"Then it's time we put the question of the Beasts Pirates' succession on the agenda!"
"As Boss Kaido's only child, Princess Yamato is the natural choice to inherit the Beasts Pirates, but she doesn't yet command everyone's respect!"
"Therefore, Princess Yamato must prove herself with tangible achievements!"
Good paused and took a sip of wine to wet his throat, then continued, "With Boss Kaido away on this expedition, Princess Yamato and I decided to accomplish something worthwhile, so we could present him with a grand gift when he returns victorious!"
"Hakumai is the gift we intend to give Boss Kaido!"
"We'll make sure everyone in the Beasts Pirates knows that Princess Yamato already has the qualifications and ability to lead them!"
What a bold declaration!
Orochi was already dumbstruck.
So that was what this was about!
The reasoning certainly held water, but the problem was that it threatened his interests!
Wano Country didn't need two Flower Capitals!
And it certainly couldn't be allowed to prosper!
Bam!
Unable to find a flaw in Good's argument, Orochi slammed the table and rose in humiliated fury. His head transformed into an ugly snake's head, while seven more heads burst out of his neck.
Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan Model: Yamata no Orochi!
"Guhuhuhu, Groudon Good!"
Orochi's eight heads surrounded Good, their tongues flickering as he sneered. "A splendid speech. Unfortunately, I've already investigated the matter thoroughly. All of this is nothing but a lie you concocted to line your own pockets. Today, I'll kill you on Brother Kaido's behalf, you scum who deceived my niece Yamato!"
His true intentions were finally laid bare.
"Deceiving Princess Yamato? You certainly know how to joke, Lord Orochi. Though it's true that everything I've done was for my own sake."
Good laughed loudly and pulled the bewildered Yamato into his arms.
"After all, I'm Yamato's fiancé!"
Chapter 37: I Want Them Both!
Silence fell over the banquet hall.
The eyes on all eight of Orochi's heads went wide.
"Yamato's fiancé?"
His plan had been to find an excuse to kill Good, the mastermind behind everything. Yamato alone wouldn't amount to much.
Kaido wouldn't fall out with him over a mere Shinuchi. He could send over some extra gifts during the Fire Festival, and that would settle the matter.
But things had changed.
If the brat before him really was Yamato's fiancé, then his standing in the Beasts Pirates was far above that of an ordinary officer. He also had to be one of Kaido's trusted men.
Unable to back down, Orochi glared furiously at Good.
"You're lying to me!"
"Lying?"
Good tightened his arm, holding Yamato snugly against him.
Yamato tilted her head in confusion. It took her a while to figure out what Good meant. Images of marriage and having children surfaced in her mind, finally settling on the strange picture of a "family of five."
Have b-b-babies with Good?
Smoke rose from the girl's head, and her eyes turned into spirals. Living with courtesans every day, she had long since learned what went on between men and women.
Actions spoke louder than words.
Seeing how intimate the two were, Orochi's eyes turned bloodshot. His already volatile temper instantly spiraled into madness.
"Guaaaah!"
His eight heads thrashed wildly, biting everything around them.
The rampage went on for quite some time.
At last, Orochi regained his composure. All his heads withdrew into his body, and he returned to his human form.
"Guhuhuhu!"
Orochi panted heavily.
He could ask Kaido to confirm it, but Kaido was extremely secretive about Yamato and never wanted to discuss her.
All he knew was that Yamato hadn't left Onigashima in over a decade, and that she kept challenging Kaido. She was a battle fanatic.
Besides, the outside world didn't even know Yamato existed. Contacting Kaido over such a trivial matter, at the risk of the Navy intercepting their communication, would most likely anger that man.
But then he remembered something!
He didn't know much about Yamato, but he knew Good's background inside out!
Orochi's gaze darkened. "Good, I've heard you're involved in some questionable relationship with Shinuchi Ulti. How do you explain that?"
"Ulti? She's my fiancée too."
Good answered calmly.
With Orochi's resources, he would already have thoroughly investigated Good. There was no point hiding it. He might as well admit it openly.
"Huh?"
Orochi froze.
What was that supposed to mean?
What did he mean by "too"?
"You bastard, you're making a fool of me!"
"Of course I wouldn't mock you, Shogun. What I mean is that Yamato and Ulti are both my fiancées. They're both my wings."
Smiling, Good raised both hands and slowly clenched them into fists.
