The giant sea king squid twitched once—and then fell silent.
A black tide of corrosive ink gushed from its torn body, tainting the sea around it with bubbling venom. There wasn't a clean patch of ocean in sight.
Kairo had no choice but to stay atop the squid's body, the only safe ground left floating.
He watched the darkened sea in silence, Observation Haki stretching in all directions.
The remaining two Sea-King Beast dove beneath the waves, fleeing the moment their boss was slain. They vanished from his sights in seconds.
"Seven came," Kairo muttered, breathing heavily. "Four down... , Two fled and one lost to the ink."
His body ached. Blood clung to his torn sleeves, and his muscles screamed from the relentless battle. Still, he stood victorious.
He sat down slowly on the beast carcass, closing his eyes for a moment. This time, the fight had taken its toll.
A full thirty minutes passed. Only when the ink began to dissipate did he finally raise his arm to signal the ships.
From the distance, the crews of the four ships had been watching anxiously. and as soon as they saw their Boss waving his hand at them, they hasten their way and cautiously made its way over.
Kairo boarded the main ship.
"Hook those Sea Kings!" he ordered. "Get the bodies. Leave the one soaked in ink venom. And get us out of here before more Sea-King Beast shows up!"
"Aye aye, Boss!"
The crew sprang into action, securing the bodies of four massive Sea Kings. They tied them behind the ships like monstrous prizes, dripping salt and blood into the waves.
The vessels turned, making their swift return toward Kamei Island.
Kairo leaned back against the ship's rail, tearing into a plate of food. He needed the energy.
This wasn't the perfect hunt. The Sea Beast had been far more aggressive than I expected. But four giants harvested, a brand-new pirate ship captured, and the head of a 100 million-belly captain? That was still a considerable gain.
They could return in a month once things settled down. The meat from these Sea Beast would feed the crew for weeks.
As the fleet approached the horizon, a familiar black dot appeared— and its their home.
For many on board, it brought tears to their eyes. Some had never been on the ocean before this journey. They had stared death in the face and lived.
And they knew the reason why.
Kairo.
Their silent protector.
Their wolf king.
Kairo remained expressionless, but his Haki caught their emotions—fear, relief, admiration. He said nothing, letting them process it however they needed to.
Soon, the harbor came into view—and with it, a stunned crowd.
Fishermen, merchants, dockworkers, and townspeople all froze at the sight of four ships hauling what looked like giant beasts from legends.
The Sea Kings, some nearly 80 meters long, were too massive to ignore.
As the ships docked, Kairo jumped down first, boots hitting the wooden port with a solid thud.
Waiting for him was Ivan, flanked by twenty black-suited guards—and five elegant maids, standing in perfect formation behind him.
"Boss! Welcome back!" Ivan said with a grin, bowing respectfully. "That's one hell of a haul! And you're back so early?"
Kairo flicked his toothpick aside and jerked a thumb over his shoulder.
"Four Sea Kings. Eighty meters each. I just got lucky. Snagged a pirate ship too. This Pirate's head also worth a hundred million belly. Send someone to the G-8 branch to cash it in."
Ivan's eyes lit up. "Understood! I'll dispatch a team immediately."
Kairo turned, already walking. "Get me food. And a bath."
Ivan gave a silent signal, and the maids quickly hurried toward the villa to prepare it.
Along the way, townspeople began calling out to him:
"Mr. Kairo!"
"You're amazing, Boss!"
"Our hero's home!"
Kairo nodded without breaking stride. He'd gotten used to this. He didn't care for the title of "hero," but it kept the streets quiet.
Just before he reached the villa, a familiar face in a guard uniform appeared.
"Mr. Kairo, the mayor would like to speak with you."
Kairo arched a brow. "The mayor?"
He hadn't spoken to the old man since last year. What would he want now?
He waved off Ivan with a look, then followed the guard. It wasn't far—just a small café off the main road.
Inside sat a man he didn't recognize.
Middle-aged. Overdressed. Jewelry on every finger. Definitely not the mayor.
The guard who led him in gave a bow and left without a word.
Kairo stood in silence, watching the stranger with narrowed eyes.
"You are?" he asked bluntly.
The man stood and smiled, extending a hand.
"Ah, Kamei Island's rising star. Pleasure to meet you.
I'm Randolph Chamberlain — a new mayor in this island, I just arrived last week. but I've already heard a lot of people talking about you."
Kairo stared at the outstretched hand for a beat... then shook it.
It was firm. Too firm.
Something in the man's smile put him on edge.
A politician in jewels? On Kamei Island?
He wasn't buying it.
But he said nothing... yet.