On the other end of the Den Den Mushi, Kaido looked ridiculous to the extreme.
That face, which was terrifying enough to make the New World tremble, was now twisted into a mess.
Tears streamed down his face, and snot hung from his nose without the slightest dignity.
"You… what did you just say? You're not going to be 'Oden' anymore? Could it be… you've finally decided to inherit my legacy?!"
To Kaido, Yamato's obsession with becoming "Oden" was the greatest heartache of his life.
It was like having a purebred Tibetan Mastiff at home that insisted it was a husky, tearing the house apart and causing endless despair.
But now, this rebellious child had actually changed her words and said she wanted to seize the Beasts Pirates and become Shogun to rule everything.
It was still rebellion, but the nature of it had completely changed.
In Kaido's eyes, this had gone from "spiritual betrayal" to "an internal family power struggle."
"THAT'S MY ONI CHILD! UWAAAA! YOU WANT TO RULE WANO? YOU WANT TO BEAT ME FLAT? THEN COME! I'LL BE WAITING FOR YOU ON ONIGASHIMA!"
Kaido cried until his voice nearly broke, then suddenly burst into crazed laughter.
"YOU'RE IN LINLIN'S TERRITORY RIGHT NOW, AREN'T YOU? HURRY UP AND ROLL BACK HERE WITH JACK! IF YOU CAN REALLY DO IT, THEN FORGET THE BEASTS PIRATES—EVEN THE ENTIRE NEW WORLD CAN BE YOURS TO MESS WITH! WORORORORO! THIS IS THE BEST NEWS I'VE HEARD ALL YEAR!"
"SHUT UP! I'M NOT DOING THINGS YOUR WAY! NO MATTER WHAT YOU WANT, I WON'T LISTEN TO YOUR ORDERS! I'LL DO THIS ACCORDING TO MY OWN WILL!"
Yamato roared back without the slightest politeness and hung up the Den Den Mushi with a sharp click.
...
Wano Country, atop Onigashima.
"Is that so? In that case…"
Kaido abruptly stood up.
The wild laughter from a moment ago instantly froze into a savage expression, and his violent Haki erupted, shattering the surrounding wine barrels.
"—ROAR!"
A furious roar shook all of Onigashima.
The lingering sound swept across the sea like muffled thunder, raising waves several meters high.
By the time King arrived, the scene was already a complete mess.
He was just about to speak when Kaido waved his hand.
The moved tears on his face had long since disappeared, replaced by the ferocity and fighting spirit of an Emperor of the Sea.
"It's fine, King. It's time to make some preparations."
Kaido gripped Hassaikai tightly, clearly ready to move.
"Although this is very different from what I expected, we'll take it one step at a time. It's time to deal with those insects. That guy has occupied that position for too long, and he's become an eyesore! First, I'll clean up the trash, then let Yamato take over that seat."
Since Yamato wanted to seize things through force, then she could prove herself in blood and fire.
As for whether Wano would later become a weapons factory and a pirate paradise, or whether she would truly save the country, that would depend on her ability.
Kaido strode toward the platform, his black cloak snapping in the wind.
"Since she refuses to listen no matter what, then I'll do the opposite. Once I finish dealing with things here, I'll personally make a trip to Totto Land."
"Kaido-sama, if you wish to deal with Kurozumi Orochi, I alone am enough," King requested in a low voice.
"King, you don't understand…"
Kaido grabbed a wine gourd and took a huge drink. The alcohol made his face collapse again.
Riding the drunken mood, he burst into loud, unrestrained tears.
"THIS IS THE FIRST TIME YAMATO HAS EVER GONE ALONG WITH WHAT I WANTED… HOW COULD I POSSIBLY NOT HANDLE SOMETHING LIKE THIS MYSELF? LET'S GO. YOU'RE COMING TOO!"
A violent wind rose.
The enormous azure dragon body tore through the clouds and charged straight toward the Flower Capital.
…
At that moment, Yamato had no idea what madness had gotten into Kaido.
In any case, she had already said what she wanted to say.
