In the reception hall of the Flower Capital, the air was thick with a suffocating sense of gravity. Kozuki Sukiyaki sat upright in the seat of honor, his gaze sharp as he observed Kaido opposite him. He spoke slowly, his voice steady and restrained. "Mr. Kaido, the reason for inviting you to the Flower Capital this time is to inquire about your views on the position of Daimyo of Kuri."
"Wororororo!" Kaido let out a deafening laugh, his coarse laughter echoing in the hall. "You think I give a damn about being Daimyo of Kuri? A mere Daimyo title isn't even worthy of my notice." His arrogant tone and undisguised contempt caused the expressions of everyone present to change abruptly.
"Outrageous!" Kazuki Mitsuyoshi was the first to slap the table and stand up. His usually gentle and refined face was now twisted with anger. His fingers were already on the hilt of his sword, his knuckles white from the force. Ugetsu Tempura was similarly furious, dangerous glints flashing in his eyes, his right hand tightly gripping his sword hilt, ready to draw at any moment. Shimotsuki Ushimaru and Shimotsuki Yasuke maintained an outward calm, but the coldness in their eyes was enough to send chills down one's spine.
The entire reception hall instantly became a powder keg; the air seemed to solidify. The guards' hands unconsciously tightened on their weapons, ready to respond to a potential outbreak of conflict.
"All of you, stop!" Kozuki Sukiyaki barked sharply, his authoritative voice causing everyone to jolt. Though unwilling, Kazuki Mitsuyoshi and the others forcibly suppressed their rage and sat back down.
Sukiyaki took a deep breath and turned his gaze back to Kaido. "So, Mr. Kaido truly has no interest in the position of Daimyo of Kuri?"
"Correct," Kaido replied dismissively, his thick arms resting casually on the back of the chair.
Hearing this answer, Sukiyaki and the daimyo present all sighed in relief. After all, letting an outsider pirate become a daimyo of Wano Country was something they could never accept.
However, just as everyone thought the matter was settled, Kaido suddenly shifted his tone. "However..." He grinned, revealing a meaningful smile. "Kuri is, after all, the territory Oden entrusted to me. As his life-and-death sworn friend, I'll keep a good hold on that place for him until he returns to Wano Country."
These words landed like a heavy hammer, making the recently eased atmosphere tense up once more. While Kaido claimed not to care for the Daimyo title, he clearly stated he intended to maintain actual control over Kuri. This declaration made those present feel even more uneasy than if he had directly demanded the title.
"Hmph, the affairs of our Wano Country do not require a pirate's concern," Ugetsu Tempura said to Kaido.
"Wororororo! Are you looking down on me?!" Kaido laughed upon hearing this, but his sharp gaze was fixed on Ugetsu Tempura.
Though Kaido himself also looked down on the pirate profession, that didn't mean someone could insult him to his face.
"So what if I am?!" Facing Kaido's sharp gaze, Ugetsu Tempura did not flinch in the slightest.
"It seems you have a death wish!" Kaido's tone grew increasingly severe.
Seeing the situation growing more and more uncontrollable, Sukiyaki suddenly recalled Denjiro's earlier description of Kaido's strength: incredibly powerful, capable of fighting the present Oden to a standstill, perhaps even stronger. He was well aware of his son's capabilities. If this Kaido was truly not inferior to Oden, that was proof enough of the man's might.
Even with the protection of many daimyo, Sukiyaki decided to play it safe. "Enough, Tempura. Step back. Mr. Kaido, please calm your anger. Today is meant to hold a banquet welcoming Mr. Kaido to Wano Country. Let's begin the banquet first. We can discuss any matters tomorrow."
"Orochi, begin the banquet at once," Sukiyaki said to Kurozumi Orochi beside him.
"Yes, Lord Sukiyaki," Kurozumi Orochi immediately stood up upon hearing this and began preparing the banquet.
Under Kurozumi Orochi's direction, attendants swiftly moved into action. Exquisite Washoku cuisine was brought to the table, course by course; the aroma of fine sake wafted from delicate vessels. However, the atmosphere of this banquet never truly relaxed.
Kaido sat among the guests, drinking heartily, completely indifferent to the wary glances cast his way. He occasionally let out hearty laughter, forming a stark contrast to the tense atmosphere around him. The daimyo maintained polite smiles on the surface, but the wariness in their eyes did not diminish in the slightest.
The banquet continued in this bizarre atmosphere. The daimyo were each lost in their own thoughts, while Kaido enjoyed the fine food and drink as if no one else were there. When the moon reached its zenith, Kaido finally stood up. "That's enough for today. Wororororo! Thanks for the hospitality!"
With that, he strode purposefully toward the door, utterly disregarding etiquette. The guards looked at each other, unsure whether to stop him. Sukiyaki waved his hand, signaling to let him pass.
Once Kaido's figure vanished into the night, a chorus of discussion immediately erupted in the reception hall.
"That arrogant pirate!" Ugetsu Tempura said through gritted teeth.
"He clearly intends to seize Kuri!" Kazuki Mitsuyoshi fumed indignantly.
Shimotsuki Ushimaru frowned. "His strength is indeed not to be underestimated..."
Sukiyaki wearily rubbed his temples. "Everyone, let's end here for tonight. We'll discuss countermeasures tomorrow."
Though unwilling, everyone could only take their leave. After all had departed, Sukiyaki stood alone in the courtyard, gazing at the bright moonlight, and let out a deep sigh. He faintly sensed that Wano Country was about to be swept up in a great storm.
...
Late at night, the lights in the Flower Capital's guesthouse were brightly lit. Kaido sat upright in the seat of honor, with Queen, Urouge, and Sebastian seated on either side. The atmosphere in the room was heavy and quiet; everyone was silently waiting for something.
Suddenly, faint sounds came from outside the window. Hundreds of pitch-black bats silently swarmed into the room through a vent, swirling and fluttering in the dim light. These bats gradually coalesced, finally taking human form—King's figure appeared before everyone. His complexion was slightly pale, but his eyes remained sharp.
"King, welcome back," Kaido spoke first, a satisfied smile appearing on his rugged face.
Queen adjusted his sunglasses and let out his trademark laugh. "Muhahaha, finally back. How did it go?"
Though Urouge and Sebastian didn't speak, their gazes were all focused on King, clearly also very concerned about the outcome of this trip.
"Big Brother Kaido, the mission is accomplished." King's voice was low and firm.
Hearing this, Kaido laughed heartily. "Wororororo! Well done, King! This time, you've rendered a great service!"
Queen excitedly slapped the table. "Muhahaha, it seems Wano Country will soon become the territory of our Beasts Pirates!"
Urouge and Sebastian also revealed pleased expressions. The atmosphere in the room immediately grew lively. Everyone's faces were beaming with the joy of impending victory, as if they could already see the Beasts Pirates ruling over Wano Country.
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