One Piece : Brotherhood

Hachinosu, New World

The Pirate Island had always been a lawless den of chaos, but ever since the Beast Pirates made it their stronghold, the atmosphere had grown even more volatile. The once-dilapidated ports were now crawling with waves of vicious, bloodthirsty pirates from across the New World, all drawn by the legendary Hundred Beast Kaido's call for new recruits.

Massive warships, each more imposing than the last, docked along the craggy shores, their flags snapping in the wind, displaying sigils of terror and conquest. The island itself seemed alive with an undercurrent of violence, a brutal orchestra of clashing steel and drunken roars echoing through every corner of the sprawling city.

Kaido's recruitment drive had drawn thousands, and with so many desperate, power-hungry pirates gathered in one place, the inevitable bloodshed followed. Every tavern, alleyway, and plaza had turned into a battleground.

Pirates fought openly in the streets, their bodies crashing into stalls and buildings, as the strong crushed the weak in a relentless display of savagery. Blood smeared the cobblestones, and the stench of alcohol, sweat, and death clung to the air like a suffocating fog.

At the heart of the chaos, sitting quietly in the shadows of a dimly lit tavern, was Ryuji. His form was obscured beneath a thick, tattered cloak, the hood drawn low to hide his face. He sat with his back against a crumbling wall, watching the carnage unfold around him with cold, calculating eyes.

His hands trembled beneath his cloak—not from fear, but from the barely contained rage that simmered beneath his calm exterior. He had been on a warpath for months, slaughtering whole islands and venting his fury on the world, but it was never enough.

The grief, the haunting screams of his family, the memory of their deaths—they fueled an endless fire inside him, a fire that no amount of bloodshed seemed to extinguish.

The last island he attacked had nearly cost him his life. He'd torn through Marine forces like a demon unleashed, but they had been prepared. Haki—that was the term they had used.

The Marines had wielded it to break through his defenses, penetrating the scales of his mythical Zoan form that he once thought were impenetrable. His strength alone had not been enough, and it was only through the monstrous vitality of his Zoan ability that he had survived.

The encounter had taught him a harsh truth: his raw power was insufficient. He lacked training. He lacked knowledge.

But that would change.

Ryuji's gaze flickered toward the massive skull-shaped fortress looming over the island in the distance, Kaido's stronghold. The Beast Pirates had a reputation for favoring those with Zoan abilities, and under Kaido's banner, he could grow stronger—learn to master the power of Haki, hone his abilities, and bide his time.

As one of the Emperors of the New World, Kaido commanded a force that even the World Government feared to challenge directly. In his shadow, Ryuji would be safe from prying eyes, able to grow in strength without constantly looking over his shoulder.

But this wasn't about survival. No, Ryuji's motives ran far deeper than self-preservation. He clenched his fists beneath the cloak, the memories of his family's death flashing before his eyes.

Their screams, their helpless cries as he slit their throats with his own two hands in order to escape being hunted like animals by men who represented the so-called "justice" of the world haunted him.

The rage was like a poison in his veins, festering every day, every night. The Marines had torn his world apart, and the World Government stood behind them, cold and indifferent to the suffering they caused. This world was rotten to its core, and the only way to cleanse it was through fire and blood.

Under Kaido's banner, Ryuji would become a force that even the Marines would tremble before. He would learn their secrets, master the strength he lacked, and when the time was right, he would strike.

His hands would be the ones to raze the world to the ground, to burn the corrupted system that had taken everything from him. He would watch it all fall, the empires, the governments, the kingdoms—nothing would be spared from his wrath. And he would laugh as it burned.

For now, though, he would wait. He would let the Beast Pirates' name shield him, let Kaido's might act as a temporary wall between him and the rest of the world. But soon enough, his vengeance would come. The thought brought a twisted, bitter smile to his lips, hidden beneath the shadow of his hood.

Across the tavern, pirates clashed in brutal brawls, tables splintering under the weight of their fights, but Ryuji remained unmoved, his mind fixated on the future. He could already feel the power coursing through him, the fire within him growing stronger with each passing day.

