Return of the Gods!

The New World, uncharted waters.

A massive pirate ship sailed across the sea. Its rugged design, plain colors, and Jolly Roger bearing a pair of bull's horns made its allegiance clear.

"Lord King, the Red Force has been spotted ahead!"

"Oh?"

King, the Beasts Pirates' top officer known as the Calamity of Flame, stood on deck. Dressed in black, with black feathered wings on his back and gloves covering his hands, he left not an inch of skin exposed. He silently raised his head.

"What's he doing here? This isn't Red-Hair's territory."

"We don't know, but they don't seem to want a fight."

The pirate answered quickly. "They've stopped at sea. 'Red-Haired' Shanks seems to be waiting for us."

"Then let's go see him! Some upstart brat thinks he can block the Beasts Pirates' path?!"

"Yes, sir!"

Whoosh!

The pirate ship suddenly accelerated, carving a white wake through the sea. Minutes later, the two great ships drew slowly alongside each other.

King moved to the side of the deck and folded his arms, staring across the railing and the water between them.

"Red-Hair, what do you want?!"

King knew he might not be a match for Red-Hair in a fight.

No one who had secured a seat among the Four Emperors against the millions of pirates in the New World was ordinary. He could dismiss his opponent in principle, but in a fight, he had to take him seriously.

"I..."

Shanks, seated on the railing, lowered his wine gourd and glanced back in the direction King's ship had come from.

"Is it just you, Calamity of Flame? Kaido didn't come? Neither did the Calamity of Plague?"

"What do you mean?"

King frowned, baffled.

"I mean, you've got some nerve... hic!"

Shanks took a swig of wine and let out a