The process of redeeming the prize went smoothly, but in Kojiro's eyes, the behavior of the other party was unnecessary. Never mind redeeming the prize, even if she came directly to ask for money, he wouldn't refuse.
Although Kojiro's merchant guild has been thriving recently in Wano Kuni, he knows very well that this guild is merely a leaf attached to the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew.
If there were any crooked intentions, the Hundred Beasts could replace it at any time.
The rise of the merchant guild has been a massive shock to the local merchants in Wano Kuni. After seeing the huge profits brought by the Hundred Beasts, they've long forgotten about xenophobia.
However, having missed the first opportunity, they no longer have the chance to join the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew. Kojiro doesn't want to be replaced, so he seizes every opportunity he can.
It's impossible for him to refuse Yamato's request. He would just send a report afterwards. It's better not to meddle in other people's family affairs.
Then he checked the recent sales records and roughly guessed what this was all about. After all, a large shipment had recently been sent from Ringo's production plant to Ghost Island.
"This expenditure... it's already more than the grand prize...."
"Young Master Kojiro, what should we do next?"
"Issue a few more. This time, be more mindful and try to let an ordinary bottle cap collector win the grand prize cap."
"Understood. I'll get right on it."
...
As for Yamato, she didn't have a clear understanding of this number. She coincidentally obtained the grand prize cap and later used her New Year's money to buy a large number of caps for redemption within the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew.
Calculating carefully, her small treasury had actually shrunk, but it didn't matter to her because she already enjoyed the joy of the draw.
With Milcery on her head, Yamato hopped back to Ghost Island. However, as soon as she reached the entrance, a strange creature stopped her.
"Roto, please show your Life Card, Roto."
A red, unidentified block was blocking her way, continuously demanding to see her identification.
Its main body was a punch card machine made by Queen. With this technology, creating something like an ID card wasn't difficult. Once the request was made, Queen and Asie finalized the design plan in half a day.
Asie, over the years of research, also created some special materials. Initially, his intention was to use other materials as a substitute for pure gold, but accidentally created a material functioning like a magnetic card.
Combining the production method of the Life Card from the New World, a Life Card containing personal information appeared within the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew and was distributed to everyone.
Then, Queen made several punch card machines, allowing members to swipe their Life Cards upon entering Ghost Island.
During this time, Arceus modified those punch card machines, more precisely, he gave them souls, turning them into new carriers for Rotom.
Although Rotom now appears as a punch card machine, this isn't its true form. The machine is merely its host, and its main body resides inside.
Rotom's main body is composed of plasma, with an orange core surrounded by blue translucent plasma, which can materialize as Rotom's hands.
Arceus created a large number of Rotoms using the Zap Plate. Now, Ghost Island doesn't just have one punch card machine. Relying on Rotom's uniqueness, Ghost Island has directly entered the smart age.
Because Rotom's body is like electricity, it can enter certain machines' interiors, and any machine operated by electricity could become its new body.
Its original attributes are Electric and Ghost, but in reality, Electric is its primary attribute. Its attributes change depending on which machine it enters.
However, Rotom has a requirement for the machine's kinetic energy, which is compatibility with Rotom's special motor. Queen's work over the past few months produced such a motor and used it to modify some machines.
Now he and Asie's laboratory, the kitchen on Ghost Island, and the punch card machines outside are almost omnipresent with Rotom's presence.
"Sorry, Miss Yamato, this guy is new here, and some of its programs haven't been loaded yet."
At this time, another punch card machine Rotom flew over and directly took away the previous Rotom. Identity verification is for regular members; once reaching the rank of a cadre, it changes.
The punch card machine Rotom holds the Life Cards of members at the cadre level and above. By comparing the recorded image data, it can directly determine if the person is indeed the cadre.
Yamato and a few other children receive this kind of privilege too. They don't need a Life Card and can enter just by face recognition.
The reason not to fully adopt this method is mostly due to the sheer number of Life Cards for everyone.
If it were merely recording physical features without a tangible magnetic card, it wouldn't suffice.
This world has too many ways to change one's appearance.
Now even Ghost Island's gates have been replaced with electronic ones to prevent some from entering places they shouldn't, like stopping Yamato from accidentally entering an office.
If someone with incorrect identification tries to force their way in, they will release an electric shock and trigger an alarm throughout Ghost Island.
Time quickly approached mid-October, and Yamato's third birthday was imminent. This is also one of the last few good days she has left, as Kaidou has already prepared an extensive training plan and intends to start after her third birthday.
After that, her days won't be as carefree as now, so Arceus plans to prepare a proper birthday party for her.
For this, he dispatched a few people to borrow several chefs from Cake Island. The chefs on Ghost Island are vastly different from those on Cake Island.
After all, those people can be considered BIG·MOM's exclusive pastry chefs, and poor cooking could have dire consequences.
The Radio Snail that connects the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew with other pirate crews is with Queen, so this task was also entrusted to him.
Having finished his day's work, Queen was planning to contact BIG·MOM's people, but before he could make the call, the Radio Snail rang instead.
"Moshi moshi, this is the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew."
"I know this is the Hundred Beasts Pirate Crew! Queen! Do you still have some stock of those bananas over there? Send us a batch quickly."
"Perospero? Do you think you're my subordinate? Who gave you the courage to give me orders?"
"You... I... I didn't mean it that way, anyway, we need a batch of goods, quickly."
Listening to Perospero on the other end of the call, without any retort, Queen sensed something amiss.