The rest would be going back to Wano and kicking Kaido's ass.
"Hah, what exactly was that old bastard attitude? What was there to be happy about?"
Yamato sighed lightly, then rummaged through Jack's pocket and pulled out an Eternal Pose to Wano.
Cain looked at Yamato's eager expression and asked,
"You're leaving now? Didn't you just say you didn't want to listen to Kaido? I thought you weren't going anymore!"
"Ah, there are still a bunch of things waiting for me in Wano."
Yamato waved her hand boldly.
"I just don't want to act according to Kaido's wishes. That doesn't mean I don't want to go back to Wano!"
"In any case, it's time to say goodbye."
Yamato smiled as she spoke, and Cain and the others waved to see her off.
After both sides nodded to one another, Yamato grabbed Jack by the tusk.
With a burst of strength from her right hand, she dragged the unconscious, pig-headed Jack along like a sack and strode deep into the buildings.
She had not walked far when she remembered to turn back, waving hard at them in her usual carefree way.
"HEY! CAIN, UTA, KATAKURI! THE NEXT TIME WE MEET, I MIGHT ALREADY BE THE BOSS OF WANO! I'LL TREAT YOU ALL TO DRINKS THEN!"
Katakuri and Cain exchanged a glance.
Before they could even sigh over that woman's storm-like personality, a dull thud came from the distance, like something heavy smashing into a wall.
Less than three minutes later, Yamato came rushing back with Jack in tow.
"UM! LET ME ASK SOMETHING! WHY DOES THIS PLACE ALL LOOK THE SAME? WHICH WAY IS THE PORT? I CAN'T FIND IT!"
Everyone's faces darkened.
Katakuri was silent for a long while before summoning a chess soldier.
"Take her to the port where the Beasts' ship is docked."
Before he had even finished speaking, Yamato had already grabbed the soldier in a whirlwind, and her back vanished completely from everyone's sight.
Katakuri withdrew his gaze. Seeing that the sky had already grown late, he led Cain and Uta toward the prepared sleeping quarters.
"I will find a way to let you meet Pudding. But remember, first and foremost, I am a Sweet Commander of the Big Mom Pirates. This matter may still require Mama's permission."
Cain nodded to show that he understood.
After they were settled, the three of them temporarily parted ways.
Afterward, Katakuri received a notice from Perospero and went to the great hall. Once he reported the news of Yamato's departure, Big Mom nodded as well.
As for Cain's pirate affiliation, although there had been no progress, it was no longer important to them.
Perospero leaned on his candy staff, his long, thin tongue licking the corner of his lips.
"Katakuri, your task during this period is to keep an eye on Cain. That boy doesn't seem to trust this place very much."
Katakuri frowned slightly and spoke bluntly.
"If you're suspicious, why not have Pudding directly inspect his memories? As long as she takes one look, we can know who he met during the time he lost, what he experienced, and even his thoughts, can't we?"
"NO! ABSOLUTELY NOT!"
Perospero's voice suddenly rose, carrying a neurotic sternness.
"Put away that dangerous idea of yours. At this banquet, Cain is a piece that absolutely cannot be allowed to 'have problems.' We must not let him notice anything is wrong. On the surface, he is not only our family, but also the public face of the entire pirate crew!"
"Public face?"
Katakuri sensed something off.
"For the sake of the giants, is it really necessary to go this far?"
"Mamamama…"
Upon the throne, Big Mom's massive body was hidden in shadow as she let out an eerie laugh.
"Since that girl Yamato has already rolled back home, that gives us the perfect chance to act without restraint. Cain possesses the exact same Fish-Fish Fruit as Kaido… and with his current strength… he is fully capable of carrying the next plan."
She reached out with her thick fingers and clawed at the air, as if trying to seize the entire sea in her palm.
"The true target of this banquet is not only those arrogant giants…"
…
What Big Mom did not know was that another Four Emperor, Kaido, was currently busy in Wano with murderous intent.
Before long, he would likely arrive in Totto Land.
And he would just happen to miss the Yamato he wanted to welcome back.