Flower Capital, Shogun's Mansion.
Kaidou leaned back on a massive cushioned chair, a gourd of wine dangling from his fingertips. His gaze was fixed on the direction of the high platform outside the window, where a man was stirring up the crowd. Suddenly, he let out a low chuckle.
"That kid... he really has a way with people, huh..."
King nodded. "Indeed. It seems you might gain a son-in-law, Kaidou-sama."
"Oroorororo... You know that's not what I'm talking about, King."
Kaidou laughed heartily. "How's that kid's strength coming along?"
King carefully considered the progress over the past month and replied earnestly, "He's growing stronger at an almost cheating speed. Though he hasn't noticed it himself, in terms of physique and strength, he should already be on par with me."
"Oh? Even in his flame-ignited state?"
"Correct."
"That really is a cheating speed..."
Kaidou was also amazed. King was the last survivor of the Lunarian Race, a people considered the darlings of the heavens, even revered as gods by some.
Not only did they possess wings that allowed them to truly fly, but their bodies could also generate flames. When the flames were ignited, their bodies gained a defense comparable to steel. When the flames were extinguished, their defense would decrease, but their speed would increase dramatically. Additionally, the flames themselves had a certain lethality. It could be said that they were born with power akin to that of a Devil Fruit.
And King was second only to him, the captain, in the crew. His physical strength was beyond question.
What was Caesar's strength like when he first arrived?
If it weren't for the boost from Conqueror's Haki and the Mythical Zoan, he probably wouldn't even have been able to secure a position as a combat captain.
"Speaking of which, that brat set out to sea in search of a Devil Fruit because his talent was limited... But can a Mythical Zoan really bring about such a drastic change?" Kaidou muttered in astonishment.
King smiled. "Perhaps he had this potential all along, but in a place like the East Blue, he couldn't develop it."
"No... The speed of learning Haki doesn't necessarily reflect one's talent. What truly determines talent is the speed of physical transformation. Only a powerful physique can support the massive consumption of Haki."
Kaidou stared intently at Caesar's figure on the high platform and slowly shook his head. "This kind of transformation takes time. No matter what kind of monster you are, it might take a year, but it could never be just a month."
"King, do you think this kid could be... Joy Boy?"
"Kaidou-sama, do you think Caesar could defeat you?"
Kaidou laughed at the question. "Oroorororo... I won't be defeated by anyone. I am the strongest!"
"Then he's not. After all, didn't you say it yourself? If there really is a Joy Boy, he must be someone who can defeat you."
King also laughed. "And as I've said before, that kind of thing doesn't matter anymore. All I want now is for you to become the Pirate King."
Kaidou fell silent for a moment. "Do you remember what you asked me when we first met?"
King also fell silent. He knew what Kaidou was referring to.
The first time they met, he had asked Kaidou, "Will you be the one to change the world?"
Kaidou's answer at the time was still fresh in his memory.
"Only I can change the world!"
"Who would have thought the story of the dragon slayer becoming the dragon would play out on me?"
Kaidou gulped down a large mouthful of wine: "That kid managed to change a country, though he mostly relied on the strength of the Beasts Pirate Crew. But in all these years, I've only managed to change myself. It's really hard to understand!"
King chuckled: "It's just the quality of a wise ruler."
"What's important isn't wisdom, it's upheaval, King!"
Kaidou laughed heartily. For someone who had always been immensely proud of his own strength, he finally realized something—there are things that cannot be achieved by strength alone.
For example… making people smile!
"I'm really looking forward to fighting that kid more and more! Wororororo!"
...
"General Yamato!"
"Loyalty!"
"By the way, what's the relationship between Lord Caesar and General Yamato? The general kissed Lord Caesar, which means…"
"Lord Caesar is the general's wife!"
"Wife refers to a woman, shouldn't it be the general's husband?"
"That sounds a bit perverted…"
On the way back to the castle, the streets were lined with people. Yamato rode in a palanquin, her face beaming with a pure smile as she continuously waved to the crowd.
Caesar walked beside the palanquin, his face still marked with Yamato's lipstick, a slight smile on his lips, in a very good mood.
Ulti: "Your smile is disgusting."
Caesar: "Starting tomorrow, you'll follow Queen to spray the fields!"
"Huh? No way! I was just joking!"
"Heh, I took it seriously."
The group made their way back to the castle, where Yamato was taken by her maids to change clothes.
Caesar, on the other hand, went to a room where a man and a woman were being held.
The man had a long pompadour and slanted eyes, looking quite cunning.
The woman was dressed as a geisha, beautiful in appearance, but like the man beside her, she was tied up in a sorry state.