The world may have forgotten the name of his slaughtered family, but he would make sure they remembered it again every last one of them—with fear and dread.

This was only the beginning. Ryuji would carve his vengeance into the bones of the world itself, and no one—not the Marines, not the World Government, and not even the Emperors—would stand in his way.

Ryuji sat in the shadows, his rage simmering beneath the surface like a volcano on the brink of eruption. His small stature—barely two meters tall—made him almost invisible among the hulking brutes around him.

To most, he looked like nothing more than a cloaked figure huddled in the corner, a lone pirate who didn't seem worth the trouble. But those with sharper instincts had already begun to notice the heaviness in the air, the tension that coiled around the cloaked man like a predator waiting to strike.

The burly pirate who approached Ryuji was far less perceptive. Towering over six meters tall, his frame scraped the low ceiling of the tavern even though he was hunched over. His breath stank of cheap rum, and his massive, scarred arms swayed as he stumbled next to Ryuji's table.

The giant pirate's face twisted into a sneer as he reached down without any hesitation, snatching the roast chicken from Ryuji's table. He tore into it, gnawing at the meat like a starving beast, his eyes never leaving Ryuji's form.

The burly man was testing him—pushing the boundaries, prodding to see if the smaller man would react. He leaned in closer, the remnants of the chicken falling from his mouth as he let out a guttural laugh, expecting Ryuji to stir in anger.

The tavern roared with laughter, the atmosphere thick with mockery as the crowd watched what they assumed would be a one-sided confrontation. To them, Ryuji was nothing but a weakling, a small man in a world of monsters.

But Ryuji didn't move. His face remained hidden under the shadow of his hood, his body still. The lack of reaction made the burly pirate bold. His drunken mind couldn't comprehend the silence as anything other than weakness.

With a sneer, he knocked over the tankard of ale on the table, spilling the drink all over Ryuji. The liquid splashed onto the cloak, drenching the smaller man, and the giant pirate grinned maliciously as he stepped closer.

"What's wrong, little bastard? You got a problem?" the man growled, his voice thick with menace as he drained his own drink and tossed the tankard to the floor. The laughter in the tavern grew louder, a cacophony of jeers and cheers echoing through the room.

Yet, amidst the chaos, a few more perceptive pirates stood and quietly slipped away. They could feel the shift in the atmosphere, the way the air seemed to grow heavier, suffocating. They knew what was coming. They didn't want to be caught in the storm.

Ryuji slowly raised his head, his eyes locking onto the towering pirate. There was no emotion in his gaze, no anger or fear—only a cold, terrifying calm. The burly pirate's smirk faltered for a split second, but his bravado won out, and he took another step forward, raising a fist.

But before he could say another word, the entire town seemed to tremble. The air around Ryuji thickened, an oppressive force suddenly weighing down on the room. His eyes gleamed beneath the hood, and for the first time, the pirate felt the cold, paralyzing grip of fear wrap around his heart. The laughter in the tavern died instantly. Everyone felt it—the suffocating pressure of an invisible force that made it hard to breathe.

It was Ryuji's Conqueror's Haki, unleashed like the crack of thunder in a silent storm. Though he himself did not understand what the power was nor did he have any control over it, his inner rage manifested in the form of Supreme Color.

The burly pirate staggered, his drunken mind reeling as the weight of Ryuji's presence crashed into him like a tidal wave. His fist faltered in mid-air, his body trembling as sweat poured down his face. The cloaked figure in front of him was no ordinary pirate. He was a monster in disguise.

Far away, within the colossal fortress of Hachinosu, the atmosphere was just as electric, but for a far different reason. Deep inside the fortress, seated on massive thrones facing each other like titans preparing for battle, were two of the most fearsome men the world had ever known.

On one side sat the strongest creature in the world—Hundred Beast Kaido. His enormous, muscular frame dwarfed the stone throne beneath him, his dragon-like presence radiating pure, unadulterated power.

His broad chest heaved with every breath, the intricate tattoos and scars that lined his skin telling the story of countless battles. Kaido's sharp eyes gleamed with a mixture of amusement and curiosity as he stared at the man seated across from him.

