Kaido had gotten everything he wanted. The alliance with Charlotte Linlin was confirmed, and he now possessed the key to deciphering the Poneglyphs. With no reason left to stay in Totto Land, he had returned to Wano Country, bringing the nervous young Pudding and the captive Kozuki Sukiyaki with him.
The moment he set foot back in his fortress, he called for an immediate and mandatory assembly of his top officers.
Deep in the Flower Capital of Wano, within the grand meeting hall of the Beasts Pirates, the air was thick with anticipation. All the top commanders were present. The Three Disasters—King, Queen, and Jack—stood at the front, awaiting their leader. The Tobi Roppo, the strongest of the Headliners, were all gathered as well. The only empty spot belonged to Eneru, who was still away on his own mission.
When Kaido finally entered, the room crackled with energy. Every single pirate's expression was filled with excitement.
"Lord Kaido!" "Big Brother! Welcome back!"
"Hmm." Kaido looked over his "family," his children, with a deep, rumbling satisfaction. His gaze was imposing. "Not bad. It seems none of you neglected your training while I was away, have you?"
Hearing this rare praise, Ulti was the first to burst out, practically vibrating with excitement. "Lord Kaido! I've been practicing my Haoshoku every single day, just like you said! For all five days! I can already control it and release my Conqueror's Haki freely!"
"Well done, Ulti!" Kaido's voice boomed. "You are truly my daughter!"
The word "daughter" hung in the air. Everyone in the room was startled by the public declaration. They all looked at Ulti and Page One with a new, undisguised envy. Ulti's eyes sparkled with pure, unadulterated excitement, and even the usually stoic Page One had his cheeks flushed red.
"Ka... Lord Kaido!" Ulti stammered, completely overwhelmed.
In truth, Ulti and Page One were, in every practical sense, Kaido's children. He had taken them in and raised them as his own. They were his adopted daughter and son. But this was the first time Kaido had ever personally acknowledged it in front of the entire crew.
"Worororo!" Kaido laughed, a deep, resonating sound. "From this day on, if you are willing, Ulti, Page One... you are my daughter and my son."
"Of course we're willing! Father!" Ulti changed her address instantly, jumping up and down in the air.
Page One blushed a little deeper but stood straight and shouted seriously, "Fa... Father!"
Kaido nodded, satisfied. He let his gaze sweep over the others, including the newer arrivals like Reiju and Pudding, who watched this strange display of family dynamics with wide, uncertain eyes. "I watched you two grow up from the time you were small," Kaido said, his voice dropping slightly. "But before... as a pirate, I couldn't see the future. I felt I wasn't qualified to be a father, or a brother."
He clenched his massive fist. "But now, it's different. I now have the courage to take on this responsibility."
His eyes found Black Maria in the crowd. "So... Maria... come to my side."
"!!!"
Black Maria's entire body trembled. Her name being called, so suddenly... her eyes filled with a deep, powerful longing she had never dared to show before. She looked at Kaido, her heart pounding, and slowly walked over. As soon as she was close enough, Kaido grabbed her arm and pulled her into his powerful embrace.
Feeling Kaido's broad, masculine chest against her, Black Maria's eyes became impossibly alluring, as if they were dripping with water.
Kaido held her and made his next announcement to the crew. "From today on, Maria's position as a Tobi Roppo is revoked. From now on, Maria will be your Big Brother's woman. She is the mistress of the Beasts Pirates!"
This was the wish she had yearned for, for so many years. To finally hear it said, to have it all come true at this very moment... Black Maria's eyes uncontrollably shed tears of joy. She leaned happily against Kaido's massive chest. "Lord Kaido!" she cried out.
This intimate scene made the cheeks of the younger members, like Pudding, flush bright red. The veteran commanders, however, took it in stride. King, Queen, Jack, and Who's-Who all began offering their loud, boisterous congratulations.
Kaido let the congratulations die down before continuing. "Pudding will take Maria's empty place in the Tobi Roppo."
As soon as he said this, everyone looked at the small, nervous girl in surprise. Their expressions turned a bit strange. Many of them, upon closer thought, realized that Big Brother Kaido seemed to have brought quite a few young girls into the Beasts Pirates recently. Their current companion, Reiju, was one. Then there was the new Shogun of Wano, Kurozumi Tama, and her companions, Monet and Baby-5. Now, this new girl named Pudding was being added to the Tobi Roppo.
