Komurasaki ultimately chose to follow Kai back to Onigashima.
"Staying by Lord Kai's side, I might be able to gather crucial intelligence about the Beast Pirates' secrets and operations," she rationalized silently to herself.
After returning to the fortress island, Kai arranged for his experienced maid Minami to properly train Komurasaki in her new duties, then accompanied Yamato to the banquet hall to meet with Kaido.
Upon learning of Kurozumi Orochi's death, Kaido didn't display even the slightest smile of satisfaction.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
"Wororororo! Orochi! You got yourself killed just like that!"
Kaido wept profusely, grabbing his massive sake gourd and continuously pouring alcohol down his throat in tribute to his fallen business partner.
After crying dramatically for several minutes, he suddenly flew into an explosive rage: "This is all because you were pathetically weak!"
King, seated at a lower position, showed no surprise whatsoever at this emotional display. Kaido-san was exactly this type of 'loyal and righteous' man who mourned his allies while simultaneously cursing their failures.
After completing his grieving ritual and bidding final farewell to Kurozumi Orochi, Kaido wiped away his tears and instantly switched to a beaming smile: "Wororororo! Yamato, Kai, you two performed admirably!"
Yamato laughed with obvious pride: "Of course we did! Kai and I make an absolutely invincible combination!"
Kai's eyes widened as he stared at Yamato in genuine shock and horror.
Don't drag me down into your death wish fantasies.
The last person who proclaimed himself invincible had already stopped thinking entirely and was currently drifting through the vacuum of outer space.
After completing their mission debriefing, Kai considered his next steps and felt he should outline his future plans to Kaido.
A competent subordinate should report frequently and maintain regular communication with leadership.
"Kaido-san, regarding Wano Country's future development strategy..."
"Doesn't matter to me!"
Kaido displayed minimal interest, as if this entire topic held less appeal than the sake gourd clutched in his massive hands: "I don't particularly care what happens to that country. You can mess around however you want with their politics. But remember one thing..."
As he spoke, Kaido's towering frame leaned forward menacingly with a dangerous smile: "The monthly quota of weapons delivered to me... not a single piece can go missing!"
What a callously indifferent statement about countless human lives.
Truly worthy of you, Kaido-san.
Kai blinked impassively, though internally he felt quite pleased. Who wouldn't appreciate a leader willing to delegate complete authority?
After bidding farewell to Kaido, Kai and Yamato headed toward Onigashima's residential district.
West of the pleasure quarters managed by Black Maria sprawled the exclusive housing complex where high-ranking executives lived in relative luxury.
Both Kai and Yamato possessed their own floors of private accommodations within the compound.
"Yamato, how about taking a relaxing hot spring bath?"
Spotting the Beast Bath House sign in the distance, Kai suddenly remembered he hadn't experienced the local hot springs specialty since arriving at Onigashima.
"Sure, sure! I haven't bathed in hot springs for ages either." Yamato nodded enthusiastically with obvious excitement.
The two changed direction toward the Bathhouse, but before long they heard a distinctly sleazy male voice echoing ahead.
"Muhahaha! Would this beautiful young lady like to attend my exclusive personal concert?"
The corpulent Queen blocked a lovely girl's path like an oversized meatball, his mechanical arm gleaming in the afternoon light.
Nearby, a concerned maid was attempting to dissuade Queen from his pursuit: "Lord Queen, Komurasaki serves as Lord Kai's personal maid. Perhaps you should seek his permission first?"
"Kai? That green rookie? I was already serving Big Brother Kaido when he was still wearing diapers!"
Queen's expression radiated complete disdain and dismissal: "Since when did it become his turn to boss this master around!"
Komurasaki lowered her head with obvious discomfort. Whether considering appearance or personal feelings, she definitely preferred Kai's company over Queen's advances.
But directly refusing such a high-ranking officer might cause serious problems for Kai, and she worried about the potential consequences.
She understood Queen's status and formidable strength all too well.
Ten years ago, when Komurasaki was still known as Kozuki Hiyori, she had witnessed him ruthlessly battling against her family's loyal samurai.
Just as Komurasaki found herself caught in an impossible dilemma, a familiar gentle voice spoke up behind them.
"Queen-san, please don't harass my maid, if you would."
