“As for Kaido…” Ruun’s tone shifted.
“To Wano Country, he is indeed an invader; there’s no denying that. But to you, his daughter, to be fair, is he really so bad that you have to constantly shout about overthrowing him?”
He held up his fingers, counting each point, “He gave you the powerful Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit ability, giving you the capital to stand firm in this sea. He gave you the best food on Onigashima, the most abundant training resources, allowing you to become stronger. Even when you said you wanted to become Kozuki Oden, Kaido truly treated you like his son!”
Ruun paused, watching Yamato’s slightly changing expression, and continued:
“Think about how Kaido treats his true enemies? How many get to enjoy the treatment you receive? Deep down, he loves you, it’s just that…”
Ruun spread his hands, a helpless expression on his face, “His way of expressing love is a bit clumsy. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t see you as his daughter… or rather, his son.”
Yamato pursed her lips, not immediately refuting him.
Ruun’s words were like a key, prying open some corners in her memory that had been covered by anger and rebellious emotions:
The silent, yet ever-present, giant shadow by her bed when she was sick as a child; the occasional gaze from outside the training ground, scrutinizing yet implicitly satisfied; and after every conflict, though he would lock her up, the food supply was never truly cut off.
“I’m not asking you to forgive his evil deeds,” Ruun said, seeing the time was ripe, as he threw out the final bait.
“Instead, I’m saying that instead of just thinking about overthrowing him all day without knowing what to do afterward, why not change your approach?”
“What approach?” Yamato subconsciously asked, her eyes filled with confusion and a hint of anticipation.
Ruun leaned forward slightly, lowering his voice, with a hint of allure:
“Think about it, what if you became the General of Wano Country? Not a General like Kozuki Oden, but General Yamato! You could use your power, your ideas, to truly change this country. Let the people eat their fill, dress warmly, and live with dignity. Isn’t that more meaningful than just shouting about liberation and overthrowing Kaido? Isn’t this the ultimate manifestation of your desire to inherit the will to ‘open Wano Country’? And…”
He paused, looking at Yamato’s thoughtful expression, and added:
“Think about it, when you truly govern Wano Country even better than Oden dreamed, and everyone genuinely recognizes you as General Yamato… Doesn’t that feeling beat being an Oden imitator? Kaido, that old guy, will probably be completely shocked then, won’t he?”
“Good! I won’t be Kozuki Oden anymore, I want to be General Yamato!”
As soon as the declaration fell, Yamato grasped Ruun’s arm in confusion: “But what should I do?”
“Simple, do as I say.”
---
In the banquet hall, Kaido leaned against a stone throne, holding a sake gourd in one hand, taking sips intermittently.
Suddenly, the hall door was violently pushed open, slamming against the stone wall with a loud bang.
“Father!”
Yamato burst in impetuously.
Kaido’s thick brows furrowed, a flicker of annoyance at being disturbed in his eyes, but more evident was his irritation at Yamato’s usual troublemaking demeanor.
However, what happened next astonished everyone.
Yamato walked directly to the center of the hall, stopped before Kaido’s seat, and bowed deeply, performing a perfect ninety-degree bow.
“All these years I’ve been shouting about overthrowing you and becoming Kozuki Oden… I was too stubborn, too naive! I’m sorry! Father!”
Queen’s sunglasses slid down his nose, and even Jack’s stern face showed a hint of ripple.
How many years had it been? Ever since Yamato found that diary and put on that mask, her only words had been “overthrow Kaido,” “become Oden,” and “liberate Wano Country.”
Apologizing? This was simply unbelievable!
King’s gaze subtly shifted to Ruun, who was lounging casually against the doorframe, following closely behind Yamato, and he mused inwardly: ‘Is it you… Calamity Lune?’
In just a few days, to be able to make Miss Yamato, as stubborn as a rock, undergo such a complete transformation… Besides this newly joined Lunar Calamity, King couldn’t think of a second person.
The power the Governor displayed when bringing him back was indeed astonishing, but these methods of swaying hearts… seemed even more unfathomable.
