One Piece: Pirate Cat.

"Captain, do you see that?" one of the crew members whispered, pointing at the figure watching them from above.

"A cat!?"

Mark and his crew couldn't believe their eyes. It wasn't just that a cat was standing before them, but the sheer presence it exuded. Even the fiercest of beasts bowed in submission to it, as if ruled by some invisible force. A suffocating aura pressed down on them, so overwhelming that they nearly dropped to their knees.

Never before had they felt such oppressive energy—not from any pirate, not from any threat they had faced in the Eastern Seas.

As Mark and his crew struggled under the cat's gaze, their fear deepened when the feline turned and disappeared into the dense jungle, followed by a legion of dangerous beasts. Any hope of escape vanished with it.

The "king" of the forest abandoned his throne and made his way toward one of his most loyal subjects—White. Following orders, White had hidden during the battle and later retrieved one of the bodies without being seen.

"White, did you bring it?"

"Yes, my King," White answered respectfully, stepping aside to reveal a lifeless human body lying on the ground.

"Good. You may leave. I'll be back shortly," the cat said with a smirk.

As White retreated, the cat's body melted into a dark sludge, engulfing the corpse completely. Within moments, the remains dissolved into nothingness.

Then, the mass shifted—not into a cat, but into the form of a young man, no older than seventeen. He had short blue hair and piercing green eyes with slit pupils, much like a feline's.

"Hahaha! I'm human again… even if only for a while," the youth exclaimed with joy.

"I can speak! Yes! Now I can finally leave this place… but I can't go in this form. Let's see if I can still talk as a cat." He laughed, shifting back into sludge before reforming into his original feline shape—a blue-furred cat.

"Can I talk? … I CAN TALK! Yes! I knew it!" he cheered, leaping in excitement.

Over the past month, in addition to uniting the entire forest and devouring his enemies, he had been experimenting with his abilities. After a week of practice, he had learned to transform his vocal cords, allowing him to speak even in his cat form.

After spending another twenty minutes talking to himself in amusement, the King decided it was time to return to his subjects and prisoners. His goal was clear—to leave this island, reach human civilization, and uncover the truth behind his fragmented memories and altered body.

Back on his throne, he fixed his gaze on the prisoners, who shuddered in fear. Some, unable to bear the pressure, collapsed on the spot.

"Where do you come from?" the King asked, his voice commanding.

"Cap… Captain, it sp… speaks!" one of the prisoners stammered before fainting, foaming at the mouth.

Mark, though equally shocked, had been a sailor for ten years. He had seen his fair share of oddities. Steadying himself, he chose his words carefully—one wrong move, and this creature could end them in an instant.

"Ahem… Sire, I am Mark, captain of a merchant ship. My crew and I are from Matiboa Island in the Eastern Sea," he said with a respectful bow.

Eastern Sea? Never heard of it. Is this a different world? Or have I simply lost too much of my memory? The King pondered before continuing his questioning.

"Where were you headed?"

"Sire, we supply raw materials to restaurants and markets," Mark responded cautiously.

"I see. Then I have a proposition for you," the King said, his voice turning cold. "You take me with you on your ship, and in return, I won't have my subjects tear you to pieces. What do you say?"

Mark didn't need time to think. "Yes! Absolutely! We accept!" he answered urgently, seizing the chance to save himself and his crew.

"Good. Prepare your ship. Some of my subjects will accompany you to ensure you don't try to escape without me. I'll join you shortly," the King said, waving a paw dismissively.

"Sire… are you really leaving?" White asked, sorrow evident in his voice. The other animals echoed his sentiment.

"Don't abandon us."

"Without you, we'll be divided again."

"Take us with you!"

Hearing their pleas, the King felt a rare pang of emotion. Initially, he had conquered and ruled over them through fear. But over time, he had come to care for them—these creatures had become more than just followers. They were his.

"Enough," he said firmly. "You cannot come with me, nor can I stay. But I refuse to let things fall apart in my absence. I am appointing leaders for each clan. If any group rebels or if urgent matters arise, you will gather and settle it together."

The animals fell silent, listening intently to his decree.

…

After selecting the new leaders and engraving a stone tablet with his laws, the King knew it was time to leave. Without looking back, he made his way toward the merchant ship.

Stepping aboard, he cast one last glance at his former subjects before turning to Mark. "Set sail."

"Yes, Sire. Move it, men! We leave now!" Mark barked at his crew, eager to put the island behind them.

Thus, the King of Beasts left his jungle domain, setting forth toward the unknown. His journey had only just begun.