Subsequently, Makoto ordered the ship's doctor of the Kuja Pirates to stop the bleeding and treat Kikunojo, whose limbs had been severed. Then he had the ordinary female crew members of the Kuja Pirates stay behind to watch the ship, while he prepared to lead the main force into Wano Country.
Speaking of which, it had been several years since he last saw Kaido-sensei, so it would be nice to catch up.
However, just as Makoto was about to formally lead the girls into Wano Country, another ship surged over the towering cliff behind them and officially entered Wano's territory.
The huge commotion made everyone turn their heads to look.
The large vessel was being carried by black flame clouds, as if riding the mist and flying up the cliff.
"That's... flame clouds, which only appear after a Zoan-type Devil Fruit has awakened."
Utaha narrowed her eyes as she looked at the ship.
She had been in the habit of reading newspapers all these years and immediately recognized the flag on the sail.
"The Beasts Pirates!"
Makoto was a bit surprised.
He had thought that Kaido had already occupied Wano Country and formed an alliance with Kurozumi Orochi… but it seemed he was just arriving.
Makoto wasn't surprised that Kaido was using flame clouds to tow the ship.
After all, twenty years later, at his peak, Kaido could even use his flame clouds to lift an entire island.
Being able to only lift a single ship at this stage was considered weak.
However—
Kaido, standing at the bow of the ship being towed by the flame clouds, looked down and also saw Makoto's group.
The next second, Kaido's pupils shrank sharply.
He stumbled in fright and the flame clouds instantly dissipated.
Because of that, the giant ship of the Beasts Pirates fell straight from mid-air.
"Captain Kaido! What's wrong?!"
King, Queen, and the others on the ship were greatly alarmed and shouted in panic.
The ship tilted, crew members on the deck staggered, and some were even thrown over the railing.
Just as the ship was about to fall, at this critical moment—
"Little squirrel."
Makoto called out.
Seeing this, Ragnir leaped up, opened its arms, and caught the falling Beasts Pirates' ship.
The immense impact force caused Ragnir's legs to plow two deep trenches into the ground, but it stood firmly.
The ship was placed steadily on the ground.
This fully demonstrated Ragnir's immense strength.
Seeing the ship land safely, the Beasts Pirates breathed a sigh of relief.
But upon seeing the flag of the Otherworlder-Go next door, their faces turned pale with fear one by one.
"..."
The cigar in Queen's mouth fell, the fat on his face trembling.
King remained silent but tightened his grip on the sword at his waist.
However, among this group, a little baby girl seemed out of place.
She looked curiously at Ragnir, who had put the ship down, her eyes sparkling. She leaned half her body out from the ship and shouted excitedly, "Wow— what a cute squirrel!"
Makoto immediately recognized her… Kaido's daughter, Yamato.
But to be honest, he didn't have much liking for Yamato.
After all, from the moment she appeared, she constantly muttered, 'I want to be Oden, I want to be Oden', making Makoto want to kick her.
To be honest, if it weren't for her face, the character Yamato was completely useless.
"Yo, Kai-san, long time no see."
Makoto waved to Kaido.
Compared to ten years ago, Kaido now had much more facial hair, making him look more rugged, and his build was considerably larger.
Kaido grimaced and reluctantly responded.
"...Yeah."
To be honest, he really didn't want to run into him.
'Damn, how was I so unlucky?'
"Huh? Mister, are you that [King of the World]?"
A childish, squeaky voice came from the side.
Yamato was quite brave. She jumped off the ship in one leap, closed the distance in a few steps, and stood in front of Makoto, tilting her head to look at him curiously.
"I heard my dad used to work for you!"
"Wow… what a cute child!"
Yotsuba, Miku, and the others, now nearly thirty, saw Yamato and their maternal instincts overflowed.
Yotsuba scooped up Yamato and lifted her high in the air.
"Wheee—!"
Yamato was lifted high, but instead of being scared, she giggled with joy.
Other girls also gathered around, chattering and discussing.
"Kaido-san, whose child is this?"
Ichika asked curiously.
"...Mine."
Kaido's voice squeezed out between his teeth.
"No way?!"
Nino looked incredulous.
"You're so ugly, how could you have such a cute daughter?"
Kaido's face darkened, but because these women belonged to Makoto, he didn't dare to retort.
Kaido took a deep breath and silently recited: 'Don't get angry, don't get angry, don't get angry...'
Makoto initially wanted to stop Yotsuba and the others from playing with the child, as he was somewhat worried about Yamato's IQ being contagious.
But for now… Kozuki Oden was still alive, and it would be a few more years before Yamato was 'possessed'.
So Makoto let Yotsuba and the others play with Yamato.
"Kaido-sensei, long time no see!"
Chika enthusiastically ran up to Kaido and waved.
Eight years ago, Kaido's main student was Chika.
And Chika's current fighting style was quite similar to Yamato's in the future… both wielded a kanabo.
Kaido looked at this former student, the corner of his mouth twitching.
"...Yeah."
He responded perfunctorily, his gaze drifting elsewhere.
Makoto watched the two greeting each other, stroked his chin, and pondered that if Kaido died, he might give his Azure Dragon Fruit to the Cancer of the Earth to eat.
King, Queen, and others under Kaido also got off the ship one after another.
Upon seeing Makoto, they all lowered their heads and dared not speak.
Although Makoto hadn't done anything major in recent years, his subordinates like Yu, the Four Gay Bros, Beam, and others were making headlines every few days.
Leaving aside the Four Gay Bros who were tormenting Imu every day… Yu, Beam, and the others killed any pirates they encountered, trying to increase the world's fear of them through this method, thereby further strengthening themselves.
Makoto invited the Beasts Pirates to enter the city together.
On the way, Makoto asked knowingly, "Kai-san, what are you doing here?"
Kaido didn't dare to hide anything from Makoto and obediently answered, "I've formed a cooperative relationship with Kurozumi Orochi, the current shogun of Wano Country. I plan to station myself on an island next to Wano called Onigashima."
"Kurozumi Orochi?"
Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Yeah."
Kaido nodded and continued, "Kurozumi Orochi knows that his position is illegitimate and that Kozuki Oden, that idiot, will eventually come back to take revenge. Therefore, he needs a backer to protect him."
Kaido added, "The person he chose is me."
To be honest, Kaido wasn't interested at first, but Orochi said he would give Kaido all the resources of Wano Country except the capital, Flower Capital.
So he agreed.
Wano Country is the world's origin of Seastone, plus its unique ability to forge weapons, making it an absolute treasure trove.
But if Kaido had known that Makoto was also coming, he wouldn't have come even if it killed him.