Yamato watched this scene with an expression as complex as a spilled palette.
"It wasn't like this before."
"When Kaido ruled Wano Country, he built the most polluting factories in densely populated areas."
Back then, the river in Kuri was black, and nothing could be grown in the fields.
Those elderly people and children who cannot work can only wait to die.
She pointed to the factory in the distance, still emitting smoke:
"That weapons factory used to emit so much smoke that it would make people cough up blood on the spot."
The surrounding villages have all been emptied out; no one dares to live there.
Now, some people are actually farming nearby.
That's because Kaido only sees Wano Country as a weapons factory and doesn't care about the lives of ordinary people.
But Hachinosu's policy is different—we don't support idlers, but we also don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
The factory is still producing weapons, but pollution is being kept to a minimum.
If ordinary people can survive, they naturally won't rebel.
Yamato remained silent for a long while, then said in a low voice:
"Anyway, it's much better than when Kaido."
That's not enough.
"The resources of Wano Country are far more than this."
The exquisite processing techniques of Seastone, the fighting prowess of the samurai class, and the unique geographical location...
If Wano Country could be fully integrated into the Hachinosu system, its potential would be ten times greater than it is now.
"So that's why you're helping Kaido?"
"I'm not helping Kaido, I'm helping myself."
Roy's tone was very direct.
" Wano Country is Kaido's territory. With him around, the World Government doesn't dare to easily set foot in this sea area."
What I need to do is ensure that Wano Country's resources are used effectively, rather than being squandered by Kaido's tyranny.
Yamato said no more; she knew Roy was right.
From the ruler's perspective, the Hachinosu model was indeed far superior to Kaido's rule.
But there was always a hurdle she couldn't overcome in her heart.
The two walked along the main street of Kuri, looking around as they went.
Roy would occasionally stop to chat with the roadside vendors, asking about prices, harvests, and factory hiring.
His demeanor was casual, like that of a leisurely traveler, but Yamato knew he was gathering intelligence on the true opinions of the common people of Wano Country regarding the Beasts Pirates and Hachinosu.
Just as the two finished exploring Kuri and were preparing to return to Onigashima, Roy suddenly stopped.
Yamato followed his gaze.
At the end of the street, a man and a woman were walking out of an upscale teahouse.
The man was dressed in a magnificent kimono, the dark blue fabric embroidered with golden wave patterns, and a long sword hung at his waist, the scabbard inlaid with several high-quality gemstones.
His hairstyle was quite unique; his hair was combed into a thick, long ponytail that stood on top of his forehead, with the ends slightly curled, resembling the tail of some kind of animal from a distance.
His eyes were long and narrow with slightly upturned corners, and he walked with an arrogant and domineering gait.
The women, on the other hand, were much more plain.
She wore a light green kimono, the fabric of which wasn't particularly expensive but the cut was impeccable. Her face was covered by a thin veil, revealing only a pair of extremely beautiful eyes.
She followed half a step behind the man, her steps light and her demeanor dignified; she was clearly not a girl from an ordinary family.
However, according to Roy's memory, this little girl should have been teleported away with Kozuki Toki back then.
But given her current size, it's likely that she was prematurely matured by the fruit power of that female ninja Shinobu!
Otherwise, how could a little girl of a few years old have the figure she has now?
Yamato frowned, feeling that the man looked somewhat familiar, but he couldn't quite place where he had seen him before.
" Kyoshiro."
Roy's voice was very soft; his terrifying Observation Haki had already enveloped the surroundings.
In just a moment, he had gleaned all the information Vice Admiral the two from their few words, a playful smile playing on his lips.
"The gangsters who have emerged in Kuri recently are ostensibly involved in loan sharking and gambling, but secretly control half of Kuri's underground forces."
Yamato turned to look at Roy: "What's so interesting about a yakuza boss?"
"There's really nothing interesting about a mob boss."
But what if his real name Denjiro, and he was one of Kozuki Oden's retainers?
Yamato's eyes widened suddenly:
" Denjiro? Shouldn't he be dead already?"
"Obviously not. And he seems to be doing just fine."
Roy's gaze fell on the green-haired woman, a meaningful smile playing on his lips.
"Not only is he living a good life himself, but he also keeps the last jewel of the Kozuki Family hidden away."
Yamato followed his gaze, and his pupils contracted sharply.
"That girl—could it be?"
" The Kozuki Hiyori.
Kozuki Oden's daughter, Momonosuke sister.
"Now the only legitimate bloodline of the Kozuki Family."
Yamato's hand unconsciously tightened its grip on the spiked club.
She is no longer the naive girl imprisoned on that Onigashima.
She knew very well what the Kozuki Family bloodline meant to Wano Country; it was a banner of resistance against Kaido, and the hope in the hearts of all the samurai who were dissatisfied with the Beasts Pirates.
"What should we do? Arrest them?"
Yamato's voice was low, carrying a tension she herself was unaware of.
Kozuki Oden, the man whose father killed her, now has his daughter standing less than fifty meters away.
"No rush."
Roy pressed down on Yamato's hand, which was gripping the spiked club Yamato, his tone as calm as if they were discussing what to have for dinner.
"Let them keep hiding."
Arresting them now would only alert them.
Yamato turned to look at Roy, a hint of confusion flashing in his eyes:
"But Kozuki Hiyori is the last bloodline of the Kozuki Family, if she—"
"If she dies, the remnants of the Kozuki Family will become even more fanatical."
Roy interrupted her.
"And she's a very good pawn."
If used properly, it can be incredibly useful at the most crucial moments.
Roy released his grip, his gaze returning to the man and woman in the distance.
Kyoshiro was talking to Kozuki Hiyori, and a faint smile could be vaguely seen on Hiyori's face, which was covered by a veil.
The two turned into a small alley, and their figures quickly disappeared into the depths of the alley.
" Denjiro Kozuki Hiyori have infiltrated Wano Country, waiting for an opportunity to turn the tide."
" Luffy is about to arrive in Wano Country, and Kin'emon is searching everywhere for his lost comrades."
Once they've all gathered, the remnants of the Kozuki Family will naturally surface.
It would be much easier to wipe them all out then than to act now.
Yamato remained silent for a long while before finally putting down his spiked club.
She knew Roy was right, but she still felt very uncomfortable.
It felt like knowing there was a time bomb under your feet, but having to pretend you didn't notice anything.
It was already evening when the two returned to Onigashima.
Roy walked straight into the main hall and sent someone to fetch Jin.
Jin arrived quickly, still wearing that black uniform, the black wings on his back gleaming with a dark red luster under the lights.
His face was covered by a mask, revealing only a pair of extremely calm eyes.