This was the second time today that Yamato had heard that strange name.
Even so, everything about him left a huge impact on her young mind. The compliment he had given her for being cute when they first met, the admiration Jack and her father's other subordinates showed him in the banquet hall, the way he seemed to stand on equal footing with her father, and finally, that handsome face.
This was a man unlike anyone she had ever seen.
Unable to hold back her curiosity, she asked Jack, "Is this person really that strong?"
"Of course, Young Master Yamato. He's the hero who declared war on the Celestial Dragons and the World Government, and freed countless slaves oppressed by the Celestial Dragons," Jack said excitedly.
"Celestial Dragons? World Government? What are those?"
Yamato understood what slaves were. They were like the people her father oppressed and forced to work in the weapons factories. But she knew nothing at all about the Celestial Dragons or the World Government.
The soft, adorable girl named Maria was listening closely as well.
Born in Wano Country, she knew nothing about the outside world either.
The banquet seemed to have nothing to do with the three little ones.
Jack did not even need to say anything. The moment he heard the words Celestial Dragons, his face filled with rage and hatred. The terrifying look on his face startled both little girls. Then, in a voice that sounded almost like it was squeezed out through clenched teeth, Jack said coldly, "The Celestial Dragons are the filthiest humans in this world..."
At that moment, Jack wanted to use the most vicious words he knew to describe the Celestial Dragons. But as a Fishman with a limited vocabulary, he could not find the words for it. He could only say fiercely, "Young Master Yamato, all you need to know is that the Celestial Dragons are a thousand, ten thousand times more disgusting than the most revolting people you can imagine... I will never forget what they did to us Fishmen. That is why, to us Fishmen, Yemu-sama is a god..."
And so, Jack began telling Yamato and Maria about what the Celestial Dragons had once done to the Fishmen.
The darkness in those stories made Yamato and Maria, who had never seen the horrors of the outside world, turn deathly pale...
While the three little ones talked about the outside world, Kaidou was happily drinking at the head of the banquet.
"Worororo, what a day worth remembering."
After some casual back-and-forth flattery, Kaidou pretended to bring something up offhandedly.
"Speaking of which, you weren't serious about that thing you said, were you?"
"What thing?" Yemu asked, wiping the wine from the corner of his mouth.
"The part about people needing to eat their fill before they have the strength to work, and how they'll only work harder if they're paid enough. Is that really your so-called method for increasing Seastone production?"
It had to be said that compared to the Kaidou who would later become one of the Yonkō, the Kaidou of this time was not only much younger and less massive, he also lacked that reckless habit of constantly seeking death. Instead, he seemed far more cunning.
"Of course. Do you really think people who are starving will work harder than people with full stomachs?"
"Gulp, gulp, gulp..."
Kaidou drained a bowl of fine wine in one go and said disapprovingly, "But people who eat their fill will have the strength to rebel. And food costs money too. Wouldn't that mean earning even less?"
Hearing that, Yemu glanced at Kaidou and said, "How do you know I won't earn more? How much can it cost to feed people properly? Besides, as long as you and Orochi are in Wano Country, I'll never be their first target. They might even thank me in the end. Gulp, gulp, gulp!"
In an instant, Kaidou narrowed his eyes and stared at Yemu, an extremely dangerous aura leaking from him. But in the end, he simply raised his wine, finished it, and said unhappily, "You make me think of those annoying politicians. You really are unpleasant from the bottom of my heart."
Yemu asked in return, "So, are you going to refuse our cooperation?"
"Why would I refuse? My dream has never changed from beginning to end. I want to plunge this world into a massive war, then reshape it. This country is nothing more than a stepping stone for me. If this can speed things up, why would I refuse?"
Seeing this, Yemu laughed and said in a tone that was half-serious and half-joking, "Don't worry. Aside from Seastone, I have no interest in this country. I may have been given all sorts of nice-sounding titles now, but even gods have their own likes and dislikes. As it happens, this country stands exactly on the side I despise."
Hearing this, Kaidou thought back to what had been said earlier that day and said thoughtfully, "Looks like you really do hate this country."
However, he did not ask why. Instead, he said, "In that case, it seems that fool Orochi will have to stay alive for a few more years..."
"Mm. With him around, it'll be much easier to get things done in Wano Country."
Looking at Yemu's deeply scheming expression, Kaidou said irritably, "You're completely different from what the newspapers say. You're just an ambitious bastard!"
Yemu did not mind at all. "That's still better than being a fool. Fools can get people killed."
For some reason, even though Yemu had not named anyone, Kaidou still thought of that foolish prince and burst into loud laughter.
That immediately drew everyone's attention. They did not quite understand why their boss had suddenly become so happy.
Still, when the boss was happy, life was easier for the underlings too, and the banquet became even livelier.
Just then, Kaidou suddenly pointed toward Yamato, who was sitting at a table in the corner with the other two children.
Yamato, who had been excitedly listening to Jack talk about the outside world and how great Yemu was for rescuing all those slaves from the Celestial Dragons, noticed at once that her father was pointing at her and froze in surprise.
"I originally planned to raise Yamato to become the future Shogun of Wano Country. Unfortunately, she's disappointed me far too much. But now, it looks like there's no need. By then, who knows whether this country will even still exist? With what you're doing now, the whole world is bound to be turned upside down. So, how about it? Go find a few women and have a few children. When the time comes, I can marry my daughter to your son."
Hearing this, Yemu was surprised and rather speechless.
"Aren't you thinking a little too far ahead...?"
"Not at all. I may not like that old hag Linlin, but I do think her method of using blood ties to strengthen alliances has value. Besides, this child is useless right now anyway..."
At that moment, Yamato was too far away to hear what her father was saying to Yemu-sama. But from the disappointment in her father's eyes, she knew it was definitely not praise. Her expression dimmed at once.
But then she saw Yemu-sama beckon to her, and her father did not seem to object.
Though confused, Yamato obediently walked over under everyone's gaze.
Her father still wore that cold expression and showed no intention of speaking. Instead, Yemu was the one who spoke.
"Little one, would you like to go out to sea with me and see the outside world? I have many children around your age where I am. Perhaps you could become friends."
"Eh?"
This time, Yamato was not the only one stunned. The Beasts Pirates underlings nearby were stunned too.
"Go out to sea? The outside world?"
To be honest, Yamato's heart was racing with excitement at that moment, but she was also afraid. Of course she longed for the outside world. More importantly, she wanted to escape her father's restraints. But she also feared that her father was testing her.
Just then, Kaidou, as her father, suddenly spoke coldly.
"Haven't you always complained that I took away your freedom? Now I'm giving you this chance. Make your own choice..."
Although the young Yamato was terrified, her yearning for the outside world and her resentment toward her father for imprisoning her for so many years made her clench her little fists tightly. Finally, as if shouting with the last of her strength, she said, "I... I want to go out to sea... I want to see the outside world..."