"Bell-mère... Yamato!"
Yamato scratched her head and grinned brightly.
"That's your mother's surname, right? I went to great lengths to find out, because I really admire you. But that Kaido guy… he wouldn't let me sail out to see you, so this was the only way. No matter what, I just wanted to be closer to you!"
"If it bothers you at all, I can change it back! I mean, now I'm finally seeing you in person… just thinking about it makes me so happy…"
"?"
Aokiji peeked from the doorway, his expression odd.
Shane placed a hand on his forehead and sighed. He couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.
So that's why she changed her surname. Classic Yamato.
Still, this might be for the better—at least on the surface.
Because of his sudden appearance, she'd successfully purged the virus and hadn't become the twisted vessel completely overtaken by Kozuki Oden.
"Not offensive, exactly," Shane said softly, shaking his head.
"But my mother… she was an orphan before she even remembered anything. She didn't know her own surname. Bell-mère is just her name. And I'm not really called Bell-mère Shane."
"So change it. It sounds weird. You clearly have issues with Kaido. If you don't want his name, just call yourself Yamato—no need to tack on a surname."
"I understand!"
Yamato nodded without hesitation. "Then from now on, I'll be Yamato. Everything according to your wishes!"
"Oh, and Shane-sama! I've been training for the past two years just so that one day I could follow you! And now that you're here…"
She suddenly looked thoughtful, then added urgently:
"I… I can join the Curtain Call Adventurers, right? I really, really want to fight alongside you! And I know Onigashima well. If you're heading to face Kaido, I can guide you! Lead the charge!"
"?"
Aokiji's face was a question mark as he peeked again.
He hadn't misheard, had he? That Kaido… what kind of father raises a daughter like this?
"No need."
Shane was speechless. "Jack probably told you already, right? Looks like you weren't paying attention. The Beasts Pirates were crushed last night. Wano is under our control."
"Eh?!"
Yamato finally remembered, her expression shifting. "Then… Kaido?"
"Dead."
Shane said calmly. "One-on-one. Died by my hand. I even buried him myself before coming to see you."
"Dead?"
Yamato blinked, stunned for a moment, but then her eyes lit up. Hands on her hips, she laughed loudly. "Just as I thought! That guy didn't stand a chance! Hey, Kaido! Today's your day!"
"…"
After a pause, Shane added quietly:"Before he died, he specifically asked me not to harm you. He said you still had a kind heart, unlike him, and asked me to look after you."
Yamato's laughter cut off.
"That man… was a villain. And as a father? He was completely unfit."
Shane's voice was calm. "But in his heart, your importance was real. Out of respect for that last request, when you have time, pay him a visit at his grave."
Sakura petals drifted in through the window, landing softly on her shoulder.
Finally, the dazed girl seemed to regain her senses.
"Okay."
She bit her lip and nodded firmly.
Shane didn't say more. That was enough.
After all, Yamato became such a devoted daughter not just because of Oden's influence, but because Kaido… well, he was utterly incapable of being a proper father.
His rule of Wano was abstract at best. His approach to raising his daughter was even more chaotic.
Compared to him, even the sporadically insane Big Mom seemed like a saint.
"By the way… you said you wanted to follow me and join the Curtain Call Adventurers?" Shane shifted the conversation.
"Yes!" Yamato's eyes sparkled again. "Can I, Shane-sama?"
"Of course."
Shane smiled slightly. "You grew up here and know Wano well. I'll have Kuina and Jack stay to help rebuild and prepare the seas. You go assist them—and apologize to Jack properly while you're at it."
"Eh? Really?!"
Yamato's eyes widened in excitement. She almost jumped.
Ever since that fight with the elephant… happiness came too fast!
Not only could she join the Curtain Call Adventurers, but she could also be an officer and directly help rebuild Wano? Witness its opening to the world? Two dreams fulfilled at once!
"I'll leave immediately!"
Yamato couldn't wait. Rising with determination, she said, "Don't worry! I, Yamato, will complete the mission you assigned. I won't let you down!"
"Good."
Shane nodded, then suddenly remembered something. "The diary of Kozuki Oden that you found… do still have it?"
"Yes!"
Yamato quickly pulled out a worn diary, caressing the cover with a nostalgic smile.
"I've always carried it. Looking back now, maybe it was just childhood idolization. But after seeing you, I realize… Oden wasn't that impressive at all."
The difference was staggering.
The legendary feats she once idolized now seemed like ripples compared to the man before her.
