Taking advantage of Kaido's excellent mood, Yamato raised both hands to display her heavy shackles. "Father, can you please remove these?"
"Of course! What kind of nonsense is it for my daughter to wear shackles like a common prisoner!"
Kaido waved his massive hand dismissively with obvious disgust at the sight.
Even if Yamato was lying to deceive his trust, it didn't particularly matter. As long as she remained within Wano Country's borders, she couldn't possibly escape from his sphere of influence.
Hearing this decisive response, King withdrew a key from his chest and tossed it directly to Kai.
The keys to all important prisoners' restraints were kept securely on his person at all times.
Kai caught the key smoothly and quickly unlocked Yamato's oppressive shackles with practiced efficiency.
"Oh! My body feels so incredibly light now." Yamato moved her limbs with obvious delight and newfound freedom.
Yamato's ten years of suffering hadn't been endured in vain. Years of wearing heavy seastone had been equivalent to constant, intensive weight training. Now that the restrictive shackles were finally removed, her physical strength would probably experience a period of rapid and dramatic improvement.
King turned to address Kaido directly. "Sir, since Miss Yamato has officially returned to the Beast Pirates, should that particular matter be placed on our immediate agenda?"
Making Yamato the rightful Shogun of Wano Country?
Kaido pondered the proposal thoughtfully, weighing various political considerations.
It wasn't an impossible strategy. That Kurozumi Orochi character was becoming increasingly disobedient and problematic anyway.
"I've reached my decision. Yamato, you'll replace Kurozumi Orochi as the legitimate Shogun of Wano Country."
With a casual wave of his enormous hand, Kaido effortlessly decided the ultimate fate of Kurozumi Orochi's entire power structure.
"Yes, Father."
Yamato felt absolutely overjoyed by this unexpected development. She hadn't anticipated her father making this momentous decision without her even needing to bring up the subject herself.
Just as Kai had predicted, Father had always genuinely wanted her to accept the position of Wano Country's Shogun.
King seized this opportune moment to make an additional suggestion. "Let Kai accompany Yamato on this mission. It would provide an excellent chance for him to earn merit and prove his value."
He also wanted to observe whether Kai's loyalty to their cause was authentic or merely performance.
Kaido considered the proposal and found it strategically sound. He understood his own daughter's nature perfectly. While her combat abilities were certainly respectable, she remained rather naive about political maneuvering. Without a shrewd and capable person at her side to provide guidance, she might genuinely suffer a significant loss.
Kai voiced no objections and immediately accepted the assignment with professional composure.
The following day arrived with the sun just beginning its ascent over the horizon.
"Hey! Kai, get up immediately! We're going to liberate Wano Country!"
An energetic white-haired tornado burst into Kai's bedroom and yanked off his blanket with characteristic enthusiasm.
"Yamato, do you genuinely think of yourself as a man?" Kai rubbed his disheveled hair with obvious dissatisfaction.
Thank goodness he didn't maintain the habit of sleeping naked, or Yamato would have gained quite an eyeful.
Yamato shook her head with matter-of-fact directness. "It's perfectly okay if it's Kai."
Sincerity truly was the ultimate devastating attack. Yamato's direct hit left Kai completely speechless.
After completing his morning routine and consuming breakfast, the two officially departed for the Flower Capital.
"Oh! So massive!" Yamato stared at the divine dragon before her in absolute shock. This marked her first time witnessing Kai's beast form at close range.
"Climb on. Let's complete this mission quickly." Kai turned his serpentine head back toward her.
Yamato leaped up with vigorous energy, landing gracefully on Kai's dragon head. She raised her kanabo and pointed forward with mounting excitement. "Divine Dragon, take off!"
"You bastard! Don't give me random nicknames!" Kai protested with obvious annoyance.
"What's the harm in it? Hehe." Yamato crouched down and patted Kai's head with a mischievous giggle.
Kai's flight speed proved remarkably swift. Before long, the pair had arrived above the sprawling Flower Capital.
The Flower Capital represented Wano Country's most prosperous region and housed the Shogun's official residence.
At its center stood a magnificent giant cherry blossom tree, and Kurozumi Orochi's imposing castle was also located within this district.
Kai's brazen arrival immediately caught the attention of the samurai guards patrolling below.
"Who goes there! St-stop immediately!" The samurai stammered as they craned their necks to observe the giant dragon spanning the entire sky.
