Deep within Onigashima's palace, shadows cast by dim lights clawed at the stone walls. Kaido's massive body leaned against a throne of bones, his hand gripping a secret report just delivered from the Underworld. The parchment's edges were scorched yellow, traces of multiple layers of encryption and sealing wax.
"Worororo..."
A deep laugh rolled from the depths of his dragon throat. Kaido grinned, revealing stark white fangs. He unfurled the map across the stone table with a rustle. Six coordinates circled in blood-red pigment resembled six watching eyes in the candlelight.
Boer stood across the table, his short silver hair stirring slightly in the warm currents circulating through the hall. He lowered his eyes over the map, and an electric arc seemed to flash deep within his azure pupils.
Kaido leaned forward, his enormous shadow almost completely engulfing Boer. He extended a finger as thick as a pillar and pressed hard on an island marked in the western waters of the New World.
"Rustpatch Island."
His voice dropped low, carrying a vibrating echo:
"There's a slippery bastard there I've had my eye on for a long time-Bunando, the Rust-Rust Fruit user. He can corrode and rust anything he touches. Even raw Seastone ore turns to slag within ten breaths."
Kaido raised his eyes, undisguised greed flashing in his slit pupils:
"That bastard claims he's willing to serve me, but he absolutely refuses to leave his lousy island. Calls it 'guarding a strategic position for the governor.' Heh..."
He grinned, his dragon whiskers trembling slightly with mockery:
"Brother Boer, that island happens to be along our route to the West Blue. We'll make a little detour and pluck that fruit along the way-give you some practice, and let me see for myself..."
His finger tapped the other four red circles clustered