The Queen Mama Chanter cut through the waves of the New World, its hull listing slightly as it left a long white wake across the sea.
Kaido stood at the bow with his arms folded, letting the biting sea breeze whip his unruly black hair.
His body remained as imposing as a mountain, but a closer look revealed patches of his scale-like skin peeling away, exposing the tender new flesh beneath.
A deep fist-shaped dent beneath his left ribs had yet to heal completely-a mark left by Garp's fist.
He gazed toward the distant horizon, his expression dark as a thundercloud.
Rustling came from behind him.
Kaido turned his head and saw Linlin wrapped in a thick cotton coat, curled up in a specially made reclining chair. She cradled Prometheus in her arms, but the sun Homie's flames were so weak that he could barely provide any warmth.
A strand of clear snot dangled from her nose. She sniffed it back, it dripped down again, and she sniffed again-there was none of the dignity expected of one of the Four Emperors.
The corner of Kaido's mouth twitched, and he could not help snorting.
"Linlin-" His voice rasped like gravel. "How did you get this old too? Hahahaha!"
He grabbed the sake gourd at his waist and tipped his head back for a long swig. Strong liquor trickled from the corner of his mouth and dripped onto the deck.
Linlin lifted her eyelids and gave him a languid look. A trace of disdain flashed in her eyes, only to be quickly buried beneath her weakness. She exhaled a cold breath that condensed into white mist in the air and lingered.
"Mama just got her heart skewered by that ice brat by accident-" Her voice was hoarse and nasal with a cold.