Just then, the lavish banquet that had been prepared was brought in.
Tenma told Yamato to fill her stomach first. Only after she had eaten her fill did he take her small hand and swagger straight out of the manor.
He had barely shown his face in the plaza when the citizens who noticed him erupted into waves of enthusiastic greetings.
For Yamato, the impact of this scene was overwhelming.
Before, when people saw her horned appearance, their faces had been full of fear and disgust, as if they wanted to hide as far away as possible.
Yet now, simply because Tenma was holding her hand, countless people smiled at her with genuine goodwill.
The stark contrast between feeling like a rat crossing the street when she arrived and being surrounded like a star now stirred an indescribable emotion deep in Yamato's heart.
They passed through a bustling street thick with powdery fragrances, until the noisy crowds were completely left behind and the clamor in their ears gradually faded.
"Tenma, no matter where you go, everyone's looking at you. That feeling is amazing,"
Yamato said from beside him, her voice full of admiration.
Tenma turned his head and looked at the child with that look of longing on her face.
"What, does Yamato also yearn for the feeling of being surrounded by tens of thousands?"
"Of course I do! I want to become as awe-inspiring as you, Tenma—so cool!"
Yamato waved her fists excitedly, little stars sparkling in her eyes.
"I once secretly followed Father to meet that guy named Orochi. They're both shoguns, but the way people looked at him was completely different. The gap was huge."
Watching Yamato dance about in excitement, the corners of Tenma's mouth lifted slightly.
Even without activating Observation Haki, he could easily see through the pure little thoughts in this child's heart.
Who would have thought that the rebellious girl from the original story, who had been determined to become Kozuki Oden, now had a life goal of becoming a high-popularity idol like himself?
It seemed that the butterfly wings he had flapped had already altered many predetermined trajectories without him realizing it.
But such changes fit perfectly with the long-planned "training program" in Tenma's mind.
"As long as it's Yamato, you can absolutely become like me—no, you might even enjoy cheers far more fervent than these."
Catching her desire keenly, Tenma tossed out the bait.
"Eh?! Really? But if you're not beside me, Tenma, they won't even pay attention to me. Some people even tremble in fear when they see me."
Yamato's high spirits instantly deflated. She fiddled with her fingers, lacking confidence.
On Onigashima, where strength reigned supreme, she could earn others' respect—but she knew perfectly well that it was all because of her father Kaido.
Compared to that fear-tinged, distant reverence, what she truly longed for was what she had just witnessed—the most sacred image in her heart: Tenma bathed in the love and adoration of the masses.
What Yamato didn't understand was that in Wano's current atmosphere—where the shogun was practically deified—as long as Tenma held her hand and walked her through the Flower Capital, even with horns on her head, the people would extend goodwill to her by association.
Naturally, Tenma had no intention of explaining this, and instead continued to coax her with that alluring tone.
"People fear you only because they don't understand you. Those are small issues. Once you become an official member under the shogun's banner, Wano's cheers will naturally belong to you as well."
"Then what do I need to do to become your subordinate, Tenma?"
Yamato's heart, which had just sunk, was instantly hooked again by his words.
"Just like the Beasts Pirates under your father, under me—the shogun—there are also special positions worthy of reverence."
Tenma paused, his tone turning mysterious.
"Especially the Oniwabanshu. If you can earn your way in by strength, not only will you become a famous figure in Wano and enjoy everyone's adoration—most importantly, you'll be able to stay by my side openly and legitimately."
Titles like "big shot" didn't matter much to Yamato, but the phrases "beloved by all" and "staying by Tenma's side" felt as if they had been tailor-made for her, instantly setting her heart racing.
"I want to! I definitely want to! I want to join the Oniwabanshu you mentioned!"
Yamato raised both hands high in urgency, afraid she'd miss her chance if she answered too late.
"Not yet," Tenma said with a smile, shaking his head at her eagerness.
"The Oniwabanshu shoulder extremely important duties. Just like those two monsters under your father known as the 'All-Stars,' they're symbols of strength."
"You're still too young right now—you won't be able to win out in competition. But as long as you work hard and grow stronger, I believe that position will be yours sooner or later."
Seeing Yamato nod her little head as if she half-understood, Tenma stopped there and said no more.
These were all plans for the future, but no matter what, Yamato—this future top-tier right-hand combatant—had effectively been reserved and locked in early.
With that matter settled, it was time to go meet that native of Wano, a future Tobiroppo—Black Maria , a woman who combined beauty and brutality in equal measure.
Based on the intelligence describing her physique and those distinctive horns, with Yamato leading the way, the two soon turned into a dark, secluded alley.
This place was already far from the Flower Capital's bustling core—a slum on the city's edge. In the early stages of Wano's reforms, it still retained its impoverished and backward appearance.
Once they reached this area, Yamato didn't even need to guide them anymore.
Tenma casually rewarded a few sallow-faced villagers they passed. After stating his purpose, several groups immediately rushed to volunteer as guides.
They wound through twisting paths until they stopped in front of a narrow, dilapidated house that looked on the verge of collapse.
"Shogun-sama, the… uh… the freak you're looking for—no, Black Maria —is inside this house,"
the villager leading the way said, bent low in respect, pointing at the broken door.
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