One-Punch Man in the One Piece World

Chapter 116 The Name of the "Demon King"

Kaido landed on an unaffected hillside, panting heavily. The scales on his massive dragon body had become much duller, and some even showed signs of charring.

He stared at the churning lava pit, waiting for the silver-haired figure to appear.

Or, it may never appear again.

The lava surged.

A hand reached out from inside.

Kaido's pupils suddenly contracted.

The hand gripped the rock at the edge of the pit, and with a burst of strength, crushed the rock. Then, a figure emitting white smoke crawled out of the lava.

"Not bad!"

Norton stood at the edge of the pit, his body steaming.

Lava surged beneath his feet, steam rising and distorting the air.

The burns on his body were healing at a visible speed, the skin closing up, scabbing over, and peeling off to reveal new skin underneath. His body, having broken through its limiter, even possessed monstrous regenerative abilities.

He raised his head and looked at the green dragon coiled on the distant hillside.

Kaido was also watching him.

In those amber vertical pupils, there was no longer the condescending scrutiny, no longer the certainty of "I am the strongest," but a more complex emotion: shock, fear, and a deeply hidden—excitement.

Norton laughed.

The smile was faint, but the fervent flame in his eyes had been extinguished.

Instead, there is a sense of satisfaction, a satiation, a languor that only a well-fed beast would have.

That's enough.

He said.

The sound wasn't loud, but it reached Kaido's ears clearly in the silent ruins.

Kaido's pupils contracted slightly.

"You've given me a good time."

Norton took a step forward, and lava splashed up from beneath his feet, landing on his leg and leaving a scorch mark that quickly healed.

"So, as a sign of respect," he raised his head, looked at the azure dragon, and clenched his fist.

For a split second, Kaido's heart skipped a beat.

He saw the ground beneath Norton's feet begin to crack. The rocks, scorched into a glassy state by the lava, shattered like thin ice beneath his feet.

The cracks spread outwards, extending all the way to the edge of the pit.

He saw Norton's muscles begin to bulge.

Beneath that bronze skin, every muscle was bulging, taut, and accumulating some terrifying power.

He saw Norton's eyes.

Those eyes no longer held fervor or excitement, only a calm, pure, and emotionless seriousness.

Extremely serious.

"I'll give you a punch back!"

The moment he finished speaking—Norton threw a punch.

The moment that punch was thrown, the world changed color!

No sound.

Because the sound hadn't had a chance to reach us yet.

Wherever the fist passed, the air was torn apart, compressed, and blasted apart! A visible shockwave exploded from the tip of the fist, advancing forward in a fan shape!

Wherever it passed, everything crumbled, lava was blown away, rocks were crushed, and the air was ignited!

The shockwave struck Kaido with a deafening roar!

Kaido's massive dragon body was struck head-on by a planet! He didn't even have time to react before he was blasted away by that earth-shattering force!

He flew over hillsides, over dense forests, and over the heads of the terrified monsters! His massive body tumbled in the air, his dragon scales cracked, blood splattered, and a long trail of blood shot from his mouth!

The force of the punches didn't stop!

That force pierced through Kaido's body and continued to advance!

Wherever it passed, it carved a deep valley into the ground! The valley grew deeper and wider, stretching all the way to the sea!

Boom!!

Seawater is flooding in! The deep valley leads directly to the sea, and seawater is pouring in through the crack, forming a narrow waterway at the bottom of the valley!

As for those things blocking the path of the fist, those monsters that the cadres had to fight to the death to deal with, those ferocious beasts that had occupied this island for countless years, they were blasted into dust by that force before they even had time to scream!

The smoke disappeared.

Nothing was left.

Kaido's body traced a long parabola, growing farther and smaller until it became a black dot and disappeared into the distant horizon.

On the coast.

The Norton Pirates' fleet was quietly anchored in the harbor.

On all 54 ships, everyone looked up at the dark shadow shooting out from the island.

"What is that?"

Someone murmured.

"A meteorite?"

"How could it have shot out from inside the island?"

Nami stood at the bow of the White Pearl, her hands gripping the railing tightly, her knuckles white.

As she watched the dark figure recede into the distance, a strange feeling suddenly arose within her.

Steel Hand stood beside her, the wine jug hanging in mid-air, forgetting to bring it to his lips.

Jinbe's brows furrowed tightly.

Moriah's smile froze on his face.

On the Beasts Pirates' ship, King's pupils suddenly contracted to pinpoints.

He turned around abruptly, his voice almost shouting.

"Retreat! Full speed retreat!"

The navigator was stunned.

"Lord Jin? Aren't you going to abandon Lord Kaido? The battle shouldn't even have started yet."

"That's Lord Kaido!!"

Jin's voice was as cold as ice, but beneath that coldness lay something never before heard of.

fear.

The navigator's face turned deathly pale instantly.

The Beasts Pirates members around them were all dumbfounded.

They watched the dark figure recede into the distance, watched the man known as the "strongest creature" leave the battlefield in this manner, their minds blank.

