One Piece: Nico Robin Collection

Chapter 14 Kiss

The capital of flowers, the General's Mansion.

Kaido leaned back on a huge soft chair, with a wine gourd hanging from his fingertips. He looked toward the platform outside the window. Looking at the man who had stirred up the crowd on the platform, he suddenly chuckled.

"This kid is really good at it..."

Jin nodded: "Yes, it seems that Mr. Kaido will have more sons-in-law."

"Ahhhhhh... You know that's not what I'm talking about, Jhin."

Kaido laughed loudly: "How's that kid's strength?"

Jin thought carefully about his progress over the past month and said seriously, "He's getting stronger at an almost cheating rate. Even though he hasn't noticed, his physique and strength are probably no less than mine."

"Oh? Is it in a burning state?"

"Yes."

"That's really a cheating speed..."

Kaido was also incredulous. Jin was a remnant of the Lunalia tribe. This tribe was considered the favorites of God and was even given the name of God by people.

Not only does it have wings that can truly fly, but its body can also produce flames. When the flames burn, its body has a powerful defense comparable to steel. When the flames go out, the defense will decrease, but the speed will increase significantly, and the flames themselves also have a certain lethality. It can be said that it is born with powers comparable to those of a devil fruit.

And Jhin is the second most powerful person in the group after the captain, so his physical strength is needless to say.

What was Caesar's strength when he first arrived?
If it weren't for the blessing of the Conqueror's Haki and the Mythical Beast, he probably wouldn't even be able to get the position of a combat captain.

"Come to think of it, that brat went out to sea to look for devil fruits because of his limited talent... but are the changes brought about by the mythical beast species so great?" Kaido muttered to himself in surprise.

Jin smiled and said, "Perhaps he has this potential, but he can't develop it in a place like the East China Sea."

"No... The speed of learning Haki doesn't indicate one's talent. The true determinant of talent is the speed of one's physical transformation. Only a strong physique can sustain the massive consumption of Haki."

Kaido stared at Caesar's figure on the platform and slowly shook his head: "This kind of transformation takes time. No matter what kind of monster it is, it may take a year, but it will definitely not be just a month."

"Jin, do you think it could be this guy? Joey Boy?"

"Mr. Kaido, do you think Caesar will defeat you?"

Kaido laughed loudly upon hearing this: "Ah ha ha ha... I won't be defeated by anyone, I am the strongest!"

"Then he's not. After all, didn't you say that? If there really is a Joey Boy, he must be the guy who can beat you."

Jin also laughed: "And didn't I say that, that kind of thing is no longer important. Now I just want you to become the Pirate King."

Kaido was silent for a moment: "Remember what you asked when we first met?"

Jin also fell silent, he knew what Kaido was talking about.

When the two met for the first time, he asked Kaido, "Will you be the one who changes the world?"

He still remembered Kaido's answer at that time.

Only I can change the world!

"I never thought that the story of the dragon slayer becoming the dragon would happen to me."

Kaido gulped down a large gulp of wine. "This kid has at least changed a country, although it was mostly due to the power of the Beasts Pirates. But I have only changed myself over the years. It's really hard to understand!"

Jin smiled and said, "It's nothing more than the qualifications of a wise and virtuous ruler."

"What matters is not wisdom, but overthrow, Jin!"

Kaido laughed loudly. He had always been extremely proud of his own strength, but now he finally realized one thing, that is, there are some things that cannot be done by strength alone.

Like… putting a smile on people’s faces!

"I'm really looking forward to fighting this kid more and more! Aloha!"

…………

"General Yamato!"

"loyalty!"

"By the way, what is the relationship between Lord Caesar and General Yamato? The general kissed Lord Caesar, which means..."

"Lord Caesar is the General's wife!"

"Madam means female, so it should be General Husband, right?"

"That sounds a bit perverted..."

On the way back to the castle, the roadside was full of people. Yamato rode in a sedan chair with an innocent smile on his face, constantly waving to people.

Caesar walked beside the chariot, with Yamato's lip print on his face, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, and he was in a very good mood.

Runti: "That laugh is so disgusting."

Caesar: "Starting tomorrow, you will follow Quinn to spray the land!"

"Eh? I don't want it! I was just kidding!"

"Haha, I took it seriously."

Everyone returned to the castle, and Yamato was pulled by the maids to change clothes.

Caesar came to a room where a man and a woman were locked up.

The man had a long crew cut and droopy eyes, and looked very cunning.

The woman was dressed as a geisha and had a beautiful appearance, but at this moment, she and the man next to her were both tied up like dumplings in a messy manner.