These two were none other than Denjiro, who had infiltrated Orochi's ranks under the alias Kyoshiro, and Kozuki Hiyori, the daughter of Kozuki Oden.
Originally, all of Kurozumi Orochi's direct subordinates had been executed, and Kyoshiro, who had been lurking by Orochi's side, naturally couldn't escape the purge. However, Caesar had specifically spared their lives.
Last night, he had been busy arranging Yamato's succession and hadn't had time to deal with them. Only now did he find the time.
"My lord! Lord Caesar!"
As soon as Caesar entered the room, Kyoshiro's face immediately broke into a fawning smile: "I've just heard the commotion outside and am willing to submit to General Yamato…"
"Oh? No problem?"
With a wave of his hand, Caesar summoned a luxurious soft chair. He lazily leaned back in it, propping his cheek with his hand as he scrutinized the two before him. His words, however, caused their expressions to change drastically.
"Aren't you Kozuki Oden's subordinate? Denjiro…"
Kyoshiro's fawning smile froze on his face: "Impossible! How could you know?!"
"Never mind that."
Caesar chuckled lightly, then turned to the beautiful woman beside him: "This must be Kozuki Hiyori, right? The most beautiful woman in Wano Country…"
"You… if you have anything, come at me!"
Kyoshiro's expression changed as he struggled to shield Hiyori: "Forcing a weak woman is not the act of a true man!"
"Dreaming, are you?"
Caesar scoffed lightly: "The current general is my woman. A mere geisha who entertains with her looks isn't worthy of me using force."
"Lord Caesar is right, Denjiro."
Kozuki Hiyori sighed softly, "A person of your stature, sir, would surely not be swayed by mere beauty. There must be some scheme at play, right?"
"Then tell me, what is this scheme?"
Caesar raised an eyebrow slightly, impressed by her calm demeanor.
"It certainly isn't to kill me."
Hiyori's voice was cool and clear, "I heard every word you said earlier, sir. Whether it's governing the country or controlling the hearts of the people, my father Oden could not compare to you in the slightest."
"If you truly could ensure that everyone has enough to eat and the freedom to engage in maritime trade, then the Kozuki Clan would lose all its support and no longer pose any threat. But if that's all there is to it, you wouldn't have gone out of your way to spare my life..."
"What you intend to do is to keep me alive—not just alive, but to let everyone know that I am living well under the protection of the Shogun, right under your watch in the Flower Capital, to showcase the benevolence and magnanimity of Shogun Yamato."
"If the Kozuki Clan were to rebel, it would be seen as ingratitude, condemned by thousands, and scorned by the masses, forever branded as disloyal and dishonorable!"
"Very good, you're quite clever."
Caesar clapped his hands lightly, "So, what is your answer?"
Kozuki Hiyori looked up at Caesar, "And if I refuse to cooperate, what will you do?"
"Don't overestimate yourself; you're not that important."
Caesar smiled, "Even if you were to die, the sun would still rise as usual, and people would continue to live in peace and prosperity. My promises to this country would remain unchanged."
"I was being narrow-minded."
Hiyori was momentarily taken aback by his words, then she smiled gently, "Then... Kozuki Hiyori, the daughter of the Kozuki Clan, is willing to serve you, Lord Caesar, with her humble self."
"Lady Hiyori..."
Kyoshiro looked at her with a complex expression, "Kaidou was the accomplice who caused Lord Oden's death!"
"In the struggle of life and death, there is no right or wrong."
Hiyori sighed softly, "My father's momentary naivety brought the people over a decade of suffering. If anything, it is the Kozuki family who has wronged the people of Wano Country."
Kyoshiro gritted his teeth but ultimately let out a helpless sigh.
At this point, there was nothing he could do to change the situation.
"With such insight, it's a pity you're just a Geisha."
Caesar chuckled as he stood up, waving his hand to make the shackles on both of them disappear, "I happen to need someone to manage civil affairs. You're it!"
Hiyori was visibly surprised, "Civil affairs? But I know nothing about politics..."
"Then learn."
Caesar beckoned, "I'm not going to feed you for nothing. Follow me!"
The two quickly followed Caesar and soon met Yamato.
"Ha! Caesar!"
As soon as Yamato saw Caesar, she pounced on him like a big, happy dog, grinning from ear to ear.
"I found you a capable assistant. Let me introduce you—Kozuki Hiyori, the daughter of Kozuki Oden."
"Eh?!"
Yamato's face lit up with surprise, "The daughter of Kozuki Oden? She's still alive? No, I mean... that's great!"
"I greet the Shogun."
"And I, Denjiro, greet the Shogun."
Kozuki Hiyori bowed gracefully, and Kyoshiro followed suit. With Kurozumi Orochi dead and his identity exposed, there was no need to continue using the name Kyoshiro.
