"How's it going, Miss Yamato? Have you experienced what it's like to have your bounty soar without doing anything at home?"
Zeraora went home for a visit, Kuzan went back to his residence to see the penguins, and after they left, Queen actively sought her out.
As a seasoned scapegoat, he could instantly tell how Yamato's bounty was increasing. Although the newspaper didn't explicitly say it, it was hinting at Yamato's involvement.
Zeraora and Shaina are clear members of the Hundred Beasts, and in this context, not mentioning a name but just talking about ice will easily make people associate it with Yamato.
"Ah, I haven't felt anything."
"No... no feeling?"
"Yeah, it's just a bounty. Those guys can't beat me anyway, so having more or less doesn't make a difference. It's rather nice not having a bounty from that other side."
Yamato suddenly missed her bounty-less self from the other side. She wouldn't be stopped even if she visited Navy Headquarters.
Here she can do it too, but getting in is uncertain, and leaving would definitely involve fighting her way out.
Queen forgot a crucial difference between him and Yamato.
His bounty was inflated by taking blame for things not related to him, reaching an undeserved level, whereas Yamato was systematically beaten to a higher bounty by Kaidou's punches and clubs.
Bounty can only be a reference to strength. There are always bounties that don't match their names, but Yamato can bear the sum, so naturally, she doesn't care about the burden.
"No way, why is your expression so conflicted then?"
"Hmm? It's obviously because of this."
Yamato pulled out a Life Card, its flickering indicating its owner was getting close.
"That bastard father is back again. How could I be happy about that? He's been gone for so long, who knows what new tricks he'll come up with!"
Bringing this up made Yamato very angry. The happy times without Kaidou were always so short-lived.
"Governor Kaido is coming back? That's definitely not good news."
Queen still remembers Hawkins' prediction. Based on his analysis of his own bad luck, if Shaina continues vacationing, the root of his misfortune would likely be connected to Kaidou.
Resolving this crisis might depend on Yamato.
Queen didn't realize that Yamato had the same idea as him, but with the roles swapped.
...
After learning that Kaidou was returning, Queen locked himself in the lab under the guise of reaching a crucial point in research, beginning a unique retreat, while Yamato searched Ghost Island and ultimately found Bao Huang.
"Ghost Princess, do you need something....."
Bao Huang hugged a large notebook with slight fear in her eyes. Yamato was truly terrifying at the moment; anyone would be afraid if Yamato placed a Wolf Fang Club across their neck.
Even if Yamato's club didn't have spikes, it wouldn't affect her swinging power.
"You planned my father's itinerary, right? Hand over the schedule to me, and don't miss a single thing!"
"Ghost Princess, such a thing... doesn't even exist...."
"Aren't you his secretary? Don't lie to me, or the consequences will be serious."
Seeing Bao Huang unmoved, Yamato made a fiercer expression, and Bao Huang helplessly handed the large notebook to Yamato.
"Ghost Princess, you know the personality of Governor Kaido. Does he follow my plans?
You've got it backwards. I don't arrange Governor Kaido's plans; he has to decide before I can schedule a reasonable time. If you don't believe me, take a look yourself."
The notebook was designed according to Kaidou's size. In Bao Huang's hands, it was a package as large as a mountain; even in Yamato's hands, it was an oversized notebook.
Finding nothing she wanted in it, Yamato released Bao Huang, and at this moment, Bao Huang's radio snail rang.
"Ghost Princess, Governor Kaido just sent me a message.... saying he's coming back soon and wants to have dinner with you tonight."
"Huh??"
...
In a room on Ghost Island, Kaidou and Yamato sat on the floor, and the table was filled with native dishes from Wano Kuni, looking like a scene of fatherly kindness and daughterly filialness, provided one ignored the weapons placed beside them.
Both Kaidou and Yamato had the Hassaikai and Akain bright and clear by their sides, ready to react to any disturbance.
Yamato held a pair of chopsticks silently eating, her gaze fixed on Kaidou, suspecting a plot.
It's normal for a father to dine with his daughter after returning home, but it's different with Kaidou.
"Yamato, the soy sauce."
"What's up with the soy sauce? Today's fried pork cutlet is quite good."
"I mean, help your father get the soy sauce."
Listening to Kaidou's request, Yamato remained unmoved, only speeding up her chopstick movements to finish the contents of her bowl.
"Get it yourself, it's clearly closer to you."
Saying this, Yamato put down her bowl and chopsticks, reaching for her weapon, already aware of Kaidou's intent—the soy sauce was merely a bait.
Even without soy sauce, it might be replaced with mustard or grapefruit vinegar or something similar.
Since trouble was inevitable, she might as well get full first and then start fighting.
Things happened as she anticipated; the so-called dinner was actually a "Hongmen Banquet" targeting her.
Kaidou didn't need executors; he could do it himself.
"It seems you've forgotten what respect means. Let me educate you, Thundering... Hakken!"
"Don't come here! You're just finding excuses, Thundering Hakken!"
As the twin clubs clashed, Kaidou revealed a triumphant smile. The next moment, their weapons smashed into the wall, creating another large hole in Ghost Island's outer wall, triggering alarms throughout Ghost Island and mobilizing the entire pirate group.
"What is that bastard father doing?!"
Yamato thought Kaidou was just looking for an excuse to fight, but in their club swing, Kaidou seemed to engage in a frontal duel, but actually guided Yamato's force to the side.
"Hmm, heh, heh, heh. You just figured it out? Still too naive, Yamato."
Kaidou was pleased his plan had succeeded, but the next moment, he vanished, replaced by Arceus.
"Godfather? Listen, it was all that bastard father's doing, nothing to do with me!!"
"I know."
"Phew.... that's great..."
Yamato didn't expect Kaidou to lure her into wrecking home, something too outrageous. Luckily, Arceus saw the essence of the matter.
"Godfather, where did you send father?"
"To a very special place. As for what happens next, take care of yourself."
"Take care of myself?? Wait, Godfather, don't go! Clear up what you mean!"
Watching Arceus turn to leave, Yamato chased after him, anxious about the crypticness.
Kaidou had already sensed the abnormality, knowing only Arceus could catch him off guard in Ghost Island. Observing the unfamiliar surroundings, he confirmed it was Arceus' doing but didn't know the intent.
"The real sensation... similar to that girl's Dragon Space training?"
Feeling his arm, after some judgment, Kaidou began observing the surroundings. It seemed to be a deserted island with no signs of human presence, and the sea was brilliantly clear.
Just as he planned to explore further, everything changed.
On the left, the sea grew dark as a massive whale emerged, its body adorned with red stripes. As it appeared, the sea's water levels began to swell.
On the other side, a mountainous creature emerged from the sea, and wherever it stepped, the sea transformed into land in an instant....