Chapter 29 – Seeds of a New Era
After placing the newly claimed island within the inland waters near Wano Country, Ren did not linger to micromanage every detail. He entrusted the organization and civil planning to Toki, the Red Scabbards, and Wano's daimyo. His role had been to move mountains—sometimes literally. Governance belonged to those who understood the land and its people.
The Tontatta wasted no time proving their worth. The tiny tribe worked with astonishing speed, their hands moving faster than most men could follow. Within days, the once-barren island began transforming into a structured agricultural haven.
They divided the land carefully, ensuring irrigation channels were aligned with the inland sea's tides. One region was dedicated entirely to rice paddies, another to vegetables, another to orchards heavy with future fruit, and a carefully guarded section for medicinal plants.
The farming island quickly became a symbol of rebirth. Rice fields shimmered like liquid gold beneath the sun, vegetable rows stretched in perfect symmetry, and fruit saplings dotted both the farming island and Wano's mainland forests. Even the citizens, once hardened by scarcity, began smiling more easily.
However, the medicinal sector remained limited. Only native Wano plants could be cultivated for now, and Ren had already foreseen that problem. He summoned Kaido for assistance.
Ren had said calmly. "Send your Beast Pirates to acquire medicinal seeds and supplies. Anything we lack."
Kaido grumbled loudly at the order. "Tch. You're using my crew as merchants now?"
"Yes," Ren replied flatly. "Or do you prefer I assign you personally to carry fertilizer sacks?"
Kaido's eye twitched. "You brat."
Still, he complied. A few Beast Pirates were dispatched under the supervision of Queen, who complained theatrically the entire time.
"Why am I doing gardening errands?" Queen shouted as he boarded the ship. "I'm a scientist!"
"You're a loud scientist," Ren responded. "Bring back what we need."
While the island flourished under capable hands, Ren allowed himself rare moments of ease. Together with Yamato, he spent afternoons exploring, training, and occasionally indulging in playful distractions.
They watched "Pokemon".Yamato would often want to watch more. Ren often trained her afterward, correcting her stance, refining her control over her Devil Fruit, and pushing her limits without breaking her spirit.
When boredom struck, they would take to the skies. Riding flame clouds they soared over villages, assisting citizens with construction, reinforcing bridges, or simply delivering supplies.
The people of Wano had grown accustomed to seeing them together. Ren and Yamato were practically inseparable, their bond evident in every shared grin and competitive argument. Only at night would Yamato retreat to her own quarters, still brimming with restless energy.
One afternoon, Kaido approached the training grounds with his signature booming laugh.
"Wororororo! You daughter of mine!" he roared. "Don't you remember this old man?"
Yamato didn't even turn immediately. She adjusted her grip on her kanabo and sighed. "Why are you here? Go and do some work."
Kaido's mouth twitched violently. Ren, seated nearby, nearly choked on laughter.
"You damn girl!" Kaido barked. "Is that how you talk to your father?"
Yamato whirled around dramatically. "But I was having fun and you came. Now go and do some work. I have training to do."
Ren actually fell back onto the grass laughing. The scene reminded him absurdly of Monkey D. Garp chasing after a younger Monkey D. Luffy.
Kaido crossed his arms, clearly offended yet oddly restrained. "You've gotten bold."
"She's always been bold," Ren said between chuckles. "You're just noticing now."
Kaido shot him a glare. "You're corrupting her."
Yamato gasped dramatically. "I was always like this!"
Ren wiped his eyes. "You were. But it's more entertaining this way."
As father and daughter continued bickering, Ren's thoughts drifted. The more he observed Yamato, the more she reminded him of Luffy. Both were simple-hearted yet impossibly stubborn. Both dreamed of freedom above all else.
Yamato had once wanted Wano free from Kaido's tyranny. Even as a child, her dream had been freedom—nothing grander, nothing selfish.
Ren's mind wandered toward a dangerous hypothetical. What if Yamato had eaten the Gomu Gomu no Mi—the truth behind it, the Hito Hito no Mi Model Nika?
Would she have awakened it? Would her pure heart have resonated with that absurd power?
He shook his head almost immediately. No. Yamato had eaten the Okuchi no Makami fruit, and he would not allow that cursed "Nika" fruit anywhere near her.
Luffy after Gear Fifth had felt… different. Not broken, but altered. The transformation drained him severely, leaving him exhausted after mere minutes.
Ren muttered to himself, "If Luffy fought Kaido again one-on-one at full strength, Kaido would smack him and say, 'You brat, you want to be an Emperor? It's too early.'"
Kaido overheard only the last part. "Who are you calling a brat?"
"Not you," Ren waved dismissively. "Relax."
Ren analyzed the Onigashima battle logically. Kaido had fought Big Mom, the Red Scabbards, then Luffy, Law, Kid, Killer, and Zoro.
He had defeated Luffy multiple times. He had fought Yamato. He had faced Momonosuke. Then Yamato and Luffy together. Then Gear Fifth Luffy.
All of that while carrying Onigashima on flame clouds.
"That's why Kaido fell," Ren thought quietly. "Not because Luffy surpassed him instantly. Because Kaido endured too much."
Kaido suddenly glanced at him suspiciously. "You're thinking something annoying, aren't you?"
Ren smirked. "Just appreciating your stamina."
Kaido grunted. "Hmph."
Ren's gaze shifted back to Yamato, who was now arguing loudly with her father about training schedules. She was smiling, alive, free in her own way.
That was enough.
"Nika can remain Luffy's burden," Ren thought calmly. "As long as Wano stays out of their destiny drama, I'm satisfied."
Yamato suddenly pointed her kanabo at Kaido. "If you're not training with me, leave!"
Kaido's laugh echoed across the field. "You think you can command me?"
"Yes," she replied without hesitation.
Ren leaned back on his elbows, watching the absurd exchange unfold. Father and daughter, both powerful, both stubborn, neither willing to back down.
And for the first time in a long time, Wano felt alive—not under fear, not under chains, but under possibility.