One Piece: The user of the Nen-Nen Fruit, who overturned the sea.

Kaido listened, but his gaze swept across the crowd.

Finally, the image focuses on the figure sitting next to Cyrus, who also has red horns and flowing white hair.

"Yamato!" Kaido suddenly spoke, his voice turning deep.

A slight tension rose in the conference room. Everyone knew that the relationship between this "father and daughter" was complicated.

Yamato raised her head, meeting Kaido's gaze without fear: "What?"

"You little rascal..."

Kaido looked at Yamato's aura, which was noticeably more solid and powerful than when they last met.

A complex emotion flashed in his eyes, but it was quickly replaced by his usual assertiveness.

"It seems you haven't been slacking off with Roy. Your strength has improved quite a bit."

Yamato snorted but didn't reply.

Kaido continued, "After this transplant is completed, you'll come back to Wano Country with me."

The tone was not one of negotiation, but of command.

Yamato frowned immediately: "Return to Wano Country? Why?"

"Why? You are my 'son'! You are the future shogun of Wano Country!"

What's the point of always staying on someone else's turf?

Kaido emphasized his words.

"I let you run wild before, but it's time to settle down! Go back and familiarize yourself with government affairs, prepare to take over!"

"I don't want to! And I've already said it before, I want to go my own way!"

Yamato suddenly stood up.

"I have joined the Roy Pirates and am now an official member!"

My captain is Roy, not you! You have no right to order me around!

"You bastard!"

Kaido's eyes widened, and a terrifying wisp of Conqueror's Haki unconsciously leaked out, causing the air in the entire conference room to seem to freeze.

"My words are commands!"

"Kaido."

Roy spoke at the opportune moment, his voice calm yet carrying undeniable weight.

Kaido's momentum faltered slightly as he looked at Roy.

Roy shrugged helplessly.

"Yamato is a free individual; she has her own choices."

Since she chose my pirate crew, I will not force her to leave unless she wants to.

This is my way of showing respect to my partners.

Kaido stared at Roy for a few seconds, then glanced at Yamato, whose face remained stubborn and unyielding, before suddenly letting out a sneer and withdrawing his imposing aura.

"Tsk, they've really grown wings."

He took a large gulp of wine and didn't press the matter further, but a barely perceptible glint flashed deep in his eyes...

Perhaps it's disappointment, or perhaps something else entirely.

but,

Roy, however, sensed something unusual in Kaido's seemingly domineering and forceful words.

Should Yamato be sent back to take over the affairs of Wano Country?

This is unlike Kaido's usual style.

He was more like a pure conqueror and territorial expander.

He has never been very interested in specific internal affairs management, and basically leaves them to his subordinates (such as Kurozumi Orochi).

Unless... something happens in Wano Country that makes him feel the need to strengthen direct control,

Or is there some potential trouble that forces him to be distracted?

Roy's heart skipped a beat, and he asked directly,

"Kaido, is something wrong in Wano Country?"

Kaido paused in his drinking, glanced at Roy, slammed the sake bottle down, and his expression darkened.

"Hmph, it's all because of that idiot Kurozumi Orochi!"

Inside the meeting room, the atmosphere became somewhat tense after Kaido uttered those angry words.

The core members of both the Beasts Pirates and the Roy Pirates fell silent, their gazes fixed on Kaido.

Roy leaned forward slightly.

"Kurozumi Orochi? What happened to him?"

I remember he was in charge of Wano Country's internal affairs and fundraising, and he was always quite "capable."

"Capable?"

Kaido chuckled, a sinister glint in his eyes.

"It used to be an obedient dog that knew how to make money."

But ever since they established a connection with the World Government to trade in sea stone and secretly received some promises,

This fool's mind started working!

Kaido took a swig of sake and continued.

On the surface, they were still very respectful to Laozi, and the supply of sea stone and funds never stopped.

But behind the scenes, they kept making underhanded moves!

Win over some mid-level samurai and manipulate the financial revenue and expenditure.

He even began secretly cultivating his own armed forces...

Do you really think I'm blind?

Jhin added coldly from the side,

"Our informants report that Orochi seems to have received some kind of support or promise from the World Government."

It could be technological, or it could be political recognition.

He began to feel that even if he escaped our control, he could still secure his position as the Shogun of Wano Country thanks to the Seastone resources and the World Government's covert support.

Quinn, with a cigar dangling from his lips, interjected with a grin.

"However, this guy is still a coward. He only dares to make small moves and doesn't dare to really turn against us."

After all, he couldn't afford to take the governor's punch.

Our main focus now is on expanding our territory. As long as he can provide funds and sea stone raw materials on time, we can turn a blind eye to these minor incidents for the time being.

"We can deal with him later after we've completely conquered the new territory."

Roy nodded.

This aligns with Kaido's style: prioritize expansion, and leave internal problems aside as long as they don't spiral out of control.

Orochi's ambitions and petty schemes were ultimately powerless against absolute strength.

But Kaido's next words made Roy frown.

"That idiot Orochi's underhanded tactics are one thing, but the real problem is, he's caused me a huge mess!"

Kaido slammed his fist on the table with a dull thud, his anger intensifying.

"What basket?" Roy pressed.

"Those die-hard loyalists from Kozuki Oden's side, those guys who call themselves the 'Nine Red Scabbards'..."

"Lately, I've been like a mad dog, searching everywhere for the whereabouts of those hostages from back then!" Kaido said irritably.

Roy understood instantly.

In order to persuade Kozuki Oden to submit, they agreed to perform a nude dance in exchange for the safety of the hostages.

Kaido and Orochi did indeed hold a group of civilians and low-ranking samurai who had close ties with Kozuki Oden hostage.

This matter was key to Kozuki Oden's compromise and also the fragile bond that maintained that "peace".

"Did they find out?" Roy asked.

"There's no concrete evidence yet, but they've probably already sensed something's wrong."

Kaido spat.

"This is all the fault of that self-righteous idiot, Kurozumi Orochi!"

When Kozuki Oden kept his promise and foolishly danced, he lost the hearts of the people and thought the situation was settled.

Orochi, realizing the hostages were no longer useful and fearing a leak,

They actually... they actually disposed of all those hostages behind my back!

A low gasp filled the conference room.

Even Barrett, a battle maniac who had no interest in intrigue and scheming, raised an eyebrow.

Crocodile let out a cold laugh.

"Utterly foolish."

"Thinking that they had eliminated the root of the problem, they actually left behind the biggest hidden danger."

Once things were exposed, Kozuki Oden would have no scruples left.