Even over the past few years, as she matured, she realized…
Kozuki Oden was so foolish.
How could someone so clumsy be a rightful shogun of Wano? With enough strength and influence to fend off enemies, yet naïvely trusting foes and giving away his position and his clan's prestige? Even with allies from Roger or Whitebeard, he could have acted… but for five years, he danced blindly, letting Orochi and Kaido gain full control.
Truly… the suffering of Wano's people for decades wasn't entirely their fault—it was Oden's doing.
And Shane?
Born lowly, poor, starting far below Oden… yet in less than two years at sea, he rose from a nobody to a world-shaking figure.
Defeating the Emperors and Marine HQ, expanding influence across the New World, and tearing the Celestial Dragons from their high perch. Changing Wano's fate was as simple to him as eating a meal.
"Now that I think about it… it's ridiculous."
Yamato scratched her head, embarrassed but smiling.
"So I use Oden's diary as a cautionary tale. The only thing I still agree with is that Wano must open its borders. Everything else… I'll never be foolish like him."
Shane studied her closely. She seemed even more resolved than he expected.
"Anyway, this diary is yours. Besides that one point, it has lots of information about Wano that might be useful. Consider it a gift."
"Thanks!"
Shane flipped through a few pages. "There's indeed some value here. I'll keep it."
"Yay! I can already help! This is amazing!"
Yamato laughed, rubbing her hands like a happy puppy. Shane couldn't help but smile and closed the diary.
Of course, the diary was practically useless to him. Its real purpose? Points, offering to the unfortunate soul who'd find it… maybe someone like Yamato used to be, a diehard Oden fan.
"Then I'll go first, Shane-sama?"
"Go ahead."
"Mr. Jack! Mr. Jack!"
Yamato shouted, rushing out. "I'm here to apologize! Please let me work with you and Kuina!"
Complete this mission, and she'd officially become an officer of the Curtain Call Adventurers.
Charge, Yamato!
Watching her sprint away, both Shane and Aokiji felt a strange premonition.
"Uh-oh," Aokiji murmured. "If I remember correctly, that corridor is narrow. At that speed, she might not be able to stop in time."
"Hmm, Jack shouldn't be far, probably guarding the end," Shane replied uncertainly.
Almost immediately, a distant, anguished scream rang out:
"You! Do! Not! Come! Here!!!!"
Boom!
A massive figure shot into the sky like a meteor…
Meanwhile, at the Shogun's mansion, Kuina stood with hands behind her back, glancing at the courtyard.
Two squads of the combat regiment fully controlled the area, counting supplies.
Hundreds of crates filled the courtyard, far more than expected.
Kaido's exploitative rule had hoarded nearly all the nation's wealth here.
Kuina noticed movement at a side gate—a thin-eyed, strange-looking samurai escorting a well-dressed, beautiful girl through the crowd.
Several regiment members blocked them.
"Hold it!"
Kuina squinted.
"Let them through," she ordered.
"Yes!"
"My lady," the samurai Denjiro bowed deeply. "I am Denjiro. This is Kozuki Hiyori, daughter of Oden."
"Oh?"
Kuina's gaze lingered a moment on Hiyori, then raised an eyebrow.
"One of the Red Scabbards. I know your name. So?"
"We heard that Kaido has been defeated, and the Beasts Pirates crushed. We came to pay respects."
Denjiro bowed. "We thank the Curtain Call Adventurers for eliminating these threats and giving Wano a chance to see the light again!"
"Yes! Truly wonderful!"
Hiyori echoed politely, lifting her delicate face. "What are your plans for Wano? Rumor says you'll open the country. My father always wanted this. If possible, we Kozuki wish to continue his will and assist you…"
"Assist?"
Kuina smiled faintly, cutting her off. "How many of the Kozuki remain?"
Hiyori looked at Denjiro.
"Besides Hiyori, a few retainers survive. Momonosuke should return within years…"
"Then very few remain," Kuina said calmly. "A fallen noble family—barely a small force. What use are they? Wano's future is Shane's responsibility. No outsiders needed."
"Outsiders?"
Hiyori's voice rose. "We are not outsiders! My father was…"
"A criminal?" Kuina interrupted coldly. "A man who, through his own foolishness, destroyed his country and betrayed his people?"
Hiyori froze.
Denjiro's face hardened. Drawn sword half out, he glared at Kuina. "Lady, Oden is my lord. I cannot let you insult him. Retract that statement!"