Silence.
A profound, eerie silence fell over the entire Flower Capital. Every single person, from the lowest citizen to the highest-ranking pirate, stared in disbelief at the small girl standing on the dragon's head in the night sky. Her words echoed in their minds, a dream too bold to seem real.
"Did… did you hear what she said?" a man whispered, his voice trembling.
"Of course I heard it! That's a wish I've prayed for my entire life!" his neighbor replied.
"There's no way. Is Kaido really going to agree to that?" a more cynical voice chimed in. "Are you kidding? Only an idiot would believe that."
"Hey," another man declared, his voice full of conviction. "If that little girl can really make Kaido do all of that, then I'll gladly accept her as the Shogun of Wano!"
The people of Wano weren't the only ones in shock. The members of the Beasts Pirates were just as stunned. The first wish—to feed the country—was difficult, but not impossible. The next two, however, would shatter the very foundation of their pirate crew.
It was no secret that the Beasts Pirates' status as a Yonko crew was built on overwhelming military power. That power came from two main sources: the top-tier combat strength of Kaido and his All-Stars, and the endless stream of weapons produced in Wano's factories and mines. Halting production for even three days was a rare event that had surely delayed countless arms deals with the underworld. If they did as the girl asked—releasing all the prisoners and closing the factories—it wouldn't just delay orders; it would bring the entire operation to a grinding halt.
Yet, as everyone watched with bated breath, Kaido spoke, his voice calm and without a hint of refusal.
"King!"
Down in the Shogun's palace, King's eyes widened as he heard his captain's call. Flames immediately erupted from his back as he spread his wings and launched into the air.
"Kaido-san!" he yelled, hovering before the colossal dragon.
Kaido's enormous head turned slightly, and he spoke words that no one could believe. "Did you hear what my daughter said?"
King glanced at the small girl on Kaido's head, his expression a mix of surprise and confusion. "I heard, Kaido-san."
"Good. Then starting today, open the palace granaries and the crew's food stores. As long as they are citizens of Wano, man, woman, or child, they can receive a month's worth of rations. Calculate it for three meals a day for thirty days. This policy will continue for one year. Do you understand?"
A flicker of shock crossed King's face. He looked incredulously from Kaido to the girl, who seemed just as shocked and overjoyed as anyone. Who was this child, to be given such importance by their captain?
"I… I understand," King replied.
"Good. Now, the second matter. Release all prisoners from the mines and the weapons factories. Let them go home. No one is to stop them. Understood?"
"But…" This time, King's shock was even greater. He hesitated, "Kaido-san, if we do that, what about all the delayed orders from our buyers?"
A sly grin appeared on Kaido's draconic face. "That won't be our problem anymore."
King's eyes widened in realization. His captain was planning to hand the entire weapons business over to Doflamingo. So that was it. This had all been planned long ago.
"I understand. I'll see to it first thing tomorrow."
"Not tomorrow," Kaido commanded. "Go now. Relay the order. I want everyone to be home with their families tonight."
Atop Kaido's head, Tama's eyes were already sparkling with tears of joy. She looked down at the massive dragon beneath her, unable to believe that he had truly agreed.
Even more surprised were the common people below. A wave of joyous disbelief swept through the crowd.
"You all heard that, right? Tell me you heard it!"
"I heard it! I'm not dreaming, am I?"
"We don't have to starve anymore? Three meals a day… I'd forgotten what that was like!"
A little girl tugged on her mother's kimono. "Mama, can Papa really come home tonight?"
"Wuwuwu… Yes, sweetie," the mother sobbed, hugging her child. "Papa's coming home. Our family will be together again."
Kaido then addressed his commander one last time. "Now for the final matter. Starting tomorrow, shut down all other factories and quarries. Only the facilities in Udon will remain operational."
By now, nothing could surprise King. He simply nodded. "I understand, Kaido-san. I will make the arrangements." As he spoke, his gaze drifted curiously to the little girl who was now happily hugging one of Kaido's horns.
His daughter? he thought. For some reason, an image of Yamato flashed in his mind. Comparing the two, he had to admit, this little girl clinging to Kaido's horn looked far more like a loving daughter. Had Yamato's constant defiance hurt Kaido more deeply than any of them knew?
"Alright, those are my orders," Kaido finished. He then glanced up at Tama. "Well, brat. I suppose I've fulfilled your wishes now, haven't I?"
Tama's eyes shone as she looked down at him, still struggling to believe it wasn't all a dream. This was the demon she had spent her life wanting to drive out of her country. But now, that same demon was granting her deepest desires. Could the rumors be true? Was Orochi the real villain all along?
Since Kaido had kept his promise, she knew she had to keep hers. But the word wouldn't come out. She opened her mouth several times, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.
Seeing her struggle, Kaido chuckled. "It's fine. Call me whatever you want. Just remember our promise."
Tama let out a small sigh of relief, though her eyes were still full of confusion.
Kaido's gaze, meanwhile, swept back over the people of Wano. "So," he boomed, his voice dripping with authority. "Does anyone else have a problem with my daughter becoming the Shogun of this country?"
The crowd, which had been buzzing with emotion, fell silent for a moment before erupting in a wave of incredible enthusiasm.
"No! No problem, Lord Kaido!"
"Thank you, Lord Kaido! Thank you, Shogun-sama!"
"Long live Lord Kaido! Long live the Shogun!"
Kaido gave a satisfied nod. "Good. In five days, I will hold the coronation ceremony for Shogun Kurozumi Tama here in the Flower Capital. Everyone will attend. King, go and prepare. And send an invitation to Doffy. Tell him to bring the person I asked for…"
With that, Kaido coiled his massive body and began to ascend, carrying Tama back towards the Shogun's palace. As they rose into the sky, Tama's voice, now inexplicably softer, suddenly piped up.
"Um… Komachiyo will get worried if he doesn't see me for so long."
"Komachiyo?" Kaido paused, remembering the unconscious lion-dog he had swatted aside earlier. "I understand."
He abruptly changed direction, rocketing towards the Kuri region. A few moments later, he returned, but this time, he held a very dazed-looking komainu gently in his massive claws.
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