The Grand Line. Afternoon.
Juno sat quietly on the deck of a luxurious cruise ship, a steaming cup of tea in hand. The sunlight sparkled off the calm waters, a moment of peace in an otherwise turbulent world. Tera's holographic form flickered beside him, hovering above the table like a silent observer.
Just then, a large Marine vessel passed nearby. Sleek, armored, and clearly meant for transporting dangerous prisoners. Juno's Observation Haki flared subconsciously—and he froze.
"Tera," he said calmly. "There's something... different about that ship. Someone's on it. Strong. Unbroken."
Tera blinked twice, scanning the vessel from afar. "Scanning complete. Subject identified: Kaido of the Beasts. Age: 15. Captured after being betrayed by his kingdom in exchange for entry into the World Government's Reverie. Potential power: immeasurable."
Juno's red eyes narrowed. He set the tea down gently.
"The future Yonko... locked in chains."
------------
Without another word, Juno dissolved into a violet mist. His Gas-Gas form drifted across the open sea, passing unnoticed between the planks and vents of the Marine ship. Deep below, in the brig where even light barely reached, a monstrous figure lay bound in sea stone chains.
Kaido.
Bloodied. Shackled. His breathing was heavy, but his eyes... burning with fury.
The mist condensed in front of him, swirling into the shape of a man. Juno stepped forward from the gas, his crimson gaze locking onto the Beast.
"What do you want?" Kaido snarled.
"To tear down the world. Burn it. Crush those who used me."
Juno smiled—not out of mockery, but understanding.
"Then you're like me. I plan to reshape the world too—just smarter. Stick with me. I'll give you the power and the freedom to do it... your way."
Kaido's eyes narrowed. "You're strong... but why help me?"
Juno crouched down, resting an elbow on his knee. "Because I know what it's like to be betrayed, to be used like a pawn. And because monsters like us... we're not meant to be caged. We're meant to build a new world. One where we decide what justice means."
Kaido let out a bitter breath. "You think you can change the world?"
Juno smirked. "I am changing it. And I want you with me. Not as a servant, but as my right hand. My first Vanguard."
Kaido stared, unsure whether to laugh or roar.
"You're crazy."
"Maybe," Juno said. "But I'm free."
Juno raised his left hand, letting the gas swirl and ignite. It shimmered, then solidified into radiant plasma—an unstable, burning energy that distorted the air.
With one smooth motion, he placed his palm against the chains.
Sun God Mode: Plasma Incarnation.
The sea stone shackles melted like wax. Kaido's arms dropped, trembling but free. The Marines above began to panic, alarms sounding through the ship.
Aboard the Marine Vessel
"What the hell is that gas?!" one Marine shouted.
"It's... moving like a person!"
Alarms screamed, but no one could stop what was coming.
Back in the brig...
Juno turned his head toward the ceiling. A Vita Door opened in the air above them, glowing golden.
"All yours, Tera," Juno said.
The nearest Marines screamed as they were pulled into the portal—then sealed in safe containment cells inside Juno's realm.
Juno turned back and extended a hand. "Come in."
Kaido stared. Still breathing hard. Still not understanding.
"Why?" he asked again. "Why go this far for me?"
"Because I see the fire in your eyes. You're not broken. You're dangerous—and this world is afraid of that. I'm not. I want that fire. I want you to aim it at the world that tried to destroy you. With me, you'll never be chained again."
Kaido gritted his teeth, trembling. His mind raced—memories of the betrayal, of his kingdom trading him like livestock for a seat at the World Government's table. His home is gone. His people are cowards. The pain in his body was nothing compared to the ache of abandonment.
He looked at Juno—this stranger who shattered his chains without asking for anything in return. Who offered not just freedom, but purpose.
"I have nowhere to go," Kaido murmured, voice hoarse. "No one left. They threw me away like trash."
Juno said nothing, but his eyes held no judgment—only understanding.
Kaido took a breath, eyes burning. "Then from this day on... I'm yours."
He stepped through the door.
-----
They stood alone inside Vita's sunlit courtyard. Kaido looked around, wild eyes scanning this strange new world.
He walked forward, slowly, then slammed his fist into the nearest tree. The bark splintered, but the tree held. Real. He glanced up at the glowing sky and roared—not in anger, but in disbelief.
"This place... what is this?!"
Juno replied, "A world that hasn't been ruined yet."
Kaido turned to him, breathing heavily.
Juno added, more softly, "The world doesn't see him yet. But one day, they'll fear his name. Not as a boy in chains... but as a member of the Council."
Kaido blinked. "Council? Is that the name of your organization?"
Juno chuckled. "You could say that. After the Guild System goes online, the Council will be the entity that forms the rules and responsibilities of managing the guilds—ensuring they're run properly."
Kaido grunted. "The Guild System?"
Juno laughed. "Don't worry. You've got too many questions. After your wounds heal and you've had some rest, Tera will introduce you to our plan and answer everything."
Kaido knelt, his massive frame bowing for the first time in his life.
"From this day on, I follow you. You saved me when no one else would. You gave me freedom... and purpose."
Juno looked down at him, solemn. "Then rise, Kaido, first of the Vanguards. The era we build will need strength like yours. And I trust you to wield it."
Juno opened another door.
"Tera, guide him to the Vita Facility. Let Vegapunk treat his wounds. Give him food, a bath—everything he needs. He's one of us now."
Tera nodded. "Understood. Transporting Kaido to the medical wing."
Kaido glanced back once before walking into the golden light.
Juno stood alone, arms crossed.
"Not yet a god," he muttered to himself, watching the door close. "But getting closer."
Marine HQ – Classified Espionage Division
"Report just came in, sir. The prisoner—Kaido—he's gone. Broken out mid-transit. Witnesses claim they saw... moving gas?"
The man in charge—a cold, calculating Vice Admiral whose division handled covert intel—leaned forward.
"Someone freed Kaido... and vanished without a trace? Find out who. Now."