Jinbu Port, the largest harbor in Wano.
On either side of the inlet stood rows of red maple trees on the cliff walls, crimson leaves dancing through the air—an absolute scenic wonder.
"Wow, so beautiful!"
Yamato leapt off the boat and ran straight to the center of the dock, arms wide open like she was embracing the world.
After fifteen long years, she had finally set foot again on the land she had longed for—and now, she was free to move as she pleased.
The girl turned toward Rogan with a radiant, almost foolishly happy smile.
"Rogan, thank you!"
"…Yeah."
Rogan gave a slight nod, his eyes already scanning the depths of Jinbu Port.
Bustling crowds filled the area—it was alive with activity.
Wano wasn't just the Flower Capital. Each region had its own relatively prosperous town, like Boro Town in Kuri.
And Jinbu Port of Hakumai was no exception.
These towns were ruled by the new gentry—clans that had submitted to Orochi, replacing the once-noble families like the Shimotsuki and Amatsuki.
Not to mention the criminal underworld.
Their target this time was the underground boss of Hakumai—Kowasaburi Gōgorō. According to intelligence from King, remnants of the Kozuki faction had been seen in contact with various crime lords across Wano.
"It's time to go, Yamato."
"Okay."
Yamato quickly followed behind Rogan, staring around like a bumpkin seeing the world for the first time—curious about everything.
And also… nervous.
She tugged at Rogan's sleeve and whispered, "Rogan, can we… not go after the Kozuki samurai?"
"No. That's not up for discussion."
Rogan responded flatly.
Orders from Kaidou had to be carried out.
Yamato's sudden change in behavior would definitely raise suspicion from the higher-ups—and Rogan, being the one closest to her, was under scrutiny too.
King was undoubtedly watching him.
Choosing to back Yamato meant he was taking a big risk—and he couldn't afford to make any missteps now.
Any betrayal… meant death.
This mission couldn't be handled half-heartedly. It had to look like a real crackdown. If Yamato couldn't get her hands dirty, he would do it for her.
Taking a gamble on Yamato wouldn't be worth it if it didn't pay off.
He wasn't just here to cozy up to a powerhouse—his ambitions were growing with his strength.
"Hmph!"
Yamato gritted her teeth angrily.
"You're a demon!"
"Funny, everyone says that about me."
Rogan smirked.
Soon, the two arrived at a casino.
The underworld's economy almost always involved gambling, brothels, and drugs. Even the famous Hyogoro the Flower had been involved in such dirty businesses in his prime.
All of them had blood on their hands—no better than pirates.
Inside, the casino was buzzing with people.
Even the poorest folks would come here, blowing every bit of their hard-earned money. Some even ended up selling their wives and children.
Rogan casually sat down in a corner.
Yamato looked around, intrigued, itching to try something.
She wasn't unfamiliar with casinos.
She'd never gambled herself, but she'd seen plenty—there were gambling dens on Onigashima, and pirates often gathered for a few rounds of dice when resting.
"Are we not gonna play?"
"No interest."
Rogan shook his head.
If there were mahjong tiles, he might've played a few rounds. But the games here? Mostly stuff he didn't know how to play. The only thing he recognized was dice.
And even then, he couldn't be bothered.
Yamato was confused.
If they weren't going to gamble, why were they here?
"So what are we doing?"
"Watching the show."
Rogan crossed his legs and waved over a casino attendant.
A bouncer approached swiftly—his attitude was polite, even a little fearful.
That iconic Viking getup of Rogan's was enough to warn them not to cause trouble.
Rogan tossed him a gold coin.
"Brew me some tea. Keep the rest."
"Yes, sir!"
The attendant ran off, thrilled.
One gold coin equaled a hundred silver, enough to feed a family of three for a month. A pot of top-quality tea? Barely cost five silver.
Such generosity naturally drew many eyes.
Rogan calmly drank his tea, unfazed by the surrounding noise—like he was in a tranquil teahouse, not a chaotic casino.
"I lost! Everything's gone!"
"Borrow more? Old fool, you already sold your wife and kids. If you can't pay in three days, I'll feed you to the fish!"
"Caught cheating? You know what happens to cheaters!"
"Don't chop off my hand—AAAH!"
"Hahaha! I won! I actually won!"
Losers bawled, screamed, begged for mercy—some had their limbs chopped off.
A few lucky ones walked away rich.
Yamato grew increasingly uncomfortable. Her excitement from earlier had completely faded.
"Rogan, I…"
"What? Can't handle it?"
"…Yeah."
"Well, this is the reality of Wano."
Rogan sipped his tea, calm as ever.
The oppressive conditions in Wano had led to this. The worse things got, the more people gambled on shortcuts—unaware they were rushing toward ruin.
"You want to save this country? Then understand it. Just like how you want to be Oden, you have to understand him first."
"I…"
Yamato was at a loss for words.
"No need to rush it."
Rogan ruffled her hair and stood, stretching lazily.
"Let's go. We've had enough tea."
"Already?"
Yamato blinked and stood up, still dazed.
"It's almost dark. Or do you want to spend the night here?"
Rogan shot her a look.
Such a lovable idiot.
Of course, he had his reasons for bringing her here. But most of all, he wanted her to open her eyes to reality.
This was just the beginning—there were many more places to visit.
Before leaving, Rogan scanned the room and locked eyes on the same bouncer who had brought the tea. He beckoned him over.
The man approached quickly, bowing low.
"Sir, what can I do for you?"
"Give this letter to Kowasaburi Gōgorō."
Rogan pulled a letter from his coat and handed it over, then turned and left the casino with Yamato.
–––––––––––––––––
Nightfall. Casino back courtyard.
A room lit by dim lanterns.
Gōgorō sat at a desk, opened the envelope his underling had delivered, and read it carefully in the low light.
"An invitation?"
He had been in the casino earlier, but had stayed hidden, silently observing the two unexpected visitors.
Not long ago, old acquaintances had approached him, trying to pull him into a rebellion to storm Onigashima.
But he wanted no part of it.
As a crime boss, he had no real loyalty to the Kozuki family—not like the noble houses of Shimotsuki or Amatsuki.
His biggest grudge against the Beasts Pirates was personal: they had killed Boss Hyogoro's entire family.
He burned for revenge every day.
So when Kaidou's men suddenly showed up in his casino, how could he not be on edge?
He thought they had discovered his connections.
But now… he wasn't so sure.
"Tenshō Onsen Spa?"
The letter from the pirate turned out to be an invitation—to the grand opening of a spa resort, asking him to attend the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
The date was two weeks from now, on the southern outskirts of the Flower Capital.
And the most eye-catching detail:
Host: The Oni's Daughter – Yamato!
(End of Chapter)
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