Leno and the others followed Ulti, passing through two massive gates and layers of overlapping buildings before arriving at the central area of Onigashima.
What caught their eyes was a six or seven-story ancient pavilion standing in the center, perhaps due to Kaido's own height, each floor of the pavilion was several times taller than an ordinary one.
On the left and right sides, there was a pavilion of about five stories each, which seemed to be the residences for the officers.
In front of the pavilions was a huge square, with statues of animals standing on both sides.
"Tsk, so this is a pirate crew's base. The architectural style is really simple and crude."
Leno turned his head and looked around. Besides these three pavilions, the rest were ordinary dwellings, simple enough to live in.
"It seems pirates' lives aren't that affluent~" Chopper said with feeling.
"Pfft~"
Nojiko, Robin, and the others were amused by Chopper's words. If the world knew that Chopper evaluated the Beasts Pirates like this, their jaws would probably drop.
"You can't say that. Most of pirates' money is spent on eating, drinking, and gambling. After all, easy come, easy go. Strong crews can keep stealing and killing to pile up wealth, sure. But pirates live for indulgence.
Looking at Chopper's clear and wise eyes, Leno felt a bit exhausted.
"Some powerful pirates are still very wealthy; they can accumulate wealth by robbing and killing with their own strength. But pirates, when they have money, they enjoy it in time."
"When the money runs out, they go rob again, and so on, cycling repeatedly; until they finally die in some battle. This is the pirates who shout about freedom all day."
Chopper listened to Leno's account, imagining it in his mind, and suddenly his face was full of anger.
"So, pirates are just a bunch of big villains who go to sea specifically to rob others' treasures?"
Nami and the others nodded in agreement.
Clap clap clap
Clapping his hands to draw everyone's attention, Leno said.
"Alright, everyone, relax your mood. We're just tourists; no need to think too much during the visit. After things here are done, I'll take you to tour Wano Country."
At this moment, they saw Ulti returning from afar; it seemed she had gone to prepare accommodations for them.
"Right, Ulti, I heard your pirate crew has a huge red stone. Is that true?"
Leno seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Ulti.
"Ah? Red... red stone, yeah, I know. It's in a warehouse underground where Lord Kaido is."
Hearing Leno ask about the red stone, Ulti's body instinctively shrank a bit. She remembered when she stole and ate the Devil Fruit, she hid behind a huge red stone.
Later, she was dragged out by Lord Kaido and beaten soundly; the memory is still fresh even now.
"Can you take us to see it? Just a glance."
"Of course, come on, I'll take you." For the 'simple' request from her friends and saviors, Ulti happily agreed.
"Robin, you go with them. I'll wander around."
Hearing Leno specifically call her name, Robin gave him a meaningful look, then followed Ulti and the others as they left.
Watching them go far, Leno turned back along the way he came, his Observation Haki spreading out.
A moment later, Leno withdrew his gaze: "The geographical location of this Onigashima, including the entire Wano Country, is truly blessed by nature."
"Look at this terrain of cliffs that's easy to defend and hard to attack, plus the harsh climate and violent sea currents surrounding Wano Country as a protective barrier—it's a complete paradise isolated from the world."
Having finally made up his mind, Leno suppressed the idea of occupying this place; but on second thought, it seems... not impossible.
"Hey~! Who are you, what are you doing here?"
A somewhat muffled female voice interrupted Leno, who was constantly struggling with his thoughts.
Coming back to his senses, Leno turned his head towards the source of the voice. This look was fine, but Leno almost burst out laughing.
The newcomer was wearing a white kimono with a red skirt, a Hannya mask on her head, and holding a spiked club, staring at him.
That's right, the newcomer was the one who ate the Zoan-type Mythical Beast species Dog-Dog Fruit, Model: Okuchi-no-Makami —the 'Big Filial Son'—Yamato.
"Cough cough..., I'm here for sightseeing and thinking about things just now. But you, wearing a mask in broad daylight, that's weird."
"Nonsense, this is Kaido's lair; how could strangers be allowed in for a visit!"
"But he's not here, right."
Regarding Yamato's attitude, Leno shrugged indifferently.
"I'm the adventurer Leno, pleased to meet you."
...
After moments without a response, Leno finally shifted his attention back to Yamato, only to see her with her head down, lost in thought. Suddenly, she jerked her head up, her eyes shining brightly.
"You're Kaido's illegitimate son, Leno?!"
"..."
"One by one... are they all so brainless!"
Leno really couldn't tolerate it anymore. 'Whoosh' His figure instantly appeared in front of Yamato, and he punched her on the forehead.
"Boom"
Dust flew up, the ground shook, and Yamato's masked head was directly embedded into the ground.
"I'll say it again: I have no relation to that Kaido guy. Do you understand?"
Looking at Yamato who had already climbed up, Leno's face was ashen as he seriously said to Yamato.
"You bastard, no martial ethics, sneak attack!"
She yanked off the mask, casually wiped the blood from her nose, and glared at Leno with eyes spewing fire.
"You seem unconvinced? Come on, let's fight until you're convinced!" Leno hooked his finger, smiling provocatively.
"Bastard!" Yamato gritted her silver teeth, her hand gripping the spiked club turning white from the force. Suddenly, she leaped up, raising the spiked club high, and smashed it down at Leno.
"Boom!"
Air waves rolled, dust flew. When Yamato finally saw Leno in front of her clearly, she immediately shook her head fiercely, her face full of disbelief.
"N-no way!"
Leno had only used one pitch-black finger to block her spiked club, making it impossible for her to advance even an inch.
"Damn it, take this."
The furious Yamato's figure flipped up and down, swinging the spiked club with fierce wind, continuously smashing towards Leno.
"Ora ora ora..."
"Clang! Clang! Clang! ..."
Continuous collision sounds rang out, the air trembled, sparks flew, the aftermath stirred up large clouds of dust, obscuring the two figures.
Yamato's face was full of unwillingness. She had used all her skills in her attacks, but the opponent just stood there, blocking all her attacks with one hand.
"What's wrong? Out of steam?"
"Curse you!"
Gripping the spiked club tightly with both hands, her big eyes staring deadly at Leno, seeing his nonchalant expression, Yamato nearly ground her back teeth to pieces.
Was her strength so unworthy in his eyes that it couldn't even provoke a serious attitude from him?
"Ha!" Yamato suddenly shouted fiercely, air currents rising around her body, her hair standing on end, Conqueror's Haki surging out.
"Hm, not bad."
Feeling the pressure on his body like static electricity with arcs flickering, Leno's eyes showed appreciation.
T/n:
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