Future chapters (15+) at patreon.com/FFAddict.
Additionally, I have many new works readers may be interested in. Go look, if you wish!
Chapter Twelve: New Goal, My Unfilial Daughter
Kaido experienced a slight spasm and shiver. Yet, it seemed he was at a loss for words. With a brisk shake of his hand, he passed Yamato over to Black Maria. Black Maria affectionately and regretfully received her, cradling her gently in her hand. "Shackle her with Seastone and find a doctor to keep her alive," Kaido ordered. "I need to think about what to do with this foolish daughter of mine..."
Deciding not to trouble Kaido further, the others left him alone. Kaido massaged his temples, feeling vexed for the first time. He had always treated Yamato well. When she was a child, before Oden's death, the inhabitants of Onigashima had named her Onihime, the Ghost Princess. Oden's appearance changed everything. She set Oden as her ideal, started calling herself Kozuki Oden, and claimed to be a samurai, a man. Kaido pondered the absurdity of it all: his daughter idolizing an enemy leader, adopting his name, and continuously plotting to overthrow her own father.
Considerations such as starvation or beatings aside, even killing her would be letting her off easy. Instead, Kaido not only provided for her but also honored her wishes by acknowledging her as a son. He declared on Onigashima that everyone should cease referring to her as a princess. He had taught her how to wield a mace, perform the renowned Thunder Bagua, and forgave the theft of a precious Zoan Devil Fruit without punishment. Indeed, Kaido was a surprisingly good father by pirate standards.
Compared to fathers like Luffy's, Ace's, and those of Sabo, Usopp, Sanji, and Doflamingo, Kaido's care seemed nondescript. It was this very indulgence, however, that had turned Yamato into who she was. He sighed. Yamato had inherited his mighty powers and possessed the same Conqueror's Haki—a talent so grand that only death could stop its bearer.
The system alerted him of a new task. "New Goal Four: My unfilial daughter. Difficulty: 2 stars. Goal: Persuade Yamato to renounce Kozuki Oden and return to your side. Reward: Booster Module Pack (Middle)." The task appeared at an inconvenient time. It was not part of Kaido's plan, and he considered ignoring it. Was Yamato truly worth it? If her mindset could be changed, she would be—her potential to achieve the status of emperor within the Beasts Pirates was unparalleled.
Kaido knew that to alter Yamato's perspective, he would need a remarkable Devil Fruit power. As memories flowed through his mind, a thought struck him. If all the changes in Yamato stemmed from her obsession with Kozuki Oden, and his life story recorded in a notebook, wouldn't it be better if she forgot all about Oden? Perhaps even a tweak in her memory, to reorient her fixation toward Kaido himself, would solve the issue. Then Yamato would have eyes only for Kaido, remembering only the years she spent following in his footsteps, and ultimately becoming his staunchest supporter and most dependable right-hand?
And he knew just the person with this ability: "The 35th daughter of the Charlotte family! Charlotte Pudding!"
"The fruit of her memory!" No wonder the challenge is rated two-star. It seems time to pay an early visit to an old friend.
Onigashima, conference room.
Who's-Who is already seated at the table, but he is covered in cold sweat and fidgeting. He hopes that the three All-Stars will return from Wanokuni, as he tries to think of a way to deter his boss. Are you kidding me? That's another one of the Four Emperors! Who can predict the outcome of such a fight? Everyone on the sea knows not to mess with the children of Whitebeard and BigMom, or else face the wrath of an entire emperor's fleet! Now that Whitebeard has died and his sons are scattered, but that old woman Charlotte Linlin is alive and kicking. To say that the Charlotte family is the largest force at sea right now is no exaggeration.
BigMom has built an enormous alliance through the marriages of her sons and daughters, comprising several kings, government officials, business moguls, news agencies, mafias, mercenaries, and so on. With this intricate network, they're second only to the World Government in intelligence, and their white market and underworld influence are top tier. Their military strength may be just shy of the Beasts Pirates, but in all other aspects, they are equal or even superior.
Additionally, the Beasts Pirates are essentially a high-end arms dealer and exclusive agents for seastone. The profits from their sales go towards purchasing man-made Devil Fruits and Zoan fruits that come on the market, not to mention funding their new factory. How can they compete with Charlotte? Keep in mind that a conflict would not just be a duel between two rulers; there would be many parties involved. Even Roger nearly fell to the Golden Lion's fleet. If Kaido cannot defeat BIGMOM... the thought is unbearable.
This makes even Who's-Who, usually the most brash saber-toothed tiger, break out in a nervous cold sweat. It would spell the end for them if eradicated! Should Kaido provoke the Charlotte family, all they can hope for is that he doesn't lose. It's been years since a war between emperors took place. Kaido is oblivious to his subordinates' concerns. In his view, BIGMOM is as described: never trained but naturally talented, fluctuating in combat effectiveness, and her Homies are not even worth the effort to swat. He doesn't consider them a threat.
In a moment, a gazelle man with the power of a man-made Demon fruit dashes in, places the phone worm on the table, and immediately doubles over, panting and trembling, unable to walk any further. Kaido looks at him with a faint sense of recognition but more of a negative impression. To him, a Zoan ability user who runs out of stamina so quickly, panting after just a run, seems laughably weak. He even questions whether buying the artificial Devil Fruits was worth the hefty price. Dismissing the feeble figure, he directly dials the phone worm.
Purr grunt ~~ Purr grunt ~~ Click~