The smoke of battle had yet to fully fade from Wano, yet the air was already thick with the joy of victory—and the mouthwatering aroma of roasted meat.
The Virtue was docked at the edge of the port, its deck already transformed into a lively scene of celebration.
Barrels of rum bubbled and sloshed. Skewers of Sea King meat sizzled over open flames, fat dripping onto the coals and sending sparks dancing into the air. Crew members gathered in small groups, laughter and cheers nearly drowning out the sound of waves crashing against the shore.
Having just survived the brutal war in Wano, everyone was now completely immersed in the revelry of victory, eagerly awaiting a feast worthy of pirates.
Just then—
A small figure suddenly darted into view from the direction of the harbor.
The silhouette weaved through stacks of cargo and crates on the pier before stopping on the shore not far from the Virtue, frantically waving both arms toward the ship.
The tiny body swayed with the effort, clearly trying with all its might to catch the crew's attention.
"Hmm… I think someone's calling out to us."
Patrick Redfield paused mid-bite, one hand gripping a half-eaten slab of steaming roasted meat as grease ran down the corner of his mouth.
He frowned slightly, his keen eyes turning instinctively toward the harbor.
As the man known as the Red Earl, his Observation Haki far surpassed that of ordinary people. Even amidst the clamor of a drunken feast, he could still sense that faint—but persistent—presence.
Some of the crew were about to laugh it off. With the clinking of mugs and roaring cheers all around, how could anyone hear something so small?
But the moment they remembered that Redfield's Observation Haki had never been wrong, their jokes died in their throats. One by one, they followed his gaze toward the port.
Shiro, holding a glass of amber-colored rum, noticed the shift. He quickly set the cup down—the liquid rippling softly inside—and hurried to the railing.
Bracing himself against it, he scanned the harbor carefully, his eyes sweeping across the cargo stacks and figures below.
Then—
His steps abruptly halted.
He froze.
There, standing alone on the shore, was a small figure that stood out unmistakably in the open space.
It was a little girl, no more than eight years old.
Two slender horns rose from the top of her head, gently swaying as she moved, giving her the look of some adorable, wild creature.
She wore a simple, elegant kimono embroidered with faint floral patterns. Though the hem was slightly dusty, it did nothing to hide her delicate features.
Her round face was fair and soft, her features strikingly well-defined. Most notable were her large eyes—bright and clear like gemstones soaked in spring water.
A rare beauty, even at such a young age.
Shiro stared at her for a moment, and a name flashed through his mind.
His heart skipped.
"…That's Yamato."
Kaido's daughter.
Why was she here?
He muttered under his breath, half-joking despite himself:
"Don't tell me she's here because I killed her old man… trying to get revenge or something?"
The moment the words left his mouth, a faint glow shimmered around him—
And in the next instant, he vanished.
Yamato was still focused on waving at the Virtue when she suddenly sensed someone beside her.
She jolted in fright, stumbling back two steps. Her eyes went wide as saucers, filled with shock and wariness as she stared at the man who had appeared out of nowhere.
Seeing her tense reaction, Shiro softened his tone. He rubbed his chin lightly and spoke gently.
"You're Kaido's daughter, Yamato, right? Why are you looking for the Virtue Pirates?"
"Y-you… you're from the Virtue Pirates?"
Her voice was young and shaky, words tumbling out unevenly.
She clutched the edge of her kimono tightly, disbelief filling her wide eyes—as if she couldn't quite believe she had really found them.
"That's right,"
Shiro smiled calmly.
"I'm the captain of the Virtue Pirates. My name is Shiro."
"That's it!"
Yamato's face lit up instantly, like a weight had been lifted off her chest. She straightened her small frame, puffed out her chest, and declared loudly—practically shouting with excitement:
"I am Kozuki Oden! Thank you for killing Kaido and freeing Wano!"
"…Huh?"
Shiro's mouth twitched uncontrollably.
So she'd started calling herself Oden this early already?
Was that a good thing… or a very bad one?
Seeing Shiro's stunned expression, Yamato stepped forward earnestly, her small face filled with sincerity.
"Captain Shiro! I, Kozuki Oden, want to join your Virtue Pirates!"
"Hold on, Yamato."
Shiro quickly reached out and gently patted her head, his fingers brushing through her soft hair.
"I know Kozuki Oden is your hero, but… it's better if you use your own name."
"Okay, Captain!"
She nodded without the slightest hesitation, her bright eyes filled with obedience.
"Then let me ask you something, Yamato."
Shiro's expression grew serious as he met her gaze.
"Why do you want to join the Virtue Pirates? You know very well that your father's Beast Pirates were destroyed by us—and that Kaido himself was killed by my hand."
He was genuinely curious what kind of resolve could drive a child to say such a thing.
Yamato showed no resentment at all.
Instead, her expression softened, her voice calm and sincere.
"Kaido was too cruel. The people of Wano suffered because of him.
You killed him… which makes you Wano's hero."
She paused, then added earnestly:
"And you're the second person I admire most."
That straightforward honesty left Shiro momentarily speechless.
He couldn't help thinking:
This kid really isn't normal… What kind of person admires the man who killed their own father?
Still—
Kaido's blood flowed through her veins. Her potential was unquestionable.
With proper guidance, she would grow into something extraordinary.
Besides, the crew only had one young girl—Robin. Letting Yamato join would at least give her a companion, someone closer to her age.
After a brief moment of thought, Shiro rested a hand on Yamato's shoulder.
"I'll let you join the Virtue Pirates," he said calmly.
"But you must agree to one condition."
"YAY!"
Yamato leapt into the air in excitement, her small body tracing a joyful arc as her horns bobbed wildly.
Only after landing did she remember the condition. She quickly straightened up, her excitement barely contained as she blinked up at him.
"Captain! What condition?"
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