Chapter 39 — The Agreement (Revised)
The faint glow of dawn slipped through the cracks of the wooden cabin, painting the room in hues of gold. The waves outside whispered softly, rocking the ship in a calm rhythm. The air carried the scent of salt and steel — a quiet reminder of the sea's endless reach.
After some time, Yamato stirred from her sleep. The light brushed against her long white hair and the curved horns on her head, giving her the regal yet fierce look of someone born from a monster's bloodline. She blinked, then her sharp blue eyes widened when she saw Arthur lying comfortably on Black Maria's lap.
Black Maria's expression was calm and faintly teasing. She glanced at Yamato with a smirk, clearly amused. Yamato, however, immediately stood up, her energy returning as fire burned behind her gaze.
— You're strong, Arthur! — she declared passionately. — Let's go. Let's defeat my father and free Wano once and for all!
Arthur turned his head toward her, his golden eyes calm and unreadable. He didn't share her enthusiasm.
— I could defeat your father, yes… but what happens after that?
Yamato blinked, confusion flickering in her face.
— What do you mean "after"? If Kaido falls, Wano will finally be free!
Arthur rose to his feet, stretching slightly before looking out the cabin's window. His voice grew steady, serious.
— You only thought about defeating Kaido, not what comes next. Even though he's a tyrant, he's still the strongest being in this land. His presence alone keeps Wano safe from outside threats.
Yamato frowned, her fists clenching tightly.
— Safe? Don't call what he does protection! He chained the country in fear. He's the reason people suffer every single day!
Arthur turned toward her, his tone firm but calm.
— I know. But tell me, what happens if I defeat him tomorrow? Who will protect this land then? The moment Kaido's shadow disappears, pirates, warlords, and even the World Government will set their eyes on Wano. And you know how valuable this place is — the Sea Stone mines alone could make nations go to war.
Black Maria's smirk faded. Her gaze sharpened with understanding. Yamato's lips trembled slightly, her anger mixing with uncertainty.
Arthur took a deep breath.
— You've heard what the Celestial Dragons do, haven't you? When a country refuses to serve them, they seal it off and hunt the people like animals. That's what happens to islands outside their control.
The silence that followed was heavy. Even the sound of the waves felt distant.
Yamato's expression darkened. Her heart twisted — not from fear, but from the unbearable thought that her father, the very monster she despised, might be the only thing keeping Wano alive.
— So what you're saying — — Black Maria spoke first, breaking the silence. — You're afraid that if we defeat Kaido and leave, Wano will fall into chaos?
Arthur nodded slowly.
— Exactly. Kaido may be a tyrant… but his strength keeps worse monsters away. Remove him, and Wano becomes a feast for vultures.
Yamato lowered her head, her hair falling over her eyes. She hated hearing it — hated the truth in it. For so long, she had dreamed of defeating her father, of freeing . But now the truth cut deep: freedom without strength was just another form of death.
Her voice came out barely above a whisper.
— Then… what's the solution?
Arthur's answer came without hesitation.
— I'll have to become the King of Wano.
Yamato's head snapped up, disbelief flashing across her face.
— You? The king of Wano? Why would that mean conquering the world too?
Arthur crossed his arms, his tone grave.
— Because in this world, you either kneel to the World Government or stand against it. There's no middle ground. If I take Wano's throne, they'll label me an enemy of order — and they'll come for us with everything they have. So, either I destroy them first… or they destroy me.
The determination in his voice filled the room like a roaring flame. For a moment, even Black Maria looked at him in silent awe.
Arthur stepped closer to Yamato, his golden eyes meeting her fierce blue ones.
— So tell me, Yamato… what's your choice? Do we defeat Kaido and leave Wano to rot? Or do I take his place, and together, we rebuild it — not as slaves of the world, but as rulers of our own destiny?
Yamato's heart pounded. She was Kaido's daughter — the daughter of a beast who sought domination. Yet, standing before Arthur, she saw something her father never had: resolve without cruelty, ambition without tyranny.
For a long moment, she said nothing. Then, with a deep breath, she met his gaze.
— …Alright. We'll defeat my father. But this time, Wano won't belong to him — or to the World Government. It'll belong to us.
Arthur smiled faintly, warmth flickering in his eyes.
— Good. It seems you've made your choice. But don't rush. Even if I defeat Kaido today, you wouldn't be able to help much. We need time — five years. You'll train with me until you reach the level of a Marine admiral. We'll find allies, people we can trust. Because after Kaido, our next enemy will be the World Government itself.
Yamato nodded firmly, the fire returning to her expression.
— Five years. Fine. I'll become strong enough to fight beside you — strong enough to protect Wano myself.
Arthur's smile widened.
— That's the spirit.
For a moment, the tension in the air melted away. The morning light spilled over them, painting the room in soft gold. The future was uncertain, but for now, their resolve felt unshakable.
Then Arthur tilted his head, a playful glint returning to his eyes.
— Now that the serious talk is over, there's something I've always wanted to do.
Before Yamato could respond, he suddenly leapt toward her. She gasped as he gently reached for her horns, tracing the edges with his fingers. Her face turned crimson.
— H-Hey! What are you doing?! — she stammered.
Arthur grinned.
— I'm just curious. They're... fascinating.
Yamato's embarrassment turned into flustered outrage.
— Don't just touch them without asking!
Black Maria sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile.
— Honestly... you two act like children sometimes.
Outside, the sea glittered beneath the rising sun — vast, golden, and full of promise. Their path was uncertain, but for the first time, Yamato felt she wasn't walking it alone.