After finalizing the construction arrangements for the new Weapon Island, Jin did not linger. He immediately departed, taking to the skies and flying toward Wano Country. As the Vice Governor and Head Butler of the Beasts Pirates, his presence was required elsewhere. He had already issued the necessary commands, and his subordinates could handle the manual labor.
As for Queen the Plague, Caesar Clown, and Vinsmoke Judge, they remained behind on Weapon Island for the time being. They required two additional days to survey the terrain and select the most optimal locations for their respective research laboratories.
Jin soared high above the clouds in his full Ancient Zoan Pteranodon form. The wind rushed past his wings as he gazed down at the vast, blue ocean below. His mind, usually focused on immediate tasks, was currently flooded with heavy thoughts.
It had been over two months since the Summit War at Marineford. That single event had sent shockwaves through the entire world, forever altering the balance of power on the Grand Line. Even now, looking back, the death of Edward Newgate—Whitebeard, the man known as the strongest in the world—felt like it had happened only yesterday.
Jin did not hold any deep personal affection for Whitebeard. He respected the old man's strength, certainly, but his loyalty was singular. In his heart, the Beasts Pirates were his only home, and Kaido was the only master he would ever serve. Kaido was the man he respected above all others.
However, the fall of a Yonko rang a serious alarm bell in Jin's mind.
In the two months following the war, the remnants of the Whitebeard Pirates had suffered a terrible fate. Their downfall was swift and brutal.
First, a pirate claiming to be Whitebeard's son, Edward Weevil, had appeared out of nowhere. With terrifying strength, he attacked the Whitebeard Pirates' allies, single-handedly wiping out forty-three affiliated pirate crews.
Then came Blackbeard. Marshall D. Teach, the traitor who had stolen Whitebeard's Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability during the war, marched into the New World. He launched vicious surprise attacks on the remaining Division Commanders, stealing their territories one by one.
Even with Marco the Phoenix attempting to hold the crew together, it was not enough. Without their father figure, the Whitebeard Pirates could not withstand the onslaught of these monsters. They were forced to retreat again and again, losing ground with every battle.
Seeing blood in the water, other great pirates of the New World extended their claws. Everyone wanted a piece of the pie. They scrambled to snatch territory and resources from the fallen Emperor.
In just over a month, the Whitebeard Pirates—once one of the four pillars of the New World that controlled a quarter of the sea—were completely besieged. They were attacked from the front and the back until they disintegrated. Their territory shrank until it was almost nonexistent. They would likely never return to their former glory.
This reality forced Jin to ask himself a difficult question.
If one day the Beasts Pirates were to lose Kaido, would they suffer the same fate?
The answer was grim. Jin was certain of it. If that day ever came, the Beasts Pirates would not only repeat the mistakes of the Whitebeard Pirates, but they might also fare even worse. Without Kaido's overwhelming strength holding them together, they would be hunted down and destroyed.
Jin knew that Kaido understood this as well. It explained why his Captain was so eager to increase the crew's military might.
The alliance with Big Mom, the personal combat training given to the All-Stars and the Tobi Roppo, and the recruitment of scientists like Caesar and Judge to build advanced weapons—all of it was preparation. Kaido was preparing for the war that would eventually come.
Because of this realization, Jin felt a rising sense of anxiety. He knew there was no time to waste.
Currently, the Marines were relatively quiet. They were busy rebuilding Marineford and had not yet selected a new Fleet Admiral to replace Sengoku. However, Jin knew this period of stability was fragile. It would not last long.
He needed to become stronger. He had to possess enough power to stand by Kaido's side when the Marines and the World Government finally turned their full attention toward Wano Country.
Fortunately, the martial arts techniques Kaido had taught them were profound. Combined with the magical volcanic training grounds and the time-altering abilities of the Time-Time Fruit, Jin could feel his strength growing every single day. He believed that he would soon reach the level required to protect his crew.
With his resolve hardened, Jin flapped his massive wings harder. His speed increased dramatically, cutting a white streak through the sky as he raced back to Wano.