Opposite him, sitting like an equal, was none other than Douglas Bullet—the infamous "Demon Heir" and former apprentice of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Though he was only in his mid-twenties, Bullet exuded an aura of strength that rivaled even Kaido's.

His chiseled frame was like a living weapon, coiled with muscle and raw power. There was no fear in Bullet's eyes, no hesitation or reverence. He met Kaido's gaze with the cold confidence of a man who had fought and survived against the greatest forces the world had to offer.

Between them, the air crackled with unseen energy, the sheer force of their presences creating an intangible clash of wills. It wasn't physical—no blows had been exchanged—but the invisible confrontation between their Conqueror's Haki was unmistakable.

The fortress walls seemed to tremble under the pressure, the very ground beneath them quivering as if afraid of the titans sitting above.

"Worororo!" Kaido's deep, thunderous laugh echoed through the hall, though there was a sharp edge to his voice. "The infamous rookie from Roger's crew has come to meet me. So, tell me—what brings the Demon Heir to my doorstep? I'm curious."

Kaido's eyes narrowed, studying Bullet carefully. He knew of the man's strength, his terrifying reputation, but even for someone like Bullet, to come here—to him—meant there was more at play. Bullet was not someone to be trifled with, and Kaido knew better than to underestimate him.

The atmosphere inside the fortress was charged with a tension so thick it seemed to distort the very air around the two men. Bullet's eyes darkened, and the subtle vibrations of his Conqueror's Haki reverberated through the room.

It clashed violently with Kaido's own, creating a pressure that rippled outward, causing the walls to tremble as if they, too, were trying to withstand the titanic force. It was a contest of wills, an invisible storm that hung heavy in the air. The two men, titans in their own right, were locked in a silent battle for dominance.

"I'm not here to fight you, Kaido." Bullet began, though a dangerous glint flickered in his eyes. "But I wouldn't deny that I'd love to see if you've grown any stronger since the old days." He leaned forward, the corner of his mouth curling into a teasing smirk.

"I'm here with an offer. One that might benefit us both. And I'm sure... even you could use a little help."

Kaido's laughter echoed through the chamber, booming and vicious. "Worororo...! Help? Me?" His voice sharpened, the mockery in his tone turning to a razor-edged threat.

"You brat, just because I let you sit in front of me; don't get audacious. Do I look like I'm in need of help? What makes you think someone like you could offer me anything? I could wring your neck like a child's toy."

Bullet chuckled, unfazed by Kaido's veiled menace. His eyes gleamed with an amused, almost mocking light.

"You can try if you're feeling confident, Kaido. But let me ask you—wasn't Wano your main base of operations?" Bullet's voice turned sharper now, cutting deeper with each word.

"So, tell me... how did you end up in this wasteland, huh? Hachinosu? This barren rock is no Wano. Or... could it be you're chasing after the shadow of Rocks?" His words dripped with mockery, stabbing directly at Kaido's pride.

At the mention of Wano, Kaido's eyes narrowed, and his grip on the armrests of his throne tightened. The name alone was a trigger—a bitter reminder of humiliation, defeat, and loss. His blood boiled, the mere thought of it reigniting the seething rage he kept buried beneath his mountainous exterior. The defeat at Wano, the betrayal, the uprising—all of it clawed at him like a festering wound.

"You bastard..." Kaido growled, rising slowly from his throne, his massive form casting a shadow over Bullet. His muscles tensed, veins bulging under his skin as if ready to explode.

"Do you want to die?" His voice rumbled like thunder, and the entire room seemed to vibrate with the intensity of his rage. The time for words was nearing its end, and both men knew it.

Bullet, however, didn't flinch. He, too, rose to his feet, his expression sharpening as the temperature in the room dropped to a dangerous low. His aura expanded, his Haki clashing violently with Kaido's, their wills colliding like lightning meeting the earth.

Neither of them needed to say it, but the message was clear: if they were to discuss alliances, they first had to prove themselves worthy in each other's eyes. And that meant showing their true power.

