Ten years had passed, and Jack had successfully climbed the ranks to become an All-Star. Although his strength was still developing and hadn't quite reached its peak, he certainly carried himself with the imposing, brutal presence expected of a Lead Performer.
"Hehe, if Jack heard you talking about him like that, he'd be so upset he wouldn't even be able to finish his dinner," Maria laughed. Even the usually stoic Haruko couldn't suppress a chuckle.
The story of Jack's crushing defeat at Yamato's hands had long since traveled through the grapevine of the Beasts Pirates. Although there were no witnesses to the actual fight, the result was undeniable: Jack had been found knocked flat on the ground, completely unconscious. It was actually Yamato who had to call for a medical team to carry him away for treatment.
That incident wasn't from the distant past; it had happened only two years ago. At the time, Jack was riding high on his recent promotion. After hearing rumors of Yamato's strength, he had eagerly rushed to challenge her, convinced of his own superiority. It didn't go as he planned. Now, anyone mentioning that day in front of Jack was essentially rubbing salt in an open wound, so his subordinates only dared to whisper about it when he was far out of earshot.
"That's why I call him a simpleton. Just like my old man, he's a reckless brute who thinks with his muscles first," Yamato laughed heartily, leaning back. "Dealing with people like that is the easiest thing in the world; their thoughts are written all over their faces."
Maria and Haruko shared a look, unsure of how to respond. They knew that if Kaido or Jack were to hear those words, they would either fly into a rage or spend the rest of the week sulking.
"Anyway, what's the current situation in the Flower Capital?" Yamato asked, taking a slow sip of her tea.
That specific city was now the personal territory of Kurozumi Orochi. Kaido's primary forces had withdrawn from the capital years ago to focus on the rest of Wano. Consequently, every other region of the country belonged to Kaido. The Beasts Pirates had eyes everywhere, monitoring the borders and the citizens with a cold, mechanical efficiency. The people were forbidden from learning about the outside world, and outsiders were strictly prohibited from entering. The entire nation was under the absolute, iron-fisted control of the crew.
"The capital is probably the only decent place left in this country. The other regions... well, they aren't doing so well," Maria said casually, though a hint of gravity touched her voice.
Over the years, weapons factories had been erected in every corner of Wano, and a massive portion of the civilian population had been conscripted into forced labor. As a result, the once-lush regions had become desolate and gray. The environmental pollution was severe; compared to the vibrant Wano of ten years ago, the country had deteriorated into a wasteland. Only the Flower Capital maintained its prosperous, colorful appearance, which was the only reason Maria gave it any credit.
Yamato nodded, showing no surprise. She knew this was an inevitable outcome. Neither Orochi nor Kaido cared for the soul of Wano. One wanted to destroy the country as an act of petty revenge against the citizens, while the other only cared about the Ancient Weapon hidden beneath the land: $Pluton$. To them, the lives of the common people were entirely irrelevant.
"The old man is really something. He has absolutely no political finesse," Yamato muttered. She felt that the state of the country wasn't right, but she wasn't ready to openly oppose her father yet. Her current loyalty remained with the Beasts Pirates, simply because she was the daughter of Kaido.
"You're the only person in the world who would dare to say that so bluntly, Yamato," Maria replied, caught between amusement and concern. Yamato truly seemed to be at odds with Kaido's methods at every turn.
"I'm not wrong, though. At the end of the day, the old man is a pirate, not a king. He's never had a formal education, so I suppose I shouldn't have high expectations for his administrative skills. Anyway, let's change the subject. Get yourselves ready—we're setting sail on that expedition in two days."
"I'm actually looking forward to it. None of us have ever actually seen what's beyond the horizon," Maria said with a smile. She, Haruko, and Yamato were all effectively natives of Wano and had never experienced life on the open sea.
"Exactly. As a pirate, never having been to sea is just ridiculous," Yamato agreed. She paused for a moment, her eyes bright with anticipation. "But the best part isn't the sailing itself—that's actually the boring part. The real fun is stepping onto a brand-new island and seeing different cultures and scenery. There are even uninhabited islands out there filled with creatures you've never seen. If we're lucky, we might even find a few Devil Fruits."
Maria and Haruko listened with wide eyes. Yamato spoke with such detail that it sounded like she had already traveled the Grand Line herself.
"I haven't been out there yet," Yamato explained quickly, seeing their expressions. "I've just read a lot about it. Regardless, you should be excited. During this expedition, don't just focus on the fighting. Make sure to enjoy yourselves, too."
"Is that really allowed?" Maria asked, blinking in surprise as she glanced at Haruko.
Yamato shrugged, her expression completely indifferent. "Why wouldn't it be? It's all about a balance of work and play. Even pirates deserve a break; don't treat yourselves like common laborers. As long as we complete the mission, what we do with our free time is our business. It doesn't matter who complains."
Maria and Haruko found it hard to argue with her logic. "Then we'll follow your lead, Yamato."
"Good. Following me is definitely better than hanging around those meatheaded guys. Get your things ready; I'm going to make a few preparations of my own," Yamato said, standing up.
She left the training grounds and headed toward the Flower Capital.
"It's been a long time since I've walked through these streets. It feels like everything has changed," Yamato thought, feeling a wave of sentimentality as she observed the town. She had seen the conditions in Udon, which was now nothing more than a series of excavation camps and labor mines. Other regions were barely holding on, their populations decimated by the factories.
In comparison, the Flower Capital was a paradise. It hadn't declined at all; the people here were well-dressed and well-fed. This wasn't out of kindness, however—Orochi needed a luxurious environment to satisfy his own greed. If it weren't for his vanity, the capital would have been choked with black factory smoke just like the rest of the country.
"In times of chaos, human life is treated like grass. The weak are only meant to be trampled," Yamato murmured, her wide sleeves swaying in the afternoon breeze.
"Look at her! She's so beautiful... she looks so elegant!" On the street, people were already pointing and whispering. Yamato's height, her striking face, and her commanding presence made her the instant center of attention. People stopped in their tracks just to watch her pass.
"I don't recognize that face. With looks like those, she's easily a match for the new Oiran. I wonder which noble family she belongs to?"
"New Oiran?" Yamato caught the phrase and stopped. It sparked a memory.
If her knowledge was correct, that new Oiran was likely the daughter of Kozuki Oden. Ten years ago, she hadn't fled into the future with her brother, Momonosuke. Instead, she had stayed behind. Even the man who now ran Wano's underworld was actually Denjiro, one of Oden's loyal retainers. He had simply changed his appearance and taken the name Kyoshiro. This master and servant were lurking right under Orochi's nose, biding their time until the day they could reclaim their land.
"A man like Orochi truly deserves whatever is coming to him. I have no obligation to warn him about the snakes in his own house," Yamato thought. She felt absolutely zero loyalty to the man who called himself Shogun.