Queen turned his head sharply, and upon seeing Kai's approach, immediately flew into an explosive rage: "Kai, you little brat! Want to practice some combat?"
Before Kai could formulate any response, Yamato eagerly jumped forward, rolling up her sleeves with obvious anticipation: "Excellent! Count me in too for this fight!"
"NO!"
Both Kai and Queen shouted in perfect unison.
"You idiot!" Kai bonked Yamato firmly on the head with obvious exasperation: "This is a personal battle between Queen and myself over the treatment of my maid. Why are you trying to interfere?"
Queen secretly breathed a massive sigh of relief. Others might underestimate Yamato's true strength, but how could he remain ignorant?
While he felt confident about defeating either Yamato or Kai in individual combat, if they combined their forces, that would create an entirely different and far more dangerous scenario.
Kai held All-Star rank, after all. Queen had observed that spectacular battle between him and Jack from beginning to end.
Later, at the Beast Duel Arena...
This specialized venue had been constructed specifically for pirates to resolve personal grudges through formal combat.
Within the arena's boundaries, Kai and Queen stood facing each other with obvious tension crackling between them.
Komurasaki and Minami clasped their hands together anxiously, their worried gazes locked firmly on Kai's figure.
Yamato sat cross-legged nearby with one hand supporting her chin, eagerly anticipating the upcoming battle with obvious excitement.
A crowd of enthusiastic pirate crew members who had rushed over upon hearing news of the duel held various Queen support items, preparing to cheer loudly for their favored combatant.
A designated pirate referee holding red flags in both hands positioned himself at the arena's edge and shouted with official authority: "Lord Kai versus Lord Queen! Three... two... one... BEGIN!"
Both crimson flags dropped simultaneously.
Battle erupted with explosive intensity!
"You bastard! Next time, put this master's name first in the announcement!"
Queen vented his verbal dissatisfaction while his massive body feinted dramatically. His right mechanical arm suddenly burst into bright flames as he charged with devastating force toward Kai's position.
"Winch Queen!"
The mechanical claw, now scalding hot from concentrated flames, struck directly toward Kai's exposed face with lethal intent.
Having carefully studied Kai's previous battle against Jack, Queen understood completely that his opponent's Devil Fruit represented a top-tier Mythical Zoan variety. He absolutely had to seize the initiative.
Facing this fierce claw attack, Kai neither dodged nor attempted evasion, simply crossing both arms to protect his face from the incoming strike.
Queen felt delighted upon witnessing this defensive stance and immediately roared with anticipation.
"Die, you arrogant bastard who dares compete with me for Komurasaki's affections!"
BANG!
An explosive impact echoed across the arena.
Kai, struck squarely by the scalding mechanical claw, was sent flying backward through the air, carving a deep furrow dozens of meters long in the packed earth.
"WOOO! Lord Queen is absolutely amazing!"
"YEAH! Lord Queen is so incredibly cool!"
Queen's devoted fan club immediately erupted in thunderous cheers upon witnessing their idol land such a devastating hit.
"OWOO!"
Queen faced his adoring fans with theatrical flair, waving both arms in acknowledgment while not forgetting to blow an exaggerated kiss toward Komurasaki's location.
"Hiss..."
Kai rose slowly from the ground, rubbing his aching arms before tearing away his smoldering sleeves with deliberate calm.
"Let's go again!" Kai clenched both fists and charged directly toward Queen with renewed determination.
Still refusing to transform into his hybrid form?
Queen frowned with growing confusion, unable to determine Kai's tactical intentions. Glancing left and right, he detected no immediate danger that would require evasive maneuvers.
While he hesitated in analysis, Kai had already closed the distance between them.
"Normal Punch!"
Kai's deceptively plain and simple fist struck Queen's prominent abdomen with surprising force.
The tremendous impact caused Queen's considerable belly to ripple like ocean waves, while the punch's wind pressure sent his golden ponytail dancing wildly through the air.
"Ow! That actually hurts!" Queen's eyes bulged comically as he shouted with exaggerated pain.
But the very next second, Queen's mouth curved into a mocking smile of supreme confidence: "Just kidding around, kid."
The black coloration coating his abdomen slowly faded away to reveal unmarked skin.
When it came to mastering Armament Haki techniques, he had achieved complete proficiency!