Wolf and Dragon

Sirius carefully backed away. Canines weren't as agile as felines, but wolves were still creatures skilled at concealment. He hoped to retreat without alerting anyone.

But—

"Hm?"

The monster in the dust suddenly turned.

Just that simple motion stirred a gust of wind, scattering the haze in an instant.

The creature that had fallen from the sky finally revealed itself before Sirius.

A terrifying figure seven or eight meters tall, tattered clothes barely covering the bulging, knotted muscles of its bare torso. Wild black hair danced in the wind, and a pair of curved horns atop its head only added to its ferocity.

Like a demon god!

How could Sirius not know who this was?

In the original story, one of the four Pirate Emperors of the New World, the Guardian King of Wano Country—Beasts Kaido!

"Oh? Look what I've found!"

The monster's gaze fell on Sirius.

Sirius instantly felt as if he'd been plunged into an ice cellar. The hair on his back bristled like a cat's, and every muscle in his body went rigid.

A monster!

Just standing before him made it crystal clear—this was a creature he could never hope to match!

This was a powerhouse!

"A Devil Fruit User?" Kaido said with interest. "And a little dog at that."

For a strongman like him, his Observation Haki might not be world-class, but he could still tell a human from an animal.

To run into Kaido, who'd come here seeking death, of all people—what kind of luck was this?

Then again, he'd already transmigrated and gotten a Devil Fruit right away. His luck wasn't bad at all.

After getting past the initial panic and calming down, Sirius realized this might not be a bad opportunity.

Since he couldn't avoid it, he'd have to deal with Kaido!

Things weren't that dire. Kaido was an interesting man. He could ask for help.

Now was the time to put on a show!

Sirius forced himself to calm down, then spoke cheerfully, "Hey, mister, are you from outside? Can you take me away from here?"

His crisp, childish voice caught Kaido off guard. "A brat?"

"Interesting. You live here alone, kid?" the monster asked with amusement.

Sirius nodded, shifting back to human form with a grin. "Yeah, it's always just me. So boring here."

"Hm?"

Kaido looked down at Sirius, who was as small as a pudding to him, his eyes widening in surprise. "That small?"

The difference between his transformed and human sizes was too huge!

Kaido made a snap judgment. "Not an ordinary Zoan?"

His eyes lit up.

Whoosh—

Noticing Kaido's reaction, Sirius let out a small sigh of relief. It had probably worked.

As everyone knew, the Beasts Pirates were a zoo, and Captain Kaido loved all kinds of animals.

"Ughohohoho! Looks like my luck's pretty good!"

Kaido suddenly burst into laughter. The sheer force of his voice stirred up a wind that sent Sirius stumbling back two steps.

Still laughing, Kaido looked down at Sirius. "Taking you away isn't out of the question! But kid, I'm a pirate. And pirates never help others for free!"

"So show me your worth! Let me see how you've survived on this island! Prove why I should help you!"

"If,"

His voice suddenly turned cold, and Sirius felt the very air around him freeze, "you can't satisfy me, I'll crush you."

He meant it.

Sirius's heart sank.

In his past life, he'd been an ordinary person with a short life, most of it spent in a hospital bed. The most heart-wrenching thing he'd ever experienced was the tears in his parents' eyes before he died.

After coming to this world, this desert island, he'd only ever fought against the local animals—bullying the weak. He'd never been through a life-or-death battle!

And now, standing before him, the one threatening to kill him was the top monster of this world!

He was going to die!

Death was certain!

Facing this monster, he was absolutely doomed without a doubt.

Should he run?

Should he try to flee from this monster's presence?

No, that was equally impossible. The island was only so big, and Kaido could fly—there was nowhere to escape.

Then, there was only one choice left.

"ROAR!"

Sirius instantly transformed into a massive black wolf, letting out a thunderous roar as he lunged at Kaido like lightning.

Though still very young, Sirius's black wolf form was enormous—a beast over four meters from head to tail, a giant wolf by any measure.

"Ughahahaha!! That's right! Even with fear in your heart, charge forward without hesitation!"

Kaido laughed heartily. "A Zoan is meant to be as wild as a beast!"

