Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, three months had passed. During this period, not overly long yet sufficient for many changes, the New World's situation maintained a state of relative stability. Golden Lion Shiki continued to expand his sphere of influence, while the Roger Pirates and the Marine hero Garp engaged in their protracted game of chase across the vast seas.
However, in stark contrast to this seemingly uneventful state of affairs outside, the closed-off Wano Country underwent earth-shaking transformations within these short three months. To consolidate his rule over Wano, Kaido, relying on memories and experiences from a past life, implemented a series of bold and sweeping reforms.
These decrees covered crucial fields such as agriculture, commerce, education, and the military, aiming to fundamentally improve people's livelihoods and strengthen the nation's power. In agriculture, he not only introduced advanced farming techniques but also improved traditional irrigation systems. In commerce, he broke the existing monopoly system and established a fairer market order. In education, he promoted a national literacy plan, setting up simple schools in every village. These measures spread like a spring breeze to every corner of Wano Country.
Naturally, these reforms also contained Kaido's personal inclinations. For instance, Kaido did not appreciate Wano's traditional cultural and architectural style, so all reforms subtly diminished the original cultural characteristics of Wano. While these changes weren't obvious in the short term, in another decade or so, those familiar with Wano would find the country completely transformed.
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At the same time, Kaido ordered Queen to lead the science team in researching various devices for public convenience. From agricultural machinery to improve efficiency to household appliances that enhanced quality of life, from improved textile tools to new lighting equipment, these inventions sprang up like bamboo shoots after rain.
The standard of living for Wano's people thus rose significantly. Smiling vendors began appearing on the streets, farmers' cheerful conversations could be heard in the fields, and the cries of hawkers rose and fell in the markets. The entire country radiated unprecedented vitality and vigor.
However, any reform inevitably steps on the toes of vested interests.
The daimyo across Wano Country and their subordinate samurai families became the biggest losers in this transformation. Not only did they lose their original privileged status, but they also faced the rise and challenge of the new emerging class.
The redistribution of interests inevitably sparked resistance. Within these three months, four rebellions of varying scales broke out across Wano. But due to a lack of top-tier combatants, each rebellion was crushed with lightning speed by officers like King, Bullet, and Queen before they could even attract Kaido's attention.
These suppression operations not only displayed the formidable strength of the Beasts Pirates but also made many fence-sitters see reality.
Consequently, the number of prisoners in Udon Quarry surged, and the warden, Gecko Moria, became even busier, now one of Kaido's most capable labor managers.
"Queen," Kaido sat on the ornately decorated throne in the main hall of the Shogun's castle, his fingers tapping the armrest rhythmically with a crisp sound, "find a way to research how to block sunlight from entering Udon Quarry. That way, Moria can use the power of the Kage Kage no Mi to have the prisoners mine seastone day and night. The current situation, where those zombies can only work at night, is too inefficient."
"Understood, Kaido-sama." Queen pushed up his signature sunglasses, nodding with assurance. As the chief scientist of the Beasts Pirates, he was long accustomed to Kaido's seemingly whimsical demands. "I can build an adjustable shading system over the quarry, combined with special reflective materials. That should achieve the effect you want."
Just then, a flash of dazzling electric light crackled in the air, and the nine-year-old Enel appeared instantly opposite Queen. This brat who had eaten the Goro Goro no Mi had already shown astonishing potential. His signature earlobes swayed slightly with his movements, and his face wore an expression of maturity beyond his years.
"How are things?" Kaido turned his gaze to this youth he held in high regard, his voice tinged with expectation.
"Heh heh," Enel shook the notebook in his hand triumphantly, the pages rustling. "Those nobles have confessed. According to them, they were incited by Denjiro, and on top of that, their interests were damaged recently, so they took the risk."
"Denjiro?" Kaido narrowed his eyes slightly, a dangerous glint flashing in his red pupils. "I didn't expect it to be him. Did you find his hideout?"
Enel shook his head, a hint of regret on his face. "I got the location of their meeting point, but when I got there, the place was already deserted. That guy is much more cunning than expected."
"It seems there are still quite a few people in Wano who can't read the situation," Kaido's voice was low and dangerous, the temperature in the great hall seeming to drop several degrees. He slowly stood up, his tall figure casting a huge shadow in the candlelight. "But it's fine. Time will make them understand that resistance is futile."
Queen suddenly interjected, his voice carrying a hint of worry. "Kaido-sama, could Denjiro try to contact Kawamatsu, Nekomamushi, and Inuarashi? Those three may have submitted on the surface, but who knows what they're really thinking."
"No need to worry," Kaido revealed a confident smile, his sharp fangs glinting coldly in the light. "I believe Bullet can hold Onigashima well. If Denjiro dares to sneak in, I'm afraid Bullet will take care of him immediately. Besides, after this period of... 'education,' I believe those three have become loyal members of the Beasts Pirates."
Queen nodded thoughtfully, clearly agreeing with Kaido's judgment. He suddenly seemed to remember something and pulled out a document from his robe. "Oh, right, Kaido-sama. Regarding your order for me to start selling seastone through the underworld... The World Government has caught on. This morning, they even contacted me through my underworld connections."
"Oh?!" Upon hearing this, a flash of insight gleamed in Kaido's eyes. "They finally took the bait."
Kaido had long anticipated that once seastone, such an important strategic resource, started being sold in the underworld, the World Government would quickly come knocking. After all, the World Government held significant power in the underworld too. Even the recently famous The Pleasure District was established with their covert support.
This was precisely the result Kaido wanted. He needed to establish a connection with the World Government, because they held far too many valuable things in their hands—various embargoed instruments and equipment, precious Devil Fruits—all of which were strategic supplies urgently needed by the Beasts Pirates.
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