Amiasa Village

At this moment, a feeling of despair enveloped everyone's hearts.

The villagers who were still somewhat mobile had been captured and taken to Kaido's armory to produce weapons, leaving only a group of the elderly, weak, sick, and disabled in the village.

They go hungry every day, sometimes even going hungry, and can't even get a bite to eat. How can they possibly fight off strong and powerful pirates?

The legendary Land of Samurai, the Golden Country of hundreds of years ago, is now reduced to a group of old, weak, sick and disabled people.

If it weren't for the mystique brought about by its closed-door policy and the intimidation posed by Kaido Wano Country, with its possession of Seastone ore and processing technology, would likely have immediately become a target of the Navy and the Celestial Dragons.

"Sorry to have kept you waiting!"

Whoosh!

A huge package fell from the sky, Ace's figure reappeared before the villagers of Amiasa Village. The glimpse of him made them swallow hard.

"This... this is food? Food that isn't contaminated?"

"Really... really can we eat it?"

"Ah, eat up without worry. It's really hard to stand being hungry. You've been starving for a long time, haven't you? Hehehe..."

Ace's smile, visible beneath his cowboy hat, made the girl beside him's eyes light up.

"I am... deeply grateful, Pirate Lord!"

The crowd surged forward, and some villagers even brought out their elderly relatives and children who hadn't eaten for days. Looking at the emaciated villagers, Ace had a question in his mind.

"Legend has it that Wano Country was not a beautiful place, filled with gold and samurai, so why has it become so desolate?"

On his journey there and back, Ace passed through a barren plain, and even the seemingly clear river was covered with a layer of colorful oil stains.

"I know, brother!"

Ace felt a sudden tightening in his sleeve and looked down to find the girl who had been munching on an apple and was now completely absorbed in candied apples.

"Big brother? Hahaha, my two younger brothers always call me by my real name. What's your name, little girl?"

"My daughter's name is Tama. The reason why Amiasa Village has become like this is all the work of the evil Kaido. He opened a factory in the former Kuri Castle and discharged sewage and thick smoke into Kuri..."

"It's all that guy's fault. The land that could be cultivated before can't be planted now. Our Amiasa Village can only rely on weaving straw hats to sell in Flower Capital to exchange for some food."

As she spoke, Tama couldn't help but lower her head, tears welling up in her eyes, but she didn't cry out.

"Dad, Dad and Mom also..."

"I'm so sorry, I reminded you of something sad. Why don't you cry it out? Crying will make you feel better!"

Warm, large hands haphazardly ruffled Tama's hair, but her little face lifted up, and she spoke earnestly.

"No! Crying and going hungry are the shame of a samurai; he would never cry!"

"Really? How serious! As a reward for your perseverance, just tell me what kind of snacks you like!"

Upon hearing this, Tama subconsciously glanced at the candied apple in her hand, and Ace, understanding the child's thoughts, Ace into laughter.

Over the next few weeks, Ace stayed in Amiasa Village, building his new ship while waiting for the opportunity to set sail again.

Time flies, and about a month has passed.

On this day, as Ace gazed at the nearly completed ship and prepared to bid a final farewell to the villagers of Amiasa Village, a villager hurriedly arrived.

"Oh no, oh no, Ace! Tama has been captured by Kaido's men and sent to Onigashima..."

"What did you say? Kaido, it's Kaido again!"

With his eyes lowered, Ace's expression gradually turned serious as he recalled the words the Lizard King had spoken to him.

"Why? Why would Kaido's subordinates, the members of the Beast Pirates, kidnap Tama? She's just a child!"

At that moment, the villagers of Amiasa Village who rushed over to deliver the news exchanged glances and explained with troubled expressions.

"This... Kaido's subordinates have a habit of sending captured children to the arcade, precisely because... precisely because..."

Seeing their troubled expressions, Ace instantly understood what kind of place the so-called arcade was, especially since the young and adorable Tama was probably their target.

Which direction is Onigashima?

"Wait... wait a minute, that's Kaido! Even the strongest samurai in Wano Country, Kozuki Oden, was defeated by him. Only the Lord of the Demonic Birds, who rang out that day, could handle him. If you go alone..."

Seeing Ace's resolute expression, the people of Amiasa Village wanted to stop him, but they lowered their raised hands.

"It doesn't matter. He and I have been enemies for a long time. I don't mind adding a new grudge to this old one. Where is Onigashima?"

"It's located to the south. Onigashima is a small, isolated island that can be seen as soon as you go out to sea; it's quite conspicuous..."

Thanks!

Whoosh!

Flames shifted beneath him, and Ace soared into the sky, transforming into a streak of flame as he flew south.

"Mr. Ace, please be careful!!!"

Onigashima, the Pleasure Quarter.

"Lady Black Maria, there are a few promising kids among this batch of children. Would you like to personally train them?"

Her golden hair was piled high, and two blades on her Katsuyama Hairstyle gleamed coldly, replacing the hairpins. The Shamisen in her hand rang out softly, clear and melodious.

Her emerald eyes held a hint of sorrow, as if she had countless unspoken thoughts.

Blue and yellow petals quietly bloomed on the black kimono, and her tall and graceful figure was comparable to Kaido's.

"You can handle it yourselves. I have no interest in pity, sorrow, or love... The most beautiful love in the world is the love that one prays to the gods for but cannot obtain..."

Her words seemed to carry endless sorrow. Black Maria Shamisen, and the courtesan who had come to announce her arrival quietly withdrew.

A slender pipe ignited, sending wisps of smoke drifting from red lips into the distance.

"Ah, my dream god, when will you cast a single glance upon me and bestow your loving mercy?"

Inside the room, the silence faded with the sound of burning tobacco, but the sorrow in those blue eyes remained.

"Powerful god, where are you now? Do you know of the unending longing of this young woman in this secluded Wano Country..."

Just as he was immersed in sadness, the temperature in the room suddenly rose, a deafening explosion rang out, Kuma roared.

"Fire Fist!"

Who is it?

Pushing open the door, one sees the Kuma Huo Guang reflected in the blue eyes. The girls and women who had been captured and brought to the corridor have already fled Luffy that has spread to the edge of the coast.

"Hey, could you please tell me where Kaido of the Beasts is?"

The flames suddenly transformed into human form. Ace looked at them with a smile, while the Black Maria snorted coldly, her pretty face covered in frost.

"It's a real shame, All-Star Kaido has gone out and won't be back for a while..."