"I agree."
Kai's answer was crisp and decisive. Not only that, his following words made Komurasaki overjoyed.
"I'll design a point system in Udon. Completing the mining tasks we assign will earn basic points. If tasks are completed beyond quota, there will be additional bonus points."
"Points can be exchanged for rewards like food, alcohol, and even time off."
"Besides that, I'll have an ultimate reward: freedom!"
The point system wasn't Kai's whim.
The prisoners in Udon were doing the hardest, most exhausting work: mining liquor iron ore, an excellent material for forging weapons.
Because the work was harsh and they weren't fed enough, Udon's mining efficiency wasn't particularly high. Besides exploiting free labor, it didn't bring much actual profit.
Now, as weapon factory production capacity gradually increased, ore supply was becoming tight.
Kai had set his sights on that batch of prisoners in Udon.
This was a perfect opportunity to introduce the point system, killing two birds with one stone.
He planned to set the point requirement for freedom at a level that would take ten years of hard work to accumulate.
After ten years, prisoners who met the requirements would presumably have had their rough edges worn smooth.
Even if they remained stubborn, Wano Country at that time would lack the soil for them to rebel.
"Really?"
Komurasaki held her breath, the immense happiness making it hard to believe.
"Of course." Kai nodded, but his tone suddenly turned cold: "However, the freedom reward definitely won't be available to important prisoners like Hyogoro, Kawamatsu, and Cho."
If he opened that loophole, there would undoubtedly be prisoners helping them earn points, given Hyogoro's reputation.
Only those with the best behavior whose strength and status posed no threat could gain freedom.
"That's enough... Thank you, Lord Kai."
Komurasaki covered her face as grateful tears slipped through her fingers.
This was almost the best outcome she could have imagined.
"This preferential treatment isn't free."
Kai spoke indifferently: "Besides your sincerity, I also need your unconditional cooperation."
"Cooperation?"
"I want to hold a sword dedication ceremony."
Kai's gaze was sharp as a blade: "You must publicly swear allegiance to me in your capacity as the Kozuki princess. This will help the people accept our rule with peace of mind."
He wanted to extinguish the last spark of hope among the Kozuki remnants and accelerate Wano's assimilation.
If even the Kozuki princess had submitted, what need was there for others to struggle?
"I understand."
Komurasaki agreed without much hesitation.
Even knowing that after the sword dedication ceremony, the Kozuki clan's prestige would likely hit rock bottom.
But since the people of Wano under Kai's rule weren't living poorly, why should she go against the tide?
Besides wanting revenge against Kaido, her only wish was for Wano's people to live good lives. Whether the Kozuki could continue ruling Wano was secondary.
With the dust settled, Kai handed the artificial Azure Dragon fruit back to Komurasaki.
"Lord Kai?"
"Eat it. Since you belong to me completely, naturally I won't be stingy!"
A blush appeared on Komurasaki's face, which mixed youthful innocence with hints of charm. She obediently took the fruit and bit into it.
"UGH!"
An indescribable nausea from the depths of her soul instantly surged up from her stomach to her throat.
"Continue. Although it seems eating just one bite grants the ability, I can't be sure about artificial Devil Fruits."
Kai shrugged. This was a rite of passage for all ability users.
"Yes, Lord Kai."
Komurasaki finished the entire artificial Azure Dragon fruit while retching violently.
Soon, a strange power surged from her body, and her mind naturally understood how to use the ability.
When Komurasaki came to her senses and looked at her hands, she was startled.
"I-I-I succeeded!"
Her originally fair, delicate hands were now a pair of dragon claws covered in pink scales.
"Come, take a look." Kai thoughtfully handed her a mirror.
"AH!"
Komurasaki jumped in fright. If she hadn't been mentally prepared, she might have flung the mirror away.
In the mirror, she had a head like a camel, antlers like a deer, eyes like a rabbit, and ears like a cow. Except for the different color, she looked exactly like a mini-Kaido.
"Mm, much cuter than Kaido-san's beast form."
Kai smiled and gently touched the pair of small, delicate dragon horns on Komurasaki's head.
Compared to Kaido's fierce image, the pink dragon Komurasaki had transformed into had much softer lines throughout her body, looking kind and approachable.
"Ah, Lord Kai! Don't... don't touch there!"
The strange sensation from her horns made Komurasaki shudder, her voice carrying a hint of coquettishness.
Had he touched Komurasaki's sensitive spot?
This side of Komurasaki was quite fun too.
A playful smile curved Kai's lips.
He released his hand: "Hahahaha! You need to get used to it."
"Now, let's go to Udon. I need to fulfill my promise to you."
Komurasaki was delighted: "So soon?!"
Kai replied: "I don't have a hobby of deceiving my own people."
He led Komurasaki to the window.
"Come, let's fly there."
Kai didn't plan to hide the news of Komurasaki gaining abilities. She would need to train her powers anyway, and even if hidden, it couldn't be concealed for long.
"Ah?" Komurasaki looked down. They were dozens of meters above ground: "Could... could you give me some time to get familiar with it, Lord Kai?"
"Do you know who you are now? Could this height possibly trouble a Mythical Zoan user?"
Kai shook his head. You're not some fragile flower. Even falling straight down from mere dozens of meters probably wouldn't even break a bone.
He stopped persuading and grabbed Komurasaki by the scruff of her neck, casually tossing her out.
"AHHHHHHH!"
Terrified screams pierced the sky.
Driven by survival instinct, Komurasaki reached out mid-air, and a cloud instantly formed in her grasp.
"Phew! I-I succeeded!"
Komurasaki looked at the ground less than ten meters below and breathed a long sigh of relief.
Then Kai's voice rang in her ears: "Let's go! Fly using the clouds!"
With that, Kai moved first and flew ahead.
"Wait for me, Lord Kai!" Komurasaki awkwardly rode her cloud in pursuit.
Komurasaki's sudden appearance startled the Beast Pirates below.
A tipsy pirate mumbled: "Boss Kaido, how did you shrink?"
"You idiot!" A nearby pirate smacked his head hard. "The color's all wrong! That must be Boss Kaido's illegitimate child!"
"Oh, I see!"
The pirates had their sudden realization. No wonder they looked so much like Boss Kaido!
Soon, news of Boss Kaido's illegitimate child's appearance spread throughout Onigashima like wildfire.