The New World, Wano Country, Onigashima.
Inside the enormous skull-shaped building, the air was thick with the smell of alcohol and a festive atmosphere.
Kaido of the Beasts slumped his massive frame into the enormous seat of honor, clutching a huge sake gourd and tipping his head back to gulp down its contents.
Ever since he had wiped out the Kozuki Family and secured his rule over Wano Country, an indescribable emptiness and restlessness had instead begun spreading through his heart.
Especially now that Kaido clearly understood he was not the prophesied "Joy Boy," some of his old dreams had begun to seem laughable.
It had also plunged him deeper into confusion and drunkenness, even giving rise to his notorious "suicidal" tendencies...
(That is, constantly seeking out powerful opponents for life-and-death challenges, pursuing the ultimate thrill or destruction.)
Yet, for now, his list of challengers had always deliberately excluded Edward Newgate, Whitebeard, the man known as the "World's Strongest Man."
Perhaps it was some complicated sense of wariness, perhaps some lingering affection deep down for a former fellow member of Rocks's crew, or perhaps...
It was because he had killed Kozuki Oden, and Oden had been Whitebeard's family, leaving him unable to face Whitebeard without unease.
Thus, after ruling out "BIG MOM," who was still frantically churning out children, only that one man remained among the New World's few powerful contenders-
A renowned man with whom he shared little history or bad blood!
The Marine Admiral known as "Heavenquake," Gern Reginald Sigma!
"Wororororo..." Kaido lowered his sake gourd, his eyes hazy with drink, and said between drunken hiccups, "Boring... this is so boring!
"Looks like it's time to find some fun! That Marine... 'Heavenquake' Gern!
"I hear he's making quite a name for himself in the New World these days?