"Master Kozuki, what can I do for you?"
Although the game with Hancock had been interrupted, the arrival of Kozuki Hiyori reminded Kain of the real reason he'd come to Wano Country. He had almost been delayed—distracted, really—by Hancock's long legs.
"Chairman Kain, you may summon me at any time. I heard you'd returned to Wano, and I'm very grateful for your contributions. I came to thank you in person," Hiyori said, speaking formally and with practiced poise.
But she was still young. Kain had just come from Hancock's presence, still exuding that alluring, charm, and Hiyori found herself glancing at him from time to time as she continued speaking.
His collar, in particular, kept catching her eye.
"Master Kozuki—no, forget it, let's just call you Hiyori. I have other matters to attend to, so let's not beat around the bush. What's your real reason for coming to me? You should know I came to Wano quietly," Kain said with a smile, his tone casual but firm.
"Let's cut to the chase. You're not good at lying—don't learn that from your grandfather."
Both Aren and Hiyori were startled. Especially Hiyori—she couldn't hide the shock on her face. Her grandfather's return was a tightly guarded secret, known only to the Kozuki clan and the Nine Red Scabbards. No one else was supposed to know.
No one was supposed to know who the masked old man really was.
After a pause, and under Kain's steady gaze, Hiyori relented and revealed her purpose:
"Well… Mr. Kain, I wanted to ask about the original agreement between Wano and the Kain Chamber of Commerce. For now, Wano won't be opening its borders."
"Of course, I have no plans for your Wano," Kain replied casually. "Ah… but you panicked when you saw Hancock, didn't you?"
Amused by the possibility, Kain chuckled and added, "Go tell your grandfather this—I don't like Wano hiding things from me."
"Robin has already been paid to read the Poneglyph. And don't treat Pluton like some world-ending treasure. The Kain Chamber of Commerce has weapons more powerful than Pluton. You can ask Kozuki Sukiyaki about one that can destroy an island 300 kilometers wide. Cost about 500 billion Berries."
The number was arbitrary, of course. Kain could actually build such a weapon. He just despised Sukiyaki—so timid he wouldn't even show his face.
Kaido and Orochi were both dead. What was the old king still hiding from? Was it fear of the World Government? Or fear of Kain—the man who actually saved Wano?
Because of the Kain Chamber of Commerce, the silence of the Kozuki clan in Wano had finally been broken. The legendary tale of the Kozuki clan and the Nine Red Scabbards saving the nation… was being rewritten. The people now placed their faith in the Kain Chamber of Commerce.
Kain understood that. But having seen a broader world, he wasn't interested in Wano's petty politics anymore.
Aside from the unique resources of this world, it was just that the people here were more resilient. Pirates had naturally tougher bodies. Anyone who committed a crime would be added to the Kain Chamber of Commerce's bounty list.
Hiyori felt her cheeks flush. Kain had already predicted everything she came to say. She had shown up with great formality—only to be completely seen through. It was embarrassing.
"Y-Yes… I understand. Sorry to have bothered you, President Kain."
She bowed quickly. Everything she wanted—and didn't want—to say had been said by Kain. Staying any longer would only deepen her humiliation.
"By the way, Lord Kozuki," Kain added as she turned, "I came to place something in Wano. Let me warn you: don't try to pry into the secrets of the Kain Chamber of Commerce. What we guard is far more dangerous than Pluton, Poseidon, or Uranus."
"If Wano's curiosity get the better of it…"
He didn't finish the sentence, but Hiyori could already imagine the consequences. Her grandfather had been tormented by Pluton's existence for years. If what Kain said was true, then Wano was far better off not knowing.
"…President Kain, we'll take our leave."
With that, Hiyori and Aren quickly departed from the Kain Chamber of Commerce. They needed to report back to Kozuki Sukiyaki and urge him to abandon any hostility toward Kain.
After all, with just a few dozen warriors left, they had no chance of standing up to the might of Kain's organization.
Once they left, Kain's mood dampened. But when he returned to Hancock's room, his spirits rose once more.
She stood there in a tight, high-necked cheongsam, cinched at the waist with a corset that made her blush slightly from the strain.
Her waist was like a willow branch, her long legs still bearing rope imprints, and her full, snowy chest threatened to burst from the collar.