Fortunately, Kaido provided an immediate explanation. "Pudding is Linlin's daughter."
"!!!"
That name hit the room like a bomb. Everyone was startled. Except for the newcomer Reiju, everyone present knew exactly who "Linlin" was—the Yonko, Big Mom.
"Your Big Brother, I, wasn't just out on a simple trip these past few days," Kaido explained, his voice booming with pride. "I accomplished a major task. From now on, our Beasts Pirates and the BIGMOM Pirates have formed an alliance!"
"!!!"
This time, the shock was absolute. An alliance between two Emperors? The entire crew was stunned into silence.
Kaido didn't waste time. He repeated everything he had discussed in Totto Land—the plan, the new nation, and the war to come.
After hearing the full explanation, everyone immediately understood. This young girl, Pudding, wasn't just some random kid. She was the daughter of their new, powerful ally. Her position as a messenger and a symbol of the alliance more than qualified her to be a Tobi Roppo.
"Of course," Kaido said, "Reiju and Pudding's combat strength is still a bit weak for that title." He looked at Maria, who was still in his arms. "Maria, the task of training these two will temporarily be yours. After this next major incident is over, I'll personally guide them."
"Understood, Lord Kaido!" After getting everything she wished for, Maria's eyes had completely softened. She looked at the two young girls, Pudding and Reiju, and her gaze was filled with a surprisingly maternal glow.
After arranging Pudding's new role, Kaido turned his attention to his First Commander. "King. Has Eneru not returned yet?"
King shook his head, his stoic expression unchanging. "Eneru contacted me yesterday. He said he might be delayed a bit. His 'God's Guard' was dispersed, and it will take him some time to gather them all again."
Kaido didn't seem to mind. "Fine. Then, Jack, Ulti, Sasaki, Page One, Reiju... how are your preparations coming along?"
Hearing this, the five pirates he named suddenly became excited. The air of celebration was gone, replaced by the thrill of battle.
"Lord Kaido, don't you worry! The 50,000 troops are ready to move out on your command!" Jack answered first, his voice rough.
"Lord Kaido, I can't wait!" Sasaki echoed, grinning.
Ulti and Page One shouted, each one more excited than the other. "Don't worry, Father! Whatever territory you want, Little Pei and I will conquer it for you!" Ulti yelled. "Yes, Father! My sister and I will be your vanguards!" Page One added.
Reiju, as the newest member, spoke last. She was still somewhat reserved. "Lord Kaido, I request to temporarily bring my brothers under my command. Although their strength isn't as good as Ulti's, they'll have no problem dealing with ordinary pirates."
This made Kaido ask with genuine interest, "Oh? Judge hasn't left yet?"
Hearing this, Queen let out his signature "Muhahaha" laugh. "Hehehe, Big Brother Kaido, not only Judge, but even that idiot Caesar hasn't left! Ever since I showed them the new projects you asked me to create, they were all unconvinced. They're obsessed with trying to surpass me, so they very actively stayed on Onigashima to compete. This has been great for me! It's greatly advanced my experimental progress. Many of the things you asked me to research are already showing promise!"
"Oh?" Kaido grinned. "That's good news! I'll come take a look with you later."
At this point, Kaido took out a magnificent sword he had prepared and tossed it to King.
King was stunned, catching it out of the air. He looked at the blade, his face full of surprise. "Big Brother... this is...?"
"This is a famous ancestral sword of Wano Country. It's one of the 21 Great Grade Swords: the Nidai Kitetsu," Kaido explained. "This sword was always with Sukiyaki, which was a bit of a waste for it. Among all of the Beasts Pirates, you are the only pure swordsman. So, I'm giving it to you now. You have also awakened your Conqueror's Haki. After this major incident is over, I will personally guide you and Ulti. We'll see if you can master infusing your attacks with Haoshoku. If you can, our Beasts Pirates will finally have the power to fear no force on this vast sea."
Hearing Kaido's words, King slowly drew the Nidai Kitetsu from its scabbard. He could feel the chilling, cursed aura it emitted. He sheathed it, his resolve hardening, and nodded heavily at his captain.
"Yes, Big Brother. I won't let you down!"
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