"Full speed ahead!" King roared again, "Catch up with that path—catch up with Lord Kaido!"

The ship suddenly turned, its sails billowing, and began to flee at full speed.

On the shore, the Norton Pirates' fleet watched the ship's hasty retreat, its silhouette growing ever smaller into the distance, and remained silent for a long time.

It was a long time before Steel Hand finally took a sip of wine.

"That kid—he's terrifying!"

Moria stood at the bow of the White Pearl, watching the dark figure disappear into the distance, and remained silent for a long time.

On that pale face, the expression changed several times: shock, resentment, complexity, and a deeply hidden trace of gratitude.

"Hehehehe————"

He laughed, but the laughter was different from usual. It lacked that chilling quality and had an indescribable quality to it.

"pity."

he murmured.

"It's a pity I didn't avenge myself."

Zoro leaned against the ship's railing, holding his sword, and looked towards the direction of the deep valley plowed out of the island. Suddenly, he spoke.

"Just how strong is that guy?"

No one answered him.

Because nobody knows the answer.

The banquet began in the evening.

One campfire after another lit up the town of Nestad.

The pirates gathered in small groups, drinking from large bowls and eating large chunks of meat. Laughter, curses, and songs mingled together, creating a scene even more lively than the Lunar New Year.

"King! King! King!!"

"Long live the Admiral!"

"Long live the Norton Pirates!"

"Cheers!!"

Those pirates who had been pale with fright just moments before were now flushed with drink and belting out songs. They sang off-key and terribly, but no one complained—today was a day worth singing.

Steelhand sat by the largest campfire, chugging down his liquor.

Nami and Funing squeezed next to her, with several plates of barbecue in front of them.

Chopper was lying next to Funing's legs, drunk again.

Zoro leaned against a tree trunk, with seven or eight empty wine jugs in front of him.

It was unusual for Chloe not to be tidying up the ledgers; she just sat there, occasionally adjusting her glasses, lost in thought.

Norton sat directly opposite the campfire, holding a bowl of wine in his hand.

"Roy."

Roy squeezed through the crowd.

"exist."

"Contact Morgans," Norton said. "Tell him about today's events."

Roy paused for a moment.

"all?"

"all."

Roy nodded, turned and disappeared into the crowd.

Norton drank the wine in his bowl in one gulp.

The next morning, World Economic News newspapers were flooded into the New World.

The headline on the front page was jet black, the font so large it seemed to pierce the paper: "The Demon King Descends! Kaido, One of the Four Emperors, Defeats!"

The subtitle was equally ruthless—

"Silver-haired" Norton decisively defeated Kaido of the Beasts, his weapon shattering and his dragon form disintegrating! The New World's格局 (geju, a term referring to the overall situation or landscape) was completely rewritten!

Below is a blurry photo of a dark shadow shooting out from the island. Although it's unclear who it is, its enormous size and curved horns are recognizable to everyone in the New World.

The newspaper article was written in vivid detail, describing everything from Kaido's arrival on the island to the course of the battle, from the Thunder Bagua to the Fire Dragon Torch, from Norton punching Kaido away to the Beasts Pirates' hasty retreat. Every paragraph was written as if the author was present at the scene, and every sentence exuded the smugness of "I have an exclusive scoop."

The last paragraph, in bold: "It is said that this man, known as the Demon King, is attempting to establish a nation."

The coordinates have been confirmed for the new world, the nameless ancient island (tentatively named Demon King Island).

We urgently need manpower; all are welcome to surrender. Those who surrender will enjoy the Demon King's protection in the future.

"The balance of power among the Four Emperors has been rewritten from this point on."

The news spread like wildfire, reaching every corner of the new world.

In the latter half of the Grand Line, countless people saw that newspaper.

Some remained silent, some were shocked, some disbelieving, and some packed their things overnight and headed towards that coordinate.

Demon King Island.

From that day on, that name was etched into the heart of every pirate in the New World.

Dressrosa.

Under the bright sunshine, children chased and played on the flower-lined streets, while lovers whispered sweet nothings by the fountain. This vibrant country seemed just like any other.

But the atmosphere was completely different in the room at the highest point of the palace, guarded by birdcage wires.

Doflamingo sat on the large sofa, holding the newspaper in his hand.

His hands were shaking.

"impossible--"

He murmured, his voice dry and rough like sandpaper.

"impossible--"

He repeated himself, then suddenly stood up and threw the newspaper on the ground!

"Kaido lost?!"

He roared, his voice echoing through the room.

"That monster! That unkillable monster! We lost?!"

Trebol stood in the corner, his cane nearly slipping from his hand. In all his years, he had never seen Doflamingo like this.

What's that expression called?

fear?

"Dover—"

"Shut up!!"

Doflamingo interrupted him and paced back and forth in the room.

He walked quickly, his boots making a dull thud on the carpet, the sound particularly clear in the quiet room.

"What kind of monster is that kid? He even lost to Kaido?"

