Kaido watched the small girl before him. He had waited three days before seeking her out, all to confirm one crucial detail: had she eaten the Kibi Kibi no Mi, the Dumpling Devil Fruit that could tame animals and even users of Zoan-type fruits? The answer was no.
This confirmed a theory he'd heard long ago from Vegapunk. "Devil Fruits are the manifestations of human desire."
In this timeline, Doflamingo's artificial Zoan fruits had only just begun production. The Beasts Pirates had not yet become the massive SMILE army they were meant to be. This simple change had a ripple effect. Without a legion of rampaging Gifters, Tama never developed the desperate wish to control them. Without the desire, the fruit never found its way to her.
Kaido wasn't disappointed. He was satisfied. The ability of the Dumpling Fruit was Tama's only flaw in his eyes. In a world of pirates who supposedly chased freedom, that fruit was unique. It was the only one that could completely dominate the free will of another living being. Even the Wash-Wash Fruit of Marine Staff Officer Tsuru could only cleanse the evil from a person's heart, not control their actions. The Dumpling Fruit could rewrite a person's loyalties entirely.
On a villain, it would be one of the most terrifying powers in the world. If Kaido himself had that ability, he could command the colossal beasts of every island, truly becoming the King of the Beasts.
Now, without that power, Tama was perfect. If she ate the artificial Azure Dragon Fruit made from his own Lineage Factor, she would be the ideal daughter and successor he was looking for.
Tama's eyes were wide with disbelief as she stared up at the giant man. Her mind was a complete mess. Everything was happening too fast for her six-year-old brain to process, but one thing stuck out with perfect clarity: if she said yes, she might be able to save everyone.
But still…
She clenched her small fists, bit her lip, and looked Kaido straight in the eye. "But… what if I want you to leave Wano Country?!" she asked bravely.
"Worororo… That's impossible!" Kaido rejected the idea without a second of hesitation. "Did you forget what I told you? No one else in this country can protect you now. Besides, Wano is my territory. You think I'd just give it up?"
"Then… then…" she stammered, her courage failing her.
"But, I can give you a chance," he offered. "Become my daughter, and I'll listen to what you have to say, as long as it's reasonable. How about it? It's still relying on someone else, I guess, but at least you'll be doing something instead of just waiting for a savior who might never come. This is your only shot…"
Tama's face was a storm of indecision. She didn't know what to do. Her mind screamed at her to refuse. This man was a monster, the one who had brought ruin to her home and likely killed her parents. But… if he was telling the truth, if this was a real chance to change Wano and make sure everyone had full bellies and happy lives… then maybe it was worth any price. Even her own life.
Her expression hardened with resolve. But she had one more question. "Why… why did you choose me?"
Kaido saw the change in her and answered honestly. "Two reasons. First, your full name is Kurozumi Tama."
The girl froze. "That's right," Kaido continued. "You have the same name as Orochi, the man I just killed. You're both descendants of the Kurozumi clan, the same clan that once ruled this country."
"How… How can that be?" Tama had never imagined she was part of the same family as the hated Orochi. For years, the story had spread that Orochi's tyranny was revenge for the Kurozumi clan's past disgrace. The knowledge that she shared their blood made her feel sick. Was she a demon, too? Was she one of the villains the Kozuki samurai were supposed to defeat? She hadn't felt this close to crying even when Kaido had revealed his name.
Just as a tear started to fall, Kaido's rough voice cut through her despair. "Hey, kid, stop making that face. You can't change the name you were born with, but you can decide who you're going to be. Don't be weak."
Tama looked up, stunned. Was this demon… encouraging her? His words weren't gentle, but they weren't cruel either. Thinking back on their conversation, she suddenly felt that maybe he wasn't quite as scary as she thought. Sniffling, she asked, "What's… what's the second reason?"
"The second reason is simple," Kaido said, his tone softening with something that sounded like genuine admiration. "I respect you. On these seas, plenty of people with full stomachs are willing to share their food. But there are very few who, even when they're starving, will still put others first. I see the makings of a true ruler in you. I think you can become the greatest Shogun Wano has ever known."
A tiny light flickered in Tama's tear-filled eyes. "Can… can I really do that? I'm just a kid!"
"Of course you can," Kaido grunted, thinking to himself that if a useless brat like Momonosuke could be considered a candidate for Shogun, then this girl was more than qualified.
He stretched out his massive hand again. "Climb on."
Tama hesitated for a moment, but then her face firmed with determination. She trembled as she climbed onto his palm. He gently lifted her up and placed her on his broad shoulders, right behind his neck.
"Hold on tight!"
With a powerful roar that shook the very air, Kaido transformed. Amidst Tama's cries of shock and awe, his human form melted away, replaced by the serpentine body of a colossal azure dragon. With another roar, he shot into the sky, flying toward the Flower Capital.
Night had fallen over the Flower Capital, but the city was as bright and lively as ever. This was strange, considering the Shogun, Kurozumi Orochi, had been killed just three days prior. Members of the infamous Beasts Pirates were now moving into the city, yet life continued almost unchanged.
The citizens soon realized that Orochi's death meant very little. There were no lockdowns, no city-wide mourning. It was as if an unimportant pest had been removed. The Beasts Pirates, likely under strict orders, were surprisingly well-behaved. They didn't cause trouble; instead, their lavish spending brought a sudden boom to the city's brothels, gambling dens, and restaurants.
This strange peace wasn't limited to the capital. The other regions of Wano—Kuri, Kibi, Ringo, and Hakumai—were also quiet. Even the prisoners in the Udon labor camps got a rare break, as the weapons factories and quarries were temporarily shut down while the Beasts Pirates reorganized.
The only real change was invisible. Starting the day Orochi died, a storm of rumors began to brew, spreading through the streets and alleys of every town and village in Wano.
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