——————
Approximately four hours later, Jin arrived back in Wano Country.
He did not go home immediately. First, he handled several trivial matters that required his personal approval. He reviewed reports on the internal affairs of the capital, resolved issues the Oni Squad had encountered while patrolling the coastal waters, and analyzed intelligence sent by Who's Who. Only after his duties were discharged did he return to his own residence.
Jin now had a private home within Wano. It was located within the grounds of the Shogun's Residence in the Flower Capital, a symbol of his high status.
As he entered his home, he heard the voices of two women drifting from one of the inner rooms.
"Little girl, what is there to be shy about? Come on, try it on. Jin will definitely like it!"
"But... Sister... this... the top of this dress is far too revealing!"
"What are you afraid of? This isn't for outsiders to see. It is for the eyes of the person you like."
Hearing this conversation, Jin's expression darkened beneath his mask. He recognized that charming, teasing voice instantly. It belonged to Kaido's woman, the former Tobi Roppo member: Black Maria.
As for the other, shy voice...
"Cough, cough..."
Jin coughed loudly and unnaturally to announce his presence. He slowly pushed the sliding door open and walked into the room.
The scene that greeted him left him feeling somewhat helpless.
Black Maria was acting like a domineering madam, forcing his personal maid, Conis, to dress up. Conis was a young girl with golden hair and white wings whom Enel had brought down from Skypiea. Currently, Maria was trying to make her wear a traditional Wano kimono.
However, the kimono was clearly improper. The neckline was altered to be scandalously low, fully exposing the young girl's fair skin and collarbones.
Jin's sudden arrival startled Conis. The girl jumped up, her face flushing a deep shade of crimson. She frantically crossed her arms over her chest to cover the exposed skin and bowed respectfully.
"Brother Jin!"
Jin didn't know how to respond to the awkward situation. He sighed and spoke gently.
"Go and change your clothes first."
Relieved, Conis turned and ran into the side room, her face still burning red.
Jin turned his gaze toward the giant woman sitting comfortably in the room. He asked, his tone exasperated, "Do you have too much free time, Maria?"
Maria was not afraid of Jin. Her status had risen significantly since her dream had come true and she became Kaido's recognized wife.
"Of course I am not that free," Maria replied with a playful smile. "But I can't help it, Jin. If you don't work hard, Kaido will get anxious."
Maria's expression softened. She placed a hand tenderly over her belly, a look of pure happiness on her face.
"I am looking forward to watching our children grow up together."
Jin froze. He stared at her, stunned for a moment before the realization hit him. His eyes went wide.
"Maria, you... you are..."
"That's right," she said softly, her eyes glowing with maternal warmth. "I already have Kaido's child in my belly."
She slowly stood up, smoothing out her kimono. "So, Jin, you need to work hard too. Don't forget the promise you made to Kaido."
With that final piece of advice, she walked past him and left the room, leaving Jin standing there with a look of pure joy in his eyes.
For a long time, he had worried about the succession. He feared what would happen to the Beasts Pirates if Kaido were gone. But now, the news of Maria's pregnancy dispelled those fears. There would be an heir. The legacy would continue.
Moments later, Conis stepped out of the side room. She had changed into a more conservative outfit. Although she still wore a miniskirt, her top was tightly wrapped and modest. She walked up to Jin respectfully and asked in a gentle voice, "Brother Jin, are you hungry? Do you need me to prepare dinner for you?"
Conis looked at Jin without any fear in her eyes.
When Enel had first brought her to the Blue Sea, she had been terrified. But that fear had vanished the day she saw Jin's true face beneath his mask. He was handsome and charming, and more importantly, he possessed wings just like her. Although his wings were large and black while hers were small and white, that similarity created a bond she couldn't explain.
At this moment, Jin looked at the beautiful young girl standing in front of him. For the first time, he felt a strange impulse, a desire he usually suppressed.
He thought for a moment, his heart beating slightly faster. He spoke, his voice sounding a little flustered.
"Don't go back to your room tonight."
"Eh?... Eh!!!"
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