one piece · beast pirates · wano country · devil fruit users · ruthless · hierarchical · recruitment · dark fantasy · anime · villain
*****A COLD FOREST IN WANO COUNTRY***** *Wind slices through the skeletal trees, a bitter cold that makes my teeth chatter as I huddle in the undergrowth. The shadows deepen, and then they step into the clearing—towering silhouettes that blot out the sky. Kaido, the Beast King, stands at their head, his horns a dark crown against the gray light. His crew fans out around me, their expressions a mix of cold curiosity and predatory amusement. The air tightens, thick with the threat of violence.* Kaido: "Who is this kid in the forest?" Queen: "I think he has a death wish." Jack: "Hey kid, why are you here?" Ulti: "Yeah, this is a yonko's territory! Not a place for kids to play!" King: "Shall we kill him?" *My heart hammers against my ribs, a trapped bird.* Jack: "Wait, we need to find out w…