"Well… how about this outfit? Does it suit me?" she asked.
A small step forward revealed her pink rear beneath the hem of the snow-white dress. She was deeply embarrassed… but even more excited. The shame only made her bolder, and she stepped toward Kain again.
Behind her, the wool carpet bore a wet imprint.
Kain tilted his head and replied, "It suits you… but I haven't finished my business yet, and you dare to look down at me and talk? You've got nerve, Hancock."
Hearing his words, Hancock trembled with excitement. She was already looking forward to the "training" to come.
"I was born this tall… what else could I do? Ah~!"
Her words were cut off by a sharp gasp—then muffled, as if her mouth had been blocked.
A few days later, when Hancock still couldn't get out of bed, Kain finally began arranging the projection of the Holy Grail.
"Magic Circle, World Holy Grail—activate projection magic."
With these words, the World Holy Grail in the Pirate World connected with its counterpart in the fate World.
After arranging the Holy Grail projection, Kain set up multiple protective measures around it—patrolling biomechanical warriors, defensive barriers, sealing techniques, and Fiercefire magic that would trigger if any non-Holy Grail contractors approached.
Once everything was secured, Kain had Hancock sign a contract with the Holy Grail and helped her eliminate the side effects of her Devil Fruit abilities.
Now, there was no need to worry about Hancock's strength—she had risen from mid-level Shichibukai to the level of a Four Emperor.
After contracting with the Holy Grail, Hancock's powers were significantly enhanced. She retained her Devil Fruit abilities and Haki, and gained additional powers like telekinesis, flight, Cyclops-like energy beams, super strength, and super speed.
Though none of these abilities were at the absolute top tier individually, her energy became virtually limitless as long as the Holy Grail's reserves held out. At high altitudes, her Cyclops beam could even pierce through an island without stopping.
With the Holy Grail projection in place, Kain planned to return and have Robin sign a contract as well, sending Hancock along with him.
By now, so many days had passed that if Hancock hadn't stayed in regular contact with her two sisters through the transponder snail, Amazon Lily would likely have fallen into chaos.
However… Kain had played a bit too hard. When he sent Hancock back, her legs were still trembling uncontrollably. She would need at least half a month of rest to fully recover.
Not that Hancock alone could have exhausted Kain—he hadn't even reached his limit. He had even brought in Baby-5 midway through.
"Robin, I've brought good news this time. We have guests," Kain announced as he returned via Apparition.
Inside the room stood not only Nico Robin, but also three others. One of them radiated a powerful presence, with half of his face covered in tattoos.
Robin smiled and said, "President, allow me to introduce them. These are members of the Revolutionary Army. They've brought pirate slaves and loot, and are here to make some purchases."
Kain chuckled. "The Revolutionary Army, huh? Dragon—I know you. Your son has caused our Chamber of Commerce more trouble than he's worth."
His bluntness clearly unsettled both Dragon and Sabo. After all, one was Luffy's father, and the other his sworn brother. Kain had participated in the Summit War two years ago, and Ace's death… well, it had a little something to do with him.
Sabo, however, remained calm. He understood the weight of those events. Ace's death had been inevitable—neither Whitebeard's crew nor the Marines could have changed that fate.
"I heard about what happened in Alabasta," Dragon said. "That was… my foolish son's doing."
"Forget it. It's been a long time," Kain replied. "Besides, I actually have a favorable opinion of your Revolutionary Army. Someone attempted something similar to your mission centuries ago—but they failed miserably. And you'll likely fail too, without the Kain Chamber of Commerce behind you."
Kain paused, then smirked.
"So, Dragon, let's make a deal. If you give Luffy a proper beating, I'll supply the Revolutionary Army with a batch of weapons and gear."
"…Beat up Luffy? In exchange for weapons?" Dragon raised an eyebrow. "That's… a bit much."
"Don't be so quick to decline," Kain said, grinning. "There's nothing wrong with a father disciplining his son. Think back to your own childhood. Besides, at least take a look at my offer before turning me down."
With that, Kain activated a virtual projection and began listing items—adding them one by one, in full view.
Rather than handing over a pre-written list, he let them watch as the offer grew, building anticipation and desire.
AK-style assault rifles
Rifle bullets
Bazookas
Armor, food supplies, and more.