"Bring out Kurozumi Orochi! Tell him that Kaido's daughter has come to visit." Kai's voice boomed like rolling thunder across the capital.
Kaido's daughter?
Didn't Kaido only have a son? When had he acquired a daughter?
Though the samurai felt puzzled by this development, they didn't dare act rashly against such an obvious threat. After all, the monster hovering in the sky appeared absolutely terrifying.
"Brothers, hold your positions! I'll go notify the Shogun immediately!"
One particularly clever samurai shouted this declaration and hurriedly sprinted into Orochi Castle, desperately wishing his parents had blessed him with two additional legs for greater speed.
Yamato lay sprawled across Kai's head, rolling around with obvious boredom. "Kai, why don't we simply charge in directly and finish this?"
Kai sighed with strategic patience. "Do you want to destroy this entire place and then conscript Wano Country's citizens as forced laborers to rebuild?"
Yamato appeared startled by this possibility and quickly responded: "I absolutely wouldn't want that outcome at all."
Kai actually harbored another tactical motive. Luring Kurozumi Orochi's group outside to eliminate them would allow the Flower Capital's citizens to witness Yamato's authority, facilitating the next crucial step of political propaganda.
He was genuinely prepared to manage Wano Country with proper administrative competence.
This location not only possessed uniquely valuable natural resources like seastone, but also maintained the sea's finest processing technology and craftsmanship. Failing to make optimal use of such advantages would prove criminally wasteful.
As for what to do with the surviving Kozuki family members in the future?
Kai could only wish them the best of luck in their endeavors.
While they chatted casually, a large contingent of samurai poured out from Orochi Castle like an organized military force.
Leading this group was a tall man with distinctively narrow eyes and an enormous light blue topknot adorning his head.
It was Denjiro, one of the legendary Nine Red Scabbards, who was operating undercover within Kurozumi Orochi's organization using the alias Kyoshiro.
Simultaneously, on the upper levels of Orochi Castle, a group of figures wrapped in black cloth moved with ninja-like agility, leaping onto surrounding rooftops to closely monitor every movement of Kai hovering in the sky.
These represented another specialized force under Kurozumi Orochi's command: professional ninjas.
"Guhehehe! Where is Kaido's daughter? I want to hold a magnificent feast to welcome her properly." A distinctly sleazy male voice rang out across the courtyard.
A purple-haired man with short, thick limbs, an oversized head and mouth, and a crown worn at a crooked angle emerged at the top of Orochi Castle, surrounded by an impressive guard formation of loyal samurai.
Having maintained cooperative relations with Kaido for over ten years, Kurozumi Orochi naturally possessed knowledge of Yamato's existence and rebellious reputation.
Kai descended gradually to bring Yamato to the same elevation as Kurozumi Orochi for direct confrontation.
"Kurozumi Orochi, I'm going to knock you flying across this courtyard!" Yamato lifted her chin defiantly and placed both hands on her hips, making absolutely no attempt to hide her aggressive intentions.
What?
Everyone present found themselves stunned, failing to immediately comprehend the implications of this declaration.
The onlookers gathered below also appeared thoroughly confused. Had Kaido fallen out with the Shogun over some political dispute?
"Miss Yamato, surely you must be joking with us?"
Kurozumi Orochi's face darkened considerably with mounting concern. In his heart, he desperately wanted to order his subordinates to tear Yamato to pieces for this insult, but his fear of Kaido's retaliation forced him to maintain an obsequious smile. "Perhaps there's been some terrible misunderstanding?"
Following Kai's carefully prepared instructions word for word, Yamato proclaimed loudly for all to hear: "Kurozumi Orochi! During your tenure as Shogun, you have systematically exploited the people of Wano Country, leaving them destitute and filled with justified resentment! My father, Guardian King Kaido, has repeatedly admonished you without any positive effect. He has now decided that from this day forward, your position as Shogun is officially revoked!"
Kurozumi Orochi could hardly believe what his ears were registering.
Kaido, have you no shame whatsoever!
Repeatedly admonished me?
When had Kaido ever admonished him about anything other than demanding increased efforts to oppress the population and force them to mine more seastone while manufacturing additional weapons?
Now he'd completely reversed course and pushed all the blame onto his loyal partner?
All he'd wanted was a larger share in weapons and seastone export profits!
If Kaido disagreed with those terms, they could have negotiated like civilized partners. Was it truly necessary to directly cause trouble and forcibly remove his position?
Damn it all!