Fairy Tail: Igneel's eldest son in Anime Multiverse Chapter 502 502: Charles and Kaido

Charles was already aware that individuals in this world seldom restrained their facial expressions, yet he never anticipated joy manifesting so openly on someone's countenance.

Otama chomping on her drumstick embodied that perfectly; the delight beaming from her face proved infectious, drawing involuntary smiles from both Charles and Stella.

That very sight intensified Charles's fury at the tears welling in Otama's eyes. Such pure, uncomplicated bliss, ruthlessly stripped away by another's cruelty.

Charles possessed full knowledge of Wano Country's plight, yet truthfully, rescuing the nation held scant appeal for him.

As he'd declared back in the Dungeon world, heroism wasn't his path, nor did he aspire to it.

Charles stayed true to his principles; he avoided harming the blameless beyond his limits and aided those aligning with his goals purely on his terms—that defined his way.

In truth, the Kozuki trio—grandfather, father, and grandson—prompted Charles to consider simply walking away.

While he recognized "Momonosuke must die" as mere internet fodder, the initial Momonosuke was undeniably unlikable.

Lacking the guts to embrace his duties, he brimmed with boldness for pervy antics; only Luffy's pull garnered him allies.

It took Luffy's guidance later for Momonosuke to finally man up.

Regarding Kozuki Oden and Kozuki Sukiyaki, Charles believed merely grasping their mindset would diminish his intelligence.

The samurai fared no better—blindly clinging to Oden's foretelling without seizing initiative themselves.

The biggest war prep contributor over two decades? A Devil Fruit-eating fox, leaving Charles speechless.

Nevertheless, figures like Otama and Shimotsuki Yasuie in this land sparked Charles's drive to battle.

Gazing at slumbering Otama nestled against Stella, her smile lingering, Charles resolved to confront Kaido.

Come morning, Otama awoke to a tantalizing aroma and a bubbling pot sending up steam.

Rice's scent wafted— a treat reserved solely for her birthday.

Oddly, only Stella tended the fire beneath; Charles had vanished from sight.

"Sister Stella, where's Brother Charles?"

Stella beamed. "No need to fret; he's off fixing the issue starving you all."

True to his word, Charles was en route to tackle the root of those troubles.

Though Wano's woes stemmed heavily from Kozuki Sukiyaki's dodging and Kozuki Oden's idiocy, the real villains remained Kurozumi Orochi and Kaido.

Between them, Kaido stood paramount. Orochi served merely as his marionette.

Thus, Charles set course for Kaido's stronghold, Onigashima.

From distance, the bizarre island loomed.

Like a fiend's decapitated head planted on land, exuding raw pirate menace.

Curiously, it evoked the demon god's cranium from Black Clover's realm.

Closing in, a potent booze stench assaulted him. Onigashima's hush stemmed from the crew's post-binge slumber.

He spotted perimeter watchposts and cannon clusters.

Over years, Beasts Pirates fortified Onigashima into an impregnable bastion. Even rival Four Emperors' forces would bleed to breach it.

Charles descended aerially, infiltrating undetected by sentries.

Unclear if Onigashima's skull was innately cavernous or excavated by pirates, yet Kaido's core base nestled within.

Structures mimicked neural patterns inside.

Striding boldly via the skull-mouth entrance, he found dozing gatekeepers drowned in drink.

Beyond a lengthy hall and grand torii gate, Charles entered a vast square flanked by lofty island edifices—the Beasts Pirates' feast hall.

Debris littered everywhere: half-devoured meats flung aside.

Smashed fruits and sweets mingled with booze puddles, birthing a foul reek.

A pile of untouched rice balls lay nearby; a toppled platter had spilled them.

Charles remembered canon details: Hat Village folk like Otama subsisted on millet amid famine.

That "millet" was no crop—just resilient weeds thriving in tainted soil.

Nutrient-poor, it merely staved off death.

Hence Otama savored rice yearly, while one Beasts Pirates bash squandered feasts unimaginable to her.

Fists balled tight, embers danced in Charles's gaze.

