The midday sun filtered through the dense canopy of the courtyard garden, casting dappled shadows on the training ground. A light breeze rustled the leaves, and the air was thick with the mingled scents of earth and sweat, evidence of the intense training that had just concluded.
Kaido had just finished his lunch and was now training bare-chested. His steel-hard muscles shone with a bronze luster under the sun, each one a meticulously carved work of art proclaiming unparalleled power. Fine beads of sweat formed on his brow, sliding down his sharply defined face and dripping onto the hard stone slabs of the training ground. Despite the heavy seastone cuffs on his wrists, his movements were still swift and powerful. Each punch tore through the air with a whistling sound, as if about to rip the atmosphere itself.
"Lord Kaido, an envoy from the Flower Capital has arrived requesting an audience. Shall I bring him over?" A samurai in traditional kimono stood respectfully at the edge of the training ground, softly inquiring. His voice was quiet, yet it carried clearly in the silence of the grounds.
Kaido stopped his movements, a flicker of understanding in his eyes. He casually grabbed a specially made towel nearby and wiped the sweat from his body. "Bring him over." His voice was low, magnetic, and brooked no argument.
The samurai acknowledged the order and left, returning shortly with a middle-aged man sporting a thin mustache. The visitor wore opulent kimono and carried a jade pendant at his waist symbolizing his status as an envoy. Upon seeing Kaido, however, he immediately bowed deeply, his demeanor extremely humble. "Lord Kaido." His voice trembled slightly, betraying his inner nervousness.
"What does the Shogun send you for?" Kaido asked, feigning ignorance despite having already guessed the envoy's purpose. His gaze was piercing, as if capable of seeing through a person's heart, making the envoy involuntarily swallow.
"In reply, my lord," the envoy maintained his bow, sweat visibly beading on his forehead, "the Shogun is gravely ill and has ordered all daimyo of Wano Country to proceed to the Flower Capital immediately." His voice grew smaller, ending in almost a whisper.
Hearing this, Kaido frowned, a look of concern appearing on his face. "Is that so?" His voice held the perfect amount of solicitude, but a glint of shrewdness flashed deep in his eyes.
"I beseech Lord Kaido to depart as soon as possible." The envoy bowed again in request, bending even lower, nearly prostrating himself.
Kaido pondered for a moment, then turned and instructed a samurai beside him. "Go prepare a carriage. I will depart for the Flower Capital at once." His tone was unrefusable, every word falling with weight.
"As you command!" The samurai acknowledged and left swiftly, soon having the carriage and horses ready. It was a specially crafted, luxurious black carriage with intricate carvings on its body, pulled by six strange beasts resembling fierce tigers, looking majestic and awe-inspiring.
"Let us depart," Kaido said to the envoy, his tone carrying unquestionable authority. He strode with steady steps toward the carriage, each step seeming to make the ground tremble.
"Yes, Lord Kaido." The envoy replied respectfully, maintaining his humble posture. He followed carefully behind Kaido, afraid of committing any breach of etiquette.
Just as Kaido reached the city gate and was about to board the carriage, he suddenly stopped. His gaze turned toward the distant sky, his brow furrowing slightly. "Lord Kaido, what is it?" The envoy, seeing Kaido halt his boarding motion, also stopped mounting his own steed and asked, puzzled.
In the direction Kaido was looking, a black dot rapidly grew larger. Soon, a man with wings on his back, shrouded entirely in a black coat, landed on the ground from the sky. The newcomer was King. His wings gleamed with a metallic luster in the sunlight, his black cloak flapping loudly in the wind.
"Big Brother Kaido." King landed before Kaido and addressed him respectfully. His voice was deep and forceful, carrying absolute loyalty to Kaido.
"King, you're back just in time. We'll go to the Flower Capital together." Kaido said to King, a satisfied smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
"Yes, sir!" King nodded, a flash of sharp understanding in his eyes. He understood the importance of this operation and knew Kaido's plan.
Kaido then took King directly onto the carriage. The interior was spacious and comfortable, luxuriously decorated with soft carpets on the floor and plush seats on either side. Kaido sat in the main seat, while King stood respectfully to the side.
The envoy mounted a steed resembling a tiger. The strange beast was snow-white all over, with a golden "王" (king) pattern on its forehead, looking majestic and imposing. It pawed the ground impatiently, emitting low growls that displayed its formidable strength.
Since Kaido's carriage was specially made, akin to a moving house, its speed was not slow even while carrying Kaido and King. The six strange beasts stepped in unison, pulling the carriage forward smoothly, its wheels rumbling dully over the ground.
"King, is everything arranged?" Kaido asked King, his voice lowered so only the two of them could hear.
"Don't worry, Big Brother Kaido. Bullet and the others are already prepared," King replied equally softly, a firm light shining in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly, ensuring his voice wouldn't be overheard.
"Mhm." Kaido nodded.
"Big Brother Kaido, is something wrong?" King, keenly sensing a shift in Kaido's mood, put down the documents in his hand and asked. As a Calamity of the Beasts Pirates, he was long accustomed to maintaining a respectful posture before Kaido.