The floor cracked beneath their feet as their Conqueror's Haki surged, lightning sparking in the air as invisible waves of force rippled outward. The room seemed on the verge of collapse under the sheer weight of their wills. It wasn't a physical clash—yet—but the intensity of their confrontation was enough to send shivers down the spine of anyone nearby.

Suddenly, both Kaido and Bullet froze mid-clash. Their eyes, sharp and predatory, snapped toward the same direction. A sudden, wild surge of Conqueror's Haki exploded from somewhere far off in the distance, uncontrolled and raw, but unmistakably powerful.

The energy rippled through the air like a chaotic maelstrom, drawing the attention of the two titans immediately.

Kaido's brows furrowed, his expression shifting from rage to confusion. He knew Conqueror's Haki when he felt it—how could he not? It was a power that only a handful of people in the world possessed.

But what puzzled him was who it was. He hadn't sensed this presence before, and no one in his crew, aside from himself, had ever exhibited Conqueror's Haki at this level.

"You sure are hiding deeply, Kaido," Bullet chuckled darkly, clearly amused. "Seems like you've got another Conqueror's Haki user in your ranks. I'd say I made the right call coming to you after all."

Kaido's confusion turned to irritation. He knew every inch of his crew, and none of them should have been able to release Conqueror's Haki at this level. "Another Conqueror?" he muttered, his eyes narrowing as he looked toward the horizon.

Without another word, Kaido's massive body began to morph. His skin shifted and elongated, scales rippling across his form as he transformed into his terrifying Azure Dragon form. His body coiled, and with a single powerful thrust, he took to the air, soaring into the sky with a thunderous roar. Lightning crackled in his wake as he shot toward the source of the mysterious Haki.

Bullet stood still for a moment, watching Kaido's swift transformation. A grin spread across his face as the excitement stirred within him.

"Interesting..." he muttered, before using Geppo, propelling himself through the roof with powerful kicks, following Kaido into the stormy sky.

The air outside was thick with tension as they both flew toward the source of the raw, chaotic Haki. Even from this distance, the energy was palpable, like a wild, untamed beast on a rampage. Whoever this Conqueror was, they were unleashing their power without restraint, without control—yet the raw strength was undeniable.

The sky darkened as Kaido and Bullet approached, the island below them trembling as if in fear of the impending storm. Neither of them spoke, but the anticipation was evident. This was no ordinary recruit. This was someone—or something—powerful enough to shake the New World to its core.

As Kaido landed with a thunderous crash, the ground beneath him trembled from the force, sending shockwaves rippling through the nearby buildings. Dust and debris swirled in the air, but his sharp eyes immediately locked onto the chaos unfolding before him.

A massive tyrannosaurus—standing close to thirty meters tall—was hurled violently through a row of buildings, crashing through stone and timber like they were made of paper. Each impact shook the town, and the destruction spread in a trail of carnage as the beast's enormous body bulldozed everything in its path.

This was no ordinary creature—it was an ancient Zoan user, a burly pirate whose transformation into a prehistoric predator had amplified his already monstrous physique. His thick, scaled hide should have made him nearly invincible, his weight alone enough to crush anything beneath him.

Yet, despite his overwhelming power, he was the one being tossed aside like a rag doll.

Kaido's eyes narrowed, intrigued. For an ancient Zoan user to be thrown with such force—it was no small feat. He scanned the scene, searching for the source of this incredible power, and what he saw made his curiosity turn to excitement.

Standing amidst the wreckage, cloaked in shadow and exuding an aura of raw, untamed power, was a figure much smaller than the monstrous tyrannosaurus. But size, Kaido knew well, didn't matter.

It was the overwhelming presence radiating from the cloaked man that told the true story. The air around him crackled with Conqueror's Haki, chaotic and uncontrolled, but potent. Whoever this was, their strength was no fluke—it was the kind that came from deep pain, rage, and untapped potential.

The ancient Zoan pirate groaned as he tried to rise, his massive tail thrashing in desperation. His colossal form, even as a Tyrannosaurus, seemed insignificant next to the cloaked figure before him. But Ryuji—the hooded man—offered no mercy. With brutal efficiency, he made his move, and what happened next sent a chill through the souls of everyone watching.