The two people were none other than Denjiro, a former subordinate of Oden who was working undercover as Orochi under the alias Kyoshiro, and Oden's daughter, Kozuki Hiyori.

All of Kurozumi Orochi's direct subordinates were killed, and Kyoshiro, who was lurking beside Orochi, naturally could not escape the encirclement, but Caesar deliberately spared the lives of the two.

I was busy arranging Yamato's succession last night and didn't pay attention to the two of them. I only made time now.

"My Lord! My Lord Caesar!"

As soon as Caesar entered the room, Kyoshiro immediately put on a flattering smile on his face: "I have just heard the commotion outside, and I am willing to surrender to General Yamato..."

"Oh? Is everything okay?"

With a wave of his hand, a luxurious soft chair appeared. Caesar leaned lazily on the chair, propped up his cheek and looked at the two people in front of him. But what he said made the two of them change color.

"Aren't you Kozuki Oden's subordinate? Denjiro..."

Kyoshiro's flattering smile froze on his face: "Impossible! How did you know?!"

"Then don't worry about it."

Caesar chuckled and turned to look at the beautiful woman beside him: "This is Kozuki Hiyori, right? The most beautiful woman in Wano Country..."

"You...if you have anything to say, come at me!"

Kyoshiro's face changed, and he struggled to stand in front of Kozuki Hiyori: "Forcing a weak woman is not a manly act!"

"Thinking of something nice?"

Caesar scoffed lightly, "The current generals are all my women. Do you think I can force myself on a mere geisha who entertains people with her beauty?"

"Your Excellency Caesar is right, Denjiro."

Kozuki Hiyori sighed softly, "How could a man like you be swayed by beauty? You must have some ulterior motive."

"So tell me, what is the plan?"

Caesar raised his eyebrows slightly, and the other party's calm attitude made him look up to him.

"It's not like he's here to kill my daughter."

Hiyori said in a cold voice, "I heard clearly what you said earlier. Whether it's governing the country or controlling the people's hearts, my father Oden is not even half as good as you, Lord Caesar."

"If Your Excellency can truly ensure that everyone has enough food to eat and can freely trade overseas, then the Kozuki clan will completely lose all their support and will no longer pose any threat. But if that's all, Your Excellency doesn't need to spare my daughter's life..."

"Your Excellency must keep my daughter alive. Not only must she live, but you must also let everyone know that she is living well under the General's protection, living under your Excellency's watchful eye in this Flower City, to demonstrate General Yamato's benevolence and magnanimity."

"If Kozuki rebels, he will be ungrateful, condemned by thousands of people, spitted upon by the people, and nailed to the pillar of shame for his disloyalty and injustice!"

"Yes, you are very smart."

Caesar clapped his hands gently. "So what's your answer?" Hiyori looked up at Caesar. "If my daughter refuses to cooperate, what will you do?"

"Don't think too highly of yourself. You're not that important."

Caesar smiled and said, "Even if you die, the sun will still rise as usual, and people will still be able to live and work in peace. My promise to this country will not change."

"I am narrow-minded."

Hiyori Kozuki was startled when she heard this, but then she smiled. "Then... Hiyori, the daughter of Kozuki, is willing to serve Lord Caesar with my humble body."

"Miss Hiyori..."

Kyoshiro looked at Hiyori Kozuki with a complicated expression: "Kaido is the accomplice who killed Lord Oden!"

"In a life-and-death struggle, there's no right or wrong."

Kozuki Hiyori sighed softly, "My father's momentary naivety caused the people to suffer for more than a decade. If I must say, it is my Kozuki family that has let down the people of Wano Country."

Kyoshiro gritted his teeth, but finally sighed helplessly.

Things have come to this point, and there is nothing he can do to change the situation.

"It's a shame to be a geisha if you have this kind of understanding."

Caesar chuckled and stood up. With a wave of his hand, the shackles on the two men disappeared. "It just so happens that I'm short of someone to take care of the people's livelihood. You're the one!"

Hiyori was immediately surprised: "People's livelihood? But I don't understand politics..."

"I can't study."

Caesar waved his hand: "There's no point in feeding you a mouth for nothing, follow me!"

The two hurried to catch up with Caesar and soon saw Yamato.

"Ha! Caesar!"

As soon as Yamato saw Caesar, he immediately pounced on him like a big dog, laughing heartily.

"I've found a capable person for you. Let me introduce you to Hiyori Kozuki, the daughter of Kozuki Oden."

"Eh?!"

Yamato was immediately surprised: "Kozuki Oden's daughter? She's still alive? No, I mean... That's great!"

"My daughter greets the General."

"My name is Chuanjiro, nice to meet you, General."

