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Hakumai, bottom of Habu Port.
A large fleet of dozens of Beast Pirates ships, carrying a full ten thousand troops, majestically crossed the waterfall and sailed into the outer sea.
On the shore, everyone bid farewell.
Page One stared at Daichi, his face filled with disappointment. "Brother-in-law, are you really not going to join us on this big battle?"
"No, I'm not going."
Daichi crossed his arms, his gaze proud.
Hehehe, your brother-in-law now has a house and savings, and is about to become a big boss, so why would he need to go out and work?
Pay-Pay, your brother-in-law and you are no longer of the same level!
"I really don't understand you!"
Page One was very disappointed, then turned and walked onto the deck to meet up with his sister, Ulti.
Neither of them could understand why Daichi voluntarily stayed behind when it was such a great opportunity to achieve success and build a career, and the entire Beast Pirates was going crazy for it.
What for?
"Goodbye, Daichi!"
"Goodbye!"
Daichi waved goodbye to the siblings.
Half an hour later, the Beast Pirates Grand Fleet completely disappeared from sight.
"Hehehe, hahahaha!"
Daichi couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Finally, this day has come. Everyone who held him back has left. Next, the Beast Pirates' area of control in Wano Country will be up to him.
"Yamato, let's go."
"Ah, oh."
Yamato pouted and reluctantly followed Daichi.
She now thinks Daichi is a bad guy!
Wait, Daichi was always a bad guy!
Just bear with it a little longer!
The most important thing about being Oden is patience!
"Daichi, where are we going?"
"Ebisu Town!"
Daichi glanced at Yamato.
He had been fooling this girl for two months, and besides making sure she ate well and slept soundly, he hadn't gotten any sweetness in other areas.
This girl wanted to become Oden for spiritual satisfaction, and it would be strange if she wasn't worried about the slow progress.
It was time to give her some sweetness.
Habu Port was right next to Ebisu Town, quite close. In less than half an hour, the beast carriage arrived at Ebisu Town.
"Pirates are here!"
The children reported as usual.
At the Village Chief's house.
Tonoyasu had a forced smile on his face and offered them a cup of clear water, which was all he had left.
"Sirs, please drink."
"...."
Daichi's gaze dropped.
How could two people share one cup of water?
He was a village chief, after all, why was he so poor?
"Wow, I'm thirsty."
Yamato didn't notice Tonoyasu's embarrassment. She picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp, smacking her lips, still feeling a bit thirsty.
"Is there more?"
"No, no more."
Tonoyasu swallowed his saliva, feeling pained.
This was crystal-clear water, bought with money, that wouldn't cause stomachaches and would make the body feel refreshed.
What a waste to drink it all at once.
"No more, huh? Alright then."
Yamato reluctantly put down the cup, suddenly feeling that the atmosphere was off, especially Daichi's strange gaze, as if saying: "Yamato, don't you look at the situation when you drink water?"
The girl shrank her neck.
"Why are you looking at me? It's scary."
"Nothing."
Daichi shook his head.
Alas, how could a simple-minded fool consider other people's feelings?
Daichi looked at Tonoyasu and said with a smile, "Mr. Tonoyasu, how have you thought about the matter I discussed with you before?"
"This…"
Tonoyasu looked troubled.
He had discussed it with the villagers, and of course, everyone wanted the ten thousand gold coins, but they were more afraid it was a scam that would ultimately leave them homeless.
For now, they could at least barely survive.
"Unwilling, huh."
Daichi wasn't surprised. After all, he was a pirate, and even if he spoke beautifully, it would be difficult for the villagers to believe him.
A sheep that trusts a wolf would probably not even have bones left in the end.
Very good, to hell with being nice.
Daichi grinned. "Tonoyasu, I'm discussing this with you politely. Don't tell me you've gotten the wrong idea that you can refuse me?"
"Sir, no... no."
Tonoyasu stammered.
Daichi took out a pre-prepared contract and handed it to Tonoyasu, threatening coldly, "Within half an hour, I need all villagers to put their handprints on this. If even one handprint is missing, this town will be destroyed!"
"..."
Tonoyasu trembled all over.
Damn it, this man is indeed a villain!
Daichi's eyes were cold.
"What are you sitting there for? Sitting also counts as time!"
"I... I'll go now!"
Tonoyasu quickly got up and left.
Yamato was worried.
When Daichi fought with the samurai before, she had endured not stopping him because both sides were enemies, and the samurai were trying to kill them.
But now they were facing ordinary people, and she couldn't accept the act of bullying them, nor would Oden ever allow it.
The girl glared angrily.
"Daichi, you're going too far!"
"Too far?"
Daichi snorted coldly.
Before the big battle, he had to be careful not to let his superiors discover his little actions, because his actions would conflict with Shogun Orochi.
At this stage, Kaido is still very much valuing Orochi as an ally. Both sides get what they need and generally don't cross the line.
Now, he is the Captain (acting)!
Daichi looked directly into the girl's eyes and asked calmly, "Yamato, what do you think of the conditions I proposed?"
"This... very good."
Yamato was stunned for a moment and answered truthfully.
Giving money, providing housing, and helping the villagers rebuild their homes—it was so good that she found it unbelievable.
Huh? Is Daichi a good person after all?
Daichi pointed outside.
"Then why is Tonoyasu unwilling?"
"..."
Yamato's mind was a bit slow to process.
Oh, right!
With such good conditions, why would Mr. Tonoyasu be unwilling?
If it were her, she would be a hundred percent willing.
The girl's confidence immediately deflated, her voice as quiet as a whisper.
"Why?"
"The answer is simple: because they don't believe us!"
Daichi sneered.
"Yamato, listen carefully: the prejudice in people's hearts is like a big mountain. Once it forms, no matter how hard you try, you cannot move it."
"We are pirates, one of the culprits who hurt this country, the sinners who killed the parents, wives, and children of these villagers."
"Although you and I didn't do it ourselves, the mark of Beast Pirates is carved on us, and it can never be removed."
"How can they not fear us, how can they not hate us, how can they believe us?"
Yamato opened her mouth.
She had never thought about these things.
She originally thought that by becoming Oden, she could protect Wano Country like Oden, and live freely like Oden.
But she was hated by the very people she wanted to help the most.
In fact, even without Daichi saying it, she could feel the widespread dislike, even though she had never harmed anyone.
She just didn't want to think about these things on purpose.
"Daichi!"
Yamato bit her lip.
She knew Daichi was right, but she didn't want to be disliked by everyone. She wanted to be friends with everyone.
She was silent for a long time.
The girl looked up, her eyes shining.
"Even if I'm hated and disliked by the people, I will still help them. What the people think is their business. I'm not helping them to make them thank me. I just want to live according to my own will!"
"Is that so."
Daichi looked at the girl in surprise, a smile gradually appearing on his face.
"Hey, Yamato."
"Hmph! What is it?"
"I'm starting to like you, you know."
"Ah? Eh???!!!"