Kaido sat on the plush seat, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the armrest. "Nothing major." His low voice resonated within the cabin. "It's just that the envoy from the Flower Capital has arrived, but that bastard Queen still hasn't sent any message back." At this point, Kaido's frown deepened, a flash of anger in his eyes. "Hmph! Seems he's gone wild playing in the Flower Capital's Pleasure District and completely forgotten his duty."
Three months ago, Queen had requested permission from Kaido to go to the Flower Capital under the pretext of "monitoring the Flower Capital's movements." Though Kaido knew full well this pleasure-seeking subordinate was drawn by the Flower Capital's famous Pleasure District, considering Queen's consistently good performance since he had arrived in this world, Kaido quietly in agreement. Who would have thought that guy, relying on the large amount of gold he carried with him, would simply move into the Pleasure District and become utterly obsessed with it.
"Big Brother Kaido, after this operation concludes, we really should teach that fatso a proper lesson," King said, adjusting his mask, a hint of coldness in his tone. As the second-in-command of the Beasts Pirates, he had long held grievances about Queen's lax style.
Kaido gave a slight nod, then abruptly changed the subject. "By the way, King, how are those three doing now?"
King was momentarily taken aback before realizing Kaido was referring to Kawamatsu, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi. Ever since Denjiro mysteriously disappeared in Kuri half a year ago, Kaido had taken an interest in these three former retainers of the Kozuki family. Especially Inuarashi and Nekomamushi—if they could be recruited, it meant the potential to bring the entire Mink Tribe under their wing.
"The plan is proceeding smoothly," King reported in detail. "Kawamatsu encountered quite a few kin on Onigashima and is now half-joined us. Although Inuarashi and Nekomamushi still call themselves Kozuki retainers, under Bullet's military management, plus the nightly ideological education sessions, and the hypnotic guidance I periodically administer, their dependence on the Beasts Pirates is deepening."
After listening, Kaido thoughtfully stroked his chin. "Three-pronged approach for half a year, and they still haven't forgotten Kozuki Oden? Seems that guy does have some skills." He sneered coldly. "But it doesn't matter. We won't need them in the short term anyway. Let them stay on Onigashima for another two or three years."
"Big Brother Kaido, what I'm truly concerned about is Denjiro," King's tone grew grave. "He's been missing for half a year. Our people have turned Wano upside down but haven't found him."
Kaido waved a hand dismissively. "That guy must have been hidden by someone. Once this operation is over, those dissatisfied with our rule will naturally jump out. That'll be the perfect time to catch them all in one net." He stood up and walked to the window, pulling back the curtain. "Just a small fry. Not worth the effort."
Outside the window, the outline of the Flower Capital was now clearly visible. A smile of certain victory lifted the corner of Kaido's mouth. "King, get ready. Soon, the entire Wano Country will be ours for the taking."
Hearing this, King also looked toward the distant Flower Capital. After more than seven months of planning, this country was finally about to fall into Big Brother Kaido's hands.
The carriage slowly entered the Flower Capital's city gate, its wheels rumbling dully over the bluestone-paved road. Cherry blossoms fluttered on both sides of the street, but instead of heading toward the Shogun's Castle as usual, the carriage turned and headed for the most bustling Pleasure District of the Flower Capital.
Inside a luxurious private room, brightly lit. Queen, blindfolded with a red cloth, was frolicking with over a dozen gorgeously dressed courtesans. These women were all exceptionally beautiful with graceful figures, giggling as they flitted around the room, evading Queen's pursuit.
"Hahaha, don't run, my little beauties!" Queen spread his arms, his bloated body moving clumsily about the room. "Let Queen-sama love you!"
"My lord, I'm over here~"
"Come catch me, Queen-sama~"
The chorus of Yingshengyanyu rose and fell, the courtesans flitting around Queen like butterflies. Queen suddenly lunged, finally catching the sleeve of one courtesan.
"Got you!" Queen triumphantly, about to pull off his blindfold when the room's carved wooden door was laughed abruptly kicked open with great force.
"Which blind fool..." Queen angrily tore off the red cloth, only to freeze in place the instant he saw the newcomers. "K-Ka... Lord Kaido?!" The smile on Queen's face instantly solidified, his fat body trembling involuntarily.
Kaido's towering figure filled the doorway, his shadow enveloping the entire room. King stood silently behind him, his gaze cold behind the mask. Seeing the situation, the courtesans immediately and wisely bowed their heads and withdrew from the room.
"So this is what you call 'gathering intelligence'?" Kaido's deep voice was suppressed anger as his gaze swept over the table laden with food and wine and the scattered garments.
Cold sweat beaded on Queen's forehead. "Boss, let me explain, I was... I was..."
Before he could finish, Kaido's iron fist smashed heavily into his face. Queen's fat body flew out like a ball, crashed through the paper door, and landed with a heavy thud against the courtyard's rockery, sending up a cloud of dust.
"You have ten minutes to clean yourself up," Kaido said coldly. "Then come with me to the Shogun's Castle."
Queen crawled out of the pile of gravel, not even bothering to wipe the blood from his nose. "The Shogun's Castle? The plan is starting?"
Kaido snorted coldly, turning to walk toward the carriage. "After we finish this business, I'll settle this account with you properly."
***
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