Under Momonosuke's startled cry, everyone's eyes gathered on Yamato.
Michael wasn't surprised that Momonosuke could recognize Yamato's identity.
After all, the two were the same age. When Kaido and Kurozumi Orochi colluded to rule Wano, Momonosuke had already returned to Wano following his mother, Kozuki Toki.
So it wasn't strange they had met.
"What, your father is actually… Kaido!?" Kozuki Hiyori let go of Yamato in disbelief. Tears filled her eyes as she pointed at Yamato with trembling fingers.
"You—you've betrayed our friendship!"
"No! When did you two even have friendship!? Just now!?" Michael finally couldn't help but shatter the bizarre atmosphere with a complaint.
"Alright, Yamato's biological father IS Kaido… but she cut ties with him unilaterally many years ago."
"And now, she is the daughter of minel."
Michael's attitude was rarely this firm.
Because the moment Yamato heard the name "Kaido," her expression had completely changed.
After staying by his side for so many years, even raising aa animal would bring affection.
Let alone a living girl.
Momonosuke looked awkward, but determination flickered in his eyes.
"That doesn't change her blood connection with Kaido."
"Then what do you intend to do to me?" Yamato stood in front of Momonosuke, tilting her head up slightly. "Take revenge on me, or what?"
"I want a duel!" Momonosuke shouted loudly. "A… duel to settle all grudges!"
"I'm not unreasonable. I've reflected countless times on the weakness I once had… and I won't blame all of Wano's suffering on Kaido's daughter!"
"But… you also once lived off the blood and sweat of Wano's people!"
"And this… needs an explanation…"
"A duel. Win or lose—everything ends!"
Momonosuke spoke with resolute finality.
To Michael, most of his impression of Momonosuke was still that pervy little kid…
Even though he later used Shinobu's ability to grow into a twenty-eight-year-old form, he was still a kid who'd gained some awareness but hadn't stabilized.
But the Momonosuke before him was different.
If not for his face and Michael's knowledge of the original story, he wouldn't have believed this was Momonosuke.
That spoiled, annoying brat—this one hadn't experienced the death of his parents, hadn't endured the hardship of traveling twenty years through time, and had instead grown up safely by Kozuki Toki's side.
His brows now carried a quality called "steadfastness."
Of course, personally, Michael still didn't like the guy.
Too weak.
Even though his declaration of a duel sounded manly…
But facing Yamato—who already had natural talent and had spent years by Michael's side—
He was still too weak.
"You want a duel? Then I'll give you a duel." Yamato grabbed her kanabo "Aken" without hesitation.
"If that's the case… then now!"
"Hmph! Who's afraid of you!? Bring it on!"
The two immediately took their stances!
Five seconds later…
Momonosuke lay collapsed on the ground, his head swollen like a boar's.
"Sthorry, I losht!"
"If you can't even speak clearly then shut your mouth already!?"
Kozuki Hiyori helplessly looked at her brother.
Then she glanced back at Yamato—calm and composed as she returned to Michael's side—and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
Truly worthy of being the woman who would one day become an idol's mother!
So strong!
"I'm truly sorry, Lady Toki. I didn't expect that a simple visit would turn into such chaos…"
Michael nodded toward Kozuki Toki.
Though he'd come to collect a debt, the business discussions had gone smoothly…
But now, Yamato had beaten up Momonosuke in his own garden, right in front of his mother…
He felt somewhat at fault.
But unexpectedly, Kozuki Toki shook her head indifferently.
"This is the choice of the children. They must bear the consequences themselves."
"If he doesn't even have THIS level of tolerance, then how can he speak of opening the borders? Of going to sea? Of becoming a man like Whitebeard?"
Michael froze for a moment.
"Lady Toki, you truly… see the bigger picture."
"Ah, it's not exactly that…" Toki rested a hand against her cheek, smiling sweetly. "I've recently reached my limit with this foolish son of mine. I've wanted to beat him myself… so this saved me the effort."
Michael opened his mouth.
As expected of a woman who lived aboard Whitebeard's ship—
Truly fierce.
But thinking about it, a woman who crossed over eight hundred years alone… if she weren't fierce, she'd have died long ago.
"But now that the children have settled down, we adults can finally speak properly." Kozuki Toki looked at Michael and nodded slightly. "I've long heard of your reputation across the seas."
"Even the isolated Wano knows my name?"
"Although Wano is not truly 'open,' under Oden's reforms, we already established normal trade and information channels with the outside world…"
Michael nodded.
Now that made sense.
Oden's dream back then was to open the borders.
That it still wasn't fully open was due to the ancient weapon Pluton under Wano…
But Oden, who had traveled the world, knew that Wano had to reconnect with the outside world to avoid becoming blind and deaf.
Through Toki's explanation, Michael gradually understood Wano's current state.
Under Oden's reforms, Wano—though not open in name—was open in reality.
It's just that the citizens were conservative and still fearful of the outside, so none dared to set sail alone…
But life in all of Wano was far better than before.
And because of Oden's policies, many outsiders had entered Wano.
That was why Michael's group, though eye-catching in the Flower Capital, didn't attract crowds…
Partly because they stood out—
Mainly because Jack was just…
Too scary-looking.
"Lady Toki, you've told me so much about Wano… you must have more than conversation in mind?"
"Oh? You figured it out?" Toki's smile didn't change, but desire flickered in her eyes. "I want you to help me with something…"
"Help?"
Toki nodded quickly.
"Yes. I want to see your…"
"Angel wings."
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Fanfic is finished. 583 chapters in total on p@treon/tambeerg