On the open sea, the Beasts Pirates' fleet was finally making its return voyage. The massive ships cut through the waves, heading back toward the isolated land of Wano.
"It's finally over, this expedition," Yamato said, stretching her arms wide while looking out at the azure sea. "We're finally heading home."
"Yes, it lasted over eight months—nearly nine, actually. It's finally over, and we can return to Wano Country," Maria said with a warm smile, standing beside her.
Haruko leaned against the railing, feeling a bit homesick. "I wonder how Wano Country has changed after all this time we've been away."
"It's probably gotten worse. After all, that Orochi is no good person," Yamato said, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. She exhaled a cloud of smoke, her eyes narrowing as she thought of the Shogun.
Maria and Haruko exchanged quick glances but remained silent. Although they shared Yamato's low opinion of the man, Orochi and the Beasts Pirates were currently in a formal alliance. As subordinates within the crew, it wasn't appropriate for them to gossip about their Governor's allies. Yamato could criticize and comment as she pleased because of her status, but they could not afford such luxuries.
"Forget it, let's not talk about those frustrating things. Speaking of which, it seems we'll make it back in time for the Fire Festival. You two should get ready; come to the Flower Capital with me to have some fun and relax once we drop anchor," Yamato said, changing the subject to something more lighthearted.
"With pleasure," Maria and Haruko both agreed, their faces brightening at the prospect of the festival.
"Yamato! Big Brother said he's definitely going to give you a good lesson once we're back in Wano Country. Just wait for your beating!" Jack's voice rang out from across the deck, heavy with a sense of schadenfreude.
For some reason, Yamato always felt like laughing whenever she heard Jack's voice, especially when he tried to act tough or threaten her on behalf of her father.
"Jack, how about I give you a beating first?" Yamato looked at Jack with ill intent. Her sharp, smiling expression made Jack's skin crawl.
"You think I'm afraid of you? But not today, I have things to do!" Jack blurted out a defensive line and quickly turned to slip away before she could make a move.
"Pfft..." Seeing Jack run off so quickly, Maria and Haruko didn't know what to say.
This was typical for Jack. He couldn't win in a fight against Yamato, and he certainly couldn't win an argument against her either, yet he insisted on talking back every single time. He really was a simpleton. If Yamato didn't just view him as a harmless idiot, she would have beaten him up long ago.
"What a simpleton," Yamato shook her head with a smile. She didn't truly mind; being around a big fool like Jack ensured life was never boring. "However, Jack isn't wrong. My Idiot Old Man is probably reaching his limit. After we get back, a big fight is inevitable."
"Is a fight really necessary? You are father and daughter, after all. Is there nothing that can be talked out?" Maria tried to persuade her, worrying about the scale of the conflict.
"Young Master..." Haruko started to add her own concerns.
Yamato waved them off, interrupting them before they could get started. "Don't try to persuade me. I've wanted to give that Idiot Old Man a good thrashing for a long time. I'm not letting this opportunity slip by no matter what."
"Yamato, I'm not looking down on you, but what if you're the one who gets beaten?" Maria was not very optimistic. Kaido's strength was unquestionable—he was a Yonko, a literal monster. Although Yamato wasn't weak by any means, she was still young. Trying to scrap with Kaido felt a bit forced.
"Haha, then that just means my strength isn't enough! However, it definitely won't be a one-sided beating. I'm going to make that Idiot Old Man learn a lesson no matter what," Yamato laughed, her golden pupils shimmering with a fierce, competitive light.
Seeing Yamato like this, Maria knew she couldn't be persuaded. She only hoped the father and daughter wouldn't take things too far and destroy the island in the process.
"Don't worry, nothing will happen. It's just a fight between father and daughter," Yamato joked, trying to ease their tension.
Maria and Haruko felt helpless. This was no ordinary father-daughter spat. If these two truly fought, it would be earth-shattering.
On the lead pirate ship, Kaido was sitting with a massive gourd of sake, drinking heavily. "Yamato, you Stinky Brat, just wait for your beating!"
Yamato had guessed correctly; Kaido already had his sights on her. He had endured a massive amount of frustration because of her antics during this expedition, and his patience had run dry.
"Big Brother, the Young Master is still young. Isn't it a bit inappropriate to be so petty with her?" King remarked, standing nearby with his arms crossed.
"Shut up! You know exactly how much grief that Stinky Brat has given me. If I don't give her a sound thrashing, I won't be able to let this go," Kaido responded willfully, slamming his gourd down.
King massaged his temples upon hearing the answer. He realized his Big Brother seemed to have become even more childish lately, perhaps as a direct reaction to his "Good Eldest Son," Yamato.
"For the next expedition, I'm not bringing that Stinky Brat along no matter what," Kaido snorted. If he ever brought Yamato on an expedition again, he'd write his name backward.
"Uh..." King could see that his Big Brother was truly tired of being annoyed by Yamato. He seemed genuinely determined never to go out to sea with her again.
"Is this a case of 'one mountain cannot hold two tigers'?" King thought to himself. "As soon as they meet, tensions rise, and they go straight to blows."
"Fine, let the father and daughter mess around. It's not like anyone will die anyway," King thought for a long time before deciding to let it be.
As the fleet approached the mainland, the scouts began to shout. "Governor Kaido and the others have returned from the expedition! Open the gates!"
The massive waterfall at the entrance of Wano split open, revealing the hidden cave entrance. The Beasts Pirates' ships sailed in one after another, successfully returning to their territory. The news quickly spread throughout Wano Country: the Governor was back.
That evening, Onigashima was brightly lit. The entire Beasts Pirates crew was holding a massive banquet to celebrate the successful expedition. Meat and booze were everywhere, and the cheers of the pirates echoed across the water.
However, at a time meant for celebration, Yamato and Kaido did not participate in the feast. Instead, they made their way to the very top of Onigashima, far above the party.
"Big Brother, Young Master, are you serious? You're choosing this time and place to have a major fight?" King looked at the two figures ahead, both armed and ready to strike. He held his forehead in exasperation.
This father and daughter pair were too willful. While the Beasts Pirates were celebrating with a banquet below, they were getting ready to scrap right above their subordinates' heads. Kaido was the worst of it—given such a great opportunity to drink, he actually chose to abstain just so he could fight Yamato first.
"King, this is my business. Don't interfere. Today, I must give this Stinky Brat a beating," Kaido raised his spiked club, Hassaikai, and pointed it directly at Yamato.
"What a coincidence, I was thinking the same thing. I've wanted to hit you for a long time, Idiot Old Man. Bring it on!" Yamato also pointed her spiked club at Kaido, her stance perfect.
Boom!
In the next second, two terrifying bursts of Conqueror's Haki erupted from them. The sheer pressure caused the air to vibrate, and red-black lightning instantly flooded the sky, splitting the clouds above.
"Hey, listen to me!" King was forced back several steps by the sheer intensity of their Haki.
"Thunder Bagua!"
The only response King received was two voices filled with frantic excitement. King saw that both Kaido and Yamato had wild smiles on their faces, like ancient, ferocious beasts waking up with nothing but the urge to destroy.
"This is insane," King was startled, his skin crawling as the two monsters charged at each other.
Boom!
The ground trembled violently and then cracked like a spiderweb under their feet. Yamato and Kaido had completely let loose, their Haki pouring out like a bursting dam as their weapons collided in a shower of sparks and lightning.
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