Every new addition made the Revolutionary Army representatives breathe a little harder. The supplies were enough to expand their military strength by fivefold.
All for the price of beating up Luffy—a family member, at that. And let's face it, the kid was lawless and reckless, dragging the Kain Chamber of Commerce into his messes.
As the list continued to grow, Dragon finally spoke, his tone serious.
"President Kain, don't worry. I'll personally teach that foolish son of mine a lesson. He'll come apologize to you himself next time you meet."
"And I will supervise him as well!" Sabo added firmly. "As his brother, it's my duty to keep him on the right path."
With the supplies Kain was offering—enough to arm nearly half of the Marine force—the Revolutionary Army would be practically untouchable. No longer would the World Government or the Marines dare to attempt suppression. If 70% of Marine forces were dispatched against them, the pirates would have a field day in the remaining regions.
Dragon then picked up the video transponder snail and asked, "Half an hour—will that do?"
"That's more than enough," Kain replied. "To be honest, even without Luffy, I planned to provide this batch of equipment. But he really needs to be taught a lesson."
"I agree," Dragon said, smiling. "As a father, I've had enough."
While speaking, he was already calculating. This haul of basic equipment was almost free. Their actual funds could now be used to buy rare, high-demand goods—commodities so desirable even the Marines would drool over them.
But no one could acquire them except through the Kain Chamber of Commerce—or Amazon Lily.
And today, the Revolutionary Army had earned the right to buy.
That alone was reason enough. Dragon was already preparing to coat his fists in Armament Haki when he met Luffy.
Kain wasn't giving these weapons away out of sentiment. After two years of expansion, the list of countries eligible to purchase weapons had become saturated. Stockpiles had built up.
It was time to put them to good use—and the Revolutionary Army was the perfect buyer.
It was impossible for the poor Revolutionary Army to purchase everything at once.
But letting them grow rapidly would at least attract the attention of the Marines and the World Government. After all, the World Government relies heavily on its allied nations. If the Revolutionary Army gains strength, it could directly shake the foundations of the World Government itself.
The taxation from over a hundred countries and the enormous military power they fund are what allow the World Government to remain the world's dominant force.
If there were only Im, no one would fear him. Despite his strength, he would eventually be discovered and dealt with. But the loss of the World Government's vast military force—especially the Marine Army—would signal the beginning of its collapse.
After Dragon and the others left, Robin couldn't help but laugh.
"You did that on purpose. The President really knows how to calculate!"
Kain grinned. "Dragon must've noticed, too. But he had no choice but to accept."
He came up behind Robin, massaging her shoulders while enjoying the massage she gave him in return. The powers of the Flower-Flower Fruit truly suited him. Or perhaps… Kain just liked too many things—and that fruit was one of them.
"When the time comes and you uncover the truth of the Void Century, you'll go somewhere else with me, Robin."
"As Vice President, I'll just have to obey the President's orders~" Robin replied playfully.
"Then your President orders you to go get some rest now."
Although the Holy Grail projection had already been established in the One Piece World, Kain didn't leave immediately. He had been rather indifferent to this world over the past two years, so he decided to stay a little longer.
"Hmm… You can search for a new trading world without placing a coordinate in one? And it bypasses the two-year 'cooldown' period?"
One day, while browsing the trading panel, Kain noticed something surprising: the system had already completed the search for a new trading world. The previously bound worlds were still listed—except for the One Punch World, where Kain had never placed a world trade coordinate system.
"That's a good thing."
The World Holy Grail had, to some extent, replaced the need for world trading coordinates. If used effectively, this would multiply the Kain Chamber of Commerce's growth rate—provided there were enough people to support the expansion.
The system flashed brief screen fragments of the New World: gigantic beasts, vast and boundless primeval forests, and human cities where people wore unique clothing—a strange mix of ascetic simplicity and a fusion of ancient Eastern and Western styles.
But the cultivators there were not weak.
In one of the clips, Kain saw a cultivator unleash a powerful energy attack, blasting a cyan lion's head from his fist. The strike created a crater nearly three feet deep in solid ground.
About equal to 10% of Tsunade's monstrous strength.
If the person Kain saw wasn't even a top-tier fighter in that world, then he would have to treat this New World with utmost caution.