"You sure you didn't miss one?"
Kaito's voice was sharp as he emptied the box, letting every piece of fruit tumble out onto the ground. The others leaned forward in silence.
Normal fruit.
More normal fruit.
Then, one single fruit rolled free, its patterned surface immediately catching everyone's attention.
"There it is! Boss, it's real! A Devil Fruit!" someone shouted in excitement.
"So this is how a Devil Fruit manifests… interesting," King said quietly, studying the swirl-patterned skin.
Kaito lifted the fruit, examining it with a thoughtful gaze. It resembled a pineapple in shape, with small stems and leaves sprouting from its top.
"This should be Kurozumi Orochi's Animal-type Devil Fruit," he said, a faint smile forming on his face.
"With this fruit, our crew gains another powerhouse," Queen said, grinning widely.
Kaito stored the Orochi Fruit away, his expression turning serious as he surveyed the people around him.
"Everyone, let's go. From today onward, Wano belongs to us."
"Yes, Kaito!"
In a flash, they appeared inside the Shogun's mansion, carrying the severed head of the Kurozumi serpent. Guards collapsed to their knees the moment they saw it. Some trembled, others begged for mercy.
Kaito ordered them to gather every resident of the Flower Capital, for he intended to announce Wano's new future. The serpent's head was hung in the center of the mansion gate, displayed plainly for all to see.
Word spread fast. Before long, crowds filled the street, pressing in around Orochi's mansion. No one dared speak. No one dared lift their eyes. Panic and disbelief weighed heavily on the air.
After all, someone who could kill the Shogun—someone who could kill Orochi—might as well be standing on Kaido's level. Causing trouble now would only be suicide.
"Kaito sama, everyone from the Flower Capital is here," one of the former guards whispered nervously.
Kaito stepped forward to the gate, raising his voice so all could hear.
"From this moment, Wano is under my rule. I brought you here so you can understand who we are and what we intend to do."
A hush fell over the city.
"The factories poisoning this land will be dismantled. From now on, everyone will be treated equally. If we eat, you eat. I will write clear laws that will be distributed throughout Wano."
His tone deepened.
"And I promise you this: I will restore Wano to the prosperity it had under Kozuki Oden."
The people trembled, their fear slowly shifting into hope.
For the next hour, Kaito spoke without pause. When he finally stopped, his throat was dry and his voice sounded rough.
"In three days, everything I promised will begin. Wano will grow stronger and brighter from here on."
"Kaito sama… is it true? Can we really return to Oden's era?" an elderly man asked, eyes brimming with tears.
"Yes. You have my word," Kaito said gently, placing his hands on the old man's shoulders.
"Thank you… thank you…" The old man dropped to his knees in gratitude.
"No, please, stand," Kaito said quickly, helping him up.
Returning to the center, he addressed the crowd again.
"Remember everything I've said today. Watch me closely. If I go against my word even once, you have the right to take my life."
Shock rippled through the crowd. For the first time, many lifted their heads.
Satisfied, Kaito nodded. "That's all. You're dismissed."
Once the people dispersed, Kaito and his group returned to the Shogun's mansion. As he expected, the Flower Capital would spread his message across all of Wano before nightfall.
He ordered the servants to prepare food. In the main hall, King, Queen, and the others sat quietly, their expressions complex.
"If you've got something on your minds, speak," Kaito said. "There's no need to hide anything from me."
"Kaito-sama," Queen said, scratching his head, "were you serious about all that?"
"Yes."
"In that case, our income will drop drastically. Plus we'll be giving out food… we'll be losing Berries, not gaining them."
Kaito waved his hand dismissively. "You're thinking too small. Wano isn't our final destination. We're aiming for the New World. One day we'll topple the World Government itself. Wano alone is nothing."
He leaned forward slightly.
"Do you know what we need right now?"
"Money? Supplies?" Queen guessed.
"No. We need people's hearts. Once we have that, they'll follow us without hesitation."
Peggy raised a hand. "But boss, we're strong. If we want them to do something, can't we just force them?"
Kaito sighed, shaking his head. "Let me explain it simply. Why do the people of Wano cling so tightly to Kozuki Oden's memory? Why do the Nine Red Scabbards keep waiting for a successor to return?"
King snorted softly. "They don't know Oden's line is gone… wiped out by us. Their waiting is pointless."
Kaito continued calmly, "The real reason is that the people are suffering. The rich starve, the poor starve. They can't eat, they can't stay warm. Misery breeds rebellion."
"If we had taken Wano while following Oden's principles from the start, the people would've welcomed us. They would've forgotten Oden naturally."
"But instead, things were done poorly."
Kaito shook his head lightly.
"Wano's people don't ask for much. Give them food, warmth, and a chance to live peacefully, and they'll support you. If the Scabbards ever tried to rise against us, the people themselves would stop them."
King frowned. "I understand now… but the losses will still be significant."
"Losses are small. Don't worry about them." Kaito leaned back. "Tell me, what's our most profitable business right now?"
"Seastone," King answered instantly.
"And how much Berries do all our industries make in a year?"
"Two to three billion, and with plundering at sea, total profit reaches around five billion."