In the blink of an eye, three days had passed since the explosion at the Flower Capital's Shogun Palace.
In these three days, all of Wano Country had received the news of the collective deaths of the daimyo from the other regions and Kaido's ascension to Guardian Deity King of the Nation.
While the other regions hadn't had time to react fully, the citizens of the Flower Capital had already come to accept it.
After all, this was spoken by the Shogun of Wano Country, Sukiyaki himself, with witnesses like Hyogoro and others present.
The Shogun's Palace now bore little resemblance to its state three days after the blast. Most of the rooms damaged by the explosion had already been restored.
At the highest point of the palace, Kaido stood on the balcony, admiring the view of the entire Flower Capital.
"Big Brother Kaido, Sukiyaki has now translated all of the ancient script into modern text," King reported, standing behind Kaido.
"Well done, King. If not for your ability, we might not have been able to take all of Wano so smoothly," Kaido said, taking the translated text from King.
Back when the Beasts Pirates were still in the West Blue, King had suddenly reported to Kaido that his Kōmori Kōmori no Mi, Model: Vampire had developed a new ability.
Besides blood-sucking, it was well-known that vampires possessed another ability: the power to turn others into their vampire subordinates.
The ability King developed was precisely this, though its limitations were significant.
First, the target could not offer strong resistance when the ability was used. Second, the target could not possess powerful Haki—neither Busoshoku nor Haoshoku would work.
Powerful Haki could directly negate the Devil Fruit's power.
Once turned into a vampire, the individual would become bloodthirsty, lose their appetite for normal food, and their body would gradually stiffen and die if they did not drink blood for a period. Additionally, vampires would become averse to sunlight and remain weakened by seawater.
However, the vampire would also obey King's commands unconditionally.
When Kurozumi Higurashi first invited Kaido to Wano Country, a broad plan had already taken shape in Kaido's mind: to use King's ability to control Shogun Sukiyaki, thereby seizing Wano Country through a legitimate facade.
During Kaido's first visit to the Flower Capital, King had memorized the scent of Sukiyaki's blood upon meeting him. That very night, he transformed into bats and silently turned Sukiyaki into a vampire.
So far, everything had proceeded essentially according to Kaido's plan. The fact that it had gone so smoothly, without a single hitch, surprised even Kaido somewhat.
But thinking about it, this was the world of pirates, so it made sense. After all, Kaido's scheme was leagues more sophisticated than the similarly treasonous plot of someone like Doflamingo.
Even with Doflamingo's crude methods—a previously benevolent king suddenly borrowing money from his people and then personally slaughtering citizens—the nation's people still accepted it.
"This is all your achievement, Big Brother Kaido. It all started with the Devil Fruit you gave me. Without the Kōmori Kōmori no Mi, Model: Vampire, I would never have gained this ability," King said to Kaido.
"Oh, right, Big Brother Kaido. Many people have come to the palace these past few days wanting to see Sukiyaki," King suddenly reported.
"Have them turned away. Just say the Shogun's condition has worsened and he needs quiet rest. Everything that needed to be said was said that day. King, handle Sukiyaki's side. Start spreading the information that Sukiyaki is hanging on by a thread. Then, in the next couple of days, make him disappear completely. Eliminate this final loose end," Kaido ordered directly.
Kaido did not have the perverse hobby of keeping important members of a royal family around to satisfy some twisted whim after seizing their country.
"Yes, Big Brother Kaido," King nodded to Kaido.
"King, keep this translation safe. It will be of great use in the future. Also, there's no need to inform anyone else about this matter," Kaido instructed.
Kaido had always practiced strict compartmentalization regarding major plans within the crew. For instance, the plot to seize Wano Country was, at present, known only to a few top officers. The lower-ranking pirates were completely unaware of the truth, genuinely believing that Kozuki Oden had initially invited Kaido to become Daimyo of Kuri, and that Sukiyaki had now requested Kaido become Guardian Deity King.
"Understood," King nodded upon hearing this, then carefully stored away the notebook containing the translations.
Night enveloped the Flower Capital under a shroud of gloom.
In a secret yakuza hideout, under dim lamplight, dozens of gang members sat gathered around, the atmosphere heavy and oppressive.
"Lord Hyogoro," a subordinate clad in a black kimono, respectfully knelt on one knee. "Today, we sent three more groups to request an audience at the palace, but the guards insisted Lord Sukiyaki's illness has worsened and he requires absolute quiet."
A snort came from a corner. "Hmph! The palace is now full of Kaido's lackeys. They can say whatever they want."
A burly man with a rough face slammed the table as he stood up. "I think they're just hoping Lord Sukiyaki never recovers! That way, Kaido can legitimately control all of Wano Country!"
"You're right!" several voices echoed simultaneously, the room's temperature seeming to drop further.
