"It sounds like a great dream, but, Mr. Kaido…"
Gusion shifted the topic, "Now, you have absolute control over Wano, but in all these years, has this place become any more just?"
Kaido was stunned. He suddenly realized that Wano wasn't that way at all. Even though he had implemented some of his own ideas in certain places—like the direct-rule Udon Prison, where hard work was rewarded—most of Wano was nothing like that.
People like Orochi, those so-called nobles, fundamentally clashed with his own ideals.
"I originally just wanted to use this place as a factory, as a base to accumulate strength."
Kaido replied, feeling he hadn't really ruled Wano; he had left it to Orochi, and thus, he shouldn't be blamed for everything.
Gusion said calmly, "Mr. Kaido, if you can't even get Wano in order, do you still think you can realize your dream of making the world just?"
Seeing Kaido's heavy expression, Gusion continued, "I know what you're thinking: Wano is just a means to achieve your end, and for your grand dream, the means don't matter, right?"
"So what if that's true?"
Kaido said bluntly.
"I admire your straightforwardness and strength, Mr. Kaido, but if I may speak freely, with your current approach, your dream will be very hard to achieve."
Gusion was trying to guide Kaido. He thought Kaido's goal of overthrowing the Celestial Dragons was fine, but if he resorted to any means, oppressing the people and pillaging across nations, that would be a problem.
He could help Kaido in overthrowing the Celestial Dragons, but he didn't want to be complicit in causing greater pain to the world.
Kaido frowned deeply, "Gusion, then what do you think I should do to overthrow the Celestial Dragons?"
As Gusion said, Kaido didn't care about the means. His core belief was survival of the fittest, which is why he wanted to create a world where worth was determined by ability.
But in truth, he had no clue how to rule the world or implement his ideals; his motivation was the pain he suffered as a child, and his accumulated rage towards the Celestial Dragons.
He was born in a poor country, which had to pay a huge Heavenly Tribute every year. To pay it, they had to constantly wage war, only earning money by fighting for others.
In such a miserable country, people couldn't survive. Kaido utterly hated the world under the Celestial Dragons' rule.
For him, the means didn't matter—nor the world itself. As long as he could take down the Celestial Dragons, that was enough.
"It'll be a tough plan, and I can't guarantee it'll work. But if you want to hear it, I'll share it with you step by step."
Gusion said. He knew Kaido was now open to change; as long as the plan had merit, Kaido would shift his entire approach.
The other officers present held their breath, watching Gusion with solemn faces, feeling as if they were witnessing history.
"Go ahead. I'll consider it."
Kaido's tone was extremely polite, more like speaking to a top officer than his daughter's friend.
"First, we need to govern Wano well. You must truly become this country's protector, so the people no longer see you as a vicious pirate, but as a guardian deity they can trust."
Gusion felt this was the biggest sales pitch of his life. He was trying to talk the Yonko Kaido… into reform.
"What's the benefit?" Kaido frowned. He wasn't the type to care for the people's love.
"As I said, free workers have much higher productivity than slaves. In a peaceful country, happy people will create more value than those who are starving and afraid."
Gusion continued, "Wano is our base. Only if Wano becomes strong can we become strong. What is the standard for a strong country, everyone?"
"Military strength."
Kaido answered without hesitation.
"Economic and military strength," King added.
Because the question was for everyone, other officers also gave their opinions after thinking, most agreeing with Kaido.
Gusion nodded, "Exactly. Military and economic strength are both crucial. But where do these strengths come from? Ultimately, from the people. Wano already has a solid industrial foundation; we can produce powerful weapons ourselves. With some training, the people here can become fearless warriors—samurai, as they call them."
He circled the character for 'people' on the blackboard. "So, Mr. Kaido, the army you want has always been right in front of you. We have an industrial base, can manufacture weapons, and there's an army at hand. The problem is, this army currently rejects the Beasts Pirates."
Gusion wasn't about to tell Kaido that you could overthrow the Celestial Dragons without a fight, just with a cultural revolution or something. Historically, while there have been bloodless changes in power, most revolutions require force.
