April, Sea Era 1493.
The southern waters of the New World Front.
The Beasts Pirates' base stood on a sparsely populated island teeming with wild animals.
Its buildings were rough-hewn, and many crew members wore clothing reminiscent of barbarians and Vikings.
Horned headdresses, armor, belts, feathered cloaks, and fur coats were everywhere.
The air was slightly chilly. Beneath the night sky, bonfires burned as a group of Beasts Pirates crew members held a joyous fire festival. It was the crew's biggest annual event.
Meanwhile, the Beasts Pirates' leaders had gathered inside a huge tent nearby.
The towering Kaido sat at the head, a gourd of wine in one hand and his Spiked Club leaning beside him.
Below him sat the Beasts Pirates' current officers.
Besides Hebide the "Brontosaurus" and Jialuosige the "Pteranodon," there was another towering figure.
It was Queen. After escaping from the MADS laboratory, he had fled south and happened to run into Kaido. Following a discussion, he joined Kaido's ranks as an officer of the Beasts Pirates.
A Visual Den Den Mushi stood to one side, projecting the image of someone attending this important meeting remotely.
White hair, brown skin, and a pair of black wings.
It was King, who was studying under the World's Greatest Swordsman, Genryūsai Shigekuni, at Shin'o Swordsmanship Academy.
Two years had passed, and King's strength had undergone a dramatic transformation. His presence was steady and powerful.
And he was only seventeen.
King still had at least another year of study under Genryūsai Shigekuni. For now, he could only attend this meeting remotely through the Visual Den Den Mushi.
"Any suggestions? Where should we put our headquarters?"
Kaido looked at Jialuosige, Hebide, and Queen, hoping for a good suggestion.
King did not need to concern himself with such matters yet.
With the rise