In the banquet hall, attendants cleared the messy tables and replenished them with rare delicacies and fine wines once more.
Not only that, but geishas also entered the hall, playing shamisens in the background to liven up the festivities.
Yamato instinctively buried herself in eating, leaving all matters to Gurd to handle. She responded to Orochi's attempts at small talk with vague murmurs and nods.
Even if asked, she wouldn't understand anyway.
Gurd proactively took over the conversation, feigning ignorance as he inquired, "Lord Orochi, may I ask what brings you to seek an audience with me and Lady Yamato this time?"
"Well..."
Orochi adjusted his demeanor, forcing a smile back onto his face as his sharp gaze fixed on Gurd, a hint of killing intent flickering beneath the surface.
This was the brat pulling the strings behind everything.
"Guhuhuhu... This lord heard that my dear niece Yamato has been undertaking massive construction projects in Ebisu Town. I wished to understand the situation better and see if I could offer any assistance."
"So that's what this is about."
Gurd's face lit up with sudden realization.
"How wonderful! Lord Orochi, you may not know this, but developing Ebisu Town requires enormous funds. Lady Yamato and I have been plagued by financial difficulties—we could truly use your help!"
"..."
Orochi's smile froze.
He had only been making polite conversation—how dare this whelp take his words at face value and climb up the offered ladder!
Moreover, his investigations had already revealed the truth.
For Ebisu Town's projects: the laborers came from Rabbit Hollow Prisoner Quarry, the food supplies from Kuri's Peach Spring Farm, and the primary construction materials from both the quarry and Kuri Beach Forest.
The most expensive aspects of the project were practically free of charge.
How could they possibly be short on funds?
Gurd raised his cup solemnly with both hands.
"Lord Orochi, allow me to toast you first!"
"Ah... very well."
Orochi raised his own cup in response, inwardly cursing.
What standing does this brat think he has, daring to share a toast with this lord?
Hah... patience!
"Excellent wine!"
Gurd set down his cup with gusto, immediately pressing forward eagerly. "By the way, Lord Orochi, how much were you planning to contribute?"
"What money?"
Orochi blinked in confusion.
Gurd slapped his thigh emphatically, announcing loudly:
"The funds for developing Ebisu Town, of course!"
"..."
Orochi gaped speechlessly.
This insolent brat actually had the gall to demand money from him!
Gurd sighed with emotion. "I understand, Lord Orochi. As the Shogun of Wano Country, how could you not be concerned with the development of all regions? Now that you've learned of Lady Yamato's efforts in Ebisu Town, naturally you'd want to contribute both funds and support."
"This lord—"
Orochi felt his chest constrict, nearly coughing up blood in outrage.
Concerned? He wished nothing but endless suffering upon the lowly citizens of every region! Why would he ever spend money to help develop Ebisu Town?
"This lord... this lord—"
Orochi's trembling hand rose, itching to smite the bastard before him. But upon seeing Yamato nearby, he could only suppress his murderous intent with great effort.
His hand shook even more violently.
Noticing Orochi's trembling hand, Gurd's eyes immediately brightened. Mimicking Orochi's gesture, he stretched out his own hand, splaying all five fingers.
"Lord Orochi, are you offering fifty thousand gold?"
"Wha—?!"
Orochi inhaled sharply.
Fifty thousand gold?!
Even for someone of his exalted status as Shogun, producing fifty thousand gold in one go would be painfully excessive. The sheer audacity of such a demand!
"Truly worthy of Wano's Shogun! To casually offer fifty thousand gold with a single gesture—such magnificent generosity commands our deepest admiration!"
Gurd praised loudly, then nudged Yamato with his elbow. "Yamato, don't just sit there—let's toast the great Orochi Shogun together!"
"Ah? Oh!"
Wiping her mouth hastily, Yamato hurriedly raised her cup.
Watching the two raise their glasses in a toast, Orochi's expression twisted into a snarl. His hands trembled as he lifted his cup, spilling wine everywhere.
He was going to kill this bastard!
"Clink!"
The wine was drained in one gulp.
"Crash!"
Orochi smashed his cup in fury, bloodshot eyes fixed on Gurd. After glaring for a long moment, he suddenly burst into laughter.
