Hiyori slept through the entire afternoon again, not waking until nightfall when the aroma of food reached her.
When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Caesar's tall, broad back.
He was sitting cross-legged on the bed beside Hiyori, eyes closed, carefully contemplating the devouring power he had experienced during the day.
After his battle with Dragon, having endured the torment of that Destructive Power, Caesar had finally comprehended the innate power he possessed.
The devouring power from within Kunpeng, capable of eradicating all things.
When he attempted to release even a trace of this devouring power, it would instantly make him feel incredibly hungry.
This bizarre and powerful energy, similar to Destructive Power, indeed surpassed what was known as Haki and ordinary Devil Fruit abilities in terms of energy level.
"The devouring power must be another manifestation of the so-called Power of Rules. It shouldn't be used lightly unless I can provide energy for it to consume, such as Destructive Power."
Just as Caesar was pondering this, he suddenly felt two soft sensations against his back, and a soft body gently embraced him from behind.
"You're awake? Are you hungry? It seems they've prepared some food."
Caesar turned around, then froze.
Because he saw Hiyori pursing her lips, tears streaming down her face, pattering onto her snow-white thighs extending from beneath her clothes.
Caesar raised his hand and placed his large palm on Hiyori's small head, gently stroking it.
"What's wrong? You're now the queen of this country. You can't be a fragile woman. A ruler must always be rational.
As you've seen, five or six thousand people died in Bakura Town, all killed by Kid. Also, it seems the entire Hobo Town was massacred.
This country has experienced pain. If their ruler isn't strong enough, the people will only suffer more and become more lost."
With every word Caesar spoke, Hiyori sobbed even more intensely, her shoulders shaking, tears falling more heavily.
After crying for a long time, she finally looked up at Caesar with tearful eyes, her voice filled with sorrow.
"I... I know. So, I swear, from now on, I'll only cry in front of you. I will become the wisest ruler of Wano Country and lead its people to happiness!"
After saying this, Hiyori slowly laid her head on Caesar's lap.
Caesar placed his large hand on her back, gently stroking it.
He looked at this woman who had changed quite a bit and felt some emotion in his heart.
If possible, who would want to be an unfeeling person?
But this world is too cruel.
If one is too emotional, they'll inevitably get deeply hurt.
Unless you're expressionless, who the hell would keep a straight face all day trying to look cool?
Isn't that just pure insanity?
"Hmm? Little lady, what are you doing? Hiss..."
...
Warm, hot, and very humid.
Yes, this was the specially built hot spring in the palace.
After dinner, Caesar walked into the hot spring, leisurely enjoying the soak in the hot water.
The hot spring pool covered several hundred square meters, surrounded by flowers, trees, pavilions, and some exquisitely carved rock formations.
"Feudal countries are so corrupt. Things like hot springs - if you soak in them too much, you'll definitely get addicted. If the whole country soaks in hot springs every day, becoming weak and only knowing how to enjoy themselves, they might even do something in the hot springs.
Such a corrupt lifestyle, how could it inspire people's fighting spirit?
No wonder my foolish brother lost to the Straw Hat Kid. He was probably softened by Wano Country's hot springs."
Caesar yawned.
After being soaked in the steaming hot water for a while, he felt his eyelids getting heavy and his whole body becoming drowsy.
If he wanted to sleep, he would sleep.
Immediately, Caesar lay on his back in the hot water, covered his face with a towel, and comfortably drifted into dreamland.
After an unknown amount of time, Caesar felt that it was very noisy around his ears, making him frown.
"Who the hell is so reckless, making noise while I'm sleeping?"
Caesar grabbed the towel covering his face and looked angrily toward the source of the noise.
"Pfft~"
Caesar's eyes widened as he saw that several curvaceous women had appeared in the hot spring pool before him.
The tall and graceful Black Maria.
Hiyori, who had shrunk her body into the hot spring, only revealing her small eyes.
If it were just these two, that would be one thing, but there was also a bold woman standing with her back to Caesar, hands on her hips, in the shallow pool water, talking loudly with Black Maria and the others.
Caesar rubbed his nose and cleared his throat hoarsely, "Hey! What are you all arguing about? I was sleeping just fine. Can't you do something productive?"
Hearing Caesar's words, the three women simultaneously turned to look at him.
Through the hazy, steaming mist, Caesar finally saw clearly that the petite woman with her back to him was none other than Ulti.
"This little girl looks so thin and bony, yet... so bold."
Caesar couldn't help but narrow his eyes...
Splashing sounds echoed as Ulti strode recklessly through the water, pointing at Caesar and angrily shouting.
"Caesar! You're such a shameless bastard! I misjudged you!"
Caesar: "?"
He looked utterly confused, not understanding what Ulti was babbling about.
"Are... are you having a fever? What nonsense are you spouting?" Caesar scratched his cheek.
"Sorry, sorry, Caesar-sama. My apologies. Ulti is drunk. I'll pull her away right now."
Black Maria hurried over, her voluptuous figure causing quite a stir that made Caesar's mouth go dry.
As she reached out to grab Ulti's arm, Ulti directly slapped her hand away.
"Hmph! Earlier this evening, I heard Hiyori crying from afar, along with the sound of slapping! Don't try to deny it! I truly misjudged you! I never expected you to be a wife-beater! How disgusting!"
Ulti practically screamed right in Caesar's face.
Black Maria was right—Ulti indeed seemed drunk, her small face flushed red, whether from the hot water or genuine intoxication.
As soon as Ulti finished speaking, Hiyori across from them plunged into the water with a splash, submerging even her head.
A blush spread across Black Maria's face as she looked at Ulti, seeming to want to say something but hesitating.
Caesar was momentarily stunned but quickly understood, his lips twitching.
Splash!
Breaking through the water's surface, he raised his thick, long arm, yanked Ulti over, pinned her across his lap, and raised his large hand to deliver a series of sharp smacks to her bottom.
"Waaah! What are you doing?! Let me go! Let me go! It hurts so much, damn it!"
Ulti squirmed like a slippery eel, screaming in pain.
But soon, her cries weakened, her face flushed crimson as if all her strength had been drained.
Clearly, the hot springs of this feudalistic nation had claimed another victim.
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