In an instant, Ryuji's body twisted and contorted, his form expanding, black scales erupting across his skin. The cloak that once hid him tore apart as his true shape was revealed.

Before anyone could react, a monstrous black dragon, so enormous it dwarfed the already massive Tyrannosaurus, towered over the town. This dragon wasn't serpentine like Kaido's; it was something far darker.

Four powerful limbs supported its titanic body, two massive, leathery wings stretched from its back, and a powerful tail ripped through the surroundings, casting an ominous shadow over the entire area. Its glowing eyes radiated an aura of death, and its sheer presence sent shivers down the spines of the onlookers.

The beast's jaws opened wide, and with a single, brutal motion, Ryuji's dragon form—Nidhogg—clamped down on the Tyrannosaurus' head. The crunch echoed like the sound of the world itself breaking. Blood erupted from the fatal bite, painting the ground in red.

In the blink of an eye, the massive Zoan pirate's head was severed cleanly from his body, his enormous frame collapsing lifelessly to the ground. The carnage had unfolded so quickly that most hadn't even registered Kaido's presence yet, their focus entirely consumed by the black dragon that now loomed over the town like a god of death.

Nidhogg's breath, a toxic mist, began to seep from its maw. The deadly fog rolled out in thick clouds, enveloping the body of the fallen Tyrannosaurus, and something terrifying happened. The massive corpse began to decay rapidly, as if years of rot had struck it in seconds.

Flesh melted from bone, scales withered, and within moments, the once-mighty body was reduced to a grotesque, decaying husk. Even pirates standing too close to the dragon's breath were caught within the fog. They screamed, their bodies withering and shriveling up like dried leaves, their very vitality sucked out of them by the black dragon's malevolent presence.

Kaido stood at the edge of the town, his eyes squinted as he studied the scene unfolding before him. He had seen countless Zoan abilities in his time and many powerful devil fruits, but this... this was different. He knew it was no ordinary transformation.

There was no mistaking it—it was a mythical Zoan, and from the dragon species, no less. But unlike Kaido's own Azure Dragon, which had a serpentine elegance, this beast seemed to embody pure destruction and decay. The black dragon's form was darker, more primal, its wings leathery and its limbs built for overwhelming force. It radiated death itself.

"Nidhogg..." Bullet, who had landed next to Kaido, couldn't hide the surprise in his voice. He had seen many legendary things in his time, but this was beyond expectation. "So the ancient tales were true after all. The Reincarnation of Death..."

Kaido's eyes narrowed as Bullet spoke. "Nidhogg... the cursed dragon," Kaido rumbled, recalling the ancient lore. "A beast born from the world's deepest vengeance. It is said to be the very embodiment of destruction and decay—a curse placed upon those who seek retribution with an insatiable greed to consume everything in its path. It doesn't just kill... it drains the life from the world itself."

The tale of Nidhogg, long thought to be a fairy tale, was one of terror. According to legend, Nidhogg was a dragon cursed by the gods to forever roam the realms of death, feeding on the roots of the world tree, symbolizing the decay of all things.

The dragon was said to carry with it an insatiable hunger, a deep-rooted vengeance that consumed not just its enemies, but everything in its wake—an unstoppable force of death and destruction, a being that drained the very life from the world around it. It was not just a dragon—it was the end of worlds.

Kaido watched as Ryuji's dragon form unleashed devastation, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Worororo... You have some guts, Brat. To wield a power like that, a mythical Zoan... and of this caliber. You might actually be worth something after all."

Bullet, still watching the scene unfold, chuckled. "Looks like you've got more than just another pirate in your ranks, Kaido. This one... might just burn the world down with you."

The black dragon—Ryuji—let out a bone-chilling roar that echoed across the island. It was the roar of a creature that had tasted blood and craved more. Pirates across the island, whether brave or foolish, now cowered before the beast, some fleeing while others stood frozen in terror. The aura of death that surrounded him was unlike anything they had ever witnessed.