“How boring.”
This was the lament Kaen uttered on the tenth day of his voyage.
He even regretted why he had refused Kozuki Hiyori and Yamato from accompanying him.
If the two of them were here, he could at least play some Dou Dizhu.
But now…
Kaen looked at Jack, who was maniacally pumping iron on the deck, then at Page One, the airman, sitting on Rayquaza’s head, and Ulti, who was circling Page One, desperately trying to get her brother’s attention. He couldn't help but sigh.
Life is not easy.
Kaen extended his hand towards the sky, and an invisible wave spread out into the cosmos.
Before long, a meteorite several meters in diameter fell from the sky, tracing a fiery streak of light as it hurtled towards Kaen.
Jack and the others were unfazed; they had seen such scenes every day since being on the ship.
Ulti turned her head for a glance, then turned back and grumbled, “Kaen is going to gnaw on rocks again. I really don’t know what’s so good about it.”
Page One stared unblinkingly at the water, not turning his head. “Didn’t Kaen Brother say? He’s cultivating.”
Ulti immediately flew into a rage, grabbing Page One’s neck and shaking him. “Little Page, how can you not look at me when you’re talking to your sister!”
“Ah, ah, ah~ I was wrong, Sis.” Page One’s eyes rolled back as he begged for mercy.
While the two siblings were bickering, Kaen had already cooled the meteorite and brought it onto the deck.
“Jack!”
No sooner had Kaen spoken than a flash of sword light streaked past. The meteorite in front of him was instantly cut into countless fragments the size of a baby’s fist, perfectly convenient for Kaen to pop into his mouth one by one.
Jack silently sheathed his two scimitars and resumed pumping iron.
“As expected of my most trusted brother! We have such great chemistry.”
Kaen gave Jack a thumbs-up, picked up a piece of meteorite, and threw it into his mouth, crunching it loudly. “Hmm, this one has a slightly spicy taste. Not bad.”
As the meteorite was digested, a surge of cosmic energy emanated from it, which Kaen’s body captured and absorbed.
Kaen nodded inwardly. Although this energy was minuscule, the feeling of progress was addictive.
He hadn’t lied to Jack and the others; he truly was cultivating by devouring meteorites.
Ever since gaining Rayquaza’s power, Kaen had never forgotten Rayquaza’s Mega form.
It was simply both cool and powerful.
Even better, compared to other pokémon, Rayquaza’s Mega Evolution doesn’t require carrying an item; instead, it uses the meteorite energy stored within its body to Mega Evolve.
Even Kyogre and Groudon couldn’t do this.
So, Kaen tried summoning meteorites to consume, and to his surprise, he actually succeeded.
He had a vague feeling.
The cosmic energy in the meteorites not only strengthened his body but was also closely related to Berry Awakening.
Perhaps, the day he Mega Evolved would be the day his Berry Awakened.
Thinking this, Kaen’s enthusiasm for eating meteorites grew even stronger.
As long as there’s a progress bar, even if it’s a slow drip, what does it matter?
Many people give up on studying or pursuing women halfway because they can’t see the progress bar.
“Kaen-sama, Dressrosa will be reached soon.”
Speed, who had been monitoring the route, walked over to report.
Kaen commanded, “Hmm, pass on the message. Once we dock, give the sailors a day off.”
Life on the ship was tough, and Dressrosa was the Land of Love and Passion, perfect for the sailors to relax.
An hour later, a tropical island with a resort-like atmosphere appeared before Kaen’s eyes.
Dressrosa had been reached.
Jack put down his dumbbells and walked over, asking, “Kaen, are we going straight to the palace?”
Kaen thought for a moment: “Speed and I are definitely going. You, Ulti, and Page One can do as you please.”
He wasn’t afraid that only two of them going would make them look down upon.
After all, this was a world where individual power surpassed everything.
Although Kaen had agreed that they could move freely after docking, Jack, Ulti, and Page One all expressed their desire to follow Kaen.
They still had that much discipline.
Dressrosa Port.
The massive size of the Raikougo quickly attracted the attention of those on shore.
“Pirates! Pirates!”
“Idiot, what are pirates? Our king is a Shichibukai!”
“Fool, that… that’s the Beasts Pirates’ flag!”
The name of the Beasts Pirates, if not deafening in the New World, was enough to stop a child’s night cries.
When it was learned that the Beasts Pirates had arrived, the once bustling port was emptied in no time.
Only a few brave souls and those who truly couldn’t escape remained in place.
A pirate urged, “Captain, let’s run! That’s the Beasts Pirates over there.”
The pirate Captain, wearing a pirate hat and with a long sword at his waist, laughed confidently, “Run? Who do you think I am? I am ‘Pointed Blade’ Davy, and I fight against the Sea Emperors!”
“My lads, it’s time to make a name for yourselves!”
Saying that, he drew his long sword and pointed it at Kaen and his group.
Oh? Whose subordinate is this, to be so valiant?
Kaen looked at Speed in confusion. The latter had always served as the butler and secretary on the ship, and all the well-known pirates in the vicinity were in her mind.
But Speed thought carefully and frowned, “Kaen-sama, I haven’t recorded any intelligence on that pirate crew. But I can confirm that the opposing Captain’s bounty will not exceed one hundred million Berries.”
Below that bounty, they weren’t qualified to be recorded by her.
Kaen understood. “Jack, you want to do it?”
Jack silently drew his scimitars, transformed into his Mammoth Zoan form, and charged forward.
It turned out he had overestimated the opponents.
With just one charge, the so-called Pointed Blade Davy died on the spot, and his subordinates suffered heavy casualties.
The scene was a mess.
Before long, Jack returned, carrying two blood-stained scimitars.
At this moment, a man with short golden hair, wearing sunglasses, a pink feathered coat, cropped trousers, and pointed shoes, led several people forward.
“Fufufufufufu.”
The man opened his mouth with his characteristic laugh, “Distinguished guests have come from afar, I apologize for not welcoming you sooner. Diamante, go clean up; they’re too noisy.”
Doflamingo’s smile was not friendly; on the contrary, it carried a faint sense of aggression.
Diamante, wearing a frayed hat and with two facial tattoos, left the formation and headed towards the survivors of the recent small skirmish.
Thud, thud…
Diamante drew his long sword, delivering finishing blows one by one, his face expressionless throughout.
“My apologies.” Diamante wiped the blood from his sword and neatly sheathed it.
Kaen glanced at Doflamingo and scoffed, “Indeed, quite ugly. Your Donquixote Family certainly hits hard against the weak.”
Doflamingo’s smile gradually froze, and veins pulsed on his forehead.
But the importance of the Beasts Pirates transaction made him suppress his displeasure.
In the New World, for a force to survive with dignity, it must either be strong enough that the Sea Emperors don’t want to easily touch it, like Hachinosu Island; or it must pledge allegiance to a Sea Emperor, borrowing their influence for protection.
Doflamingo chose the latter.
For this, he did not hesitate to offend Kaido, first killing the middleman, then delivering himself to Kaido.
He gambled that Kaido needed him.
Conveniently, he held a trump card that Kaido absolutely could not refuse.