"What!? You want me to become the new Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates?!"
Looking at Black Maria, who had just removed the shackles from her hands and feet, Yamato cried out in shock, voicing the confusion in her heart.
But Who's-Who, the one who had initiated this entire operation, stepped forward and said seriously:
"That's right!"
"Young Master Yamato, Captain Kaido has yet to return. I'm afraid he has most likely already been killed."
"And now that the Beasts Pirates are leaderless, this is exactly when we need you."
"But…"
Yamato blinked in a daze.
Just one second ago, she had been a prisoner whose freedom Kaido had restricted, practically a caged captive. The next second, she was about to be draped in imperial robes!?
Wasn't this turn of events a little too sudden?
Yamato didn't understand what was going on, but deep in her subconscious, something seemed to be telling her that there was probably more to this than met the eye.
Though after witnessing Kozuki Oden's deeds from a young age and studying Oden's journal, her mind had definitely been influenced and become… a little abnormal…
Yamato was still smart enough.
She could tell at a glance that something was off about Who's-Who and the others, but at the same time…
"If I become the Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, then I'll gain my freedom, and I'll be able to go out to sea like Kozuki Oden and adventure all over the world, right!?"
The moment that thought appeared, it flooded her mind like a tidal wave.
Compared to that, whatever schemes or ambitions Who's-Who had were hardly worth mentioning.
And that was also one of the key reasons why Who's-Who had chosen to recommend Yamato.
"Alright then. Even though I don't know what you people are plotting, I'll take the position of Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates!"
"As it should be, Young Master Yamato."
Who's-Who grinned.
Although Yamato was Kaido's daughter and had a figure so outrageous it bordered on absurd, because of Kaido's influence, even Yamato herself had never once regarded herself as a woman.
What an awakened era this was!
"Oh, right!"
Seeing that Yamato had agreed to become the new Governor-General of the Beasts Pirates, ensuring that the crew would not immediately fall apart, Who's-Who could not help but feel relieved inside.
Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he said to Yamato:
"Young Master Yamato—ah, no! Governor-General Yamato…"
"If I remember correctly, your greatest wish is to become a man like Kozuki Oden, isn't it!?"
"Hm?"
Yamato looked at Who's-Who in confusion, not understanding why he had suddenly brought that up.
Still, her desire to become Kozuki Oden was no secret among the Beasts Pirates' upper ranks.
After all, she had been shouting that line all day long for years. The pirates on Onigashima had probably grown tired of hearing it.
"That's right!"
After thinking for a moment, Yamato nodded. Her eyes sparkled like stars, and suddenly clenching one fist, she declared with fiery determination:
"I will definitely… become a man like Kozuki Oden!!!"
How dumb. No wonder Lord Kaido locked her up and wouldn't let her go outside to meet people.
If I had a kid this dumb, I wouldn't dare let her out either.
Who's-Who mocked her inwardly, but outwardly, he gave Yamato plenty of face.
"As expected of Young Master Yamato. You truly are different from ordinary people!"
"However…"
The corner of his mouth curled upward into a sly grin as he continued:
"Young Master Yamato, if you want to become Kozuki Oden, then having the same broad-minded spirit as him definitely isn't enough!"
"Oh? Why do you say that?" Yamato turned back in puzzlement.
Perhaps because this was the first time someone from the Beasts Pirates had ever supported her, Yamato—despite sensing that Who's-Who had ulterior motives—still wanted to hear his suggestion.
Who's-Who stepped closer. Beneath his mask, greed practically radiated out of him.
"Young Master Yamato should know that Kozuki Oden was originally the Shogun of Wano Country, right?"
"His greatest wish was for the people of Wano to live happy and peaceful lives."
"Unfortunately, because of Kurozumi Orochi, Kozuki Oden was fated never to fulfill that wish."
"So if Young Master Yamato wants to become someone like Kozuki Oden, then I think…"
"Why not start by becoming the Shogun of Wano Country and making the people of Wano live happy lives!?"
"!!!"
The moment Yamato heard those words, her two ears shot upright.
To fulfill the dream that even Kozuki Oden himself had failed to achieve—this was the highest possible honor for someone who saw herself as Kozuki Oden the Second!
"Alright!"
Not knowing much about the world outside Onigashima, Yamato directly hoisted up her kanabo with one hand and burst into excited laughter.
"Then let's start by becoming the Shogun of Wano Country!!!"
Boom!!!
The heavy kanabo swung violently, cracking the air with a shrill wail.
