The replacement of the Shimotsuki Daimyo barely created a ripple of concern throughout the kingdom.
Compared to Wano Country's revolutionary new policies, this political shift represented the most insignificant of minor matters.
One day off per week with twelve-hour work shifts!
This work system, which would be considered harsh labor exploitation in Kai's previous life, had a dimensionally crushing positive effect compared to Wano Country's existing slave factory conditions.
After the news was officially announced, people throughout Wano Country erupted in joyous celebration.
Shogun Yamato had arrived, bringing genuine hope for clearer skies ahead!
Not only that, but Kai also announced a comprehensive series of rent reduction and disaster relief policies designed to win the people's hearts and minds.
After all, the vast wealth Kurozumi Orochi had systematically scraped from the oppressed populace was sufficient for all of Wano Country to survive without working for three entire years.
The promulgation of these groundbreaking new policies secured popular support within just a few days of implementation.
Yamato quickly solidified her position as the legitimate Shogun.
In the Flower Capital, the transformation was immediately visible.
"Shogun Yamato, please try some wagashi sweets my family just finished making!"
"Shogun Yamato, these are freshly picked pears from our orchard!"
"Shogun Yamato..."
Enthusiastic citizens surrounded Yamato from every direction, all offering their heartfelt tokens of appreciation and gratitude.
Yamato accepted every gift with a genuine smile and obvious warmth.
"Did you capture good shots of this?"
Kai turned to address the reporter positioned nearby and instructed with strategic precision: "Make sure to properly publicize Shogun Yamato's closeness to the people and their overwhelming love for her leadership."
Such wonderful scenes of military-civilian harmony couldn't be allowed to go to waste.
The reporter nodded repeatedly with obvious enthusiasm: "Lord Kai, I'll return immediately and write the article right now. It'll be published as tomorrow's newspaper headline story."
Shortly after the reporter departed, Yamato, having finished graciously dealing with the grateful citizens, approached with obvious excitement.
"Kai, I want to visit Kuri as well."
"What would you accomplish in Kuri?"
"Land reclamation and development! I heard from the citizens that it's the poorest region in all of Wano Country, where people actually starve to death every year."
Yamato spoke as if stating the most obvious fact in the world: "I'm Wano Country's Shogun. I definitely need to visit the most difficult areas and help them develop properly."
Fukurokuju, who had been following at a respectful distance, looked at Yamato with genuine surprise.
He understood that Shogun Yamato was different from Shogun Orochi, but he hadn't expected her to be this dramatically different.
They were practically polar opposites in every conceivable way.
How had someone like Kaido raised such a compassionate daughter?
However, this development represented truly the best possible news for Wano Country's future.
Fukurokuju's eyes showed more genuine recognition and respect.
Kai considered the proposal carefully and felt this wasn't a problematic idea, so he agreed, allowing Yamato to travel to Kuri alone.
With her overwhelming strength, there was currently nothing in Wano Country that could pose any genuine threat to her safety.
Yamato departed with obvious excitement and anticipation.
Kai issued further instructions: "Fukurokuju, send two reporters to follow Yamato and document everything she accomplishes."
Fukurokuju understood the strategic implications completely.
After delegating all the tedious governmental affairs to Fukurokuju's capable management, Kai prepared to return to Onigashima.
He still had an enormous pile of important matters to arrange.
The administrative mess left behind by Kurozumi Orochi's regime was truly catastrophic.
Back at Onigashima, in Queen's laboratory...
"WHAT! You want me to research methods for reducing factory pollution?"
Queen was so shocked he nearly dropped the delicate test tube clutched in his mechanical hand.
"Kid, we're the Beast Pirates! We're pirates!"
What self-respecting pirates would be so bored as to research ways to benefit ordinary people?
Kai spoke with complete calm: "Not only that, but I also need you to research agricultural machinery. Things like advanced seeders and harvesters. Of course, while reducing pollution from weapons factories, we also need to dramatically improve efficiency."