Anger sharpened, not dulled, his focus. Traversing the expanse, he eyed officers on the elevated platform.

One figure dominated, overshadowing all.

Seated casually, wild black locks cascaded, twin horns exuding savage aura.

Purple pelt draped his frame; bare chest revealed rippling sinews and dragon-scale ink.

Towering even sitting, his sake jug rivaled man-size.

Governor-General of Beasts Pirates, supreme beast across realms, ultimate brawler, Wano's deva guardian—titles befitting him.

Yet famed worldwide as a Four Emperor… Kaido of the Beasts!

Charles blurred forward, perching on the platform rail, meeting groggy Kaido's stare.

Kaido belched. "New face. You fresh? Missed the fun? Such a pity!"

Mid-sentence, tears gushed like opened taps down his rugged cheeks.

Charles, greeting in mind, went quiet. This scenario was unprecedented.

Kaido wallowed in haze, but clarity reigned elsewhere.

This world's pirate leaders often faltered, yet right-hands shone reliably.

Examples: Katakuri, Beckman, ex-Rayleigh.

Beasts Pirates mirrored it. Kaido's whims swung wild—booze-fueled rages, suicidal fits.

During Kaido's blackouts, the All-Stars' head, King the Wildfire, managed seamlessly.

King unsheathed his lengthy sword, aiming at Charles. "Boss Kaido, he's no ally. Intruder!"

Kaido strained to focus, vision doubling. Rising attempt buckled his knees, flopping him down.

Turmoil awakened the plump nearby. Grumbling poised, he noted King's grim vigil on a stranger.

King glared at Charles, masked eyes blazing murder.

"Who're you? Why sneak into Onigashima?"

Charles remained unfazed amid encirclement. "I'm Charles. You stole from someone; I'm retrieving it for her."

The heavyset scoffed. "What nonsense? Know who we are? We're—"

Charles vanished from rail, materializing to slam a punch into his skull, hurling him through rear doors.

"Apologies. Tempers flaring; that cackle grated too much."

Queen the Plague, Beasts Pirates All-Star, downed in one blow.

King's eyes narrowed; he'd scarcely tracked the speed. Identity aside, Charles was dire foe now.

Back-flames erupted as King activated Lunarian heritage.

"Fire Dragon Emperor!"

Blade aflame, King cleaved at Charles fiercely.

Yet stone-splitting edge stalled at throat, palm-trapped. King hadn't foreseen the catch.

Head cocked, Charles slurped the inferno off the sword.

"Thanks for the snack!"

King, inured to seas' freaks, stayed composed, prepping Devil Fruit shift.

But Charles's boot connected, flinging him plaza-ward.

Only King and Queen flanked Kaido up top; third All-Star absent, isolating him.

Kaido wiped eyes, tears trickling past fingers.

"Damn, why're my minions so worthless!"

Weeping, Kaido transformed; azure scales bloomed, form stretching.

Instantly a colossal blue dragon, weight pulverizing the platform.

Charles seized the charging maw, yet momentum smashed through walls, expelling from skull.

Charles inactive, Kaido wrecked his den—spot-on for him.

Charles soared free, stabilizing via back-sprouting flame wings. Kaido pounced, fangs agape.

Power swelled inside—[Dragon Slayer] activated.

Blaze ignited as Charles wheeled and rocketed.

"Fire Dragon's Claw!"

"Time to clear your head!"

Foot met skull, denting deeply, eyes bulging near-pop.

Kaido slackened, plummeting amid dust storm.

Soon, his groan pierced the haze.

"Hurts like hell!"

Dust parted, human Kaido emerged.

Then Beasts Pirates roused, mobbing in.

Kaido bellowed back. "Back off, you idiots—that's mine!"

Pirates halted, retreating. They knew: interferers faced Thunder Bagua.

"Master Kaido!"

Pteranodon-King dove, claws dropping Hassaikai kanabo.

Kaido snatched mid-air, shouldering it. Glancing at Charles. "Kid, whatever brought you, no escape now!"

Charles cracked knuckles. "Knew that coming. Here to thrash you!"

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