[Note: I uploaded Chapter 161 a few hours ago since I skipped to Chapter 162. A reader (Alternatif_OfMe) noticed and left a comment.]
"Tsk, only a slight fracture. It's a wonder this guy is still alive."
Shin casually threw Kaido onto the ground, channeling some Yang chakra into him to keep him breathing.
After all, Kaido was Yamato's father, and despite their tumultuous relationship, Shin didn't want to risk creating any lingering resentment in Yamato's heart by killing him outright. Although Yamato often spoke of defeating or driving Kaido out of Wano, he'd never suggested killing him. Despite their clashing ideals, there was a semblance of familial bond between father and daughter.
Helping Wano was one thing, but Shin knew he would be crossing a line if it meant upsetting his friends. While Shin wouldn't hesitate if Kaido were of similar strength, with his current strength advantage, there was no reason to finish Kaido off unnecessarily.
Of course, Shin wouldn't ignore the opportunity to study Kaido's body structure and the effects of the Azure Dragon fruit.
"Amazing, Shin! When did you get so strong?" Ace asked a hint of envy in his tone.
Shin scratched his head, grinning. "Haha, we'll talk about that later. Right now, let's end this battle."
Shin launched himself toward the remaining Beast Pirates officers without waiting for a reply. With his current power, even someone as strong as King was no match for him, and a single move was enough to defeat someone at Jack's level. The only delay was because the battlefield was spread out because of Kaido's massive attack, so Shin took some time tracking down each member.
Before long, the fierce sounds of battle had subsided. With the key figures of the Beast Pirates defeated, the remaining soldiers surrendered without hesitation.
"Victory! We've won, hahaha!"
"Long live Wano!"
The rebels of Wano cried out in ecstasy, their relief and joy spilling over in laughter and tears.
After the battle, a new question arose: how should they deal with the defeated Beast Pirates? Ashura Doji and some of the Nine Red Scabbards suggested immediate execution for all, particularly Kaido. However, Yamato looked visibly uncomfortable, twisting and fidgeting as though he wanted to speak but didn't know how to express himself.
Shin's face darkened, and Ace was similarly taken aback. Killing Kaido in front of Yamato would be needlessly cruel.
Thankfully, Kozuki Hiyori, more thoughtful than Ashura Doji, quickly intervened.
Hiyori understood that if they executed Kaido, even if Yamato didn't object now, he might harbor resentment in the future. Furthermore, Wano, still in recovery, would need strong allies to defend against external threats. With the fall of the Beast Pirates, other pirates or even the World Government might set their sights on the isolated country, especially with Hiyori's plans to open Wano to the outside world, a goal her father, Kozuki Oden, had envisioned.
Thus, though Hiyori felt a deep-seated hatred for Kaido, she chose imprisonment over execution, planning to exile him from Wano in the future if necessary.
After all, Kaido was barely holding on after Shin's relentless assault. His muscles and bones had been crushed to near pulp. His strength would significantly diminish even if his superhuman vitality and life force enabled some recovery.
The rest of the Beast Pirates posed a different challenge for Wano's citizens. Slaughtering all the captured pirates seemed excessive, yet imprisoning them would consume valuable resources. Many of them were strong fighters, so their combined strength exceeded what Wano could handle alone.
Ultimately, Shin proposed a different solution, assuring Wano's citizens that he would strip the Beast Pirates of their Devil Fruit abilities.
When Shin produced the barrier fruit earlier, Hiyori had already suspected he might possess a unique ability, though she hadn't pressed him about it. Now, hearing his plan, she readily agreed to it.
In a dimly lit cell, the remaining members of the Beast Pirates sat in captivity. As the primary source of Sea-Prism Stone, Wano had spared no expense in lining every prison cell with the mineral, rendering most Devil Fruit users nearly powerless.
Even so, the top officials of the Beast Pirates, with their remarkable physiques, had trained with lower-purity Sea-Prism Stone to maintain their strength, so they retained some mobility within their cells.
Footsteps echoed through the dungeon as a handsome young man approached.
"Kid, have you decided what to do with us?"
King, chained with several heavy stone shackles, sat cross-legged with an air of unflinching dignity.
The other "Calamities" responded differently—Queen was on the verge of tears while Jack stared defiantly.
Kaido lay chained in the innermost cell, seemingly unbothered by his injuries as he drifted into slumber. Despite the brutal beating he had received, his tenacious life force was evident. Even in his severely weakened state, his breathing remained steady.
"It's been decided," Shin replied, his voice even. "The citizens of Wano would gladly see you all executed, but I have other plans."
King raised an eyebrow. "You have something else in mind, don't you?"
Shin nodded. "Indeed… Although you've caused Wano a great deal of suffering, your crimes don't concern me personally. You're my captives, not prisoners of Wano."
Shin understood his reasons for confronting the Beast Pirates. His primary goal was their devil fruits, followed by a promise to Ace and Yamato, with his compassion for Wano's people ranking last.
Ace and Yamato were more important to him than Wano's grievances, and Shin wouldn't let his companions be strained by the island's demands.