He wanted to achieve preliminary industrialization in Wano Country. Even basic industrialization would bring tremendous advances in productivity.
Simply put, even the worst form of capitalism was more advanced than feudalism.
Queen was so furious his facial fat trembled with indignation.
What do you take me for? I'm the mighty Queen the Plague! I research biochemical weapons and laser weapons!
Weapons that killed fewer than double digits of people at once didn't even qualify for his research consideration.
"Impossible! Absolutely impossible!"
Queen flatly refused with obvious disgust. "Besides, I don't think our relationship is good enough for you to ask me for such ridiculous favors."
He still remembered that day when he had awakened from unconsciousness and rushed back to the duel arena wanting a rematch, only to discover that Kai and his group had already fled.
At that time, unable to properly vent his accumulated anger, he had been extremely frustrated.
"Queen-san, why are you being so unnecessarily narrow-minded?"
Kai gently persuaded with diplomatic charm: "Developing Wano Country isn't just my personal business. It's about our Beast Pirates' century-long strategic plans!"
Queen huffed and glared with obvious hostility, refusing again: "Kid, don't try to fool me with fancy words. Impossible means impossible."
"Wait." Queen seemed to think of something and smiled with strange calculation: "If you're willing to give me Komurasaki, I might consider it."
"You're not planning to take payment without doing any actual work, are you?" Kai rolled his eyes with obvious skepticism. Did he look like a complete idiot?
Queen's smile froze completely. How had this kid guessed his scheme so easily?
"Sigh... I suppose it really is too technically difficult."
Kai sighed with feigned regret and disappointment: "Come to think of it, treating pollution and researching new machinery are such complex tasks that they can probably only be accomplished by someone like Vegapunk, who possesses the world's greatest scientific brain."
"Kid, don't try to use Vegapunk to provoke me. I don't fall for such obvious tricks." Queen snorted coldly.
Although he constantly bragged about being the world's number one scientist, he was secretly somewhat convinced by Vegapunk's superior abilities.
The more knowledgeable one became, the more one could understand Vegapunk's truly terrifying capabilities.
Kai looked surprised and widened his eyes with apparent innocence: "I wasn't attempting that at all. I can't even locate Vegapunk anywhere. But I heard there's a top scientist named Vinsmoke Judge who previously worked with Vegapunk. I'm sure he could accomplish it."
"Since you can't handle it, Queen-san, I'll go ask King-san to help contact him instead."
"HAH? I can't do it?"
Queen shot upright, his obsession with Judge completely clouding his rational judgment. "Judge, that pathetic waste? Give him two years, and he still wouldn't figure out those projects."
"I, Queen, am the world's top scientist! I only need three months to produce complete results!"
He had taken the bait perfectly.
When dealing with this type of scientist, you had to apply competitive pressure.
Kai's mouth curved into a slight smile of satisfaction: "Then I'll look forward to your results, Queen-san."
With that declaration, he turned and left immediately, not giving Queen time to reconsider or react.
"Wait! You manipulative kid!"
Queen watched Kai's rapidly departing figure. His mind cooled down, and his intelligence reclaimed the high ground, but it was far too late.
"Damn it all!"
Queen was so angry his entire body of fat trembled with rage.
On the other side, after leaving Queen's laboratory, Kai changed direction and headed to the banquet hall instead.
There was a predictable NPC who always appeared there: Kaido.
Sure enough, when Kai entered the banquet hall, Kaido was enjoying a dancer's performance while drinking heavily.
"Hm? Oh, it's Kai."
Kaido, bleary-eyed from excessive alcohol consumption, took a while to properly recognize the man before him.
"BURP!" Kaido released a comfortable wine belch before asking: "Weren't you playing political house in Wano Country? What are you doing here?"
Kai provided a comprehensive report on what he had just discussed with Queen.
"Oh, do whatever you want."
Kaido waved his massive hand carelessly: "I'll say it again for absolute clarity: I only want weapons."
Having a leader like Kaido really saved enormous amounts of worry.
Kai departed feeling completely satisfied with the arrangement.