ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

[12] Meet the Crew – Kaido, the Relentless Challenger

The next morning, Caesar, his torso wrapped in white bandages, walked along the main road toward the town. The island had returned to its usual liveliness, no longer trembling in fear as it had the day before. The reason was simple: the residents knew that Caesar had protected them.

"Caesar, you're heading out to sea—this is for you."

As he passed a fruit stand, Granny Gurney approached him, holding out a small burlap bag. Her face bore a kind and earnest expression.

Caesar hesitated for a moment before taking it. "This is...?"

Seeing him accept it, Granny Gurney's smile widened, the wrinkles around her eyes deepening like blooming flowers.

"We all know the pirates spared our island because you agreed to join them," she said, her voice slightly choked. "Granny Gurney thanks you."

Others stepped forward as well.

"I have something too, Caesar. Thank you!"

"This is dried food—enough to last you for days."

"My house has fresh water. I'll bring you a bucket later."

The islanders, warm and grateful, quickly piled him with supplies. Soon, his arms were full, both hands burdened, and even his mouth held a bundle.

"Eh?"

"Caesar?"

Brad, spotting him, ran over with wide eyes. "Aren't you still injured? Why aren't you resting?" He grabbed some of the heavier items to help.

"It's just a small wound," Caesar replied nonchalantly.

Together, they made their way to the shore, where the Rocks Pirates were replenishing their supplies. Barrels of fresh water and crates of food were being hauled onto the massive ship.

Kaido, standing nearby, shot Caesar a reluctant glance but didn't approach.

Brad, seeing the towering and powerful Kaido, clenched his fists warily.

Caesar, unbothered, walked past Kaido without a word, which only seemed to agitate the young beast even more.

After stowing away the provisions given by the islanders, Caesar stepped onto the deck. There, he spotted a young man with a broad build, leaning against the railing as the wind ruffled his hair.

The young Whitebeard.

"Newcomer, what's your name?"

At this age, Edward Newgate was strikingly handsome, exuding a calm yet powerful presence. A kind and tolerant smile rested on his lips.

Caesar tilted his head slightly, intrigued. He had long been curious about Whitebeard in his younger years.

"Caesar. And you?"

Newgate grinned. "Edward Newgate."

Behind them, a loud crunch interrupted the conversation.

Turning around, Caesar saw Charlotte Linlin stuffing her mouth with cakes, chewing voraciously.

"Hey! If you keep eating like that, you'll finish all the fresh supplies!" Kaido snapped irritably.

Linlin, eyes darkening at the interruption, glared at him.

Caesar raised an eyebrow. This is Lingling on the verge of a hunger rampage.

Sure enough, in the next instant, Linlin let out an enraged roar and lunged at Kaido. The two immediately clashed, sending shockwaves across the deck.

Whitebeard sighed, watching the chaos unfold.

"The one with the mace is Kaido, an intern, and the one eating everything is Charlotte Linlin," he explained with mild exasperation. "A word of advice—never try to stop Linlin from eating. It never ends well."

Brad, watching Kaido and Big Mom exchange blows, shivered.

"I'm Shiki, known as the Golden Lion."

A man with striking golden hair hovered above the deck, suspended in midair.

Caesar nodded at him, but Shiki frowned.

"What's with that reaction? Aren't you even curious about my abilities?"

Before Caesar could respond, John and Wang Zhi approached, intrigued by the powerful new recruit.

While the crew continued loading supplies, a group of pirates returned to the ship, hauling large barrels over their shoulders. At the center of them all stood Rocks D. Xebec.

"I got some good booze! Let's have a feast tonight!"

Loud cheers erupted from the crew.

"Haha! I say we toast with our enemy's heads!" someone laughed darkly.

The bloodthirsty talk didn't faze Caesar—he had expected as much from this pirate crew. Brad, however, tensed up, growing increasingly uneasy about the company they were now keeping.

Once the ship set sail, the crew threw a bonfire party that night.

Amidst the revelry, Kaido approached Caesar, eyes burning with determination.

"Hey, Caesar! I want a rematch!"

Yesterday's loss had frustrated Kaido, and he was eager to prove his strength.

The surrounding pirates erupted into wild cheers, hungry for a fight. Their eyes gleamed with violent excitement—because, in truth, they weren't just pirates. They were desperadoes, each and every one of them.

Linlin, having gorged herself, smirked with a teasing glint in her eyes. "Why does big ol' Kaido keep challenging the new guy?" she giggled, hearts forming in her pupils. "So mean."

Shiki and Whitebeard exchanged glances. It was clear she wasn't one to talk.

Kaido sneered. "What's wrong? You scared?"

Caesar remained unfazed.

"No," he replied calmly. "I just don't refuse a good fight."

At once, the air shifted.

BOOM!

A violent gust howled through the deck as the two clashed. Sparks ignited as their Haki met—Kaido's powerful swings against Caesar's hardened defenses.

The fight escalated quickly, the sound of their battle ringing through the ship. Brad watched, confused—why wasn't Caesar using his sword?

Kaido eventually gained the upper hand but scowled.

"You're fighting barehanded? What, you think I'm not worth drawing your sword?"

Caesar shook his head. "No. I'm just training my Armament Haki."

Kaido's eyes twitched.

This bastard is using me as training?!

What Kaido didn't realize was that he had become Caesar's sparring partner—an unwitting stepping stone for Caesar's Haki mastery.

The battle continued until both were exhausted.

---

Adjusting to Life on the Rocks Pirates' Ship

Days passed.

Caesar and Brad gradually adjusted to their new life aboard the ship.

One thing remained consistent—Kaido never stopped challenging Caesar.

Whenever Kaido called him out, Caesar agreed, using their fights as practice to refine his full-body Armament Haki.

However, there was one thing he wouldn't tolerate—being interrupted while eating.

One evening, as he sat down to his meal, Kaido approached yet again.

"Hey, let's fight!"

Caesar's face darkened. He set his food down, eyes narrowing.

"You should really learn when to pick your battles," he muttered. "Are you as brainless as Linlin when she's hungry?"

In a flash, he leaped forward, slamming a hardened fist into Kaido's face.

The force sent Kaido flying, leaving him dazed and bruised.

Caesar dusted off his hands and returned to his meal.

Afterward, though, he went looking for Charlotte Linlin.

"Hey, Linlin," he said with a smirk. "Let's play a game."