Hyogoro sat solemnly in the main seat, his fingers lightly tapping the tabletop. "Did you mention that I wanted to see Kaido?" he asked in a low voice.
"Lord Hyogoro, we did. But the other party simply responded that the Guardian Deity King is currently handling Wano's affairs and has no time either," the yakuza member reported.
"Lord Hyogoro," a middle-aged man with a fierce scar on his face said through gritted teeth, "Kaido is clearly acting guilty!"
"Yes, sir!" a younger member added urgently. "These past few days, Kaido's men, under the banner of 'restoring order' in the Flower Capital, have been targeting our businesses everywhere. If this continues, we'll all be left with nothing!"
Hyogoro slowly nodded, his brow furrowed. "Indeed, it's time to go see Kaido. And Lord Sukiyaki."
"But Kaido won't see us!" someone said dejectedly.
"Won't see us?" the burly man retorted directly. "Then gather everyone and go straight to the palace gates. With over a hundred men standing at the entrance, I don't believe he can keep hiding!"
"This..." an older member hesitated. "Kaido is, after all, the Daimyo of Kuri and the Guardian Deity King. Wouldn't doing this be..."
"Do you have a better idea?" the burly man shot back.
Silence fell over the room, only the candle flames flickering uneasily.
Just then, a deep voice broke the stillness. "I actually have an idea."
Everyone looked toward the speaker. It was a bald, muscular man named Murasaki. Though he was a newcomer who had joined just last year, his exceptional strength had already secured him a firm place in the gang.
"Murasaki, what's your idea?" Hyogoro inquired, his gaze questioning.
"Lord Hyogoro, from what I know, that guy Kaido has been collecting Devil Fruits ever since he became Daimyo of Kuri. If Lord Hyogoro were to go see Kaido with a Devil Fruit in hand, I believe Kaido would definitely agree to a meeting," Murasaki said to Hyogoro.
"Murasaki, do you have a Devil Fruit?" Hyogoro's eyes gleamed as he looked at Murasaki.
"I do not," Murasaki shook his head directly. Then, under the disappointed gazes of the others, he added, "But I know who does have one."
"Who has it?" Hyogoro asked, watching Murasaki.
All eyes followed Murasaki's gaze toward a corner of the room.
There sat a thin man, glaring venomously at Murasaki, his eyes almost shooting flames.
"Kitaji, do you have a Devil Fruit?" Hyogoro addressed Kitaji.
"Hmph," Kitaji first snorted coldly at Murasaki, then immediately switched to a respectful expression when turning to Hyogoro. "Lord Hyogoro, I do indeed have a Devil Fruit in my possession. I found it at a fruit stall three days ago. Murasaki here even tried to snatch it from me at the time."
Hearing this, Hyogoro immediately understood. Ever since Kaido placed a bounty on Devil Fruits, their appearance had become clearly memorized by many in Wano Country, all fantasizing about finding one to exchange for Kaido's reward. The price for a Devil Fruit was simply too tempting. Even the cheapest Devil Fruit was worth at least One Hundred Platinum, enough for a person to live comfortably for a lifetime.
Kitaji and Murasaki must have had a significant conflict over this Devil Fruit, with Murasaki coming out the loser. Now, he had come up with this method of using another's hand to kill.
"Kitaji, I will help you exchange this Devil Fruit for the bounty. I swear on my name, Hyogoro, that all the reward money will be given to you," Hyogoro said to Kitaji.
"Not at all, not at all! Since Lord Hyogoro needs it, I would give you the Devil Fruit even without the bounty," Kitaji immediately said with a smile, not forgetting to throw a provocative glance at Murasaki.
Seeing this, Murasaki didn't get angry. After all, when Murasaki first saw the Devil Fruit, his thought wasn't to exchange it for a bounty, but to use it as a token to pledge allegiance to Kaido.
Early the next morning, the sky over the Flower Capital was dyed gold by the rising sun.
Inside Hyogoro's residence, Kitaji carefully carried an exquisite wooden box into the room.
"Lord Hyogoro, this is the Devil Fruit I found at a fruit stall in the Flower Capital three days ago," Kitaji said, gently placing the box on the table and opening the lid. Inside lay a purple fruit resembling a pineapple, with six rounded triangular stems encircling its top, shimmering with an unusual luster in the morning light.
Hyogoro studied it for a moment, then reached out and closed the lid. "Kitaji, the bounty exchanged for this fruit will be given to you in full. I merely wish to use it to gain an audience with Lord Sukiyaki."
"Sir, you jest," Kitaji said with a respectful bow. "Who in the entire Flower Capital doesn't know your integrity? I trust you completely."
Hyogoro gave a slight nod, picked up the wooden box, and strode out of the room.
The morning breeze brushed against the hem of his clothes as he walked alone toward the Shogun's Palace.
***
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