Sirius leaped into the air, opened his jaws, and the next instant, scorching flames roared forth.

The fire coalesced into a pillar, surging toward Kaido.

"Oh?"

Kaido's expression shifted sharply. Even a man like him couldn't help but blurt out in surprise, "A Mythical Zoan?"

He knew well that ordinary Zoan users had no extra abilities—even Ancient Zoans were the same. King could control flames only because of his unique race.

Among Zoans, only Mythical Zoans possessed special additional abilities.

This wolf before him could spew flames—without a doubt, this was a Mythical Zoan!

"Ughahahaha!! Excellent, excellent!! Kid!! I acknowledge you!"

Kaido laughed uproariously, casually waving his right hand. The gale he stirred up directly scattered Sirius's flames.

Even Kaido couldn't deny the rarity and power of a Mythical Zoan.

At this point, it could have ended. Kaido certainly wouldn't refuse a Mythical Zoan user.

But just then, Sirius had already pounced, opening his jaws wide and sinking his teeth into Kaido's wrist.

Kaido's eyes widened as he stared at his wrist in shock.

Blood gushed out in an instant.

Skin, muscle, bone—all were pierced by the black wolf's fangs!

His incredibly tough skin offered no defense at all!

This wolf hadn't even used Haki.

Without a doubt, this was another special ability granted by his Devil Fruit.

"Ughahahaha!! Wonderful! Wonderful!!"

Kaido didn't care at all about his bleeding wrist; instead, he laughed with great appreciation. "Is this your ability too?"

Sirius had no intention of pressing the advantage. Getting too close to Kaido was too dangerous—this monster could crush him with a single casual punch.

After biting through Kaido's wrist, Sirius released his grip and leaped backward to create distance.

"That hurts!"

Kaido shook his hand, blood dripping down in a steady stream, forming a startlingly deep puddle on the ground.

But Sirius saw clearly—the wound on Kaido's wrist was healing rapidly.

Monstrous regenerative ability.

Kaido laughed heartily. "You actually made me bleed. You can be proud of that, Wolf Cub. You've accomplished a great feat that countless people on the sea dream of!"

Sirius didn't reply. Risking a bite on Kaido wasn't just to prove his fangs were sharp.

A further measure had already been deployed the moment he broke Kaido's skin.

"Is that all? Then—oh!"

Kaido's smile suddenly vanished. His towering, mountain-like body swayed slightly. "This is!"

It worked!

Sirius's lips curled up.

"Poison?"

Kaido shook his head forcefully, but a strong dizziness still washed over him. Without a doubt, he had been poisoned. "You have this ability too?"

This was another of Sirius's abilities. After transforming, besides breathing fire, he could also secrete venom.

This toxin was potent—at least, Sirius had never encountered a creature that survived after being poisoned.

Sirius cautiously backed away. Kaido might be shaking his head, but he showed no sign of falling!

As expected of Beasts Kaido! As expected of the Strongest Creature in the World!

"Ughahahaha!! Interesting! Very interesting!"

Sirius watched as azure scales rapidly sprouted across Kaido's body, then the monster closed in like a gale. Before Sirius could even dodge, Kaido had already seized him.

"Looks like you've got a pretty formidable ability, kid!"

This poison was so potent that even he had to use his own power to fully resist it.

For the first time, Sirius felt the weight of Kaido's strength.

After using his ability, his own power was already terrifying, but Kaido's strength left him completely unable to move.

Sirius instantly reverted to human form and said with a grin, "Old man, this is how I survived on this island."

This résumé should be enough to pass the interview, right?

Enough to earn Kaido's regard, even his focused training?

Sure enough, Kaido wasn't angry. Instead, he burst into laughter. "Of course! You're a powerhouse standing at the top of the Beasts! Every beast on this island should naturally sacrifice itself so you can live!"

"Come on, brat! Leave with me! You've earned it. From today, you're a member of the Beasts Pirates! The title of Third Calamity under my command—I'm entrusting it to you!!"

The massive Azure Dragon soared into the sky, spiraling straight up to the heavens.

Sirius clung to Kaido's back, looking down at the deep blue sea below.

Beautiful world, here I come.