"Lord Queen! We've discovered two young masters Yamato!"
"What? Two??"
"Queen" was drawn here by the explosion noise from the explosive wristband. There are surveillance measures on "Ghost Island," but they're all animals modified into mechanical forms, roaming on the island usually, gathering information through special devices on their faces.
Though mechanical, they retained animal instincts and were scared away long ago by the aftermath of the earlier battles.
Here, "Kaidou" and "King" are among the few dependable ones. Upon seeing both chase after the disturbance, "Queen" thought everything was resolved, but now new trouble has emerged.
Arriving with the Assigner Legion, he found two Yamatos talking animatedly, with one seeming ready to make a move.
The Assigners made by inferior Artificial Devil Fruit looked intimidating but lacked the exaggerated performance under Arceus's subordinates. They were of no use especially facing foes far stronger than themselves.
All that was touched by the icy cold were instantly sealed in ice, the Assigner Legion members charging forward were now lifelike ice sculptures.
"Queen" was no exception; despite his large size, he couldn't withstand Kyurem's Ice Seal power; the Sea Emperor was a huge threshold.
Once power breaks through to this level, ordinary disasters have no force to contest it.
Moments later, a larger ice sculpture appeared on Ghost Island, and the cold wave continued unabated, finally freezing the entire island, plunging everything into silence.
"Just relying on ice... capable of such a feat?"
"No choice really, though I'm far freer than you, in some ways... we're actually kindred spirits."
Patting "Yamato"'s shoulder, Yamato rarely showed a look of helplessness. Asked why she was so strong, it's surely due to force; every Yamato's childhood shadow included Kaidou's Wolf Fang Club.
Therefore, Yamato was filled with sympathy for her counterpart here, she couldn't imagine life without Arceus.
"Your life is supposed to be very happy..."
"Well... Do you keep records of your daily abuse? Those things I'd rather forget completely, but I can't; those painful memories constantly remind me that unless I beat that jerk of a father, I won't get peace."
Saying so Yamato reverted her transformation, looking at the frozen Ghost Island with slight pride.
"Phew, honestly I've wanted to do this long ago, it's much more satisfying fighting without restraint."
"Restraint?"
"Breaking a house would upset my adoptive father, but that jerk attacks regardless of occasion, so it's really annoying."
"So... you don't need to care when fighting here?"
"Uh... you wouldn't mind such things, right?"
"I don't mind, that bull-headed gorilla getting angry would be great!"
After it was discovered the wristband truly exploded with great power, Yamato's illusion about Kaidou also shattered, so whatever Yamato did, "Yamato" felt no problem.
Remembering to take her along, otherwise if she left, upon "Kaidou"'s return, she might be in trouble again.
"Ahem, such matters you do your best on your own, alright, wasted enough time, let's get to business, head to Hakumai first."
...
Yamato took "Yamato" away from Ghost Island, heading towards the Wano Kuni here.
Hakumai as the Hidden Port entrance, though not central like Flower Capital, was highly valued by Arceus.
Monastery, hospital, fire department, residential area, many facilities related to Pokemon were arranged here, managed by Shaina, overseeing this area's development.
Flower Capital seemed prosperous, but Hakumai and Kuri were the true central locations for Hundred Beasts, yet this Hakumai...
From afar, Yamato saw only countless chimneys spewing black smoke, upon truly arriving found what it was really like here.
An area meant to be farmland was long desolate, dirty pipes spilled foul wastewater; fish still lived in inner rivers, but appeared mutated, pupils glinting oddly.
"This place... disgusts me..."
Yamato saw several famished-looking civilians, who dashed away upon noticing her, related to the emblem on her clothing; the Hundred Beasts flag made them wary.
Had it been Wano Kuni under Arceus's management, they'd have smiled and approached her, perhaps holding freshly picked farm produce.
"Others from the island's pirates have mentioned most areas are like this, only Flower Capital differs, as Kurozumi Orochi resides there, but the destitute are expelled."
"Reality bites... let's see the other areas."
Though displeased, Yamato did not intend to change here; it's not her world. Knowing Arceus, he wouldn't abandon her, surely she'd leave soon.
This side's affairs should be settled by this side's self, she currently wished only to confirm a few matters.
Using Zekrom's power of flight, the two Yamatos quickly surveyed the entire Wano Kuni.
The Udon Region had become a heavily polluted area; untreated, quarries and munition factories caused irrevocable environmental damage, though Kuri's forests were dense, poverty filled the region.
Shimi's barren hills became even more desolate, exposed remains visible, Flower Capital though seemingly prosperous, held no appeal whatsoever.
Soon, the pair reached the final Ringo Region, like other areas, with dilapidated houses, deserted streets. Yamato scooped snow; it melted from warmth into black water.
The seemingly white snow was but a facade, long invaded by pollution.
Though all part of Wano Kuni, it showed extreme contrasts of Heaven and Purgatory.
"See, this is my Wano Kuni here, that's why I wish... to liberate Wano Kuni."
She originally wanted to say like Oden but recalled Yamato's warning so changed her wording.
"I saw indeed, so without an adoptive father, it becomes this hellish sight... Truly, I can't agree with father's ideals."
Originally thinking Kaidou without Arceus would merely grow slightly more irate, she now realized fully Kaidou's governance was her most hated type.
The "real" Wano Kuni strengthened Yamato's resolve, defeat Kaidou, lead Hundred Beasts down a distinctly different path.
Since Arceus mentioned he wouldn't interfere in the father-daughter fight, someday if Arceus loses interest, unrestrained Kaidou might cause unexpected trouble.
Yamato didn't want this side's conditions mirrored in her own, thus nurturing more dedication to defeating Kaidou, whether for her own sake or others', she couldn't lose...