devil Fruit user?"
His face began to protrude and lengthen, his arms bending and flattening. "Boss, please allow me to test it."
"Suit yourself."
Roa shrugged.
In just a blink, Dylan had transformed into a three-meter-tall pteranodon.
He should be much smaller than King, given the significant difference in their physiques.
"My strength has increased so much! Ancient Zoan, truly lives up to its reputation!"
Dylan flapped his wings, creating a gust of wind, and instantly shot into the sky.
The pteranodon, with a wingspan of over six meters, flapped its wings, flying rapidly through the sky.
Initially a bit unaccustomed, Dylan quickly mastered the art of flying, circling and tumbling in the air with great exhilaration.
Then.
Dylan suddenly flapped his wings, and two massive Flying Slashes descended from the sky, directly tearing two huge gashes in the sea surface.
Then Dylan descended abruptly, streaking across the coast like an arrow. His right wing cut into the ground, and rocks and soil could not stop him an inch, being easily torn apart.
Roa nodded slightly.
Not bad.
Dylan was already a master of "No-Sword Style," and now his wings had truly become blades.
"So,"
Roa finally looked at the anxious pirates who dared not speak. "Where is Brother Kaido?"
The lead pirate quickly pulled out a small piece of paper. "Boss Kaido has half a Vivrecard hidden on him. We came here following the Vivrecard's guidance!"
Fragments of the same Vivrecard would attract each other.
But, Brother Kaido, where did you hide your Vivrecard?
Don't the Marines body search?
Roa's expression became a bit strange.
"Boss Kaido is imprisoned on a nearby island! We didn't dare get too close!"
The pirates said excitedly, "But with Lord Roa leading us, it's different!"
"That's right, Lord Roa, let's go quickly!"
"Us?"
Roa casually took the Vivrecard from the pirate's hand. "I'm enough on my own."
"Boss?"
Bullet exclaimed in surprise. "How can that be?"
"Boss! Let us go with you!"
Dylan also made an emergency landing, speaking anxiously.
"Too many people would just be a hassle. If nothing unexpected happens, there's a real monster guarding that place. Everyone wait for us here."
With that, Roa transformed into a black tiger and soared into the sky.
"..."
Bullet gnashed his teeth in frustration.
It's still because I'm too weak!
"May your martial fortune be prosperous."
Dylan could only offer his blessings.
Is this Roa's ability?
Doflamingo looked up in surprise.
This was the first time he had seen Roa transform into a black tiger.
A Mythical Zoan?
Not long after.
Roa, guided by the Vivrecard, arrived above an island.
It was not a very large island, but it had many buildings, mostly not residential, looking more like research facilities.
Many Marine warships were docked at the port.
Research facility?
It couldn't be such a coincidence, could it?
Roa muttered to himself.
"Anyway, let's activate the field spell first!"
Roa descended rapidly.
"Tremor-Tremor Change!"
Operation codename: Rescue Tactician Kaido!