"I'm glad you admitted your mistakes. I won't hold the past against you!"
He didn't care why Yamato had changed her attitude, nor was he interested in finding out. Yamato was a valuable fighter, and it was enough that she could serve him.
Just like the enemies who had once wanted his head but ultimately submitted to him, he welcomed anyone who could add to his fighting strength.
The more troops, the better!
As for whether Yamato would betray him...
That hardly mattered. Countless people wanted to betray him, but as long as he was around, none of them dared step forward.
Kaido tossed the sake jug beside him to Yamato.
"Yamato, drink!"
"Yes!"
Yamato picked up the jug and gulped down a great mouthful.
That hit the spot!
She had thought her father would interrogate her, but he had simply let the matter drop. She hadn't needed any of the excuses Good had prepared for her.
That bastard of a father has his good points, too.
Yamato set down the jug and raised both hands, her face full of hope. "Father, can I take off my handcuffs?"
"Worororo! Of course. What kind of father keeps his daughter in handcuffs all day?"
Kaido laughed heartily and turned to King.
On Onigashima, King held all the keys to the Seastone Handcuffs.
He wasn't worried about Yamato escaping Wano Country.
Every port in Wano Country was under the Beasts Pirates' control, and Yamato knew nothing about sailing. There was no way she could leave on her own.
Even if Yamato escaped, he would simply bring her back.
"King, take Yamato's cuffs off."
"Understood, Brother Kaido."
King stepped forward to unlock Yamato's handcuffs, his gaze exceptionally cold.
He didn't trust Yamato.
Judging by his years of experience with interrogation, Yamato had certainly not submitted. Her apology was very likely a means to some other end.
Brother Kaido could afford not to care, but King had to stay vigilant. Yamato had inherited Brother Kaido's bloodline and was immensely strong. If she betrayed the Beasts Pirates at a critical moment, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Clatter!
The handcuffs fell to the floor.
"Wow, my body feels so light!"
Feeling the changes in her body, Yamato bounced around in delight.
For fifteen whole years, ever since she had been put in Seastone Handcuffs at the age of eight, her strength had been shackled.
Now that the burden was gone, her body felt as comfortable as if she were soaking in a hot spring. The power of her Devil Fruit was awakening within her, too.
The girl failed to notice the icy eyes scrutinizing her.
King!
"Brother Kaido."
King turned to Kaido and said gravely, "Now that Princess Yamato has reconciled with you, I think it's time we found something for her to do."
"You're right."
Kaido nodded.
The Beasts Pirates didn't keep freeloaders.
With Yamato's formidable strength, leaving her idle would be an even greater waste. But deciding where to put her was a tricky matter.
As the Oni Child, she naturally couldn't be made to do odd jobs like an ordinary officer, but all the important positions were already staffed.
Kaido looked at King.
"King, what do you suggest?"
"Brother Kaido."
King drew an intelligence report from among his wings.
"Over the past month, the Kozuki Remnants have become active again. I propose sending Princess Yamato to crush them!"
"..."
Kaido gave King a long, meaningful look.
He knew exactly what King was thinking.
If Yamato still considered herself Oden, she would never kill the Kozuki Samurai. But if she truly put down the rebellion, they could rest easy.
"Good. We'll do as you suggest!"
Kaido turned to Yamato, his gaze unfathomable.
"Yamato, can you take on this important task?"
"No problem!"
Unexpectedly, Yamato agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"Worororo!"
Kaido laughed and raised his cup.
"That's my daughter!"
"Drink!"
"Today's a happy day. We're not stopping until we're drunk!"
Two hours later, in the dungeon.
Secluded and deserted, it made an ideal hideout for secret meetings.
"Blargh..."
Yamato braced herself against the wall and vomited a rainbow.
Only after emptying all the sake from her stomach did the girl turn to Good, her face deathly pale and her eyes filled with anxiety.
"Good, Father wants me to kill the samurai!"
"Don't panic."
Good calmly sipped his tea.
"First, tell me what happened today."
"Ah, okay."
Yamato hurriedly recounted everything that had happened during her visit to the banquet hall.
She was terribly worried.
If Good hadn't told her to agree to whatever her father demanded and then come to him so they could work out a solution together, she might really have turned into Kozuki Oden on the spot.
She would rather die than kill the samurai!
"Good, those Kozuki Samurai are all Oden's followers. I absolutely can't kill them. Hurry up and think of something!"
"Relax. I've already worked out a plan."
Good chuckled.
With Yamato suddenly pledging her allegiance, Boss Kaido couldn't possibly trust her completely. Even if Boss Kaido didn't care, the other officers would have their objections.
The most direct way to test her sincerity was to make Yamato kill people, commit evil deeds, and become complicit with the Beasts Pirates.
It was entirely within his expectations.
Yamato's eyes lit up, and she hurriedly grabbed Good's sleeve.
"What plan?"
"It's simple."
Good's gaze grew dark.
"I'll kill them myself!"
Chapter 13: Ulti the Drama Queen
Onigashima, Castle West Tower.
Dinosaur Amusement Paradise.
This was Ulti and Page One's private territory.
When Good returned to the amusement park, he soon found Ulti sprawled over the merry-go-round, looking utterly listless.
"Lady Ulti, I'm back."
"Good?"
At the sight of Good, Ulti launched herself onto him, wrapping her arms around his neck and dangling from him like a charm.
The girl sobbed and sniffled.
"Good-chan, I missed you so much!"
"Oh."
Good's face was full of distaste.
Miss me all you want, but could you stop clinging to me?
Whenever this girl got clingy, it never meant anything good.
Feeling ignored, Ulti instantly flew into a rage and tried to strangle Good, but her fingers weren't long enough.
That made her even angrier!
"You bastard, what's with that attitude? I'm a beautiful girl, you know!"
"Yes, yes. Lady Ulti's beauty could put anyone to shame!"
Good's response was decidedly half-hearted.
I've got a new powerful backer now. Why would I still need to sweet-talk you?
Heh heh heh! Just you wait. Before long, I'll be the one looking out for you!
"Fine, I forgive you!"
Although she felt Good was being a little dismissive, Ulti still decided to let him off the hook, because she had something more important for him to do.
"Good!"
Ulti tugged at Good's sleeve, great tears welling in her eyes as though she might burst into sobs at any moment.
"Little Pei's gone missing!"
"Oh."
"Boohoo! I haven't seen Little Pei for five whole days!"
"Oh."
"Don't tell me Little Pei ran into bad guys and got killed?"
"..."
Don't jinx your little brother.
The girl slumped to the ground as though her soul had left her body.
"Little Pei... boohoo... without Little Pei, what do I have left to live for?!"
Before you continue