Kaido, the One Being Played: Dawn's Strategic Blueprint

High above the skies, at an unknown altitude.

The propellers spun at full speed, emitting a low hum under electric power as they carried David's Revenge ever higher.

The clouds rapidly fell away beneath the ship. The sky shifted from azure to deep blue, then to an almost black inky blue.

Inside the cabin, the gravity regulation system had already been activated, and the crew felt none of the violent acceleration.

Through the portholes, the sea of clouds below looked like a white velvet blanket, while the ocean farther beneath had shrunk into a massive blue-green gemstone with curved edges.

Just as the Marines were figuring out how to flush him out, Dawn had already set off with those around him on a journey toward the sea of stars. As for the several artificial sky islands, he had temporarily placed them in Elbaf.

In the captain's cabin, Dawn lay on his side, bare-chested, atop a couch covered in soft animal furs. Black Maria knelt behind him, gently applying ointment to his body.

The injuries caused by Conqueror's Haki Coating and high-quality Armament Haki could not be rapidly healed even by his special physique. They needed time to fade away.

On the other side of the cabin, Yamato sat on the floor hugging her knees, with the spiked club A-Ken leaning against the wall. She stared at Dawn's profile for a long while, her brows slightly furrowed as if she wanted to speak but held back.

Dawn did not open his eyes, yet it was as though he could see her expression.

"Say whatever you want to say."

Yamato pursed her lips, hesitated for a moment, then finally spoke. "Husband, why did you give that bastard the Artificial Devil Fruits? Wouldn't that just strengthen his power?"

Dawn grinned, shifted into a