In the past, Vane always believed that Kaido's base of operations was somewhere within Wano itself. But after spending time in the country, he realized the truth—the Beasts Pirates' headquarters was located offshore, in the Inland Sea of Wano. Their stronghold, the ominous Onigashima, floated just beneath the fog-covered waves.

Onigashima, shaped like a massive skull, loomed like a grim sentinel at sea. It radiated dread.

Vane had flown south from the Flower Capital and arrived at the coastline. After taking to the sky, he flew straight toward the dark silhouette of Ghost Island.

For the last two days, Onigashima had been under strict lockdown. Fear spread among the Beast Pirates like wildfire. Their reason? Vane might descend on them again.

Just yesterday morning, they'd managed to drag Kaido from the ocean. Most of the Beasts Pirates were Devil Fruit users, useless in water. Kaido, unconscious, had to be fished out before he sank completely.

Though water neutralized his abilities, it didn't harm him. That's what made Kaido terrifying—he wasn't just the strongest on land, but also in sea and sky.

Still, what stunned the Beast Pirates most was the state of his body.

Two gaping holes pierced Kaido's stomach. A deep slash ran diagonally from his right shoulder across to his left hip. Had the attacker aimed to carve him to pieces?

Even the Three Disasters—King, Queen, and Jack—had heard Kaido was wounded, but seeing it firsthand had shaken them.

And worse, Kaido's body had absorbed a horrific blend of seawater and sediment. That could kill most men. Not him, though. Just wounded.

Even so, they were shaken.

That boy—Vane—had done this. The world knew of Kaido's madness. He'd sought death and failed to find it. Even Whitebeard, the strongest man alive, couldn't kill Kaido. And yet Vane inflicted three critical wounds.

It was enough to unnerve even his top commanders.

For now, Kaido was unconscious. But to the world, he was simply "resting."

Today, the one they feared had arrived—Vane stepped foot onto Onigashima.

The guards at the coast nearly died from shock. If the Three Disasters feared Vane, what hope did they have?

A young crewmate bolted inland to report.

When King heard the news, his face darkened. "He's here?!"

"What does he want?" Queen gritted his teeth. "Does he intend to wipe us all out?"

"We'll protect Kaido-sama with our lives!" Jack declared.

"Same here!" Queen shouted. "If he wants a fight, he'll get one!"

The Three Disasters rallied.

King stood at the front, wings spread wide, his body ablaze with fire. Queen and Jack flanked him, followed by dozens of elite fighters.

He spoke coldly. "If he tries anything, we fight. We push him back here and now. This is our turf."

(Thought y'all surrendered lol)

Then, they saw him—Vane hovered just above the ruined front gates, hands in his pockets, casually staring at them.

Behind him, dozens of fainted pirates lay in a heap. Their unconscious bodies stretched across the coastline.

King's jaw clenched. "Are you here to fight?"

His flaming body crackled with tension.

Queen took a puff of his cigar, blowing smoke through his teeth. "If it's war, then fine. We're not afraid."

Vane's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Relax. I'm not here to kill anyone today."

"Really?" King raised an eyebrow, pointing to the pile behind him. "What about them?"

"They tried to jump me," Vane said with a shrug. "Just a little crowd control."

"Hardly peaceful," Queen muttered.

Vane floated closer. "I'm here for one thing—Devil Fruits. Do you have any?"

The Three Disasters exchanged glances.

"You came to Onigashima… for Devil Fruits?" Jack asked, eyes narrowing.

"Yes. Just one or two. Doesn't matter the type—Paramecia, Logia, Zoan—I'm not picky."

King glanced at Queen. They exchanged a silent look, then leaned in to whisper.

They knew exactly what this was: Vane was giving them a chance to avoid a fight. And with Kaido still unconscious, now wasn't the time for war.

It wasn't about pride anymore. It was about survival.

After a moment, Jack nodded and disappeared into the shadows.

King returned his gaze to Vane. "We only have two spare Devil Fruits. Not anything special, just some low-grade Paramecia types."

"That's fine," Vane said, unconcerned.

Soon, Jack returned, holding a wooden box that looked tiny in his massive hands.

He opened it slowly. "Take a look."

Two oddly-shaped fruits lay inside, swirling with the signature Devil Fruit patterns.

"Are they artificial?" Vane asked.

The moment the words left his mouth, the Three Disasters visibly flinched.

Artificial Fruits were a closely guarded secret. How did Vane know?

King narrowed his eyes. "These are real Devil Fruits. We've never made artificial ones."

"Alright," Vane replied.

He reached out, tapped each fruit with his fingers, and both vanished in a shimmer of energy.

Jack blinked. "Where'd they go?"

"I absorbed them," Vane said. "Thanks for the donation. Keep the box."

He turned to leave, but paused.

"Tell Kaido I said hello. I'll drop by again once he's awake."

King's voice was tense. "Why? What business do you have with Kaido-sama?"

Vane glanced over his shoulder. "I'm heading to Mariejois soon."

"What?!"

The words hit like cannon fire. Even hardened fighters like the Three Disasters paled.

Was he serious?

Mariejois was the seat of the World Government. If Vane planned to strike there, the balance of the world would shatter.

"Is Kaido dead?" Vane added with a smile.

"Kaido-sama is resting," Queen said stiffly.

Smart. If they said Kaido was wounded, Vane might be emboldened. The best lie was one that delayed destruction.

"Well then," Vane smiled. "Tell him to hang in there."

He rose into the sky and flew off, leaving stunned silence behind.

Kaido would survive… but today, Onigashima had been humbled.

King clenched his fists. "We were humiliated."

Queen grumbled. "He's a monster. Still young, and already unstoppable."

"The marines can't stop him. Who can?"

They watched the skies long after Vane vanished.

King turned to the others. "No one goes near Wano for now. That's an order."

Back at the Flower Capital, Vane returned, exhausted but satisfied.

He went shopping—something he usually hated—but today he bought a few gifts for his crew. Dresses. Hairpins. Foreign makeup kits.

The capital was still slow to change, but that would shift soon.

Vane's vision for Wano was clear: not a return to tradition, but a leap into the future.

It would no longer be a secluded nation.

He asked Hiyori Kozuki to promote new fashion trends—modern skirts and elegant dresses to replace stiff, traditional garb. The goal wasn't to force change, but to inspire it.

True beauty didn't need layers of white makeup. Women could express themselves with grace, style, and pride.

"I'll make Wano into the most beautiful and prosperous city in the world," Vane whispered to himself.

And he would.

That was the future.

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