The sanctuary drifted along the New World seas for several days. Scarlett gradually adapted to life aboard, observing the daily rhythms of the girls around her.
Perona, as ever, played pranks relentlessly; Robin remained sharp-tongued and observant; Koala silently honed her martial arts; Mandy diligently polished her sword, cold and precise.
Stella and Rami often watched this lively scene with faint smiles, amusement tempered by care.
In Scarlett's eyes, Black appeared as a lazy, overgrown child someone who could engage in a battle of wits with Perona endlessly, and bicker endlessly with Robin, never tiring.
Today, however, was different. Rami was down with a fever, and Stella and Mandy alternated caring for her.
Scarlett lingered outside the door, listening to Rami's coughs. Something within her stirred a flicker of empathy, of connection.
She pushed the door open gently:
"Do you need any help?"
Stella looked up, relief washing over her tired face:
"Thank you."
At that moment, Scarlett realized that aboard this sanctuary, there was more than confinement there was light, faint but unmistakable.
Meanwhile, Black reclined on a lounge chair, a slight smile curving his lips, content.
Time passed, and the sanctuary drew near Wano Country.
Despite its seclusionist policies, Wano had multiple access points. Aside from the original story's absurd Zunesha route, there were at least three alternatives.
First, the waterfall route, scaling up with fish, perilous but direct.
Second, via Onigashima's port, a circuitous path but feasible.
Third, the safest: entering through Blade Harbor.
As a World Government vessel, the sanctuary naturally approached Hakumai in Blade Harbor.
Wano, historically, ignored the World Government entirely. Eight centuries of autonomy, with Pluton hidden here, rendered such intrusions impossible except now, the harbor lay under Kaido's control.
Kaido, while imposing in body, was cunning. He did not create enemies without cause.
Before the sanctuary even docked, intelligence reached him via the Beasts Pirates' layers. Kaido, sipping sake in his cave, frowned:
"What do those World Government fools want here?"
Abel, standing nearby, eyes hard, voice laced with contempt:
"Should we intercept them? Probe their intentions?"
Kaido waved nonchalantly:
"Go if you must. With me here, there's nothing to fear."
As Black's ship approached, a dark figure descended, wings unfurled, feathers sharp as blades in the dim light.
A black metal forehead protector masked his face; chains with faint flames dangled from either side.
Spotting Black in his spacesuit and helmet, a flicker of hatred crossed Abel's eyes.
He landed, over six meters tall, aura heavy, weapons at the ready, striking fear into the crew behind Black.
"Heh," Black murmured softly, his laugh light, dispersing the oppressive aura.
"Abel. Kaido seems to treat you well?"
The World Government knew of Abel but could not pursue him due to Kaido's protection.
Abel's voice was cold:
"Celestial Dragons. Are you here to provoke Governor-General Kaido?"
Celestial Dragons seldom lingered in the New World; the presence of a major pirate required no special concern.
Black waved, calm:
"Don't be nervous, Abel. Childhood shadows, I see."
"War is not my aim. I merely heard Wano has been lively, and I wished to observe."
He stepped closer, Mandy and Koala half a step behind, the others following.
Black lightly pressed on Abel, forcing him back a few steps before steadying.
"You..." Abel stammered, astonished.
Black passed without pause:
"If you wish to oppose us, you'll need to fetch Kaido first."
He ignored Abel entirely and entered Wano Country.
This time, with no CP agents, Black could subtly demonstrate strength.
Kaido's ambitions were global chaos; he relished seeing the powerless experience war firsthand.
Abel, sensing the force Black wielded, would report cautiously to Kaido.
Kaido, after hearing Abel, sighed, sake in hand:
"Observe him. Let's see what he intends before acting."
Black anticipated such reactions. He had no intention to confront Kaido now.
Even amidst the Revolutionary Army's probing, his original plan persisted.
Long-term strategies always encountered the unexpected. A backup plan was wise.
Kaido, a key figure in Luffy's path, needed to remain intact. Should he fall, the awakening of Nika would be compromised.
Black thought of the relay battles, the cumulative struggles allowing Kaido his role would ensure the Sun God's complete emergence.
Black, on the other hand, intensely disliked the Kozuki lineage.
Among those he most despised: Koby, Oden, and Momonosuke. The Kozuki family accounted for two of the three.
Hence, Kaido's strength must be bolstered.
Strengthened significantly.
Strengthened to extremes.
CHAPTER 79
After Black entered Wano Country, a temporary calm seemed to settle over the land.
