Chapter 259: A Marvelous Consensus
"Um... why does your sister keep staring at me?"
"Maybe you have something really valuable on you, and Big Sis likes it," Chloe replied casually.
Kaido's brutal training hadn't been entirely without results; at the very least, Yamato had developed a razor-sharp instinct. Whenever someone was intensely focused on her, an uneasy feeling would creep into her heart.
Turning her head, she caught sight of Nanamo "conspiring" in hushed tones with Hermes.
Chloe didn't quite grasp Nanamo's deep-seated aversion to try-hards; she genuinely just thought Yamato might be carrying some rare treasure. After all, if what Yamato said was true and Kaido practically controlled an entire country, it wouldn't be surprising if she carried a national treasure on her.
"But besides these clothes, all I have on me is Takeru," Yamato said, pulling out her kanabo.
In a sense, Takeru truly was a top-tier weapon, forged with a special metal exclusive to Wano Country known as "Liquor Iron Ore."
"Then... maybe Big Sis thinks you're pretty and wants you to be a backup dancer," Chloe suggested.
Nanamo was currently preparing for her own personal concert and did indeed have some vacancies to fill. Although Chloe's guess was entirely off the mark, she and Yamato had arrived at a conclusion they both deemed perfectly logical, and comfortably resumed their idle chatter.
"Are your wings from a Devil Fruit too?" Yamato asked curiously.
"Nope! Mommy gave me this power, and the flames too. The lightning comes from Daddy," Chloe beamed proudly. "It's all power hidden in my bloodline! Kind of like those horns on your head."
"Wings are way more useful than horns..." Yamato muttered, her mind suddenly flashing back to some rather miserable memories. For instance, Kaido used to wedge objects between her horns and use her as a moving target practice while forcing her to run for her life.
Unlike the Lunarian bloodline, the horns on Yamato's head didn't provide any flashy, direct elemental buffs. Much like the latent Giant bloodline running through the veins of the Buccaneer race, they simply served to vastly enhance her innate physical constitution.
A short while later, Nereus returned alone. There wasn't a single scratch or speck of dust on his clothes to indicate he had just been in a battle.
"Your father has entrusted you to my care. You will be living with me for a very long time," Nereus said, looking down at Yamato. "Per your father's request, I will train you with the sole objective of making you stronger. Is there anything you don't understand?"
"Daddy, let's start her training in a few days!" Chloe chimed in, rushing to Nereus's side. "She hasn't left Wano in eight years; this is her first time out on the sea! Let me play with her for a few days first!"
[Beautifully done, Chloe. Kids should spend more time playing. Why be such a try-hard all the time...]
Nanamo mentally applauded her sister's intervention. However, Yamato had a completely different mindset.
"No need! I'm already fully prepared! We can start training right now!" Yamato declared, her eyes shining brightly. "But Mr. Nereus, could you give me an autograph first?"
Yamato eagerly held up the manuscript of the Biography of Nereus. Though she had kept it in pristine condition, the pages were heavily worn from being read countless times.
"I can sign an autograph, but let's use a different book. This one..."
Nereus had personally reviewed the manuscript Wobbegong had written. The exaggerated, mythologized contents... even Nereus had felt second-hand embarrassment reading it. He had ultimately rejected its publication application on the grounds that "blind personality cults are unadvisable."
If Kaido were still standing here, the Haki coating his Hassaikai would have probably materialized out of sheer rage. Whenever he tried to train her, if Yamato didn't immediately try to run away, she would vehemently protest.
Yet, the very second she was dropped off here, she proactively demanded to be trained. Kaido would have undoubtedly concluded that he simply hadn't beaten her enough on a daily basis.
Swapping the manuscript for a high-quality nautical atlas, Nereus signed his name for Yamato. He didn't initiate the so-called training immediately, however. He told Yamato to stay and play with Chloe for a while, instructing Nanamo and Chloe to bring Yamato back to Fish-Man Island with them when they returned.
Under normal circumstances, Nereus wouldn't have personally come all the way out to the surface port. Nanamo was more than capable of handling any potential issues here. It was only because Kaido had sent a formal invitation beforehand and personally visited that Nereus made the trip.
"Um... why are you looking at me like that?"
Yamato was currently brimming with motivation and excitement, but the moment she turned her head, she was met with Nanamo's profoundly resentful glare.
"That guy Kaido mentioned earlier... that you absolutely despised his training..." Nanamo said slowly.
Yamato had been incredibly friendly toward Nanamo—not just because of Nereus, but also because of Kaido. After all, Nanamo had just fought Kaido in a head-on clash without letting him gain any advantage. In Yamato's eyes, Nanamo was practically a "Hero."
"Yeah, I do."
"Then why... are you so utterly thrilled about my dad's training?!"
"Um... because it's Mr. Nereus! I want to become someone just like him! I want to liberate enslaved islands, storm Mary Geoise, and wipe out all those Celestial Dragons!"
Had she uttered those words in any territory belonging to a World Government affiliated nation, it would have been considered the highest form of absolute treason. If the wrong person heard her, being thrown into Impel Down for the crime of insulting the World Nobles would be a mercy; execution was far more likely.
But here...
"What ambition!"
"Hahaha! It's great to be young! I'll be waiting to read your name in the morning papers, kid!"
This port was overflowing with an unconcealed, burning hatred for the Celestial Dragons. The veterans who had once sailed under the flag of the Fish-Man Pirates were especially thrilled, laughing boisterously and cheering Yamato on.
Unexpectedly, Yamato found genuine validation and acceptance here, a stark contrast to the hollow submission and flattery Kaido's subordinates displayed on Onigashima.
At that exact moment, Nanamo realized with absolute certainty that she was destined to be completely surrounded by fanatical try-hards. She immediately began mentally drafting plans on how to train Yamato herself.
After all, knowing Nereus's habits, it was only a matter of time before he dragged her in to act as Yamato's sparring partner.
As for the whole "storming Mary Geoise" thing...
If Yamato could actually pull it off one day, Nanamo would be more than happy to grab some popcorn and watch.
Ironically, regarding the destruction of Mary Geoise, Yamato and Chloe had achieved a marvelous consensus—one driven by idol worship, and the other driven by deep-rooted family tradition.
"Hermes, how are the preparations for my concert going?"
Deciding to ignore Yamato for the time being, Nanamo shifted her focus back to her upcoming concert. However, Hermes suddenly began to stammer nervously.
"Don't tell me you forgot?" Nanamo narrowed her eyes.
"How could I possibly forget?! I remember Princess Nanamo's orders perfectly! It's just... we've run into a slight complication... If you only wished to hold the concert within the borders of the Ryugu Kingdom, we could start tonight.
"The entire Merfolk Opera Troupe is ready to provide your musical accompaniment. However, you specifically requested a grand, global-scale event, and Fish-Man Island simply lacks the logistical experience for something of that magnitude.
"Originally, this humble servant planned to contact Buena Festa. That man is the undisputed 'Master of Festivities' and possesses unparalleled experience in this field."
Buena Festa was infamous across the seas for orchestrating massive, chaotic festivals, many of which were tailored exclusively for pirates. Much like Morgans, he was the type of man who thrived on grand spectacles and never minded if things spiraled out of control.
"I've heard the name," Nanamo nodded. "Did he refuse?"
"No, he... well, he appears to be dead. Rumor has it his ship encountered a catastrophic storm and he was swallowed whole by a Sea King."
"..."
"Therefore, we are currently searching for a new, reliable grand organizer. We may need to wait just a little bit longer..."
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