Wanokuni was finally beginning to recover, its wounds slowly stitching themselves back together. Peace lingered in the air more than conflict, and for the first time in many years, the country looked forward instead of behind. Kozuki Hiyori exhaled quietly, her expression calm yet firm.
"There's no need for revenge on Kaito anymore," she said with certainty. "Wanokuni is stabilizing. What's done is done."
Nekomamushi twitched his whiskers, frustration lingering in his eyes. "But, Miss Hiyori… giving everything in Wanokuni to Kaito? Isn't that too much?"
"You should know better than anyone," Hiyori replied sternly. "This world belongs to the strong. If you still acknowledge me as the heir of the Kozuki family, do not bring this up again."
Nekomamushi swallowed his frustration and bowed his head. "I understand, Miss…"
Hiyori sighed softly. "I say these things for your own good… both of you." Her gaze shifted toward Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi, who exchanged a wordless look.
At that moment, Ayanami Kaito entered with Koushirou at his side.
Hiyori—disguised as Komurasaki—stood quickly, surprise flashing across her face. "Kaito-sama! I didn't know you were coming. Welcome."
"One of the reasons I came," Kaito said calmly, "is because I heard two members of the Mink Tribe arrived here. I wanted to ensure nothing happened."
"Don't worry," Hiyori said with a gentle smile. "They're friends of my father. They only came to check on me."
"That's fine."
Kaito's gaze swept over Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi before settling on Hiyori again.
"Wanokuni is on a new path now," he said. "But there's still trouble. Bandits roam freely in certain regions."
Hiyori's brows knit. "Where exactly?"
"The mountains of Kuri," Kaito answered. "The bandits are led by Ashura Doji—one of Oden's former retainers."
Hiyori stiffened. Uncle Ashura…
"I want you to go," Kaito said, his tone cool. "You must convince him to disband his group. Wanokuni is trying to rise, yet they continue raiding nearby villages."
His voice lowered, carrying a cold edge.
"If he refuses, I will handle it myself. I'm giving you this chance only because you are Kozuki."
Nekomamushi and Duke Inuarashi tensed the moment Kaito approached, both maintaining their guard.
"You intend to kill Ashura Doji?" Inuarashi finally asked.
"It's not what I want," Kaito replied. "But he's standing in the way of the people. They want peace, yet he continues to plunder. If he weren't a former retainer of Oden, Kaido would have eliminated him years ago."
Kaito stepped back and turned away.
"Three days," he said. "If Hiyori cannot persuade him… his body will be displayed in the nearest village."
He walked out with Yamato, leaving the Minks silent and grim.
---
On the crowded streets of the capital, Yamato trotted beside him. "Kaito… you're not planning to force them to join you?" she asked, confused.
"How would that work?" Kaito replied, irritated. "Didn't you see how everyone watched us the moment we arrived?"
Yamato frowned. "So… Ashura Doji. Are we really going to kill him?"
"If Hiyori fails," Kaito said coldly, "then yes. I've given him face. If he throws it away, that's his problem."
---
Two months passed.
By a quiet river, Kaito sat lazily with a fishing rod in hand. The water flowed peacefully, sunlight glinting on the surface. Since Hiyori managed to bring Ashura Doji under control, bandit attacks had ceased entirely, and the country settled into genuine calm.
Kaito used this rare peace to relax while he could—because once he moved against Big Mom, there would be no rest.
"Boss Kaito! Something happened!"
Page One sprinted toward him, panic on his face.
Kaito didn't even lift his eyes from the water. "What is it?"
"Marine Admiral Zephyr… he left the Marines and formed the NEO Marines. They've entered the New World and are heading toward our territory!"
"Black Arm Zephyr?" Kaito muttered.
He remembered the story well—how Sengoku allowed Whitebeard II, the man who cut off Zephyr's arm and slaughtered his students, to join the Shichibukai in an attempt to strengthen Marine forces. Zephyr's hatred boiled over, and he finally abandoned the Marines entirely.
The former admiral's new goal was far more dangerous.
Explosive Rock—also called Dyna Rock—an unstable substance with power comparable to an Ancient Weapon. Three massive storage sites lay beneath the New World, filled with pressurized magma. Destroying them would ignite a chain reaction that could burn the entire New World down.
Zephyr intended to destroy all three.
"A madman," Kaito muttered. "A man willing to destroy an entire sea."
"Boss Kaito," Page One asked, "anything about the Shichibukai changing?"
Kaito paused his fishing. "Why? Something happened?"
Page One's eyes widened with admiration. "How did you know? Are you a prophet?"
"Stop talking nonsense and explain."
"Yes!" Page One straightened. "After the war at Marineford, the Marines felt the Shichibukai weren't strong enough, so they added three more."
"They are Trafalgar Law—the captain of the Heart Pirates."
"A newcomer calling himself Whitebeard II."
"And Buggy the Clown—former member of the Roger Pirates."
"So now the Shichibukai are Hawkeye, Boa Hancock, Kuma, Moria, Buggy, Law, and Whitebeard II."
Kaito went silent.
These names shouldn't have appeared this early. It was supposed to happen two years later. His actions at Marineford must have shifted the timeline.
"Boss… are you okay?" Page One asked nervously.
"It's no wonder Zephyr left," Kaito said. "His enemy was brought into the Shichibukai."
"Enemy? Who?"
"Whitebeard II," Kaito replied. "He cut off Zephyr's arm over ten years ago, killed his cadets, and made a name for himself. Then he vanished—until now."
Page One clenched his fists. "So Marine recruited the man who destroyed his life… No wonder he abandoned them."