"Denjiro... you were one of Oden's men, right?"
Yamato quickly helped the two up: "I am truly sorry about what happened between my father and Oden."
"Past events have nothing to do with the shogun, Your Excellency. There is no need for you to blame yourself."
Kozuki Hiyori's voice was gentle, and she had a favorable impression of Yamato.
She could see the simplicity in the person before her. Although Yamato held the title of shogun, it was Caesar who truly made the decisions.
No matter how foolish Kaidou might be, he would never let a true admirer of Kozuki Oden take the position of shogun, even if it was his own child.
"Our positions are different, but Your Excellency has carried on my father's legacy. I am deeply grateful!"
"Ha... You really are a good person!"
Yamato's big eyes sparkled as she looked at Hiyori: "How about you become the shogun?"
"Hey, hey, don't talk nonsense."
Caesar lightly chopped Yamato on the head with his hand: "A woman with no strength, even if she became the shogun, what could she do? Kurozumi Orochi didn't understand this, and that's why he was taken down."
"For a country, dignity lies in the edge of the sword, and truth is only within the range of cannons. Wano Country is not a member of the World Government and has vast reserves of Sea Prism Stone. Without the protection of the strong, it would immediately be swallowed by the World Government."
"So, in a way, Kaidou has become the protector of this country. If you go out to the sea, you'll find that those non-member countries ruled by the World Government don't fare any better than Wano Country, and if they're unlucky, they might even be wiped out."
Caesar said with a light scoff: "Even if you return the shogunate to the Kozuki family, without Kozuki Oden, could they protect Wano Country? They can't even ensure that the common people have enough to eat! The fundamental reason for Kozuki Oden's failure was his stupidity. You must not become the second Oden."
Hearing this, Yamato giggled and pounced on Caesar: "I won't! But Caesar, you'll help me, right?"
"Stop acting spoiled..."
Caesar gently pushed Yamato's head away, feeling a warmth in his heart. He turned to Kozuki Hiyori and the other person: "You two may leave now."
"Yes."
Kozuki Hiyori bowed and silently left the room.
As soon as they were gone, Caesar grabbed one of Yamato's Ogre Horns, turning her simple little head towards him, his gaze falling on her soft lips.
Yamato seemed to realize something, her face flushing red, looking at Caesar with a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"Did you enjoy the kiss earlier?"
Caesar looked at her watery eyes with a teasing smile.
"Hehe..."
Yamato giggled, her blush deepening. Though shy and simple, she gazed intently at Caesar: "I really like Caesar!"
Caesar raised his chin slightly: "Hmm, and then?"
Seeing Caesar's lack of reaction, Yamato quickly explained: "Not the kind of like between friends, but the kind of like a wife has for her husband!"
"Then aren't you quite unlucky?"
Caesar's slender fingers gently pinched Yamato's soft chin, and he chuckled: "I'm not a faithful man. I might have other women at any time."
"Mhm!"
Yamato nodded with a simple expression: "It's only natural that Caesar, being so outstanding, would be liked by others."
"Should I call you traditional or just lacking common sense..."
Caesar was genuinely surprised: "Would you like other men?"
"Not at all, I'm not that kind of woman!" Yamato said with a serious expression.
Caesar understood. This girl wasn't ignorant of matters between men and women; rather, in her view, it was acceptable for men to be promiscuous, while women should strictly adhere to their roles as virtuous wives.
The reason for this was likely due to the influence of Wano Country's isolationist policies, where the ideology of male superiority and female subservience was prevalent.
Moreover, in women's evaluations of men, responsibility didn't carry much weight. Instead, they placed greater emphasis on a man's career achievements.
It was the kind of mindset where, even if one were starving at home, as long as their man made a name for himself outside, it would be worth dying for.
Caesar couldn't comprehend this, but to be honest, as someone who benefited from the status quo, it was difficult for him to hypocritically preach about equality.
"Caesar... do you like me?"
Seeing Caesar remain silent, Yamato cautiously asked.
As soon as the words left her lips, her tender cheek was gently pinched, and a warm sensation pressed against her soft lips.
"Mmm..."
Feeling the mischievous serpent darting about, Yamato's beautiful eyes widened in surprise.
Then, gradually, the blush on her face deepened, and she slowly closed her eyes, becoming more immersed.
After a long while, their lips parted.
Caesar lightly brushed the corner of his mouth with his fingertip, licking the trace of moisture that lingered on his lips.
"Thank you for the hospitality, General..."
"..."
Hearing Caesar's teasing tone, Yamato, her face flushed, once again cupped Caesar's cheeks...
(End of Chapter)