"Guhahaha!"
How dare this fool mock him!
Unforgivable!
If he couldn't touch Kaido's daughter, was he supposed to be helpless against some measly Headliner? Did they think the Shogun was made of clay?
"Young Gurd!"
Orochi stared at Gurd, not bothering to hide his murderous intent: "The money is no issue, but this sovereign wishes to know—why are you developing Ebisu Town?"
"To make money, of course!"
Gurd smiled faintly and explained: "We purchased the land in Ebisu Town. Buying land naturally means seeking profit, and to profit, we must first increase the land's value!"
"So you're developing Ebisu Town for that?"
Orochi's head buzzed, feeling like his brain couldn't keep up.
What nonsense!
You're pirates!
Pirates!!!
Pirates should be burning, killing, and plundering! They should be sailing out on expeditions!
Instead, you're building cities and farming?
Have you no pirate pride?!
Even if it really was about money, this wasn't the way to do it. What profit could an empty city possibly bring?
Wait, no—
This brat just extorted 50,000 gold from him!
He really did make money!
The sheer audacity!
Eyes bulging like copper bells, Orochi gnashed his teeth: "Does Kaido know about this?"
"Such trivial matters naturally don't warrant troubling Boss Kaido."
Gurd replied calmly.
Orochi's killing intent surged, his body faintly showing signs of transformation: "So this was your own doing, unrelated to Kaido?"
"Developing Ebisu Town was indeed a decision made after discussions between myself and Lady Yamato. But to say it's unrelated to Boss Kaido wouldn't be entirely accurate."
"How so?"
"If the Shogun wishes to know, I naturally won't hide it."
Gurd grinned, pulling Yamato to sit beside him.
"Who is she?"
"Kaido's daughter, Yamato."
Orochi paused.
Wasn't that obvious?
Every year during the Fire Festival, he went to Oni Island to drink with Kaido. Over the years, he'd seen Yamato several times—it couldn't be anyone else.
"The Shogun is correct. Yamato is Boss Kaido's daughter. But more than that, she is Kaido's only child—the heir to the Beasts Pirates!"
Gurd narrowed his eyes: "Lady Yamato has been devoted to training since childhood, paying little attention to other matters. But now that she's grown, certain responsibilities must be faced."
"That responsibility is the future of the Beasts Pirates!"
"Boss Kaido is invincible in this world. He will undoubtedly become the Pirate King—perhaps even rule this chaotic era!"
"Thus, the matter of succession for the Beasts Pirates must be addressed!"
"As Kaido's only child, Yamato inheriting the Beasts is the natural expectation. But as she is now, she cannot command the crew's respect!"
"Therefore, Lady Yamato must achieve something worthy of recognition!"
Gurd paused to take a sip of wine, then continued: "Taking advantage of Boss Kaido's current expedition, Lady Yamato and I decided to accomplish something significant. When Boss Kaido returns victorious, we'll present him with a grand gift!"
"Ebisu Town is that gift!"
"We must make it clear to every member of the Beasts Pirates that Lady Yamato is now fully qualified and capable of leading the Beasts!"
Bold words indeed!
Orochi was utterly dumbfounded.
So this was their plan!
The reasoning was sound, but the problem was—it threatened his interests!
Wano Country didn't need two Flower Capitals!
And it certainly shouldn't prosper!
"Bang!"
Unable to find flaws in Gurd's argument, Orochi slammed the table in humiliated rage, his head transforming into an ugly serpent as seven additional heads sprouted from his neck.
Snake-Snake Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Eight-Headed Serpent!
"Guhahaha, Gulaton Gurd!"
Orochi's eight heads encircled Gurd, hissing menacingly with forked tongues: "What an impressive speech. Pity I've already investigated thoroughly—this is all just lies you fabricated to amass wealth. Today, I'll eliminate you, this scum who deceived my niece Yamato, on behalf of Big Brother Kaido!"
The dagger was now unsheathed.
"Deceive Lady Yamato? You jest, Lord Orochi. Though everything I've done was indeed for myself."
Gurd threw back his head in laughter, abruptly pulling the bewildered Yamato into his embrace.
"After all—I am Yamato's fiancé!"
(End of Chapter)