Using the idol's own actions to control a deranged fan was definitely a clever tactic—provided the fan was crazy enough.
And clearly, Yamato was plenty crazy.
Days passed.
On the final night before her release—
Rogan stood outside the cell door, his expression stern.
Before him on a small table sat a steaming bowl of white rice… and a large piece of salmon—Yamato's absolute favorite.
Inside the cell, Yamato swallowed her saliva, but never once looked toward the table. She stood rigid at attention like a soldier.
She didn't dare move. She didn't dare.
Rogan stared at her for three full minutes before finally speaking in a cold voice.
"Yamato, what's the most important thing for someone who wants to become Oden?"
"Endurance!"
"Louder!"
"ENDURANCE!!"
Yamato shouted at the top of her lungs.
After half a month of mental battles, she had finally convinced herself: to truly become Kozuki Oden, she had to learn endurance.
"Good. That's the spirit."
Rogan nodded with satisfaction.
Getting this girl to bow her head to her father had been harder than killing her. If he hadn't used Kozuki Oden as leverage, there'd be no way to tame her.
Upon being praised, Yamato proudly puffed up her chest—but her gaze couldn't help drifting toward the food, drool pooling at her lips.
"Hmm?"
There was bloodlust!
The girl quickly looked away!
Rogan gave a faint nod. "Repeat my instructions."
"Yes, Rogan-sensei!"
Yamato now resembled a nervous elementary schooler. Despite her hundred levels of reluctance, she obediently repeated:
"First, from now on, I must never call myself Kozuki Oden. I am the daughter of the strongest creature, Kaidou! I'm the princess of the Beasts Pirates! The Oni's child!"
"Second, when I see Father tomorrow, I must kneel and apologize immediately. Swiftly and properly!"
"Third, no matter what Father says, I must not talk back."
"Fourth, no matter what order he gives—even if it's to kill or burn—I must obey. I must not show any sign of rebellion in front of him."
"Fifth…"
"And the most important of all…"
"Endure, endure, and endure some more!!"
Tears welled up in Yamato's eyes.
For the sake of becoming Oden…
For the sake of liberating Wano…
For the sake of freedom—
She would endure humiliation and bear the burden!
Clap! Clap! Clap! Clap!
Rogan applauded, satisfied.
Fifteen straight days of re-education finally bore fruit.
It hadn't been easy.
Even training a dog wasn't this exhausting.
"Go on, eat, Yamato."
"Yes, Rogan-sensei!"
–––––––––––––––
The next morning.
Skull Castle, third floor banquet hall.
"So everyone's here!"
Kaidou sat at the head of the table, a massive sake bowl in hand. Black Maria knelt beside him, smiling sweetly as she poured his drink.
Before him, the three Calamities had assembled.
Clearly, something important was about to go down.
As the designated mood-setter, the rotund Queen asked cheerfully, "Kaidou-aniki, why'd you call us here?"
"King, you explain."
Kaidou downed a massive gulp of sake, his expression dark. He left the explanation to his most trusted subordinate.
With a grim face, King pulled out a newspaper and slapped it into Queen's face.
"Hazard is dead."
"Huh? Eh?!!!"
Queen blanked for a few seconds before he remembered who Hazard was—and his tiny eyes bulged wide in shock.
The "Lizard King" Hazard—one of the Shichibukai!
But that wasn't the main issue.
Hazard held a very particular role: he was the Beasts Pirates' white glove—the intermediary who sold their weapons.
Without Hazard, their arms trade would be severely impacted.
After all, the Beasts Pirates were known for their brutality. They were all brutes—not a single one knew how to handle business!
Also, last year, "Red-Hair" Shanks had defeated the Giant Prince Loki and secured his position in Elbaf, officially gaining the title of Yonko.
That event had solidified the Four Emperors' balance.
Now, in order to split control over the New World, the Four Emperors were preparing for the most massive confrontation since the founding of the Beasts Pirates.
And at this crucial juncture… their economic pipeline had snapped.
An utter disaster.
"Which bastard did this?!"
Queen furiously opened the newspaper.
"Fire Fist" Ace!
The entire front page was dedicated to "Fire Fist" Ace defeating the "Lizard King" Hazard.
There was no doubt—this was a world-shaking event!
"Fire Fist?"
Who the hell was that?
Queen squinted, trying to remember if he'd ever heard the name before. But then he spotted the "Supernova" tag and his eyes popped again.
"Eh?! He's a rookie???"
A rookie beat a Shichibukai?
What a joke!
Every Shichibukai was a monster in their own right. Even Queen had to take them seriously. There was no way one would fall to some no-name brat!
He leaned over to King, disbelieving. "You're saying that little punk took down Hazard?"
"No."
King replied calmly.
Thud!
Queen fell flat on his face, then sprang back up, grabbing King by the collar, yelling:
"Why didn't you say so earlier, you bastard?!"
"I wanted to see how stupid you'd look, dumbass."
King finally dropped the act.
Queen: "…"
One day, one day, he'd gut this sadistic bastard.
After satisfying himself by toying with Queen, King pulled out a letter freshly delivered to Onigashima.
"The real killer of Hazard… is also a Shichibukai."
"Heavenly Yaksha" Doflamingo!
"This is his calling card!"
Doflamingo.
Both Queen and Jack's expressions shifted.
They were very aware of Doflamingo. He became a Shichibukai five years ago and entered the New World the same year.
He was rumored to be a devil with powerful connections—within just five years, he had made a name for himself in the underground.
And his ties with the World Government were very ambiguous.
He had power in both the light and the dark.
"He wants to replace Hazard?"
Queen finally caught on.
Technically, the Shichibukai were allies. Killing each other was forbidden. But pirates weren't exactly known for obeying rules.
Since the paper didn't mention it, it was clear Doflamingo used Ace's fight as cover to secretly eliminate Hazard.
And now he sent a greeting card.
The message was obvious—Doflamingo wanted to take Hazard's place, hitch a ride on the Beasts Pirates' war machine, and become their new underworld broker!
Ambitious bastard!
"Muhahaha! You wanna carve up the pie? Better make sure you can swallow it first!"
Queen snorted.
Hazard had worked with them for over a decade—and now he was gone. If they let this slide, where would their pride go?
Anyone who challenged the Beasts Pirates had to pay the price!
"Uwahhh!!"
"Quick, stop Yamato-sama!"
"Kaidou-sama is discussing important matters with the All-Stars! No one is allowed in!"
"Get out of my way!"
Suddenly, loud shouting erupted outside.
It was Yamato's voice!
The three Calamities' faces darkened.
They were already pissed off—and now someone was causing trouble?
But hearing that it was Kaidou's child, they looked to the boss.
And the moment they saw Kaidou's stormy expression, they felt their hearts drop.
This is bad. He's really pissed!
Boom!!
The banquet doors exploded into splinters.
Yamato barged in, kanabō in hand.
Amid the dark glares of everyone present, the girl sprinted two steps, leapt into the air, curled up—and smashed herself into the ground before Kaidou in an absolutely perfect kneel.
Her forehead slammed into the floor.
A textbook "Falling Wild Goose" Prostration!
"Father!! I'm sorry!! I was wrong!!"
"…"
Kaidou, King, Queen, Jack:
(⊙x⊙;) ×4
Huh?
Huhhhhhh???
(End of Chapter)
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