Especially in One Piece's world, where strength is everything. If you have no military force, the World Government could easily send a Buster Call to wipe you out.
The Celestial Dragons' leader, Imu, even possesses terrifying weapons of mass destruction—like the unknown ancient weapon powered up by Mother Flame, capable of erasing entire islands.
To fight someone like that and expect to win without casualties is a joke, even Luffy wouldn't be that naive.
So Gusion wouldn't deny the need for war; it's almost the only way to resist the Celestial Dragons. If you can't launch a world-spanning war to rally people against the World Government, victory is unlikely.
Of course, there's a right way to wage this kind of revolutionary war.
If Kaido stuck to his old approach, even without Luffy coming to Wano, he would never succeed—he'd just cause worldwide casualties.
A truly successful campaign must have a clear strategy from the outset, not just amass troops aimlessly.
Kaido's own thinking might be simple—he assumed that once he acted, groups like the Revolutionary Army or oppressed countries would rise up with him.
But in reality, people are pragmatic; as long as they can survive, they rarely revolt. In the end, maybe only Kaido's own crew would attack Mary Geoise…
After that, he'd be surrounded by the three Admirals, the Five Elders, the Seraphim Army… wiped out before causing any real trouble.
Yes, the so-called strongest creature has limits. In a one-on-one fight, Kaido is tough, but against a crowd, it's different.
In Wano's arc, Kaido ultimately lost to a combination of attacks (plus some plot armor).
So, if the Beasts Pirates want to challenge the Celestial Dragons, strong military power is essential—and that power shouldn't just come from SMILE users, but from Wano's elite samurai.
"Samurai, huh… They are powerful, but too proud. They'll never serve me."
Kaido admitted. He respected the samurai's strength and loyalty, but for that very reason, they wouldn't submit.
He'd admired some samurai before and didn't kill them after capturing them, hoping they'd yield, but they never did.
"Mr. Kaido, you must understand: loyalty and righteousness change with society. Under feudal thinking, the samurai you fought years ago were absolutely loyal to the Kozuki family. That's why, even after mining in Udon for years, they never gave in. Even decades later, if a Kozuki returned, they'd kneel."
Gusion shifted, "But the new generation in Wano may not be the same. After so much turmoil—first the Beasts Pirates broke the gates, then Orochi's dark rule—the people have just found new life. Mentally, they've already begun to separate from the old Kozuki rule."
"What do you mean?"
Kaido was confused.
"Simply put, the people are now masterless. Whoever treats them well, they'll follow."
Gusion explained, "That's why I'm promoting benevolent rule with Yamato."
"That easy? Will it work?"
Kaido was doubtful—he'd never met such a wise ruler in his life. He fought so hard for his homeland, only to be betrayed by his king.
"It sounds easy, but it's actually complex."
Gusion said, "Luckily, we've finished the first step. The people's view of us is already changing, especially those who benefited from food relief and factory work. They'll spread the word themselves, showing that Yamato is no tyrant but a wise leader."
He circled 'economy' on the board. "As long as the people accept us, the nation will stabilize, the economy will develop rapidly, and their lives will improve. With comparison, they'll see life under Yamato is better than under the Kozuki, and few will long for the old days."
"Meanwhile, as the nation grows richer, we can do more: education, training factory workers, warrior training. The new talents that arise will owe their success to the Beasts Pirates' rule and will naturally feel loyalty."
Gusion continued, "By then, Mr. Kaido, you'll have the army you want—high quality, too."
In Gusion's view, Wano's people may be stubborn, but the place has talent. Many top swordsmen in the original were from Wano. With proper schools, even more could appear.
At this point, King spoke, "Mr. Gusion, I agree with most of what you said, but do we still need an army? You mentioned that the SMILE army is unreliable. Will a samurai army help?"
"You misunderstood, King."
Gusion explained, "Actually, the SMILE army isn't completely useless. The samurai army has its role, too. As you said, ordinary people are fodder before top fighters, but if we're to fight the Celestial Dragons, we can't rely solely on elites. We need lower ranks for support and other tasks."