To reach Flower Capital from Blade Harbor, one had to pass through Fortune Town. The town was desolate, with dilapidated wooden houses and wary, greedy eyes peeking through the cracks.
No matter which faction ruled Wano, the people's lives were never truly prosperous.
Consider the Nine Red Scabbards. Two were Mink Tribe members, one a Fishman already exceptional by Wano standards. Kiku and Izo's father had been criminals. Kin'emon had been a hooligan, and Ashura Doji, the most dangerous man in Kuri. Kozuki Oden himself was a scoundrel who bullied men and women from his youth. Yet all were regarded as Wano heroes, respected across the land.
For Wano to ever truly prosper… it would be a miracle.
Scarlett instinctively shielded Rami, Robin and Koala remained vigilant, while Perona's curiosity was unrelenting.
Clang!
Mandy drew her sword in an instant, severing a hand that lunged toward Perona.
"Ah!" the vagrant screamed in pain.
Black glanced at Perona, still unaware of the event, and sighed silently.
"Too noisy," he muttered, drawing his golden pistol. With a sharp bang, the wail ended.
"Next time, just cut off the head," Black instructed Mandy, who nodded in acknowledgment. They continued onward.
Wano Country sprawled across the New World, far larger than most islands. By the time the group arrived at Flower Capital, Oden was dancing in the streets a typical display of his eccentricity.
Between defeating Kaido and being defeated by him, Oden carved a path only he could understand. His actions mirrored those of Degalt's giant elders: chaotic, unpredictable, yet fascinating to Black.
Oden's body was covered only minimally, singing and dancing madly. It was unpleasant to the eye, but Black remained intrigued.
Once Oden finished, Black approached:
"Care for a chat?"
Oden, aware of Black and his crew, eyed them warily.
"What do you wish to discuss?" he asked.
Black gestured toward a nearby alley for privacy. Oden hesitated but followed, confident in his strength.
Black motioned Mandy and the others to stay back, and they entered the alley for a private conversation.
After a long while, Black and Oden emerged, both smiling. Oden returned home contentedly. Stella and the others, though curious, restrained themselves.
Perona, however, tugged at Black's pant leg:
"Your Highness! What did you talk about in there?"
Black flicked her head lightly:
"I said I'd give you, little troublemaker, to him."
"Ugh! That's mean! I don't believe it!" Perona stomped off in mock outrage.
Black strolled through Flower Capital, nonchalantly addressing anyone who asked:
"Wano is about to join the World Government! From now on, Wano pays only a hundred billion Berries in tribute for protection. The samurai profession is too disruptive, so the government has decided to abolish it."
The women behind him were bewildered; the commoners, half-believing, half-doubting. But as the message spread, more people began to accept it.
Black's lips curled in a subtle Nike swoosh. He had merely praised Oden's naked dance to protect his people. Oden, seeing a kindred spirit, chatted happily. The thoughts of Wano's citizens were none of Black's concern.
On Onigashima, Kaido's expression shifted upon hearing of Black's actions half amused, half perplexed.
Abel warned him:
"Governor-General, we must remain cautious. If Oden aligns with the World Government, it will harm our plans."
Kaido waved him off:
"Don't worry. I know Oden's character. He'll never become a servant of the World Government."
Stroking his beard, Kaido muttered:
"This Celestial Dragon… interesting."
Among the Four Emperors, Kaido ranked second in intelligence. Combining this with Oden's nature, he recognized the strategic implications immediately: benefits, no drawbacks.
Why did Orochi want Oden to dance? To diminish his prestige. Black's interference already achieved that, stabilizing Kaido's base.
For Oden, the external situation was grim, but internal order remained intact.
This won't do! Black thought. If the Kozuki family's ending is too favorable, displeasure follows.
Arriving in Wano's Pleasure District, Black indulged in geisha entertainment, whispering instructions to Koala. After a nod, he patted her shoulder:
"Go."
Koala vanished in a flash. The others were puzzled. Mandy, perceptive through Observation Haki, regarded Black silently, conflicted.
Black held Mandy in his arms, watching the performances together. Mandy blushed, her mind elsewhere.
Shortly after, Koala returned, holding a book and a terrified pirate:
"You… why are you arresting me? I wasn't spying on you!"
Before Black could question, the pirate confessed fully, revealing both intelligence and compliance.
Koala handed Black the book:
"Your Highness, this is what you requested."
Black confirmed the handwriting, tossed the book aside, and said:
"Stella, prepare paper and pen."
From her magical pouch, Stella produced them instantly. Black began to write with intensity, soon producing a fresh letter.