Kaido lifted his wine cup and gulped it down. "Ares just became a captain, and aside from me, Kaido, the first person to join him was actually a little brat."
"Don't look down on me. If I were your age, I'd beat you so badly you wouldn't know east from west." Katakuri was just as unwilling to admit defeat, even though Kaido was countless times stronger than him.
"Brat!"
Kaido's eyes widened. With his fierce face and savage, tiger-like gaze, he leaned toward Katakuri. "When you grow up, I'll still beat you with ease!"
Under Kaido's stare, Katakuri grew tense as well, feeling as though he had been targeted by a ferocious tiger.
But...
He knew Kaido wouldn't hurt him, so he simply turned his head away and pouted. "Then wait until I grow up. I'll fight you and see who's stronger."
"Hmph!"
Katakuri crossed his arms proudly and said with confidence, "But I've already seen the future. You'll lose to me."
"Impossible!" Kaido said angrily. "Whether it's now or in the future, there's no way I'll lose to you!"
"Besides, what future could a little brat like you possibly see?!"
Katakuri shot back, "Things that are destined to happen will happen whether I see them or not. I'm destined to defeat you!"
"..."
Ares couldn't help smiling as he watched Kaido quarrel with Katakuri.
Having another child around didn't seem so bad.
The threads of fate had quietly begun to change. No one knew what the future would bring. Perhaps focusing on the present was more important.
······
The next day.
Before dawn, Katakuri got up early and finished washing.
He encouraged himself in front of the mirror. "I have to work hard and become stronger. I have to earn Ares's recognition!"
"No matter how arduous the training is,