"By the way, Uncle Three, do you have any idea why Wano Country is so rich in Sea Stone?" Yamato asked, crossing her legs as she leaned back in her chair.
Queen paused at the question, puffing on his cigar. "I haven't actually given it much deep thought, but I do understand the science behind how the Sea Stone here is formed. The principle isn't that complicated." As a scientist, he had studied the unique properties of the mineral long ago.
"What's the principle then?" Yamato leaned in, curious.
"It's a bit complex to explain in detail, but simply put, a special substance found deep in the sea was brought to the surface by massive volcanic eruptions. Over a long period of precipitation and cooling, it formed Sea Stone," Queen introduced briefly. He then pointed a meaty finger toward the distant horizon where the Flower Capital lay. "The volcano over there is the primary outlet for it."
Yamato and Haruko both nodded, absorbing the information.
"However, there are countless volcanoes in the world, yet only this place has become a major production site for Sea Stone. It shows that the geographical location of Wano is very special," Haruko remarked after a moment of reflection.
"That's true. It was a very wise choice for Big Brother to bring the Beasts Pirates here to develop our base back then," Queen agreed, nodding with a sense of pride.
"Uncle Three, you're wrong about that. You were clearly sought out," Yamato countered, her voice full of amusement. "Back then, you were being chased all over the place by the Marines and the World Government. The Kurozumi Clan here in Wano needed outside help to stir up trouble, so they came looking for you. You and Uncle Two should be very clear on that point."
"Uh... anyway, Young Master, you'd better not say that to anyone else. Especially don't let Big Brother hear it," Queen muttered. He hadn't expected Yamato to know the gritty details of their arrival, so he could only offer a word of caution.
The process of Kaido establishing the Beasts Pirates had indeed been full of twists and turns. Kaido was a prime target for the World Government, and even now, the exact reasons for their obsession with him remained a mystery. If it weren't for the natural fortress that was Wano, the crew wouldn't have been able to grow so smoothly.
"Don't worry, Uncle Three, I know. Now, instead of making him angry with words, I'd much rather just smack him in the face with my spiked club," Yamato laughed.
Hearing this rebellious statement, both Queen and Haruko were left speechless. They looked at her and realized she had truly turned out just like her father. At this point, no one could deny the family resemblance.
"Just kidding, just kidding! I'm only joking," Yamato added quickly, seeing their stunned expressions. However, Queen and Haruko didn't believe her for a second; that last sentence had clearly come from the heart.
Bulu bulu! Bulu bulu!
Just then, the Transponder Snail on Queen's desk began to ring. Queen reached over and answered it. "Hello?"
"Queen, it's me. The Young Master is with you, right?" King's voice came through the snail, carrying a distinct hint of urgency.
"She's right here," Queen replied, turning the Transponder Snail to face Yamato.
Yamato looked at the snail's face, which now mimicked King's stern features. "Uncle Two, is something wrong?"
"Yeah. Big Brother got drunk and flew out again. I heard him muttering that he's going to settle a score with Red Hair. If that's true, I'm afraid it'll cause big trouble," King said, sounding like he had a massive headache. He desperately hoped it was just Kaido's drunken rambling; otherwise, a clash with another Yonko like Shanks would shake the entire New World to its core.
Hearing King's words, Queen accidentally bit his cigar in half. "For real?"
Yamato, on the other hand, didn't seem bothered. "Just leave him alone. Even if he goes to fight Red Hair, nothing will happen. Even if he's a brute, he doesn't lack cunning; he won't die. Besides, Red Hair might not even pay him any mind. In my view, he'll just fly in front of Shanks, talk some trash, and then come back. There's nothing to worry about."
"Is that so?" King paused, considering Yamato's analysis. It actually made quite a bit of sense. Kaido was many things, but he wasn't one to let himself lose out in a pointless fight while intoxicated.
"If you don't believe me, Uncle Two, then just go after him. You can fly anyway, and your speed is decent," Yamato added.
"Never mind. Even if I catch up, I won't be able to hold Big Brother back," King sighed, shaking his head.
Yamato couldn't help but roll her eyes. "Uncle Two, you need to change your personality. You like being a nanny too much. While a 'male mama' isn't impossible, my old man is a rather ugly, muscular idiot. He can't exactly play the part of a 'male baby.'"
The Transponder Snail suddenly went silent. A heavy, wordless silence filled the room. Queen and Haruko stood as if they had turned into statues, looking at Yamato with wide eyes. The mental image she had just conjured was so disturbing it gave them goosebumps.
"Hey, Uncle Two, why aren't you talking? Uncle Two?" Yamato asked, poking the silent snail.
"That... Young Master, I still have things to do. Hanging up now," King said hurriedly. He disconnected the call immediately, not daring to stay on the line for another second lest Yamato say something even more horrifying.
Looking at the Transponder Snail that had already hung its head, Yamato muttered, "He was so anxious when he called, and then he just hung up. How strange."
"It's because of that mouth of yours, Young Master," Queen and Haruko both complained silently.
"Tsk tsk. That Idiot Old Man of mine really is reckless, doing whatever he wants. What does he think everyone else is? Nannies and butlers? Getting dead drunk every day, flying out on a whim, doing no proper work... Anyone who didn't know better would think the Beasts Pirates belonged to someone else," Yamato said with a look of pure disdain.
Queen and Haruko acted as if they were deaf. Whether she was right or not, her words were borderline treasonous. If Kaido heard them, his anger would be legendary.
"Uncle Three, Haruko, am I right?" Yamato glanced at them.
"Well... Young Master, you should really say less, and definitely don't say it in front of Big Brother," Queen reminded her.
Yamato shrugged; she knew Queen wouldn't dare to cross her father. "Uncle Three, let's end the chat here for today. I know you're busy, so I won't disturb you any longer." She stood up, dusting off her clothes. Knowing the status of the two Red Scabbards was enough; she didn't feel like visiting the dark cells today.
"Alright," Queen said, not moving to stop her. This was a prison and a mine, not exactly a tourist destination.
A moment later, Yamato and Haruko stepped back outside into the dusty air of the camp.
"Young Master, Lady Haruko, if you need anything else, please just give the order," a subordinate asked, bowing low.
Yamato nodded. "I understand, but we're preparing to leave now."
"Understood," the man withdrew.
"Let's go, Haruko," Yamato called out, and the two began walking toward the main gate.
As they passed through a busy excavation site, Yamato suddenly paused. She turned her head, looking toward a group of prisoners working not far away. Her golden pupils flashed with a sharp, focused light.
"What's wrong, Young Master?" Haruko asked, confused. She looked at the prisoners but saw nothing out of the ordinary. "Is there something special about them?"
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