Flower Capital, Shogun's Residence
When Kaido arrived with Otama and a recovered Komachiyo, Monet and Baby-5 were already waiting for them. They had heard their captain's announcement from the sky and understood their new roles. They bowed deeply as he approached.
Kaido was satisfied with their quick thinking. He gently set Otama down from his shoulders. Komachiyo immediately pressed close to her side, whining softly and eyeing Kaido with a lingering fear.
Under Otama's nervous gaze, Kaido gestured to the two women. "These two will be your retainers from now on. They'll be responsible for serving you and keeping you safe. I'll let you get to know each other on your own."
Otama glanced at her new attendants before looking back up at the towering man. "Um… can I still go back to Kuri?"
"Worororo… Of course, you can." Kaido placed a massive hand gently on her head, and her eyes lit up. "Remember, you're my daughter now, and the future Shogun. All of Wano is your home. Except for Onigashima, you can go wherever you please, and no one can stop you. But not tonight. It's late. You'll rest here. The Shogun's Residence has been prepared for you."
A wide, mischievous grin spread across Kaido's face. "Worororo… Don't tell me you need your old man to tuck you in?"
Otama's cheeks immediately flushed bright red. "I don't need that at all!" she shot back. Perhaps it was because he had granted her three wishes, but she was starting to realize Kaido wasn't as terrifying as she had always believed. With Komachiyo by her side, her courage had grown.
"Worororo, good to hear. You two," he said to Monet and Baby-5, "get her some dinner, and then see that she gets to bed. I'm leaving."
With that, he turned and walked away, his footsteps heavy on the wooden floors. As he reached the doorway, Otama clenched her small fists. The word was still difficult for her to say, but she managed to whisper it.
"Th-thank you…"
Kaido paused for a second, then let out a deep, hearty laugh that shook the walls before he disappeared into the hallway.
In another large hall within the sprawling residence, Kaido found King already busy coordinating their new operations. King looked up from a stack of papers and noticed the rare good mood of his captain.
"You seem happy, Kaido-san."
"Hah!" Kaido didn't deny it, slumping down onto a large tatami mat covered in animal hides. "Who wouldn't like an obedient little girl? What's the status on those orders I gave you?"
"The commands have been sent," King reported. "All the prisoners in the mines and factories have been released. As for the food distribution and shutting down the remaining factories, we still need some time to prepare. That will have to begin tomorrow."
"You've done well. In this whole damn crew, you're the only one I can truly rely on. Maria is decent enough, but the rest are a bunch of idiots with nothing but muscle between their ears."
King's expression didn't change, but he heard the underlying affection in the word 'idiots.' Kaido-san has really changed, he thought. It was like they were back in the old days, when they first met, when his captain seemed to have a fire and a passion for everything. The thought made King happy.
"How do you find the Flower Capital?" Kaido asked.
King's tone relaxed slightly. "To be honest, Kaido-san, it's not as comfortable as Onigashima."
"Worororo, you'll get used to it. There's always an adjustment period. We're not just pirates anymore; we're the rulers of this country now. If you don't like something, just renovate it."
"Understood." King nodded, then remembered something, retrieving a few newspapers from a nearby table. "These just arrived from the outside world."
Kaido took one and laughed. "Moriah is still as useless as ever. Even with a little push from me, he still got himself beaten." The front page of the paper reported that Gecko Moria, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, had been defeated by the rookie, Straw Hat Luffy.
King nodded in agreement. "I didn't expect Moriah to lose to that kid, either. That makes two Warlords he's taken down. He's certainly living up to his reputation as a user of the Nika fruit. In the last twenty years, I think only Fire Fist Ace ever managed to defeat a Warlord on his debut journey."
Kaido just laughed. "Worororo, this is only the beginning. Don't underestimate that 'savior.' Two Warlords won't be nearly enough to serve as his stepping stones."
King was a bit surprised by his captain's certainty, but Kaido didn't elaborate. "Anything else?"
"Yes," King confirmed. "This is from Joker. He has captured the person you were looking for, Kaido-san. He will arrive in five days for the coronation, along with Judge from Germa. Judge wishes to bring a few of his sons with him. Is that acceptable?"
"No problem. Make the arrangements."
"Understood, Kaido-san."
"Is there more?"
King hesitated for a moment, and Kaido's brow furrowed. "What is it? Is there something that's even difficult for you to say?"
"It's about Young Master Yamato," King said finally.
"I see." Kaido's good mood vanished, replaced by a cold indifference. "You don't have to look so troubled. The situation is simple. I have only one daughter now, and her name is Otama."
"I understand, Kaido-san," King said, bowing his head slightly. "The news is also from Joker. It seems Young Master Yamato has traveled to the South Blue."
A hint of curiosity appeared on Kaido's face. "The South Blue? What is she doing there?"
"Although you compromised the situation at the Sabaody Archipelago, the World Government and the Celestial Dragons have not given up their pursuit. After all, one dead and one injured noble is the worst incident they've faced since Fisher Tiger over a decade ago. CP is still hunting them. For safety, Young Master Yamato went to the South Blue. Joker believes the choice of location is related to her new crewmate, the girl named Jewelry Bonney."
"Is that so?" Kaido stared into the distance. "The sea outside is getting more and more chaotic, King."
King nodded, knowing exactly what he meant. With the legendary Sun God and savior on the move, the current chaos was nothing compared to the storm that was coming.
"By the way, Kaido-san," King added. "There's a lot of movement from the Whitebeard Pirates. It seems they've received the news that Fire Fist Ace has been captured. Should we…?" He let the question hang in the air, looking at his captain.
Kaido understood the meaning perfectly: should the Beasts Pirates get involved and take advantage of the chaos? The old Kaido would have jumped at the chance to start a massive war. But this Kaido was different.
He already had a clear plan for everything that was to come.
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