"I want them both!"
"..."
Orochi's jaw dropped in shock.
Both?
How could anyone in this world be so shameless?!
Even he, the shogun, had only ever intended to marry one wife. He had never entertained the idea of more.
Grief and fury mingled in Orochi as he snapped, "What a joke! Why would Kaido ever marry his daughter off to a bastard like you?!"
"What, am I not worthy?"
Good released Yamato, stood up, and tugged at his collar. "I'm a fine-looking man, accomplished in both brains and brawn. Yamato and I love each other. We're a match made in heaven. Who are outsiders to gossip about us?"
A fine-looking man?
Orochi was dumbfounded.
Why don't you look in a mirror? With that vicious face, those hulking muscles, and that gleaming bald head, standing beside Yamato makes you look like Beauty and the Beast.
What kind of match made in heaven is that?!
"Lord Orochi."
Just then, Fukurokuju approached and whispered in Orochi's ear.
Orochi's expression shifted repeatedly.
Fukurokuju had obtained information from the female attendants at the Hot Spring Shop. Every night, Yamato bathed together with Good. Their relationship was exceedingly intimate.
It wouldn't have been an exaggeration to say they spent every night indulging in pleasure.
Their relationship was real!
Those two shameless lovers!
Orochi cursed inwardly, but all the murderous intent vanished from his face, replaced by an utterly insincere smile.
It was as though nothing had happened.
"Guhuhuhu."
Beaming, Orochi raised his wine cup.
"My apologies, Brother Good. I was only joking earlier. Yamato is my niece, and I was worried someone might deceive her, so I tested you a little. Here, let me offer you a drink as an apology!"
"It's quite all right. Your concern simply got the better of you, Shogun."
Good accepted the offered way out, smiling as he raised his cup and drank with him.
It wasn't time to turn hostile yet. With his and Yamato's strength, their chances of killing Orochi quickly were slim.
Orochi was extremely difficult to kill, effectively possessing eight lives. The Oniwabanshu and Mimawarigumi under his command numbered a full ten thousand, and Kyoshiro could arrive to reinforce him at any moment.
If they got bogged down, successive waves of attackers could wear them to death. Yamato would surely come out all right in the end, but he would definitely be done for.
He couldn't take that risk without absolute confidence.
He still needed one final advantage!
Orochi drained his cup, then glared at the geisha beside him, who was already terrified. "What are you standing around for? Keep playing! Keep dancing!"
"Yes, Lord Orochi."
As the Shamisen began to play, the banquet hall grew lively again.
Three rounds of drinks later.
"Guhuhuhu."
Orochi's cheeks were flushed from drinking, and he looked somewhat tipsy. With a chuckle, he said, "Brother Good, I understand that you and Yamato want to distinguish yourselves, but developing Hakumai takes far too long to show results. It will likely take several years to achieve even a little."
"That's true."
Good nodded slightly.
Buying houses and renting them out really did take a long time to recoup the investment.
But it was stable.
That was exactly what he liked!
"Guhuhuhu!"
Orochi grinned, his eyes full of malice. "Kaido will return from his expedition by the Fire Festival. If you want to achieve something before then, Hakumai won't produce results in time. If you truly want to give Kaido a grand gift, I know just the place!"
"Oh? Please, tell us, Shogun!"
Good straightened up, putting on an interested look.
Orochi slowly spoke a name.
"Ashura Doji!"
"..."
Good narrowed his eyes.
"The Atamayama Thieves in Kuri?"
"Yes, exactly!"
Orochi's eyes were dark, with a fear he couldn't quite hide. He said bitterly, "Ashura Doji was once one of Kozuki Oden's retainers. After Kozuki Oden died, he took the name Shutenmaru and led a band of thieves to occupy Atama Mountain in Kuri."
"By now, that man has long since lost his pride as a samurai. He specializes in robbing merchants traveling between the regions, and he doesn't even spare impoverished villages. He's a notorious villain."
"For all these years, Ashura Doji has been a thorn in both my side and Kaido's. If you can kill him, Kaido will surely be delighted when he hears the news, and I'll reward you handsomely too!"
Orochi smiled darkly.
He had wanted Ashura Doji dead for years, but every attempt had cost him men. That man was no easy opponent!
If he could pit Good and Yamato against Ashura Doji, he would benefit no matter who won or lost.
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