And looking at the kanabo planted right in front of him, Who's-Who suddenly swallowed hard in silence.
He had already known that because Yamato frequently challenged Kaido and possessed Kaido's powerful bloodline, she was bound to be quite strong.
But seeing that even a casual swing of her club was enough to place inexplicable pressure on him…
For the first time, Who's-Who found himself wondering whether what he was doing was really the right choice.
However, when he saw the childlike, inexperienced smile on Yamato's face, he immediately relaxed.
"Thank goodness… as long as we keep this young master happy, it won't be a problem to occupy Wano and rule it like kings of the mountain."
Who's-Who knew his limits.
He understood very well that on these seas filled with monsters, his strength was not enough to stir up any real waves. And he certainly didn't possess the same ambition as Kaido and the others to challenge the summit of the world.
So from the very beginning, he had never intended to lead the Beasts Pirates back into battle across the seas.
Instead, he wanted to use the Beasts Pirates' power to continue ruling Wano Country—better yet, to bring it entirely under his control and become a local warlord reigning over his own mountain stronghold!
Within his own little patch of land, whether it was status, power, wealth, or women, he could have whatever he wanted.
As for that nonsense he had told Yamato about making the people of Wano happy…
Wouldn't that be easy!?
As long as he slightly reduced the level of cruelty that the Beasts Pirates and Kurozumi Orochi were inflicting on Wano, the people there would be so grateful they'd be smiling from ear to ear.
Who's-Who saw things very clearly.
Artificial Devil Fruits, technological modification laboratories, and all that sort of thing…
Those were never things someone with his level of power could control.
Only by knowing one's limits could one live longer.
That was the lesson he had learned from repeated failures and betrayals.
"Oh, right!"
The joy on Yamato's face did not last long. This foolish child quickly became blank-faced again and asked Who's-Who in confusion:
"But… how am I supposed to become the Shogun of Wano Country?"
"That part is simple."
Suppressing the schemes in his heart, Who's-Who's eyes flashed, and he smiled at Yamato.
"The current Shogun of Wano Country is Kurozumi Orochi, the man who betrayed the Kozuki clan and stole Kozuki Oden's position."
"And it is precisely because of his existence that all of Wano is suffering."
"So long as Governor-General Yamato kills Kurozumi Orochi and his followers, then carries Orochi's head and declares that you will bring Wano peace and happiness…"
"At that point, all we need to do is have the Beasts Pirates guide public opinion a little among the citizens, and it'll be easy to make Governor-General Yamato the new Shogun of Wano."
"Is it… really that simple?" Yamato asked thoughtfully.
But Who's-Who nodded heavily.
"It really is that simple!!!"
"And Governor-General Yamato, according to the Beasts Pirates' intelligence, Kurozumi Orochi and his men just so happen to be gathered together right now."
"For us, this is the perfect chance to wipe them all out in one go—and it won't cause too much collateral damage to the people of Wano."
"With Governor-General Yamato's strength and the power of the Beasts Pirates, taking them down will be as easy as turning over your hand!"
"Is that so?"
"Alright then!"
Yamato laughed loudly. As though the tomorrow of her dreams was already right before her eyes, she raised her kanabo high and shouted:
"In that case, let's set out right now!"
"Heh heh~"
Who's-Who bared his teeth in a grin and exchanged glances with the Tobiroppo behind him, each wearing a different expression.
Then the six of them all dropped to one knee and responded in unison:
"As you command, Governor-General Yamato!!!"
…
…
At the same time, at the border of Wano Country.
The waterfall plunging down the cliffs sent up endless bursts of salty spray, filling the entire area with the scent of the sea.
Momonosuke, Kin'emon, and the others stared in disbelief at the small boat that had just been destroyed by sudden cannon fire, their eyes trembling as they stood frozen on the spot.
At that moment, a sinister laugh suddenly rang out from the nearby forest.
Then Kurozumi Orochi, leading a group of samurai, slowly revealed himself.
And beside him was a cannon—not especially large, but more than enough.
"Guhuhuhuhuhu…"
"I almost let you get away by accident!"
"Looks like I really can't let my guard down for even a moment!!!"
"Guhuhuhuhuhu!!!"
Stepping out of the woods, Kurozumi Orochi threw his head back and laughed, his face full of ridicule as he looked at Momonosuke and the others.
The moment Kin'emon saw Orochi appear, his face instantly turned ugly.
Shaking all over, he stared ahead and asked in a low, trembling voice:
"Kurozumi Orochi… why… why are you here!?"