Kozuki Hiwa greeted him gracefully, and Kyoshiro beside him also followed suit. Kurozumi Orochi was already dead, and his identity was exposed, so there was naturally no need to use the name Kyoshiro anymore.

"Denjiro... is he one of Oden's men?"

Yamato quickly pulled the two of them up: "I'm really sorry about what happened with my father and Oden."

"The past has nothing to do with the General. You don't have to blame yourself."

Hiyori Kozuki has a gentle voice and has a good feeling for Yamato.

She could see the innocence of the man in front of her. Although Yamato was the general, the real decision maker was Caesar.

No matter how stupid Kaido is, he will not allow someone who truly admires Kozuki Oden to take the position of Shogun, even if it is his child.

"We have different perspectives, but you have been able to carry on my father's legacy. I am truly grateful!"

"Ha...you really are a good person!"

Yamato looked at Hiyori with his big, sparkling eyes: "How about you become the general?"

"Hey, stop talking nonsense."

Caesar tapped Yamato's head lightly with his knife. "What good would it do to make a weak woman a general? Kurozumi Orochi was killed because he didn't understand this."

"For a nation, dignity lies on the edge of a sword, and truth is only within the range of a cannon. Wano Country is not a member of the World Government, and it has huge reserves of seastone. Once it loses the protection of the powerful, it will be immediately swallowed up by the World Government."

"So in a sense, Kaido has become the patron saint of this country. If you go to the sea, you will find that those non-member countries ruled by the World Government are not much better off than Wano Country. The unluckiest ones are even directly destroyed."

Caesar said with a sneer: "Even if you return the position of general to the Kozuki family, can they defend Wano Country without Kozuki Oden? They can't even feed the people at the bottom! The fundamental reason for Kozuki Oden's failure is because he was stupid. You must not become the second Oden."

Upon hearing this, Yamato jumped onto Caesar with a grin and said, "I can't do it! But Caesar, you will help me, right?"

"Don't act like a spoiled brat..."

Caesar gently pushed Yamato's head, a hint of warmth flashed in his heart, and he turned to look at Kozuki Hiyori and the others: "You go down first."

"Yes."

Kozuki Hiyori bowed and left the room silently.

As soon as the two left, Caesar grabbed the demon horn on Yamato's head, turned the innocent little head, and looked at the tender lips.

Yamato seemed to realize something, his face flushed, and he looked at Caesar awkwardly and slightly expectantly.

"Did you enjoy the kiss just now?"

Gazing at those watery eyes, Caesar smiled.

"hey-hey…"

Yamato smirked, his blush deepening. Although innocent and shy, he still stared at Caesar with burning eyes: "I like Caesar very much!"

Caesar raised his chin: "Well, what then?"

Seeing that Caesar didn't react, Yamato hurriedly explained: "It's not the kind of love between friends, it's the kind of love a wife has for her husband!"

"Aren't you unlucky then?"

Caesar gently pinched Yamato's soft little chin with his slender fingers and chuckled: "I'm not an honest man. I might have other women at any time."

"Uh-huh!"

Yamato nodded innocently, "Caesar is so outstanding, isn't it normal for him to be liked?"

"Should I say you're traditional or lack common sense..."

Caesarton was surprised: "Would you like other men?"

"No, I'm not that kind of woman!" Yamato said seriously.

Caesar understood that this girl was not ignorant of the relationship between men and women, but in her opinion, it didn't matter if men were romantic, but women should abide by the code of conduct for women.

The reason for this is probably due to the influence of Wano Country's closed-door policy, where the idea of ​​male superiority and female inferiority prevails.

Moreover, responsibility does not account for a high proportion in women's evaluation of men. Instead, they attach more importance to men's careers.

She is the type of person who would think that even if she is starving to death at home, as long as her man makes a name for himself outside, it is worth dying for.

Caesar couldn't understand it, but to be honest, as a vested interest, it was difficult for him to take advantage of the situation and preach about equality.

"Caesar... do you like me?"

Seeing that Caesar didn't say anything, Yamato asked cautiously.

As soon as she finished speaking, her tender cheek was gently pinched, and a touch of warmth was imprinted on her tender lips.

"Hmm..."

Feeling the jumping snake, Yamato's beautiful eyes suddenly widened.

Then slowly, the blush on her face became even more intense, and she gradually closed her eyes in ecstasy.

For a long time, the lips are divided.

Caesar rubbed the corner of his lips with his fingertips and licked the crystal sticking to his lips.

"Thank you for your hospitality, General..."

"..."

Hearing Caesar's playful tone, Yamato blushed and cupped Caesar's cheek again...

(End of this chapter)