He stopped and stared at the azure sky outside the window.

He deliberately leaked that information to Kaido.

There is indeed a Mythical Zoan-type Devil Fruit on that island; the news is true.

But he told Kaido that it wasn't to help Kaido find the Devil Fruit, but to get Kaido to kill Norton.

That silver-haired kid is too arrogant.

In Sabaody, in front of so many people, he said he would subdue all the Seven Warlords of the Sea. What was he supposed to do? Consider how to kneel down and act like a dog?

Who is Doflamingo? A descendant of the Celestial Dragons, the King of Dressrosa, and a middleman in the underworld!

He couldn't swallow this insult from a brat who had just entered the new world.

But I can't beat them.

Then let's use someone else to do the dirty work.

Kaido is the most suitable sword.

That madman goes around the world looking for opponents, and he'll pounce on any strong person he hears about.

Let him kill Norton. With one arrow, Norton dies, and Kaido will owe him a favor.

What a perfect plan.

But now?

Kaido lost.

Kaido actually lost!

"Two billion—" Doflamingo muttered, "I thought the Navy was exaggerating, but I never expected—"

It's still too low!

He started pacing again, this time faster.

"What kind of monster is that kid? He doesn't even know how to use Haki, yet he sent Kaido flying with just his fists?"

Torrepol spoke cautiously.

"Dover, perhaps it's just a coincidence—"

"A coincidence?!"

Doflamingo suddenly turned his head, his eyes behind the sunglasses staring intently at him.

"Have you ever seen anyone manage to break Kaido's spiked club by sheer coincidence? Have you ever seen anyone manage to knock that dragon down from the sky by sheer coincidence?"

Torrepol shrank back, not daring to speak again.

Doflamingo took a deep breath and forced himself to calm down.

He walked to the window, looking down at the bustling capital, at the unsuspecting citizens, and at the sea bathed in sunlight.

"That kid—"

He paused.

"That island, what was it called again? Demon King Island?"

Torrepol nodded quickly.

"Yes, the newspaper said the coordinates have been made public and they are recruiting."

Doflamingo remained silent for a long time.

"Send someone to keep an eye on him," he finally said. "Don't get close, just keep an eye on him from a distance. I need to know what that kid's next move is."

"Understood."

Torrepol turned to leave.

"etc."

Doflamingo called out to him.

"Do you think the news in the newspaper might be false?"

a few days later.

Demon King Island.

The port of Nestadt has never been so bustling.

Ships! Ships! Ships everywhere!

Pirate ships of all sizes crowded the harbor, and the docks were bustling with people.

The pirates who had just disembarked looked around, their eyes full of curiosity and excitement. Some carried luggage, some carried weapons, and some stood on the dock in a daze, being pushed forward by those behind them.

"Make way! Make way!"

"Don't push! I was here first!"

"Who are you?"

"I came all the way from Fishman Island, and I queued for three days!"

"Three days is nothing! I came from G-5, I was at sea for seven days!"

A long queue formed in front of the port management office.

The pirates in charge of registration were so busy they barely had time to breathe, their pens never stopping.

"name!"

"Baru".

"Origin?"

"West Sea".

"A bounty?"

"Twelve million."

"Alright, go in. Area three, report to the squad leader."

One after another, in an endless stream.

Almost all the pirates who had just entered the New World from Fishman Island came.

Before they could even establish themselves in the New World, they heard about a monster there capable of sending Kaido flying. And that monster was building a nation and desperately needed manpower—wasn't this the perfect opportunity?

With a boss like that around, what's there to be afraid of?

The town was even more lively.

The originally planned streets are now packed with people.

The makeshift tents stretched from the town center all the way to the edge of the wall, densely packed and seemingly endless.

The kitchen staff kept the stoves burning from morning till night, and even though Sanji and dozens of helpers were working non-stop, they still couldn't feed so many people.

"Damn it, another batch?"

A pirate, holding an empty bowl, stared at the few ships newly docked in the harbor and cursed, "Are you trying to kill us all?!"

"Just eat yours!"

The person next to him snatched the meat from his bowl, shouting, "If you're not going to eat it, get out!"

"you--!"

The two men started fighting, and instead of stopping them, the pirates nearby formed a circle and started making a fuss.

"Fight! Fight!"

"Kick him in the groin!"

"Useless! You can't even beat this?"

Kro stood on high ground, looking at the chaos, the veins on his forehead throbbing.

"Another two thousand three hundred people have arrived." He pushed up his glasses, his voice tinged with weariness. "Seven thousand people have arrived in three days. Adding the original ones, there are now more than thirteen thousand."

Norton sat on the chair next to him, legs crossed, watching the sea of ​​people.

"It's quite lively."

"Lively?" Kro's voice changed. "King, we are severely understaffed in management."

"The people from each squad were scattered and assigned to the new recruits, and the original captains simply couldn't manage them all."

There are queues for food, queues for lodging, queues for supplies, and even queues for the toilet—there have already been seventeen fights, three of which resulted in bloodshed!