"Guhuhuhuhuhu~"
Orochi sneered again. "Yes, that's right~"
"Why would I suddenly appear here?"
"Why do you think that is, Kanjuro!?"
Orochi suddenly raised his head and looked with great satisfaction at the figure hiding behind Kin'emon and the others.
And when Kin'emon heard Orochi's words, confusion shot through him.
"Kanjuro!?"
But at that moment…
"Kakakaka~"
A strange, eerie laugh suddenly came from behind Kin'emon and the others.
Then the companion they had always trusted—Kanjuro—slowly revealed a savage grin that sent chills down their spines.
And the words that came out of his mouth next drove them into despair, as though they had fallen into a bottomless abyss.
"The Kozuki clan is finished!!!"
Kanjuro roared, as though venting all the grievance he had long endured while hiding among his enemies.
"Why!?" Raizo asked in disbelief.
But Kanjuro said coldly:
"Because my full name, from beginning to end, has always been Kurozumi Kanjuro!!!"
"Kurozumi Kanjuro!?" Momonosuke's eyes widened in terror. "You're one of the Kurozumi clan!?"
All this time… he had been living beside someone from the Kurozumi clan, and had even foolishly believed that person would protect his safety.
At that moment, Momonosuke felt as though he had fallen into an ice cave, cold to the bone.
But in the very next second, his vision suddenly went black.
Kanjuro abruptly sprang into action and lunged straight for him.
"What are you doing!?"
Seeing that, Kin'emon and Raizo finally cast aside all lingering sentiment from the past.
One slashed with his sword, while the other threw a large number of shuriken, instantly chopping Kanjuro's body into several pieces.
But before they could even breathe a sigh of relief, the ground beneath Momonosuke's feet suddenly softened.
A hand shot out from the earth. Before Momonosuke could even cry out, it seized his ankle and dragged him toward Orochi's camp.
That person was none other than the real Kanjuro, who had been hiding all along.
As for the one Kin'emon and Raizo had just attacked…
It had merely been a painted duplicate created by Kanjuro using the Brush-Brush Fruit.
Under their attack, that painted body instantly dissolved into a puddle of ink that splattered across the ground.
And the patch of earth where Momonosuke had just been standing had likewise turned into ink, seeping into the real ground beneath it.
The Paramecia-type Brush-Brush Fruit, as long as Kanjuro had a brush in hand, he could paint anything in the world!
"Damn it!!! Give the young master back!!!"
Seeing Momonosuke being abducted, Kin'emon and Raizo were just about to act when the black muzzle of a gun was suddenly pressed against Momonosuke's temple.
That sight instantly stopped them in their tracks.
"Guhahahahaha…"
Kurozumi Orochi gripped Momonosuke by the neck with one hand while placing his finger on the trigger with the other. With a dark expression, he said to the two men:
"I've heard that Kozuki Oden's retainers are unfailingly loyal."
"If you don't want your lord's only bloodline to disappear forever, then kill yourselves right here and now!!!"
"Otherwise… don't blame the gun in my hand for having no eyes."
"What!?"
Kin'emon and Raizo both widened their eyes at those words.
Momonosuke, with the barrel pressed to his head, was also completely dazed, his body trembling uncontrollably.
On one hand, he could not bear to watch Kin'emon and Raizo die for his sake.
On the other, he was just a pampered young master—how could he ever have experienced a life-and-death crisis like this?
Despair instantly surged into Momonosuke's heart, and he could not stop himself from bursting into tears.
But Orochi continued mercilessly:
"Hurry up!"
"Don't worry! As long as you obediently die, I guarantee this brat will continue to live!"
"Or what? Do you want to watch the young master you're supposed to protect die right in front of you!?"
"If that happens, how will you have any face left to meet Kozuki Oden in the afterlife!?"
Orochi's words were like the whisper of a devil, echoing in Kin'emon and Raizo's ears.
Looking at the sobbing Momonosuke, the two gritted their teeth for a long time, but there was nothing they could do.
In the end, Kin'emon slowly drew his sword and pointed it at his own abdomen.
Raizo likewise drew a short blade and made the same move.
"Don't worry!" Orochi grinned wildly. "I'm not so pathetic that I'd fear a useless little brat!!!"
"You'd better keep your word!!!"
Puchi!!!
The sharp blades pierced the flesh of loyalty, and blazing blood burst forth, shining with eternal brilliance beneath the moonlight.
Kin'emon and Raizo collapsed to the ground from the intense pain, allowing their flowing blood to stain the earth red.
(End of Chapter)