Kaido slowly put down his sake gourd, his face equally filled with surprise.
This change was too sudden; he even wondered if he was drunk and hallucinating.
He instinctively turned his head to Black Maria, who was standing by: “Maria, did I hear that right?”
Black Maria covered her mouth and chuckled softly: “Lord Kaido, you heard correctly. Miss Yamato really seems to have come to her senses.”
“Ugorogorogoro—!!!”
Kaido burst into wild laughter, immense joy reverberating through the hall like a tangible shockwave, making even the torch flames flicker.
He suddenly stood up, waving his large hand: “Good! Good! I’m happy today! Let’s have a feast! The grandest feast! To celebrate my daughter’s return!!!”
“Roar—!!!” The guards outside the hall, hearing the command, immediately erupted in cheers, and the entire Onigashima seemed to come alive instantly.
Yamato skipped over to Ruun, her face excited as she sought praise: “Ruun! I did well, didn’t I!”
Ruun looked at the straightforward girl in front of him, silently rubbing his forehead: ‘…I really can’t expect this silly girl to keep a secret.’
He nodded helplessly: “Yes, very good.”
Never mind, anyway, ever since he walked in, King’s scrutinizing gaze hadn’t left him, so being discovered was only a matter of time.
Receiving affirmation, Yamato became even happier.
As if remembering something, she turned and pointed at Kaido again, then pointed to the heavy Sea Stone handcuffs on her wrists, pouting: “Father! These… can they be unlocked now? They’re too inconvenient to wear!”
Kaido was in an excellent mood at the moment, finding Yamato incredibly pleasing, and with a wave of his hand: “Unlock them! Unlock them for my daughter! You don’t have to wear them anymore!”
His subordinates immediately stepped forward and unlocked the shackles that had confined Yamato for years.
The sound of the handcuffs hitting the floor seemed to shatter the twenty years of estrangement between them.
At this moment, King stepped forward, saying in a deep voice: “Governor, since Miss Yamato has returned to the Beasts Pirates, then… can the New Onigashima Project be implemented ahead of schedule?”
Kaido stroked his chin, pondering for a moment: “Hmm… ahead of schedule? It’s not impossible, after all, Orochi has been getting increasingly disobedient lately.”
He directly announced: “Yamato! You will be the new General of Wano Country! Manage this country well for me!”
“Eh?!” Yamato’s eyes widened in surprise, filled with disbelief.
She hadn’t even brought it up yet! Her father had just… A warm current instantly surged through her heart, and she nodded vigorously, her voice filled with excitement: “Understood, Father!”
It turned out her father had truly been considering her all along…
“However,” King spoke again, his gaze turning to Ruun,
“Orochi has been entrenched in the Flower Capital for many years, his influence deeply rooted, and dealing with him may have complications. To ensure everything goes smoothly, I suggest that All-Star Ruun accompany Miss Yamato.”
King’s idea was simple: this was an important test of Ruun’s loyalty and competence.
Although Orochi was a fool, his subordinates and entrenched forces were not to be underestimated, and this was a good opportunity to see the true mettle of this Lunar Calamity, and whether he was truly working for the Beasts Pirates.
Kaido pondered briefly, then looked at Ruun: “Ruun, what do you say? Accompany Yamato to the Flower Capital?”
Ruun spread his hands: “Sure, no problem.”
There were two reasons why he agreed so readily:
Firstly, he had disliked Orochi for a long time. He was ugly and lewd, and his character was utterly rotten; Ruun had long wanted to find an opportunity to deal with him.
Secondly, and more importantly, for the stability of the subsequent plan, Orochi could not simply disappear quietly. This idiot had to die in front of the people of Wano Country, allowing everyone to witness the end of the old era and the authority of the new General.
“Ugorogorogoro! Good!” Kaido laughed with satisfaction.
“Then it’s settled! After the feast, you two will go to the Flower Capital and thoroughly clean out that annoying stinky snake for me!”