Yamato's curiosity was evident as she glanced at Hiyori. Luffy noticed her expression and took another sip of tea before placing the cup down.
"She's Kozuki Oden's daughter," Luffy said nonchalantly, "and the granddaughter of that idiot on the roof. I was planning to let her go, but for some reason, she chose to stay. Maybe she thinks the most dangerous place is the safest."
Despite the teasing tone in his words, Hiyori bowed respectfully. "My name is Hiyori. Greetings, ladies."
Her introduction drew mixed reactions. Hancock narrowed her eyes, her usual regal demeanor stiffening slightly. Nami stared at the teacup in her hand, hesitant to drink from it. Violet, however, felt a pang of familiarity as she looked at Hiyori.
She's like me, Violet thought. A princess of a fallen kingdom. Yet their paths had diverged. Violet had endured pirates, fought back, and reclaimed her homeland with Luffy's help. Hiyori, on the other hand, was a victim of her family's mistakes, reduced to serving as a maid under Luffy's rule.
Yamato, upon hearing Hiyori's identity, could no longer sit still. She scrambled across the room, her expression a mix of joy and surprise. "You're Kozuki Hiyori? I thought you were killed by Kaido! It's amazing to see you alive."
Her excitement was palpable, and she reached out as if to embrace Hiyori. But Hiyori stepped back gracefully, her movements calm and deliberate.
"I'm sorry, ma'am," Hiyori said softly, lowering her gaze. "There's no Kozuki family anymore—I am just an ordinary Wano citizen named Hiyori."
Yamato's cheerful demeanor faltered, and her shoulders slumped. The weight of Hiyori's words brought her enthusiasm crashing down.
Luffy observed the exchange with a smirk, pleased with Hiyori's pragmatism. At least she knows her place, he thought. Yamato, on the other hand, irritated him with her continued idolization of Oden.
With a flick of his hand, Luffy used his abilities to pull Yamato toward him. Before she could react, she found herself suspended in the air and then cradled in Luffy's arms.
"Huh? What's happening?" Yamato asked, blinking in confusion.
Luffy didn't bother explaining. Instead, he delivered a firm slap to her rear, eliciting a small yelp. "Don't move," he ordered, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Used to following Luffy's commands aboard the Stormbreaker, Yamato obediently lay still in his arms. She didn't find the situation strange; in fact, the closeness brought her a sense of comfort. Having grown up without a mother and with a neglectful father like Kaido, moments of physical warmth were unfamiliar yet soothing to her.
Yamato's attire—a cropped vest that exposed her toned midriff—made the situation somewhat awkward. Her tall frame made her look out of place in Luffy's lap, but it didn't stop his hand from resting on her smooth, muscular waist.
Yamato giggled softly, her eyes narrowing in amusement. "That tickles."
Ignoring her, Luffy turned his attention back to Hiyori. "Tell me, Hiyori," he began, "what exactly did your father accomplish? Did he fulfill his duties as the shogun's successor? Did he protect Wano from Orochi and Kaido? Or did he use strategy and courage to solve the country's crisis?"
Hiyori opened her mouth but hesitated, unable to provide a definitive answer. Luffy's gaze shifted to Nami, his next question directed at her.
"Nami, if you were in Oden's position—knowing Roger and Whitebeard—would you refuse their help and try to fight Kaido alone?"
Nami's response was immediate. "No!" she said firmly, her face etched with disgust. "That would be stupid."
Her words carried the weight of her own experiences. Nami had lived under the tyranny of Arlong, working tirelessly to save her village. If she had known someone as powerful as Roger or Whitebeard, she would have begged for their help without hesitation. The idea of refusing such allies was incomprehensible.
Luffy chuckled. "See? Even a 14-year-old girl understands this. But Kozuki Oden? He couldn't figure it out. All he had to do was say the word, and Roger or Whitebeard would've come running to help. Heck, even one of them would've been enough to send Kaido packing."
He leaned forward, his voice dripping with derision. "But what did Oden do? He refused Roger's offer, marched off to confront Orochi alone, and then spent years dancing naked in the streets. For what?"
==============================================
Support me at p@treon.com/goldengaruda and check out more chapter of this or more early access chapter of my other fanfic translation.
Check out new Fanfic:
A Book of Ice and Fire / Game of Thrones : Magic Network
Marvel : Mutant God
=============================================